I was just wondering how fast your guys minis are. im aiming to build a 1380cc supercharged with wide gearing (for highway use) and possibly get it up to 140+ (on a track i swear). do you think it can be done?

P.S.- im in the process of reading a book about race engines, lots of great tips to get lots of HP out of an engine, some in places you wouldnt believe!

 

I've done 60 in mine. A friend said he got his up to 100+ on a track with a 1275cc engine.

 

I think you may find that 140mph is possibly attainable on a highly ($$$$) modified, purpose-built classic Mini as well as the upper limit on the car's aerodynamics. It has all the aerodynamics of a BRICK... I believe Minimania tried a speed record a few years back at Bonneville and that was their max with a specially prepped car. Check their site.

I think a 1380 Mini properly geared will do over 100 as I tool mine there a couple times. I also think a Mini that is taken those speeds regularly won't last long between rebuilds. Talk to Mini race drivers. There's a few on Minimania who can enlighten you on what to do/not to do.

 

I've had my bone-stock 1275 (single carb, 4-speed) up to 85mph on the speedo. It was terrifying. I could have gone faster downhill (the 85 mph was on a straightaway), but I would have been scared to steer or even change lanes at that speed.

 

what's 7500 rpm in 4th gear with Yoko 165/70 x 10 tires? That's how fast (with a rev limiter).

 

My Crush has a 1275 Metro lump with stage two exhaust that will do 97 flat out, but it is dangerous as heck. While driving in England at that speed the crosswinds change lanes for me.

 

My 998 with a cooper head will go 85. My friends 63 Works race car goes around 120. I imagine you'd need a lot of aero mods as well.

 

65 with my 998. But thats because i chose only to go that fast while driving it back from the docks, and didn't want to push it. Now the engine is beside the mini, so top speed is 0.

 

i think i could do it, and build a true race engine. the quirkyness of it at those speeds must be amazing, but whats not to love? also its nothing that a steering stabilizer cant fix.

 

Rocan, I get a kick out of you. My preoccupation as a 14yr-old was bicycle racing and the current world champs of the time, Eddie Merckx and Bernard Thevenet. I dreamt about peddling 35 mph in a tailwind.

Here you are, looking at vintage tin cans (aka minis) and wondering if you could get one cranked up to 140mph!

My 2006 MCS JCW is scary enough at that end of the speedo. I'm not sure I'd even want to witness such an attempt in a classic. There are supercars that beg to be driven that fast--then there are toys like classic minis that are so "visceral" at 70, you needn't push beyond for a good thrill. Before purchasing my mini pickup, I had considered other toys, such as a '79 Porsche 930, which is on my "bucket list" of cars. I passed on the P-car, knowing that I would have more 10-60 mph fun in a mini and much more safe than the 70+ mph fun/trouble/death that the 930 is capable of.

If anyone else wants to chime in, please do, but fwiw, I think the essence of minis is having fun in the first three gears--not redlining 4th. Seriously, its so darned fun driving one of these through curves at 30-50mph, it's not necessary to crank up the speed as you would in say, a Lexus.

 

Thats what im here for, and i guess some call me a bit touched in the head, seeing as how nothings ever to fast for me. i understand the whole bond between a mountain and a mini, but why wont someone try to hold the record for the worlds fastest mini? its good to be different!

 

I have had my speedo up to 70ish (it bounces a lot, so an exact speed is a guess), but it is about 10% slow, so that is about 77 mph. My 1275 has a stage 1 kit on it and 165/60/12 tires. Gearing is my limiting factor, and with no tach I only have the sound of the engine telling me how fast I can go.

 

I had my '62 Cooper S with the 1071 engine up to 95, redlined in 4th out on the Kansas prairie, but that's when there was no speed limit on the Kansas Turnpike, back in the late 60's and early 70's, before Nixon dropped the 55 bomb on us..........getting one to 140 on a track will be difficult, unless it's Daytona or Talledega.........you'll run out of straightaway...........

 

Theres always speed week at Bonneville!

 

The two I had years ago when they were not so classic at the time, a 64 and a 67 1275CC, I never gave top speed something I would consider. Oh yes many great times on the road and many poor, but top speed was never something I thought of as a late teen, just the fun they were.

 

ive heard of people doing 100+ on the highway, and i know that 140 is obtainable, even with the shitty aerodynamics.

 

On the few occasions I've had my 1275/1.75SU/LCB/10"wheels on the highway, it handled the speed limit fine.

OTOH I was glad the 6 point Safety Devices cage was there .....

 

Take the 1380, supercharge it bring it out to LI and try for FTD (fastest time of the day) in an autocross against some very hot STIs, EVOs and others. That is the essesnce of a tuned Mini.

BTW - come out to LI this spring and you will see a 1380 Supercharged classic on goodyear slicks trying to do exactly what I stated above. Not mine but a friend at LIMENY. I'll be there in my 1275 trying to keep up while not getting out of 2nd gear.

Top speed - - like my gauges actually work????

 

I had my pickup (1330) running close to 100 on the highway between here and Tampa a couple times. The engine was screaming like a banshee and my ears were ringing for hours afterwards. It actually was a rather harsh and not fun drive. I'd much rather be on a windy road in 2nd, but that's my opinion.

 

If its the one on the weekend im going to try to get out there. that sounds exactly what im aiming to do to my mini =P

I still wonder though- where can i get a turbocharger for the mini? is there more overall power then a supercharger?

 

I'm also considering building a mini and I have looked for a good supercharger kit for a 1380cc engine and couldn't find anything. Where did you find the one your planning on using.

 

I had 2 MINI back in England
1970 850cc 92 in 4th

1990 998cc 105 in 4th

My cousin with a 1380cc hit 130 in 4th this is going back a few years...

 

i found it on minispeed, or a direct link at
http://www.minispeed.co.uk/classic/

They have lots of cool stuff there. i couldnt find a supercharger on minimania though.

What power should i expect from a 1380cc supercharged stage 2 with dual carbs and tuned to perfection? im guessing around 200 HP.

 

The supercharger (and turbo) utilize a single 1 3/4" SU, not twins. As the ads claims, 160HP. You must remember that a Mini motor has its upper limit on power & reliabilty and things are all interconnected. A 160HP Mini engne will likely grenade itself at any given moment unless built by a careful and knowledgeable Mini engine expert (Minimania, 7 Enterprises, Heritage Garage) Those are the people that race them & have for decades. They can tell you what can and more importantly what can't be achieved. Remember a Mini engine & trans are interconnected. When one blows you will likely damage the other, too. Unlike an American car where if the engine blows the trans & differential are unaffected, you can lose everything when a piston decides to leave a Mini motor.

You'll need mighty deep pockets for this project as to do what you are thinking will create a Mini well into the $20-30K range. Start with $2,400 for the supercharger kit. Add $500 for a carb plus miscellaneous. Shipping & labor takes this to minimum of $3,500 to the cost of your proposed Mini charger install. A Minimania 1380 power unit is $6,995 without ancillaries or exhaust.

Now you need to figure out how much to build a Mini gearbox that will withstand 160HP, much lees 200HP.
I suggest this:
Fully Rebuilt A+ straight cut 4-speed gearbox with 4-pin diff A+ gearbox fitted with straight cut gears and 4-pin diff with all new bearings, baulk rings, central oil pick-up pipe.
Comes with 3.4 final drive ratio, if another final drive ratio is required, or you need an A-series box, please phone or email to order.
£843.51

and this:
Limited Slip Differential (LSD) - race versionCLASSIC MINI: C-AJJ3387
]This clutch plate type diff is a much updated version of the Salisbury diff, being extremely strong and reliable, making it an excellent addition to any race car.£446.51 (ex VAT)

and this:
Straight Cut Drop Gears 1.000 1275 A+ CLASSIC MINI: JKMTG1275100A
[SIZE=2]Straight cut drop gears. 1.000 ratio for 1275cc A-plus kit
£210.00 (ex VAT)

You now have a Mini unsuitable for the street that'll make your ears bleed with gear whine. I know I sound skeptical, but I feel you're setting some unrealistic goals for a first-time Mini owner who is so young. If you can do it (and not hurt yourself financially or physically) more power to you literally I suggest that you get grannie's car or another suitable 1275 first and drive it unmodified for a while. Learn about it and enjoy it. Save up some dosh, then build your dream car. You may find you don't even want a Mini in the long run because of their limitations. Or, you may find what a wonderful driving experience a Mini can be all on its own.

 

In my oppinion, all engines have limitations, cars do not. for my age, i know a good bit about engines and cars in general, loving them for all my life. Ive found and fixed problems on my grandfathers 85 bronco numerous times, some things that the mechanic couldnt fix. i understand that i will be out of some cash, and that it will be noisy and have that beautiful wining noise, but thats what i love about cars. a car isnt meant to be comfortable and have all of the extras, a car is a machine. I thank you for reminding me that even if i could build an engine to withstand that power, the transmission may not. i know about the transmission being linked to the engine as well. i plan on putting a very wide final drive ratio in it (i think that the widest available is 2.4? correct me if im wrong) which should take some load off of the transmission and engine seeing as how i wont have to have the engine screaming constantly. im not worried about not having enough torque, seeing as how powerful this engine will be. Im not saying im the most knowledgeable person to go to for engine repair, but for my age i am not half bad and i will know lots more by the time i start to build my dream Mini.

As for the turbo, where can i find one? i cant find them online anywhere. also ive been thinking about running a dual charge application, seeing as how i would get the low end torque from the supercharger and the extra boost from the turbo at about 5k =D...

Remember, im just a kid with some wild dreams that actually may work. as for money, me aiming to become an investment banker is for two reasons, the first being is that i like math, and the second being that they make plenty money to fuel anyones dream of having a super fast car.

For those who think it cannot be done, google search Burt Monroe, the man who holds the record for fastest motorcycle under 1000cc. Now who says modern technology is better then the originals?