For the money, this seems to be a pretty good deal. Anyone have any advice or pointers on it? How did the car run after installed?

 

I personally would get the center exhaust

 

I did not install it, but my 77 has a stage kit...center exhaust.... I like it a lot. there are a number of tech articles on minimania....that expain it and the tested results that it gets...suggest you "mine" those articles for bits and pieces of info....

 

A Stage 1 kit is a nice improvement, generally speaking. The carb needle they supply with it (generally an AAU) might not be ideal for your car and could need tweeking--often it runs a bit rich, but that's ok as it's almost a bit better to run a tiny amount rich than a tiny amount lean (if you've gotta be off in a direction)

While the center exit may look cool, it dumps the exhaust right in the middle of the vortex or swirl at the rear of the car. So the tendency to suck exhaust fumes in through the boot lid and/or rear windows is much much greater. If you've got a great boot lid seal and the trunk area is sealed off from the passenger compartment really well, might not be much of a problem. Have a poor seal around the boot or rear pop out windows and crack open your driver's window and you'll get some nice stink.

The kit is the foundation for reaping benefits from any further improvements (ie camshaft or head) and the intake and exhaust manifold can be used on a 1275 later if you decide to go large later.

edit: oh, and for how it runs after it's installed? The first one I ever did my impressions were that it revved more freely (it buzzed up through the gears more easily), the exhaust note was tougher, the exhaust leaks were annoying, and my mpg got worse.. I was able to sort through the negatives over time, though. Putting on a stage 1 kit (or equivalent parts) is generally the first thing I do to any mini I get. That and disc brakes... I won't drive a drum braked mini for very long.

--Spank