Considering converting my 998cc from carb to efi. Anyone have any input?

 

Uhm, why? What do you hope to accomplish by making the Mini more complicated?

I suppose you can buy someone's SPI take-off parts and refit. Saw some on Minimania or the Mini club in Vancouver....

 

MiniWorld, Summer 2008, pages 98 to 103

"Inject your Mini" using the Canems system .....

 

Assuming you have the diagnostic tools to figure out problems with the ECU, an injected Mini will probably be... well, hjust about as much trouble as a carbed Mini. I see lots of threads on the UK forums looking for help with diagnosing SPI and MPI issues, but reading them it seems like most of the issues come from a lack of the proper code readers and lack of knowlege of injected fuel systems. Do you feel comfortable working on and diagnosing such engines? If so, you can probably build a Mini with a hair more HP going injected, true. Still - I prefer the old, carbed Mini personally (although I do want to put in an electronic Petronix ignition to replace the old, mechanical points), but to each their own, right?

 

Minimad: Not sure if I want to or not. That's why I'm asking. I'm having trouble getting my Carb tuned correctly.

Everyone else: Thanks for the info.

 

dunno much about it as well, but have read maybe trying out megasquirt as an alternative.

 

Just curious as to intent. SU carbs are much less complicated than most people think. You ought to be able to get it running right with a few changes. Once done, it should work well for a while. Do you have a Capstat (waxstat) SU? If so, I'd suggest converting it to the regular jet system as they are problematic and add issues. See www.joecurto.com for any SU carb part needs and advice.

 

Years ago I saw a mini with the bosch K jetronic mechanical fuel injection installed on his mini also a turbo. He got the fuel injection parts from a VW.

 

I've had the carb adjusted quite a bit and am still getting black plugs. With clean plugs the car runs great but after they foul it runs like crap.

Could anything else be causing the plugs to foul?

 

Do you have a Haynes book? If I recall, they do give a few other things to look for. Have you had the timing checked? Your choke can also be sticking, causing it to run rich - did you have to adjust your idle downwards when you had the carbs adjusted?

 

You say the carb has been adjusted....

has the needle ever been changed?

The needle is really the core to the performance of the SU, or so I've read in many places. And the 'true' method of tuning an engine with SU's is a handful of needles on a dyno and a gas analyser according to many sources.

or....finding a true SU expert. I was fortunate to live near Abacus Racing of Virginia Beach when I needed to sort mine out. Folks there identified my problem and improved performance literally within minutes of my pulling up to the garage door. Nothing beats an expert.

But back to needles....for example: if you pull the stock air cleaner system and put on a cone you need to change the needle....don't ask me which one it should be but usually checking with 7 or MiniMania provides a starting point. But just twisting the screws on the side of the carb won't cut it.

And...is it possible you are burning oil?

 

Mine's been doing the exact same thing.

 

are you getting enough spark? or running too rich?

 

I really forgot an important rule - suggested by others here....

IGNITION SYSTEM FIRST....then fuel delivery.

If the ignition isn't spot on and you are messing with the carb you are most likely wasting your time. As I mentioned, Abacus found my problems within minutes....and the first was TIMING.

Be 110% sure of the ignition system first......

 

but did do it on an old Mustang... Got more power, better starting, and almost twice the gas mileage. FWIW, you don't have to replace with another stone age FI offering, you can go with modern stuff. There are aftermarket systems that aren't too expensive that will give you full access to fueling and timing without any fancy tools other than a lap top. I'm jonesing to do a Megasquirt project to an old Fiat I have with a two barrel webber.

Way I see it is if you're looking to make a driver a better driver, a good FI conversion should be at the top of the list. If you want to stay correct for collectability and authenticity, do what others here have suggested and get both the ignition and fueling working they way the should, and just learn to maintain them well.

Matt