Hey guys,

I wrote out a BIG explanation of my situation and realized none of you will care

Heres my question, I'm about to buy a 69 Mini Cooper (depending on responses) and I need some info on engine swaps if anyone here as experience.

The mini I am buying only has a 850cc. I plan to DD this car and I drive about 40 miles a day on the fwy, meaning the car would be struggling at 55-60MPH.

How easy and cheap would it be to find an engine that fits (without some expensive kit) that would bring me to around 60HP or more. I know the 850 only has like 30-40HP. I know the 1275 engines would be the best bet but those are hard to find from what I understand.

Please if you have any knowledge, don't skim over this thread and not give ma a reply, the car will be being bought either tomorrow or this weekend. Would VERY much appreciate some feedback from those with classic minis.

 

A 1275 is an 'easy' swap and finding one can also be easy. Seven sells fully rebuilt units ... cheap is where the problem starts.

http://www.7ent.com/detail.cfm?pageid=274

 

Not a classic MINI owner, but this I know. The final drive in that Mini will be too low for freeway use. You will be turning big RPM.....

I'm sure someone will chime in here & fill you in on all of the specifics.

 

Here's a few that might have some ideas. Best of luck.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http....uk%2F&h=86061

 

I would never pay 5K for that engine. I would be looking for used engines.

 

Capt hit it on the head ... the 1275 engine is EASY to find, either Seven or MiniMania offer complete rebuilds ... but they ain't cheap.

Even with one of these total engine rebuilds, the car will tend to dissolve in water, struggle at internet speeds, have zero crash tolerance/protection and still have a Lucas electrical system, so using one as a DD is rarely a good idea.

They are fun to drive collector cars, not daily drivers.

 

The 1098 A series engine will fit also.

Dave

 

The engine swap doesn't need to be original, I can do an accord or GTI engine/anythign else that fits. But want the total cost to be under 2K. That's not what I mean by 1275 engines being hard to find, those don't count. I don't want to buy a rebuilt engine worth more then my car itself.

Finding one used is the issue apparently.

As far as it being a DD, aslong as it is maintained I don't think it would be a big issue. I will have other cars if something goes wrong. People DD old cars 24/7 here in cali and I'm not sure why it would be a bad idea. Aslong as the engine is strong it should be fine.

 

Is this possible to find used in the states right now?

 

Does anybody have AIM and willing to talk with me about this? My aim name is "negativory"

 

Get ahold of Seven in auburn Ca or mini mania in nevada city ca and speek with them about used motors that the might have in stock. They both should work with you on an engine problem. Maybe just putting in a hotter cam will give you enough Hp for your needs.

 

Besides the Mini, the front wheel drive cars that had A series 1098 and 1275 engines, in the U.S., were the MG 1100 (1098) and the Austin America (1275). The engine and transmissions are bolt for bolt interchangeable with MINI's engine and transmission. Except for the automatic which was bigger and some welding and fabrication skills are needed to put an automatic in a Mini.

The A series BMC engine is very easy to rebuild, even for a novice and parts are easily available for it. It might be easier to look for cars with those engines in them, than it would be to look for those specific engines.

Dave

 

This might do the job for you:
http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/U%.../InvDetail.cfm

 

Agreed. I would talk to both Graham @ HeritageGarage and Jack @7 Enterprises. Both are very knowledgeable and won't steer you wrong. I spent loads of dough getting my power unit rebuilt by an expert (one of the above) and have never regretted it.

Good luck,
Jeff

 

There you go, Mini Mania has exactly what you're looking for, perfect!

What people are trying to tell you tho, is that it's not just the motor you need to be aware of, that can give you issues.

Brakes, rust, weak electrical systems, rust, overheating, rust, leaks, rust, no crash protection at all......you're right that any car can be maintained and driven every day, the trick comes in doing it on a budget, which is what you sound like you're trying to do, and with no experience, which it sounds like you have.

I wish you the best of luck with this project, most sincerely.....

Oh, and I forgot to mention the one thing that really bedevils these cars - RUST!

I think if I were going to buy this car, I'd use it as a daily driver for a couple of months before I considered an engine swap, or any other expensive repairs.

 

not a question you asked, but others have hinted at

IMHO driving a classic at modern highway speeds is right up there with riding a motorcycle, and maybe more dangerous ... modern bikes at least have decent brakes.

I have a full roll cage - not for bling - for self defense!

I drive mine regularly but it is NOT my DD and I avoid the interstate as much as possible.

*****************

But want the total cost to be under 2K.

Well, maybe you are seeing that this goal is a bit unrealistic. MM has shown you a ruff but running 1275 and it is running over $1500 before you start buying the goodies needed to get it working. Yes MM or 7 is going to be a bit more than you might find one on the street .... if you can find one on the street. But what's it going to cost to get the car up to safe dd condition. As stated you may well also need brakes and basic body repairs (holes) and suspension bits. When I bought mine I was told "as good as they get, ready to be driven daily" and easily dumped $2000 in the first 18 months fixing problems b4 I ever thought about improvements or "mods".

Sounds to me what you REALLY want is a VTEC conversion but finishing one for $2000? Well if you get the motor from a junkyard and do everything else yourself . . . .

 

I had a 1963 Mini with a 848cc engine when I was stationed in the UK back in the late '70s. I would regularly drive from the Oxford down just outside London. I'd get out on the motorway and maintain 70-75 MPH for 1.5 hour drive each way. A couple of times when I only had myself and one passenger I'd get up to 80. Granted it took about 3 or 4 miles to get there, but I was keeping up with most of the traffic on the motorway.

I guess they must be getting tired with age.

 

don't we all!

My 66 Mustang would get almost airborne at 55 mph because the front end was so light . . . engineers learned a few things along the way.

My 79 will run 65+ ... and I feel like I'm hanging on for my life; same way I felt on a motorcycle at that speed.

my fear is what happens when something goes wrong. This thing wasn't made to go that fast for very long . . if at all.

But yes, some of you ride bikes 80 mph and more all the time.

 

I really appreciate the replies guys. I had a mini expert look at the pics of the car and he says it is a true 69 and that it would take some work to swap in a 1275 even, and that it will have drum brakes and I'd need to change those too.

He told me if I can pick it up for relatively cheap it might be worth it but if not I should just wait to find a 1000cc or 1275cc.

I actually have the money to this right, I just didn't want to spend more then what I needed on a DD, and I really wanted to have this as a DD rather then like a 2005 Accord or something.

I currently own a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 with 400AWHP and a 1963 Toyota Land cruiser and I am looking for one more car as my DD. I will be keeping my mini under a top, might not be a garage but it will not be rained on. (I might be moving)

I will always have the Evo (or another car if I decide to change) to drive on rainy days. I will have an iPhone soon which I can check the forecast everyday and know whether it will rain and I should not drive the Mini.

 

I don't know why alot of you bad mouth the mini being a DD. I have had mine for 5 years after a complete restoration and use it as my DD. The only time I do not drive it is in snow as the salt would eat it alive. Yes the mini requires a little more maintenance, but it is a older car. Remember there were millions of them made and sold for 40 years and they were the primary car to own in the UK for many of those years. But I do agree if you do not have any experience with working on your own cars then it is better to have a different DD until you have catched up............one last thought there is several final drive ratios for the mini. I run a 3:44 and can cruise at 80 mph for hours (yes the rpms are a little high but no where close to red lining) on end without any issues. I can say honestly I ran from RAF Fairford, UK to Buedingen, Germany within 2 days and only stops I made was for food and gas. thats a total of 16hrs......

 

Yes, after a complete restoration.....

He's wanting to do it on a small budget - there-in lie the issues....

 

yes under 2000 is impossible to do all that is require to make a DD. I have a total investment of almost 13000, but thats including all the performance mods and wheels and tires.......

 

I am buying a older mini with a 1275 I will be replacing with a race engine. It has 61.000 miles on it. I live in Central Oregon. PM me if interested.

 

I find that a 1275 motor will run about 4500 RPMs. you should be able to run 75 with no problems but the engine will be loud. I also wouldn't push it much faster then that unless you have a built engine.

 

At 65 MPH my Mini's 1275 is right at 4000 RPM with the 3.44 gears. No problem going 75 with the 1275 ... 100 yes, but 75 no problem. With a well running 1275 you'll hit redline before you'll run out of oomph.

Cheers,
Jeff