Engine conversions

[Sidney'61]

Hey,
Thinking about what engine I could put in a modified minor, can anyone please tell me what sort of power/top speed/0-60 etc.. I'd be expecting to get from a 1300 marina/midget or 1.6/2.0 fiat engine?
Thanks
(P.S. I hope that question makes sense, It does in my head!)

[Kevin]

Thinking about what engine I could put in a modified minor,

I assume you mean to turn your car into a Modified Minor.
First thing is to improve the brakes for starters as insurance companies often expect that to be done.
Well to start the ball rolling my 1275cc will happily do 80-90mph I have never tried it flat out as the noise is quite a bit at those speeds as for 0-60 never tried to find out but it pulls a lot better than a 1098, but other things to consider do you keep it standard or raise its spec, do you change the gearbox and diff ratios etc.
The Fiat version will obviously be more powerful and normally you fit it with its own 5 speed box and back axle but it does involve more work fitting it.
It might be an idea to pop along to your local branch and see if anyone has either of these conversions done to a car then you will get a direct comparison with your standard one.
What exactly do you want to achieve with the car.

[Sidney'61]

Hi, thanks Kevin
I'm just looking for a minor for everyday general use so it looks like a 1300 will be sufficient.
Of course I've still got to bear in mind insurance costs for being a teenager!
And another question, is there any difference between the midget and marina 1300 engines?

[Matt]

In terms of performace? No
In terms of price... pretty similar
In terms of fitting? Midget is much easier, but you need to modify a minor flywheel to fit the 6 bolt crank on the 1275 in order to fit the minor clutch

[bigginger]

Genuine question - why's the Midget easier? Is the back plate the same as the Mog, or what?

[bmcecosse]

Yes - Marina/Ital backplate is different. However - 1098 backplate can be easily 'adjusted' to suit.

[bigginger]

I know, duh, I've done it more than once. It wasn't the answer to the question I asked. So, is the Midget one the same as the Morris?

[Matt]

The midget backplate allows the minor box to be bolted straight on if thats what you mean...

[bigginger]

*THAT'S* what I wanted to know! Ta

[RussLCV]

Also use the Midget flywheel..................why adapt a Minor one?

[Peetee]

The 1275 Midget was fitted from the outset with an identical box to the Minor. The 1275 Marina and Ital use a gearbox derived from the Triumph range - hence the different backplate. This box is not easy to fit to a Minor.

[Kevin]

is there any difference between the midget and marina 1300 engin

The midget engine looks very similar to the Minor one as it has the same type of oil filter assembly but the Marina/Ital one has an upright style of filter towards the rear of the engine, apart from what Matt mentions the only other difference I have found is that the Midget engines tend to sell for higher prices.

Also use the Midget flywheel..................why adapt a Minor

So that you can use the larger size clutch 7 1/4" rather than the Midget 6 1/4" which is for a much lighter car, and it makes for a much nicer clutch action. I have driven a couple of cars with the Midget clutch and found it to be very harsh more like a on-off actionwhich I found awful in traffic.

[Matt]

I dont think the price difference between the engines are significant. There is demand for a+ engines because they have a stiffer block and are therefore better for tuning (and there are less of them), whereas the midget is an easier fit and looks more standard

[jonathon]

Stop messing about, put a K series or Zetec in it, adequate to insane performance unrivaled economy (by tuned A series) and reliable in both modded and std form. Against? possibly the size of your wallet.

[bmcecosse]

I did my best to answer your Q Mr Ginger - no need to be so snappy!

Midget 1275 engines use a different crank - with smaller big-ends and therefore Cooper S style con rods (AEG 625 - not exactly S spec but v nearly as good - and used in the last of the S engines). Rarely the crank may also be in EN 40B nitrided material ! These blocks can be fitted with the later (much less expensive) Marina crank - provided the matching large big-end rods are used.

[bigginger]

I did my best to answer your Q Mr Ginger - no need to be so snappy!

Midget 1275 engines use a different crank - with smaller big-ends and therefore Cooper S style con rods (AEG 625 - not exactly S spec but v nearly as good - and used in the last of the S engines). Rarely the crank may also be in EN 40B nitrided material ! These blocks can be fitted with the later (much less expensive) Marina crank - provided the matching large big-end rods are used.

Smashing, Mt Ecosse, but as I said, it wasn't the answer to the question that I asked, it was information that I was pefectly well aware of.

[bmcecosse]

And I assumed you would know (as a v long standing forum member and webeditor) that the gearbox used in the Spridgets was basicaly a Minor gearbox - and therefore a 1275 Spridget engine fits straight on without any fuss at all!

r

[bigginger]

Nope, no knowledge whatsoever of MGs

[dunketh]

In my experience the midget engine is a great little lump to use. Not brilliant mpg wise but not horrific either (bank on low 30s for everyday enthusiastic driving). The performance is just about right in an otherwise un-modified minor too.

Mine revs til the cows come home and refuses to die no matter how harsh I am with it.
The car really feels like it flies, especially in mid range where it'll accelerate as quick as a modern car - due to their laggy injection systems and 'economy' strangled 16v engines.
My standard drum brakes will stop the car and seem to cope well with the extra power as does the standard ancient suspension.

The only negative side is the measly 4 speed box and diff.... you can top 90mph on the speedo but you'll be wishing you had ear defenders on!

[bmcecosse]

Glad to see you've got your enthusiasm back for your car dunketh!