1275cc engine supercharged

[rossrox]

Hi all, im looking to buy a 1275cc engine and wanting to supercharge it

1 what superchargers are available???

2 is there any one here selling a 1275 engine???

3 is it possible to use a mini engine??? i know they are front wheel drives but is it possible to change it to rear wheel drive for a minor???

i currently have a 1098cc engine in pedro (yes my minor is called pedro) but i want want more power, i was thinking about putting a v8 in it, but i would actually prefer to keep it an a series, just felt it would be a good thing to do.

Cheers everyone, RR

[bmcecosse]

No - you can't use a Mini engine - and yes, you can fit a supercharger! Most use the Eaton charger - fitted to the MINI Cooper for a while - although it now uses a turbocharger.
You obviously need to beef up the engine, and drop the compression ratio.
And of course - the car's brakes may need a little upgrade to match the increased power!

[PSL184]

Yes, I have a 1275 available. Its factory rebuilt and its available for £500.
Also, look at Merc CLK compressors (superchargers) they are smaller and lighter than eaton ones and seem to be cheaper to buy also.

[foghorn14]

So you can put a Mercedes CLK compressor on a 1275 A-series engine? Are there any good threads on this?

[Blaketon]

Its something that appeals, simply to give MGB style torque, without the large mass of engine up front. It'll be a long time before I ever get around to it though!!

A turbo would have the advantage of not loading the engine all the time and could be more economical. The standard MG Metro Turbo installation was reckoned to be very good (I think Janspeed did the initial development work) and certainly proved itself in use.

My father had a supercharged Mini 850 (Austin Countryman) from about 1961-63, which my mother said pulled well. She now has an MGB GT and very much likes the tree pulling low down power.

Might be worth sounding out the insurance company!!!!

[PSL184]

So you can put a Mercedes CLK compressor on a 1275 A-series engine? Are there any good threads on this?

I don't know if anyone has actually done it yet but I have done the feasibility on it and after manufacturing / adapting pulleys and brackets it is certainly "doable".

It's on my list of jobs to do

[rossrox]

well what are the options of turbo chargers???
i am wanting to rebore the engine to about 1360cc and put on a big supercharger, or rebore to 1380 and put on a turbo charger. i think i am going to be putting a bid on this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-Midget-or-Spri ... 19b91bcb1b

i have been thinking about all this for a long time, and i am suddenly very confused :S

[deano69]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

This any good?

[bmcecosse]

I would advise strongly AGAINST the boring out ! If pressure charging the engine - you don't need the extra capacity - the boost will do that for you. And the overbored (to that extent) engines tend to be 'fragile' to say the least.

[andrew.searston]

i agree with bmc, ive heard of a mini with an overbore of similar size and it cracked the bore between cylinder 3 and 4 after driving it hard. so a costly mistake.

[rossrox]

ok, i have now thought against the boring out, still havnt quite desided if i want turbo or super charging. i should hopefully be buying a MG midget 1275 engine tomorrow, what do you think is the best idea to get more power from these engines??? cheers everyone, RR

[jonathon]

If you are farming out the work, then its probably as cheap to go Fiat TC, K Series, Pinto or Zetec.
I know you wanted to stay 'A' series, but if you are building a turbo/supercharged version then you will end up with 120-145bhp
which will necessitate changing the gearbox, prop, axle, brakes and uprating the suspension. These are also requirements for the other engines I mention , so in effect its the cost of the relative engines and their installation. A turbo/ supercharged motor will give power but at the cost of stressing the engine and poor economy. Starting with a bigger motor 1.6L - 2.0L will give the same power but , no stress at all and in the case of the Fiat 22-28 mpg, K series 40-55 mpg and Zetec, 40-50mpg.
If building your own motor then the finances will obviously favour the A series route.
Just my thoughts, as we deal with this question almost everyday.

[rossrox]

But the other engines will be more expensive obviously, another reason why i want a series is so it will fit in my minor easier, rather than totally different engine and having to sort out where to mount it, how to mount it, what i have to cut to make it fit, wiring for it, before the idea of my 1275 i wanted a toyota 4-age twin cam, but then thought about all them problems i had to think about. and everything is getting changed on my car any way, suspension brakes wheels axles...

[jonathon]

Not really , only if you are doing the work/rebuild yourself. For example a base Zetec 150bhp is about £2800plus vat, If you buy used parts for your A series then you will save money, if you go injection, in my view the best way to supercharge the A series then this and a pro rebuild with quality parts will be around the £2K mark plus, you then need to plumb it fuel it and cool it and preferably fit an intercooler. Having done all this you still end up with a relatively uneconomic ,stressed motor.
The Toyota, ( I forgot to mention) is an excellent option and can mate to the Ford Type 9 easily, motors warrantied from about £650, from 'Raw' kit cars.

[rossrox]

well say i said i wanted the 4-age would jlh be able to source the engine and parts be and able to fit it for me??? if so what price range would we be talking???

[jonathon]

We dont have access to a regular supply, but we were going to sell these before we moved to the Zetec.
Have a look at Raw Striker engineering Tel 01432 371169 ask for Mel, tell him I recommended them to you
Might be best to ask them about a fitted cost as we now only do a few A series and the Zetec's
I by no means wish to put you off the A series, but with the spend you need I simply believe that better options are out there.

[rossrox]

damn is there an email??? my phone line hasnt been letting me ring people for the past month

[ADO16]

If you are farming out the work, then its probably as cheap to go Fiat TC, K Series, Pinto or Zetec.
I know you wanted to stay 'A' series, but if you are building a turbo/supercharged version then you will end up with 120-145bhp
which will necessitate changing the gearbox, prop, axle, brakes and uprating the suspension. These are also requirements for the other engines I mention , so in effect its the cost of the relative engines and their installation. A turbo/ supercharged motor will give power but at the cost of stressing the engine and poor economy. Starting with a bigger motor 1.6L - 2.0L will give the same power but , no stress at all and in the case of the Fiat 22-28 mpg, K series 40-55 mpg and Zetec, 40-50mpg.
If building your own motor then the finances will obviously favour the A series route.
Just my thoughts, as we deal with this question almost everyday.

I agree with Jonathon. You can get so much more using other engines instead of the stock one. I personally would go with the Zetec myself as it would make plenty hp with less stress and more longevity. I have a friend here close where I live he's using a Zetec engine for his MKII Cortina GT and it seems to be well sorted combination for the car.
My 2 cents...

[jonathon]

Here is the web link

http://web.mac.com/rawuk/Raw/Home.html

And Mels email address

mel@rawstriker.co.uk

Ask him for a test drive in their 20V Striker, I guarantee you a thrilling ride !!

[bmcecosse]

GAS on here has a very nice supercharged Traveller which he engineered hinself- as have some others. The 'easy' option is to pick up a Metro Turbo head and bits - and clamp that on your Spridget block. It didn't work very well in the Metro - so you will get similar problems in the Minor. But - it's easy to do - and very affordable!