hs4 carb

[minor57]

have been offered an hs4 carb with manifold off of a mini for a fair price would this work well on a 1098 engine and would it be a straight fit? also what would be the benefits?
cheers

[bmcecosse]

Yes - it will work well and is a straight fit. But what's the 'fair price' ? Mine would be £25 - not much more! And MG Metro alloy inlet will be MUCH better......

[minor57]

would i be able to open up the inlet on my current manifold using a dremmel, my concern is that the float bowl is on the other side? also would i need to change the needle or anything i would be fitting a k&n style airfilter.

[bmcecosse]

Hahahahaha - you will be there to next Christmas using a Dremel - it's a modeling tool - nothing more. The big advantage for these engines comes when you eliminate the hot spot in the inlet manifold. Which is why an alloy inlet from an MG Metro or similar is the way forward - best used with an HIF 38 carb although an HS4 can be used. Float bowl on other side is not ideal - may cause weak mixture when you accelerate - just when you don't want it!

[minor57]

so would i notice any benefit if i fitted this carb to the standard manifold or is it pointless?

[bmcecosse]

If you fit the HS4 with the Mini manifold - then yes you will gain 2 or 3 bhp at the top end - hardly noticeable. How often do you actually drive foot to the floor at the moment? The alloy manifold gives you more power throughout the range and is the better option. But - cash is everything - if you can get the carb + manifold for less than £25 go for it - but don't stop looking for the alloy manifold!

[minor57]

well my mate whos into minis has a hs4 carb that i can buy so im just gunna keep my eyeout for a mini inlet manifold im watching a minispares one on ebay thtst currently £3 lol hopefully it wont go up by much. im also watching an osselli one i think ive spelt it right.

[bmcecosse]

The Torquemaster gets good reports - don't connect the water heating..

[minor57]

also found a hif38 quite cheap, but where do i connect the rocker cover breather and would the accelerater and choke reach to the opposing side if i fitted an hs4 wth the float bowl on the other side?

[bmcecosse]

It will have a connection for the breather. You may need a new longer acc cable (and buy a spare to carry in the glove box) - and you can maybe extend the choke cable. I would never recommend extending the acc cable......

[chrisd87]

The easiest way to get a longer accelerator cable is to buy a length of brake cable from a bicycle shop, which you can cut to the desired length and crimp on the end pieces.

[minor57]

right after loosing both auctions in the last second due to sniping software, im now planning fitting a hs4, buying a mini spares stage one inlet, and using my standard air intake housing but drilling holes in it for increased airflow. how does this sound?

[bmcecosse]

The standard air cleaner is hopeless, even with holes..... - get a decent filter ! It won't be sniping software - I only ever bid in the last few seconds of an auction. And even with 'sniping' - it's just a matter of bidding the amount you are willing to pay. If you get it for less - that's a bonus, if you don't get it - that's ok because you bid what you wanted to pay!