Max HP from the A-series?

[Brian in Saudi]

I'm starting on the long path towards getting my ideal Minor and it looks as if I'll be doing the engine myself.

I have very fond memories of tuning the A series in minis when I was a kid. (Anyone remember Clive Trickey, 731 cams and 12G295 heads? Skim them to improve compression and you would hit an oil gallery on 1 in 3!). So I want to stick with the A-series, but push it as far as is wise for a daily driver. I have little experience of modified Minors.

It's been a year or thirty since I tuned an A-series and I could do with a few pointers/reminders.

I'm thinking of going with a 1275, possibly bored larger, on a Ford five-speed. Toughened crank and a reinforced centre bearing. Anyone used the machined billet crossflow head or the BMW motorcycle head from Specialist components? They also do a 'crate' motor and a supercharger I think - although possibly that's a track engine.

Of course I realize I'll need upgraded drive train, suspension and brakes - but I'll probably farm that out.

Any thoughts or advice on getting the max BHP from an A-series without stressing it to the point of destruction? What kind of power are people getting on the dyno? I'm hoping for over 100, possibly 150. 200 is racing territory I suppose and probably a bit extreme for daily use.

Brian.

[IslipMinor]

Engine - A-Series 1380 with Peter Burgess flowed 'big valve' S head, 10.6:1 CR, Piper 270 (276°) cam, HIF44 carb, LCB with 2" exhaust system gives 112bhp at the flywheel @ around 6,000rpm. Very driveable down to 1,500 rpm, but no real grunt under 2,750rpm.

Similar crank spec, tiftrided, centre main strap, balanced and all standard journals.

Drivetrain - Toyota 5-spd gearbox, 3.9 A-Series cwp with Tran-X LSD, Peter May double bearing hubs, Peter May EN24 halfshafts. AP Racing clutch driven plate, standard 1275 Midget cover plate.

Suspension - Marina van front torsion bars (21mm), 7-leaf rear springs with bottom leaf moved to the top and inverted. Koni dampers all round, poly bushes everywhere, antiroll bars front and rear, anti-tramp bars, negative camber eyebolts, increased castor angle to give arrow straight running!

Brakes - Metro 4-pot calipers, Metro vented discs, Midget disc braked hubs, Mintex 1155 pads with Mintex 'race' lined rear shoes, adjustable Mini-based rear brake pressure limiting valve, Goodrich hoses and 2.2:1 Lockheed servo.

Altogether great fun to drive, whether poodling around town, out on 'good driving' roads, long distance motorway trips or a few track days each year.

I have a Metro turbocharger setup, again with a Peter Burgess flowed Metro turbo head, waiting to be fitted, but just wonder if it is a step too far? My intention when restoring the car 20 years ago was to create something that might just have been possible towards the end of the Minor's life in the early 70's (Toyota gearbox excepted). Metro turbos, and turbos in general, were not around then. Neither were vented discs, but the first version used standard Midget discs, so was very much 'in period'.

Your name refers to 'Saudi' but presumably you are not running a Minor out there? If you are in the UK anywhere near the Oxford area, drop me a line and come and have a look.

[Monty-4]

The above sounds like an example of just about as far as it's possible to go, with a decent budget, presumably.

I've just gone the stock 1098cc with a 12G940 head, HIF38, 1.5" exhaust route (for now). That's become pretty "standard" as far as I know, informed by this forum and the "bible".

I'm sure there will be many people along to dispense further advice shortly. ;)

[amgrave]

Has your upgrades done much to improve performance Monty-4.

[Monty-4]

I haven't had much of a chance to drive it yet to be honest! My diff and gearbox oil leak troubles are in this sub-forum.

The aim was to at least offset the change from a 4.22 to a 3.7 diff, though.

[Brian in Saudi]

Hi Richard.

Thanks for the quick and comprehensive reply. A lot of things to look at there.

Yes, I am an expatriate living in Saudi Arabia and no, I'm not running a moggie here (Nismo Altima - with an air-conditioner). This is a long term plan for when I retire in about five or six years. I'm originally a Geordie, but will be retiring to Norfolk. I'm just getting my ducks lined up and will probably do the car in stages during holidays - and probably commission out some of the work. Have not even bought the base car yet, but I'm not in a hurry and can wait a year or two for the perfect vehicle to come up.

When I first moved to Saudi there was a traveller that I saw parked in Jeddah near the Medina House hotel a few times. It seemed to be completely stock and had British plates. This was 1978 so it could have been a newish vehicle. I never did find out how it got there or who owned it. Drove down presumably. You could do that in those days as there were no bad guys in the way. I may have some pictures somewhere.

[millerman]

Hi Brian, contact Jonathan at http://www.jlhmorrisminors.co.uk/.

He gives good advice and specialises in Minor upgrades

[Brian in Saudi]

Already talking to Jonathon thanks.

Great guy and very helpful.