Morris Minor Owners Club

When I started modifying mine, the first (engine) step was the 'stage one kit' strangely not available for Minors, but available everywhere for Minis. Anyway, you can make your own up. I used a Mini 1000 HS4 carb with a AAM needle and a K&N air filter on a water heated alloy inlet manifold. The power increase was very noticable on the 1098. The exhaust manifold and system was the Falcon one that I have now.

Cam is the HS4 the earlier version of the HIF44, therefore both are 1 3/4", if that is the case I will stick with the HIF44 and not bother about the HIF38.

The power increase was very noticable on the 1098.

I wonder how this compares with a standard Marina 1300. Numerically speaking they must have very similar bhp figures. I would still expect greater torque from the 1300 but does this extra make fitting a 1300 worth the effort?

If its any help the bhp`s quoted are
1098cc 45bhp
1275cc 54bhp Marina
1275cc 64bhp Ital A+
1275cc 65bhp Midget
A big increase with the last 2 although in the Itals case how much is down to the 1 3/4" carb compared to the Marina`s 1 1/2" carb

Kevin,

HIF44 = internal float 1 3/4" carb,
HIF38 = internal float 1 1/2" carb,
HS4 = side float 1 1/2" carb,
HS6 = side float 1 3/4" carb,
HS2 = side float 1 1/4" carb,

For a 1275 you can use any of the above carbs (except the HS2), well you CAN use it but the others are a lot better. If I had the choice then I would probably go for the HIF44.

The 1098 in the Minor should be 48 BHP and with the setup explained above (stage 1) it should be about 55-56 ish. The torque should increase by about 15-20% as well.

The 1275 would be a little less stressed than the stage 1 1098. If you want the best, then I would go for the 1275, but if you don't want a load of hassle then stage 1 the 1098.

I don't think that the carb has anything to do with the power output of the Marina vs Ital. The engines are set up differently and things like head spec, cam choice, compression, etc would have been the reason for the difference. I used to use a HS4 on my 80 odd BHP 1293 mini engine and it was fine. so any power levels below this and the HS4 can cope fine, regardless of which engine is sucking at it!

I don't think that the carb has anything to do with the power output of the Marina vs Ital.

You are correct Cam I dont think my brain was switched on when I put that in

If its any help the bhp`s quoted are
1098cc 45bhp
1275cc 54bhp Marina

Indeed. Add to that list the twin carb 1098 Sprite at 55bhp. A single 1.5 inch SU is as capable as twin 1.25 SUs. So you see how a easily set up 1098 can be comparable in bhp to a stock 1300.

The torque should increase by about 15-20% as well.

I wonder if this is true? That would put a modded 1098 on a par with the 1300 in terms of drivability as it is torque that counts in terms of engine flexibility and power where you need it.

Well, I noticed an increase in torque but I could not compare it to a standard 1275 as I have never driven one!

That would put a modded 1098 on a par with the 1300 in terms of drivability as it is torque that counts in terms of engine flexibility and power where you need it

Yes and no. To get 1275 power out of the 1098 you'll probably end up with a big bore exhaust and ear plugs. Whereas you can get good power from a strangled (quiet) 1275.
Does noise count on your list of ratings under 'driveability'?
It counts on my list every time I have to deafen myself at 70mph with the well used 1098... (SORRY - WHAT WAS THAT?? - I COULDN'T HEAR YOU>>>)

every time I have to deafen myself at 70mph with the well used 1098... (SORRY - WHAT WAS THAT?? - I COULDN'T HEAR YOU>>>)

Yes, mate, you want to try mine! The exhaust has developed a nasty resonance at about 3250 - 4000 revs which is where you'd want it to be on the motorway. I can't be bothered changing it again (the old one was fine - apart from it splitting ) and I'm sure I don't want to be Mr angry again at the Minor centre.

You know you love 'em really... ;)

No Gareth, I REALLY DON'T . I have to say that I have had mostly poor quality goods and confused orders from them.

It's just that their location is handy for me (and you!). If Bull Motif, ESM or others were closer then I would use them (I already do for small mail order stuff).

In fact when it comes to buying panels for my Traveller and '52, I won't be using them. I will drive to Bull Motif or ESM because I know they are commited to quality and don't stock cheap cr*p unlike Birmingham.

Rant over!

You better now?

You're right about them being handy for me - I can be there in 15 minutes!

I do use Bull Motif for their specials &c. though, because they're often cheaper and the quality is always (so far) spot on. I've not had to take anything back to the Minor Centre, though...

You better now?

He he! Yes, sorry for the rant!

I will drive to Bull Motif or

Feel free to drop in for a cuppa - i'm on your way (well I'm on your way if you forget to bring the map with you.. )

The last time I went to BF, I took my Dad's Metro and got very very lost. Came back via Solihull and the M42... I did over 100 miles that day... Do I get a coffee, too? ;)

Going from B'ham to Worcester via Solihull !!

I think you need a whisky, never mind a coffee.....

Feel free to drop in for a cuppa

That would be nice! I've never been one for straight routes and I do seem to like roaming the country a lot! I could bring Gareth with me as I would probably find him wandering around Stoke trying to get back from the shops in Halesowen!!!

I could bring Gareth with me as I would probably find him wandering

It must be a habit of his because when I went to meet him at Denham camp site before the London to Brighton I found his folks OK and they said he had just wondered over to the showers but as he had been gone a while they thought he might have gone via the Aerodrome