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Can a Mini 1275 engine go in a Minor?
Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 7:58 pm
by JimK
I've seen an A-plus 1275 apparently from a Mini, and wondering if it will go in a Minor.
How hard is it to use the engine with an inline gearbox instead of the underneath 'box? Assume we're talking about a Ford type 9 'box.
Is this possible, or do I have to start with an engine that was originally inline?
Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:48 pm
by turbominor
yes and no
yes it will fit, but only fit you fit an inline a+ crank and have the rearbearing cap machined.
so in practice no it wont unless you can find the bits to convert it!
Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:52 pm
by JimK
I think that might be sufficiently non-trivial and/or expensive for me to keep looking...
Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:15 pm
by bmcecosse
The Minor was originally considered for front wheel drive - so all you need to do is hack out the front end sufficiently to squeeze in a Mini front subframe (comes complete with disc brakes which everyone seems to crave!) and then you can use the East-West 1275 engine.
Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:18 pm
by JimK
And I take it you end up with a front-drive Minor?
If so, I won't. I also don't want to hack anything around, I want to keep the car such that I can return it to standard spec by unbolting stuff.
Interesting idea though.
Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:39 pm
by bmcecosse
Actually - the more I consider it - the better it sounds! The bodyshells are very similar at the front (you can see where the Mini came from !) if the 'chassis members' are removed - and brackets to locate the Mini subframe on/against the upper front crossmember would be feasible - and the steering rack would probably connect easily enough to the Mini steering arms. Needs a rusty old Minor to try it out on !!
Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:49 pm
by bigginger
...and some thought giving to a drum brake conversion, which you seem to crave
Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 12:46 am
by d_harris
roflmao
Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 4:53 pm
by rupert
there was a front wheel drive minor for sale at the national 3 years ago. It seemed to be really well done, but I can't see the point. Rear drive is sooooo much more fun! any way, what do you do at the rear, leave the old live axel with all that unncecessary weight of the diff?
Yuck!
Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 7:23 pm
by bmcecosse
Probably saw off the half shafts - and remove the diff. Could always fit a Mini rear subframe too - but now it's getting really daft.
And no - I DO have excellent disc brakes (with Fiesta calipers) on my Mini - and I would keep them if I was doing a Minor front drive conversion. The Mini can't get the big drums under the 10" wheels - so it needs discs. And even with bigger wheels on a Minor - it would be very complex to get the bigger drums integrated with the front drive flanges. The Mini discs are so cheap anyway !!