Stronger Engine

Post by **matt84** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:02 am

Hi there.
My father helped me so much restoring my Triumph Spitfire. His current project is a Morris Minor 1100 Convertible.
I wanted to buy him a stronger engine for his car for christmas.
Could you tell me which one fits best? Mini 1300, MG 1800? A Triumph engine?
Thanks a lot
matt

Post by **Welung666** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:07 am

The easiest upgrade from the 1098cc engine is a 1275cc engine from a Marina/Ital, the engines are pretty much a straight swop apart from the flywheel and backing plate. You either need to get your 1098 flywheel machined or go to a Minor specialist and get an already machined flywheel (Marina/Ital flywheels are 6 bolt and a dowel, 1098 flywheels are only 4 bolts) and the engine backplate is different (also available from Minor specialists).

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:14 pm

Or the 1275 midget engine but dont try and use anything from a front wheel drive car.

Post by **jonathon** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:17 pm

Not strictly true Kevin

the Maestro unit converts extreamly well, and so may others soon.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:24 pm

How much does it cost approx for the parts to convert a maestro engine as I havent seen one yet

Post by **jonathon** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:40 pm

The conversion including balancing of the crank flywheel and clutch, (Minor or Ford) is around £650 plus the Vat. It makes it an expensive option over a standard Ital/Midget motor , but may be the only way to go in the future.

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:58 pm

If anybody wants a Maestro block, in pretty poor condition, I have one here you're welcome to for nothing

Post by **matt84** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:27 pm

thanks a lot so for.
i´ll probably go for the midget engine then. but it must the 1275, the 1500 wouldn´t fit?

Post by **bigginger** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:14 pm

Completely different beast, I'm afraid.

Post by **Packedup** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:36 am

matt84 wrote:thanks a lot so for.
i´ll probably go for the midget engine then. but it must the 1275, the 1500 wouldn´t fit?

The 1275 is an A series, the 1500 is a Triumph engine. The 1275 is as powerful, smoother, more robust, lighter, smaller and basically better, the 1500 is heavy, fragile, poor revving and generally just not that good.

Don't be fooled by the extra cc, the 1275 is a cracking little engine, instead of a prone to cracking little engine...

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:55 pm

Don't be fooled by the extra cc, the 1275 is a cracking little engine, instead of a prone to cracking little engine...

Excellent description

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 3:24 pm

Matt - if the existing 1098 engine is in good fettle it's quite easy to encourage it to deliver many more horses - head and carb upgrade can get it up to 70 bhp without making it undriveable in traffic. But before any upgrading work is done - attend to the BRAKES first!!