Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all, im pondering ideas for the proverbial "next project" and I was toying with the idea of swapping engines, to keep things simple id like to keep the minor gearbox but costs permitting I would think about changing to somthing suitable. I want to avoid changing the back axle/ rear suspension yet!
The engine im thinking of is 75hp @ 4000rpm and 195Nm @ 2200rpm. How is this going to suit the minor?
I was also wandering how the fuel economy factor would work??? in its current incarnation it is doing 4.5L/100km (about 60 to the gallon i think) the current shell its dragging round is about 1100Kg and I assume a minor is about 800Kg so would I get 20% better fuel economy because of the 20% drop in weight? or is there a lot more to it than that? Tyre, ratio, power band, aerodynamics?
Its probably just a pipe dream but if its feasable then it might happen

The Minor box is OK with a stock 1275, but that torque figure concerns me!
Bear in mind that the Minor box has an integral bellhousing, which makes it harder to mate to a different engine.
I'd be tempted to go for a Type 9 (Sierra) box. they're quite easy to mate to other stuff, pretty strong and fairly easy to find.
195Nm of torque through a Minor box would result in it's life expectancy being measured in hours.

143.8 LB/Ft though, (just reaslised i was talking all modern)
Im not thinking 1275 though.
This should get you thinking... its 3 cylinder!
any ideas?

When I first had my minor, I tuned the original 1098 engine, nothing really wild, single SU, modified cooper head, LCB, cam etc, 65 BHP at the wheels, and had some of the teeth strip off the input shaft gears which drive the layshaft meaning I was left with 4th gear only. Did this damage while it was in 2nd gear. I am very surprised that people are getting away with the Minor box on 1275s.

Martin

Is this the 1.4TDI from a VW Lupo or similar? Sounds like a good idea for a conversion, but I wouldn't fancy trying to hook up the ECU and associated gubbins to the Minor's electrical system!

As for the economy there's positive and negative points:

The Minor (at a guess) is less aerodynamic than the Lupo which would count against greater economy, at higher speeds at least.

If retaining the standard 'box, the car won't have a 5th gear so the engine will be working harder when on a fast road.

On the other hand, as you say the Minor is a lighter car so will be easier for the engine to pull along. Not sure how the weight of the Diesel engine compares to the A-Series.

You can dispense with any emissions control systems such as particulate traps which no doubt add weight and sap power/mpg.


One thing to consider is the overall gearing. That Diesel engine develops its maximum power at 4000rpm, which on standard 1098 Minor gearing (~16.3mph/1000rpm IIRC) would only be at about 65mph. Not sure when the governor would cut in but on standard gearing the top speed might be a bit limited.

I've been through the same gear box twice in 2 years with a standard 1275 (went again after a recon).

I would not rate the gearbox as up to much at all, you could look at a midget gearbox if you wanted a direct swap, otherwise I'm set on getting a ford type9 as soon as I can.

polo2k wrote:This should get you thinking... its 3 cylinder! any ideas?

It's either one of the smaller rotary engines or the 1.0 from the colt/yaris at a guess.

The ECU and wiring for an injected engine, can be made as a complete stand alone system. This is what we do for the K series and Zetec.
There is a German company who have produced a bell housing to mount any 4 pot VAG motor to a type 9 Ford box, bet that'll get you thinking

I tuned the original 1098 engine, nothing really wild, single SU, modified cooper head, LCB, cam etc, 65 BHP at the wheels,

Well I would have thought that pretty good from a 1098 as it only started out with 45 bhp and thats not at the wheels a standard 1275 only has 65 bhp and again not at the wheels.

I would not rate the gearbox as up to much at all, you could look at a midget gearbox if you wanted a direct swap,

The Midget box is not really any stronger its main difference is that it uses roller bearings.
I have had a couple of previous cars running 1275 engines with the standard box without problems and my current Traveller is the same and I know of a few other running the same without problems.

As for the 3 cylinder it must be from a 2 stroke Saab.

No, it'll be a Dhiatsu 1.3 Charade turbo lump.

jonathon wrote:The ECU and wiring for an injected engine, can be made as a complete stand alone system. This is what we do for the K series and Zetec.
There is a German company who have produced a bell housing to mount any 4 pot VAG motor to a type 9 Ford box, bet that'll get you thinking

When I was helping a mate with his VW caddy project - 2litre 16v engine on bike carbs, I was surprised how small the engine was, and reckoned it would be good in a minor - just wondered about a box. Who'll be first?

Pete

Its the VW TDI lump!

I know a guy who put a 1.9pd TDI engine in a TT!
The injection systems dont really concern me, the only thing that does is that the ECU communicated with both the clocks and the Key!

Judging from this thread it looks like that much torque and the 4 speed limitations are going to neccesitate a different box.

How is the Diff once the torque steps up?

Who'll be first?

Ive already pondered a 1.9pd TDI engine at approx 200 hp (300 lb/ft) in a minor. Ive got one in my golf at the moment and shes got enough grunt to haul 2 tonnes around at a cracking pace!

Don't even think about using the Minor axle - they break even as standard.
Best to use a Ford axle out of an Escort Mk 2 or Capri - plenty choice of ratios.

Pete

my girlfriend snapped an axle with a very worn out 1098!!!!!! they are like cheese!
chees, michael.

I'm suprised no one has done ( that I know of) a BMW engine swap. When I had the engine and 'box out of my moggy 1000 I tried to put a BMW M20 engine and 4 speed 'box in. The 'box cleared the rack no problems and the engine would have gone in no problems if the front crossmember could be relieved a little. That would make a nice quick mog, the engines are cheap as chips and with twin side draughts , a cam and headwork will make 150bhp. I should know my brothers 2002 makes a shade under 150bhp on twin solex side draughts, a schrick 292 cam and a gas flowed head. However you could use an m3 s14 motor for serious power, or a 318is motor.

ok then looks like ill have my eye open for a project at some point (gotta finish this one first!)

Time to move the goal posts