Morris Minor Owners Club

As it says on the tin really,

What is the best modification you can make for your buck ? with a limit set at about 500 quid maximum. Preferably an upgrade that would be practical for everyday driving.

I want to see if its worthwhile.

Cheers.

Will

depends what you're looking for really. the biggest limitation for the a-series is the head. that's what seems to restrict the flow. so a modified head (from mini specialists maybe) could be a good start. or you could consider a new cam shaft.

depending on the tune of head and cam you could likely get both for a total of £500.

you can get a large bore exhaust system with LCB manifold for £220ish, but then you would want to look at inlet manifolds and possibly larger carbs. you could fit a standard HS2 carb with a bit of jiggery pokery, or go to a 1.5 inch HS4 or HIF38.

if you get a large bore exhaust and then buy an inlet manifold, decent carb, and a K&N filter you could be looking around £400 for that lot.

the world is your oyster.

Best value mod is the 12G940 head from a 1275. With a 1.5" carb on an MG Metro inlet manifold - you will have ~ 55/60 bhp for possibly as little as £50 spend. It works!

sounds pretty good value for money the BMC.

have you got any images of what things look like as it would be annoying to buy the wrong thing.


How is fuel consumption effected? and everyday running?

my Dad had a 12G295 on his 948 when he was younger and said it was hard to get a good tick over. would this be the case?

Cheers

Will

Best investment?

"Tuning BL's A-Series Engine" by David Vizard

£15 from Amazon, somewhat less from ebay etc.

my Dad had a 12G295 on his 948 when he was younger and said it was hard to get a good tick over. would this be the case

Not true at all. As with any engine mod, it's worth getting it set up professionally to stop this sort of thing happening. I ran a 948 with a HIF38, alloy inlet and 12G295 and it was a real peach with more power and torque right through the rev range. The 1275 I have now has more power but is no where near as refined.
You must be sure that the base engine can take the additional strain you intend putting on it.

Exactly - it's all down to set-up. 295 heads attract stupidly high prices - 940 heads are often very cheap - shop around! Just start accumulating the parts at 'good' prices - then go on from there. Come back when you have the 940 head - it's not a straight 'bolt on' job - but not difficult either.

This head http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/mini-cylinder-hea ... 27b6aef5d3 is in the right price range! Don't pay much more than this.

What number are the heads of a standard 1098cc and 948cc

Cheers Chaps,

This one might be worth pursuing, what effect does the mod have on MPG?

also doesn't that head look a little rusty?

Cheers

Will.

The MPG control is under your right foot.

It looks a little rusty but as it's cast iron that isn't much of a worry.
If it has got a little pitted, a machine shop can give it a skim which will true it up and raise the compression ratio which will make the engine more efficient and so improve MPG a bit.

Right thanks for that Chaps,

I'm now looking for a 12G940 head for the moggy but the project will only get the go ahead after a call to the insurers, I don't want to make my insurance too high. I'm also on the lookout for that book.


Cheers,

Will

Right This project has the Go ahead, Phoned Footman James, and they said increasing the BHP from 45 to 55 with a different carb wouldn't make a difference on insurance price. this project now has the go ahead from dad so I'm on the look out for all the required parts.

Cheers

Will

Will,
It might be better to ask for that in writing-just to be on the safe side.
Regards
Declan

That head is that price - because of the surface rust. Just get the head! Look at the prices being asked for others............Did you win it ??

Good plan declan, I will do.

unfortuatly I just missed out on it . I'll be on the look out for another one similar.

Cheers

Will.

what about this one?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mini-1275-12G940- ... 500wt_1156

Its missing 2 valves though which could be an issue,

Cheers,

Will

I was going to send you that link - it's a great buy - but you would need 2 valves/2 springs/2 top caps and 4 collets! I thought it might be too difficult for you.............

depends was sourcing them would be like?

and the cost.

Cheers

Will

Right Everybody,

After looking at what engines my dad has in stock we have decided to keep the unleaded head engine while I learn to drive and re build another 1098 with the 12G940 mini inlet manifold and HIF 38 carb (maybe another carb) then once I've passed my test and got used to driving We'll switch the engine in leaving the other engine as a good fall back.

Thats the plan anyway.

Will