performance for 1098cc-1970

[quitabenta]

Dear friends, my Minor is quite slow and needing better performance. It is going to have a new Acu spark elec dist configuration that will help greatly in some ways but the carb and manifold could do with more air and fuel. A stubb stack and comp filter will help too. Can the members and supporters who have done some performance work re carbs and manifolds please advise asap. I am told a 1 inch.half HS4 is a better carb with a 1.5" manifold to match plus stubb stack and comp filter. Also has anyone advise on where to buy ,especially any good second hand gear. Thank you friends.

[James k]

What sort of performance are you getting? I've had my 1970 1098 Traveller for a year now and had poor performance. I upgraded to an electronic distributor, reground the valves and fiddled about with timing, mixture etc. for ages. Although some things did make a small difference, the performance was still poor. I've now installed a reconditioned engine (on Thursday) and it's a like a different car. The power difference is absurd and it's just great to drive now. Ultimately, the engine was just old and knackered and no adjustments or bolt-on modifications were going to make a difference.

I now know what I minor should go like and it's got perfectly satisfactory performance. If your car's performance is seriously lacking (having to crawl up hills in second gear etc.) then it may be best to start looking at options for replacing the engine.

[philthehill]

Your first action should be to obtain one or more of the following books/leaflets as listed in the link below:-

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=61780

'e' bay is a good place to buy good performance equipment suitable for the 'A' Series at reasonable prices. It is where I get a good percentage of my bits and pieces.

David Vizard's books on Tuning The Mini and More Mini Tuning can be transposed across to the Minor as other than the crankshaft the majority of engine parts are interchangeable. Those two books are an easy read and more easily understood than his later and larger and more detailed book titled - Tuning The 'A' Series.
Also a good book for tuning the 'A' Series is Mike Garton's Tuning BMC Sports Cars which cover the 948cc, 1098cc and 1275cc engines. Again basic easy read information set out in a helpful format.
Phil

[martin418]

i agree with james k my car has a std 1098 fully rebuilt and i think the performance is very good in fact more than enough power for a minor

[bmcecosse]

Don't get too excited about electronic dizzy and larger carb. As others are telling you - the main thing is to make sure the engine is in good condition. A compression test will tell all ! Do that and come back with the figures..... To get any worthwhile improvements - a cylinder head change will be required - then it will be worth fitting a 1.5" carb on a good alloy inlet manifold.

[Jawelnofine]

I could get in trouble for this cos it involves a bit of skulduggery, but have you tried altenative fuels???

(NB. modern car owners can zone out here ‘cos you’ll damage your poxy electronic controlled fuel systems!!)

For those of you who own or intend to own a Morris Minor…. Put this on your Bucket list!!!!
Obtain, by whatever means possible, a tank full of AeroShell 100/120 octane Aviation Gasoline and tweak the engine to run accordingly. (Lean off a smidge on the idle mix, and a smart dicker with the timing should do it. ‘Set it on the pink’ as they say!)
What does this do you ask???
OK. Picture A Flatulent tortoise on Full Afterburner at V2 headwind down the North runway at Heathrow just before its shell melts off!!! and you’ll have some idea of a Morris Minor on steroids.
So having done all of the above, carefully ‘point and squirt…..point and squirt’ your way to a local A road or bypass…. A nice open piece of road without cameras! This allows you to ‘Whack her up!!!’ You should be able to hit sonic boom going past the local shopping centre and break all the windows. WOW…. You’ll have experienced that there is a way to have fun with your pants on!

DO NOT DIVULGE THE ORIGIN OF THIS INFORMATION TO ANYONE!

[les]

I think he wants a permanent improvement, rather than an ego trip!

[smithskids]

The Americans have a saying, "No substitute for cubic inches"

[James k]

The Americans have a saying, "No substitute for cubic inches"

Or "No replacement for displacement"

[dalebrignall]

they do tent to run smoother on higher octaine fuel the tesco super unleaded is 99 octaine i think

[bmcecosse]

With the low compression of a Minor engine - higher octane fuels are a complete waste of money. Don't waste your time.

[quitabenta]

Dear Friends, thank you very much for all your input. It has been informative and amusing. I was going to ask how much better would it be with a 1,3/4 exhaust, but I wont even go there! A compression test is a good idea. There is a lot of emulsification in the rocker cover but the oil reserves are fine and not watery. Also radiator water is v clean. I will let you all know. J

[bmcecosse]

Forget the larger exhaust idea until you have done MUCH modification to the engine - even then - hardly worth it on a 1098 that can't be revved over 6000......

[quitabenta]

Thanks - good advice. Jonathan