Classic Mini - Restoration

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F1 Fan

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Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone on this forum has ever restored a mini. Thinking of doing one just for fun. Been looking around and thinking of using a 1400 champ engine...thoughts?
 
F1 Fan said:
Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone on this forum has ever restored a mini. Thinking of doing one just for fun. Been looking around and thinking of using a 1400 champ engine...thoughts?
Click to expand...

What motor do you currently have, or does the vehicle currently have?
 
ToxicBunny said:
What motor do you currently have, or does the vehicle currently have?
Click to expand...

Haven't bought one yet actually. Plan is to buy a shell and buy all the mechanical components. If I don't get a shell, I'll just buy a normal one and remove the parts. Idea so far:

-champ motor and gearbox
-change to rear wheel with prop and diff
-replace brakes with something easily available?
-suspension - No clue what to do yet

Basically I want to remove original mini mechanical parts and replace it with, reliable, easy to find parts...
 
Honestly, my personal feeling is don't bother..

If you aren't "restoring" with a 1275 motor, then there isn't really a point to the whole thing...

Maybe uprate the brakes and such, but the motor really needs to be the old 1275 variant for it to be a worthwhile project to do.
 
Ok, keep in mind I'm not doing to to resell....

My worry with the old motor is that it may not be very reliable...and is kinda slow....Looking for something with 80-100kw.

I don't know much about engines and mechanical's though........
 
F1 Fan said:
Ok, keep in mind I'm not doing to to resell....

My worry with the old motor is that it may not be very reliable...and is kinda slow....Looking for something with 80-100kw.

I don't know much about engines and mechanical's though........
Click to expand...

That 1275 motor is not a problem if its maintained properly... and its plenty fast enough..

80 - 100kw in that body is a recipe for disaster if you ask me....
 
ToxicBunny said:
That 1275 motor is not a problem if its maintained properly... and its plenty fast enough..

80 - 100kw in that body is a recipe for disaster if you ask me....
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Even if I upgrade the suspension, steering and brakes accordingly? What makes you say that?

Also the 1275 motor is around 40-50kw right? Apparently it maxes out at around 100km/h....

When you say maintained, what do you mean? Like your normal check oil etc?

Given that I don't know how to fix things myself, I would want it to be reliable.

Appreciate your comments....
 
MickZA said:
:wtf:
... doubt it's even possible to modify a mini shell for this.
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Apparently it's been hey...I called a company called Art Racing....that said...I didn't even know what that was...learning as I go basically...
 
IMO restore it with that 1275 motor, you will be frowned upon by mini enthusiasts if you don't, but if you must and looking for a awesome engine, get a Ford 1600 kent, those engines are bullet proof and with some work to the head, bigger pistons etc and some side draughts will give you a hard-on when if revs to 8000rpm in a second
 
That is an incredibly light vehicle, about 650kgs.
Put in 100kw motor and your looking at a vehicle that is push 150kw odd per ton... and it is in no way even vaguely designed to handle that kind of power, no matter WHAT you do to upgrade it.

The 1275 motor is just over 50kw, and whoever told you they max out at around 100km/h is an idiot.. they'll do 120km/h quite easily, and probably top out at 140
 
jacodebeer said:
IMO restore it with that 1275 motor, you will be frowned upon by mini enthusiasts if you don't, but if you must and looking for a awesome engine, get a Ford 1600 kent, those engines are bullet proof and with some work to the head, bigger pistons etc and some side draughts will give you a hard-on when if revs to 8000rpm in a second
Click to expand...

Isn't 1600 too big? Sadly the 1300 engine seems a bit slow...
 
jacodebeer said:
IMO restore it with that 1275 motor, you will be frowned upon by mini enthusiasts if you don't, but if you must and looking for a awesome engine, get a Ford 1600 kent, those engines are bullet proof and with some work to the head, bigger pistons etc and some side draughts will give you a hard-on when if revs to 8000rpm in a second
Click to expand...

And you will have to modify the FEK out of the engine bay to fit it..
 
ToxicBunny said:
That is an incredibly light vehicle, about 650kgs.
Put in 100kw motor and your looking at a vehicle that is push 150kw odd per ton... and it is in no way even vaguely designed to handle that kind of power, no matter WHAT you do to upgrade it.

The 1275 motor is just over 50kw, and whoever told you they max out at around 100km/h is an idiot.. they'll do 120km/h quite easily, and probably top out at 140
Click to expand...

You right....never thought about it like that... so let's assume we stick to the 40-60kw range, would the mini be the best engine? Reliability is my concern...I will probably drive it often...
 
F1 Fan said:
Isn't 1600 too big? Sadly the 1300 engine seems a bit slow...
Click to expand...

If you are hellbent on putting in a different motor, you will need to learn how to heavily modify the engine bay to fit the motor...
 
F1 Fan said:
You right....never thought about it like that... so let's assume we stick to the 40-60kw range, would the mini be the best engine? Reliability is my concern...I will probably drive it often...
Click to expand...

If you service the thing normally, you will be fine... that motor is VERY simple so its pretty bullet proof.
 
ToxicBunny said:
If you are hellbent on putting in a different motor, you will need to learn how to heavily modify the engine bay to fit the motor...
Click to expand...

ToxicBunny said:
If you service the thing normally, you will be fine... that motor is VERY simple so its pretty bullet proof.
Click to expand...


Ok, so let's assume we go with the 1275 motor (not fully sold on it yet)... For the rest of the car, suggestions for:

Brakes
Suspension
Steering (do I need to change it?)

Do you think I can get about 60-70 kw out of the 1275 motor?
 
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