How many on this site are interested in real mini power?
Discussion
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FWDRacer said:
Head tech has moved with the times. What was cutting edge (scuse pun) in the 70's, 80's and 90's has been improved upon.
Time for a 3rd Edition?
I agree, the big yellow book is so out of date and refers to a lot of products that arent available in the UK eg the cams. I enjoyed trying to get my head around the science backed up by test data but was frustrated by its lack of relevance. And how many of us are going to grind our own heads, we'll just go to a decent A series engine builder, usually one with a reputation based on building front running cars in mini miglia or historic racing etc.Time for a 3rd Edition?
Many of us are still grindinng our own heads and taking the fight to the aforementioned 'specialists'. Specialists always tend to come with specialist price tags - this is out of the financial reach of many 'club racers' and I include myself in that group. Self build can be competitive - 4th overall in Mini 7 last year proves we are doing something right ;-)
So then David - what about this 3rd edition?
So then David - what about this 3rd edition?
So then David - what about this 3rd edition?
[/quote]
Third addition came out in 1999!!
Let me speak to this out of date subject.
My contention is the book may be dated in the area of parts it talks about but in terms of the tech it supplies it is still ahead of anything you can buy. I am still waiting fro a Pro engine builder to beat Samantha's drag strip times with a stock weight mini of any displacement. So far I have not seen anything that has come close - but maybe I have not looked hard enough.
DV
haynes said:
FWDRacer said:
Head tech has moved with the times. What was cutting edge (scuse pun) in the 70's, 80's and 90's has been improved upon.
Time for a 3rd Edition?
I agree, the big yellow book is so out of date and refers to a lot of products that arent available in the UK eg the cams. I enjoyed trying to get my head around the science backed up by test data but was frustrated by its lack of relevance. And how many of us are going to grind our own heads, we'll just go to a decent A series engine builder, usually one with a reputation based on building front running cars in mini miglia or historic racing etc.Time for a 3rd Edition?
Only scientific knowledge is worth. Manufacturers come and go, but phisics stays, soo does guidelines for power tunning A-series. For example if You know what duration and lift You need for an application, You can pick a cam with great accuracy. Step-by-step-go-here-and-buy-this guides are only good for real beginners.
Cams have changed. The ability to use computers to come up with data about ideal profiles etc has come on a long way. Injections systems are a world apart from the systems even just 10 years ago, with complex engine CPUs with inputs for lamber sensors etc. Cars that are much more driveble even with high power.
Hi David, and welcome.
Can I ask your opinion of the KAD cylinder heads? I ran one in my daily driver for several years, it made 159hp at Aldon and was fabulously driveable.
I have lost count of the number of hours I spend reading your 'bible' whilst sat on the lavatory. Essential reading for sure.
Can I ask your opinion of the KAD cylinder heads? I ran one in my daily driver for several years, it made 159hp at Aldon and was fabulously driveable.
I have lost count of the number of hours I spend reading your 'bible' whilst sat on the lavatory. Essential reading for sure.
I still have 'How to Modify your Mini' !
Using this book, I built an engine for my Cooper S around 20 odd years ago. 1293cc, 10:1 compression, 285 degree Kent (Megadyne?)cam with standard rockers, twin 1.5 inch SU HS carbs and an Aldon custom made distributor. It did a reliable, honest 90 bhp and it went like the clappers - yet was utterly driveable in traffic, never misbehaved or overheated, didn't use any oil in between the 6000 mile oil/filter rituals. I used an S thick flange block and MG Metro crankshaft, connecting rods and new Metro HLE pistons all balanced by what used to be Oselli engineering. I ran it on a 3.1 final drive and it would sing past 100 mph with ease and rev to 6500 very smoothly. It was more than powerful enough for a Mini, and the mods were based on old methods which still work. You could still get 30 mpg out of it as well if you drove it normally.
I sold the car but not before refitting the correct 970 unit, and used that engine again in a 1275GT. I don't think it cost me much to build either - about £1000 all in if memory serves.
I've driven various mega bucks high powered Minis since then, none of which were as nice as this one.
Using this book, I built an engine for my Cooper S around 20 odd years ago. 1293cc, 10:1 compression, 285 degree Kent (Megadyne?)cam with standard rockers, twin 1.5 inch SU HS carbs and an Aldon custom made distributor. It did a reliable, honest 90 bhp and it went like the clappers - yet was utterly driveable in traffic, never misbehaved or overheated, didn't use any oil in between the 6000 mile oil/filter rituals. I used an S thick flange block and MG Metro crankshaft, connecting rods and new Metro HLE pistons all balanced by what used to be Oselli engineering. I ran it on a 3.1 final drive and it would sing past 100 mph with ease and rev to 6500 very smoothly. It was more than powerful enough for a Mini, and the mods were based on old methods which still work. You could still get 30 mpg out of it as well if you drove it normally.
I sold the car but not before refitting the correct 970 unit, and used that engine again in a 1275GT. I don't think it cost me much to build either - about £1000 all in if memory serves.
I've driven various mega bucks high powered Minis since then, none of which were as nice as this one.
danwebster said:
Hi David, and welcome.
Can I ask your opinion of the KAD cylinder heads? I ran one in my daily driver for several years, it made 159hp at Aldon and was fabulously driveable.
I have lost count of the number of hours I spend reading your 'bible' whilst sat on the lavatory. Essential reading for sure.
I used to spend time with the guy that designed the KAD head - a really sharp cookie - could design and make just about anything. I only drove a few KAD equipped mini's mostly because I live in the US not the UK. That said even with short street cams they were pocket rockets. The only thing I missed when one of these heads was used was the signature 'A' series exhaust note which is a function of the siamesed center exhaust port and an LCB. Can I ask your opinion of the KAD cylinder heads? I ran one in my daily driver for several years, it made 159hp at Aldon and was fabulously driveable.
I have lost count of the number of hours I spend reading your 'bible' whilst sat on the lavatory. Essential reading for sure.
DV
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