Engine for Mk1 - 1275 or supercharged 850?

[NDT]

As per the title...
What would be most fun in a restored mk1...
- the original 850 (surely far too slow to be fun?)
- the 1275 that's sitting in my garage
- supercharge the 850 and keep the pudding stirrer gearchange?

[Banana Boy]

Don't discount the humble 998! After driving a few 998s, 1275s and a 1293 I really don't think that there's a better all rounder?! I'd love to have turbo'd my 998!

According to David Vizard's A-Series bible, the 850 really isn't the future for tuning!

[VYT]

My first mini was a pudding stirrer Mk1 850. I thought it went well at the time :-)
My second mini was a 1098 built on a 998 block from sprite parts according to an article in CCC that promised 80hp. The drum brakes were no where near good enough, even with that motor. Much better with a set of Mk1 cooper disc's that I got at the scrappy.
I don't know how much power the motor really had but in the mini, it was a hoot. It would put the speedo all the way past the fuel gauge and back to 0.
My mate had a 1300 Escort GT at the time which couldn't hold a light to it.

[NDT]

The only reasons for keeping the 850 would be originality and character.
I like the idea of keeping the long gear change too.

[brownspeed]

I'd be surprised (NO! AMAZED) if the 850 bottom end would be man enough for the output increase

[FWDRacer]

850 is a great boat anchor.

If you must, you can put the 1275cc unit on the pudding stirrer box...

Edited by FWDRacer on Tuesday 8th March 12:19

[Pixel-Snapper]

I'd love a high revving supercharged thou at some point..