Should I be Burned as a Heretic...
Discussion
Rebuild time for my beloved K-Plate 1300CC Sprite is beckoning. At 110K it really is in need of a freshen up.
This has got the grey matter stirring. As the car is only used for comparitively short journeys and practicality can take a bit of a back seat, I am really thinking about a radical engine mod such as the K1200rs BMW bike head conversion or even ditching the A-series and looking into a 16V Vauxhall 1600 that will fit under a round nose front with no mods. The car is definitley going to be sleeper
with no outside indication of its performance potential, and will be going back to 10's and 4-pots. Has anybody any experience of either, and can suggest pro's and cons. Biggest question is what is the all up weight of the Vauxhall lump in comparision with our favourite lump of BL cast iron. I love Mini's handling characteristcs and really wouldn't want to compromise that aspect for horsepower alone.
Or - Should I just stick with a hot 5-porter?
If I were able to go back and re-think about tuning my engine when I did, I would've gone for something with the Vauxhall badge on it. Possibly red top if it'll fit, as that's 200 bhp on ITBs as stock. My engine's great fun, but a PITA, no power below 3K, ok it revs to 8.5K, but eats plugs fuel and oil needs doing once a month. The redtop would be a fit and forget option, but with more power than is sensible!! 
Oh, and should you ever break it, the engine'll go for nearly whatever you paid for it.
Oh, and should you ever break it, the engine'll go for nearly whatever you paid for it.
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