Mini Transplant (SPI into Carb)

[Twizz]

Hi Guys,

I've got three and a half Mini's, which three will be coming back on the road.

The first is a '97 Cooper (Running just needs a little welding and she is ok), the second is a '92 Cooper (in half and will be the donor for the Mayfair, the third is a '85 Mayfair (needed welding, all done, now needs respray and "tinkering") and lastly a '88 City E (which will be my sisters once we do the clutch and tidy her up).

My question to you guys is that currently the Mayfair is running a 998cc Carb'd engine which I want to remove and implant the 1992 Cooper SPI engine in it's place. Is it physically possible e.g. straight swap or are the subframes/engine mounts and random stuff positioned differently? What will I need to buy?

Are there any differences with the basic shells apart from engine and cosmetics?

Look forward to your replies,

Hasan

[Twizz]

Anyone?

[FWDRacer]

It is physically possible - i.e the engine will go into the same physical space - subframe and mounts identical. You'll need a few bespoke 1275cc parts radiator brackets and top hose spring to mind and I'd recommend an incremental engine steady (underneath engine). The problems are mainly the fuel system and loom - if you can transpalnt those from your donor SPi (A big job) then you could feasibily undertake the conversion. The Spi has an in-tank pump and runs a return fuel line, and bespoke loom in comparison with the more humble carb versions.

[beejay]

Isn't the injection engine mounted an inch or so further forward, or is that just the MPI version?

[Fatboy]

beejay said:

Isn't the injection engine mounted an inch or so further forward, or is that just the MPI version?

IIRC that was just the MPI version, which had a lot of changes compared to the SPI which effectively just swapped the carb for a single injector?

Cooperman, guru1071 - can you shed any light on this?

[Cooperman]

I had a 1991 Cooper 1275 with a carb and that had the engine moved forward about 3/8". However, the original holes are also still in the subframe, so it's easy to move it back again. You have to get a new top steady arm and modify the bottom steady mounting on the sub-frame. the big advantage to moving the engine back, and the reason I did it, was to get a Mocal 13-row oil cooler in without having to spacer the front grill forward.
The other mod you need to do when moving the engine back is to the gear linkage rear mounts, but that's just a couple of aditional holes to be drilled and the old ones sealed up.

[vrooom]

Why bother. i done injection to carb, and that gave me headaches. just drop 1275 injection and fit carb on it.

[Bill K 111]

beejay said:

Isn't the injection engine mounted an inch or so further forward, or is that just the MPI version?

The single point injection engine is mounted further forward so you will ideally transfer the front subframe too (with it's appropriately positioned engine mount holes.) You will also need the gear change from the injection car as the rods are longer than usual to reach the 'further away' engine.