29 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

The legendary Mini tuner and race driver Richard Longman has closed his automotive engineering and car engine tuning/prep business in Christchurch, Dorset for good as of Friday March 27 2009.

Quote:-
"Without a shadow of a doubt, Richard and his band of genuine specialists have contributed more to the field of A series tuning than most of the other put together. Starting in the early 60's at Downton and working continuously within the tuning business until early 2009, Richard not only picked up a couple of British Saloon car Championships along the way but was the supplier of choice for cylinder heads for the majority of the serious tuning market. Many "trick" heads marketed by a variety of companies were born in Richards modest premises in the South West of England. The passing of this gtreat company is a tremendous loss to all fans of A series engine tuning."

 

* Jan 2015 Update *

Longman heads are available again via Somerfords:-

http://www.somerford...=206&chapter=20

 

"For those of you dismayed by the news in 2009 of the closure of Richard Longman & Co, we have some very good news. Richard has agreed to resume supply of his fabled modified A Series cylinder heads through Somerford Mini

Edited by mab01uk, 20 January 2015 - 11:34 PM.

[Pauly]

Wow, sad times

Paul.

Edited by Pauly, 04 May 2009 - 07:32 PM.

[govig]

So who might now be the best organisations to do the following work on my MG Metro head?

Smooth (rather than polish) ports and combustion chambers
Fit 'unleaded' exhaust valve seats and bronze guides
Drill the two extra holes for 11 stud fitment
Match the size of the inlet manifold to the inlet ports on the head.

Anyone who has received excellent service/quality of this type of work (ie personal experience), please pass on your findings.

Edited by govig, 22 November 2011 - 11:57 AM.

[yeti21586]

Wow thread revival!!

[twrminisport]

MED Engineering,
You get what you pay for...

[jameswildcooper]

Couldn't agree more!
Med get my vote.

[the.stroker]

Another vote for MED,
And you do get what you pay for,i just wish I had gone to MED in the first place,instead of some card board cut out idiot who thought he has some engineering skills and had none,I expect my new MED engine to have a long and happy life

[ace01]

Slark race engineering in Amesbury Wilts (SRE). Find them on the net.

[benpopham]

Brett Sims Motorsport, he did all of Richard Longmans cylinder heads for the last 20 years. Now runs his own business, and does the same beautiful work

Ben

[govig]

Thanks everyone. Bill Quine mentioned Brett Sims when I met him on the Isle of Man last summer.

[Nick04]

Russ Tyler get my vote!, doing my engine at the moment.

[Cooperman]

And Rob Walker at Witney, Oxon, is also very good.

[mini93]

Brett Sims Motorsport, he did all of Richard Longmans cylinder heads for the last 20 years. Now runs his own business, and does the same beautiful work

Ben

Another vote, he does all our Peugeot engines for work, been to see him to deliver some engines so iv seen alot of his mini stuff too

[benpopham]

Brett Sims Motorsport, he did all of Richard Longmans cylinder heads for the last 20 years. Now runs his own business, and does the same beautiful work

Ben

Another vote, he does all our Peugeot engines for work, been to see him to deliver some engines so iv seen alot of his mini stuff too

Ah yes, seen all his Peugeot bits. I built his new website so see a lot of his work. And he's just built me a 1380 great guy, great work.

Ben

[mini93]

Talked to him about doing a head for me at some point so looking forward to that haha