29 replies to this topic

[Pauly]

Another vote for SRE here, ive never heard a bad thing about them EVER.

You watch someone post up a bad experience now

[govig]

Just to re-revive this thread, I took my MG Metro head to Brett Simms for the work described in my earlier post (#3). The job had to coincide with already booked travel to and from France but that was done without drama. I can honestly say the quality of the work was excellent but not cheap (especially as I supplied the valve springs). Brett and Kellie are very good to deal with and I recommend their work without reservation. Kellie definitely went the extra mile (in both senses) and collected my stainless LCB from Maniflow in Salisbury so it could be matched to the head's exhaust ports. Now that *is* good service!

Edited by govig, 19 March 2012 - 02:45 PM.

[Mini 360]

That is some AMAZING porting! Never seen a Mini head so smoooooth!

[benpopham]

Glad you took my advise and went to Brett.. he's brilliant and a very nice guy. Looks like he did you a beautiful head.

Just on my way over there now :)

Ben

[govig]

Agreed, Brett's a top man and this work confirms you usually get what you pay for.

Thanks for the recommendation which coincidentally matched that of Bill Quine (Downton and Manx Racing) in the Isle of Man who I met at a mini weekend there last summer.

Edited by govig, 19 March 2012 - 04:19 PM.

[jaydee]

OMG that head is superb, you can even tell by looking at the pic..keep us updated on how it goes once fitted!

Edited by jaydee, 19 March 2012 - 06:54 PM.

[Tamworthbay]

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.

Andy at cylinder head developments in Bromsgrove is worth a call for anyone looking in the Midlands. One of our heads is with him as I type.

Edited by Tamworthbay, 19 March 2012 - 08:02 PM.

[mab01uk]

* 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. We feel justifiably very pleased - and proud - of this development.

Formerly a promising employee of Downton Engineering, a very successful racing driver since the mid 60s and twice winner of the British Touring Car Championship in Mini 1275 GTs, Richard created his own tuning business, Richard Longman & Co, in 1971.

Concentrating on tuning equipment and competition car preparation, his company quickly established a reputation second to none for quality of design and workmanship - and very, very quick cars.

His work with the products of Jaguar, Ford, Peugeot/Citroen and others is very famous but BMC’s A Series engine in general and its best known application the Mini in particular are the associations he is most remembered for.

David Vizard, author of ‘Tuning BL’s A Series Engine’, lists himself as “one of Richard’s greatest fans” and also notes that “Even more to his credit... is the fact that Richard’s engines have powered various vehicles and drivers to more than 20 championship wins in various places in the world”.

Probably the best known and most revered of all Longman products is the range of modified cylinder heads for both road and competion A Series engines. In terms of both flow design and standard of finish they are, quite simply, the best.
All Longman modified cylinder heads are supplied on an exchange basis, built up with Longman guides, valves and double springs, ready for installation and use. All of the ‘Road’ cylinder heads are set up for unleaded fuel use."

 

For more background on the new Longman heads see Mk1 Forum:-

http://mk1-forum.net...php?f=5&t=11554

 

Glad the Longman heads are back!

 

Ouch! These very quick green Longman short-stroke 850cc Mini's were driven by Neil Dineen and Peter Crouch.

The photos below were taken by me in the Brands Hatch paddock in the late 1970's.

 

 

 

 

Edited by mab01uk, 21 January 2015 - 12:58 AM.

[mab01uk]

'Richard Longman' also provided the engine and sponsorship for my late brother Steve Bell's race winning Mini Miglia 1999-2001.
 

 

Mini Se7en / Miglia - Steve Bell (1961-2001)

http://www.theminifo...bell-1961-2001/

Edited by mab01uk, 21 January 2015 - 12:58 AM.

[Coxie]

https://m.youtube.co...h?v=th0gy6pGRvY

[mk3 Cooper S]

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

+1

[mab01uk]

https://m.youtube.co...h?v=th0gy6pGRvY

 

Thanks for posting!

(Note also the Longman 1275GT racer in the workshop background) 

 

Richard Longman's Rolling Road - Mk1 Mini 1480 cc in the 1980's (Reg. No. 9904 NX)


 

 

 

 

[mk1leg]

I sent my 1071 to Richard Longman for a rebuild and tune had a new Longman head a set of twin 1 1/2" SUs mated to his own manifold............this engine went so well and had it R/R whilst in the UK in 1995 77 bhp at wheels..........a sad lose to the mini world..............

[mab01uk]

The latest March 2015 issue of Miniworld magazine has an interview with Richard Longman on pages 98-105 which includes several interesting photos.

Just noticed the accident damaged Longman race Mini with 'Brabham' wheels that I posted earlier in this thread was also on the front cover of this 1970's Longman Tuning Brochure below.
I still have my original copy and there is also a pdf copy available to view on the Mk1 Performance website here:-
http://mk1-performan...pdf/longman.pdf

[mab01uk]

Interesting Quote below from Richard Longman in his recent Miniworld interview (see March 2015 Issue)
"Daniel Richmond's links with Longbridge fostered close ties with MIni designer Alec Issigonis and suspension specialist Dr. Alex Moulton. At that time BMC was testing the compact DX belt drive OHC engine developed by Issigonis for the 9X project. "One afternoon, while I was grinding and polishing the rockers for a Cooper S engine, Daniel and Alec came back from lunch. Clearly Issigonis thought BMC engines with rocker arms and push rods would soon be redundant because he lent over me whispering: 'you won't be doing that for much longer.' In the event, the whole 9DX project was cancelled. (by BL)

 

Alec Issigonis wrote to BL boss Donald Stokes 18th April 1968:
"The greatest need in combating increased production costs over the year is the development of a new engine for a small car of the Mini type. The present A-Series engine offered a quick way of getting the car into production in 1959, but has now outlived its purpose both for weight and cost compared with European competition."

 

The Alec Issigonis 9X engine from 1968

A-Series - The First Sixty Years
http://www.theminifo...first-60-years/

Edited by mab01uk, 23 January 2015 - 08:00 PM.