12 replies to this topic

[Neil7744]

Hi,

Before anyone says anying...yes i have looked through the history search, but havent really found what im after.

Basically a guy at work has a metro turbo engine he may part with if the price is right, and i would like to know...

1) Will a metro turbo fit onto an automatic subframe without modification of the bulkhead?

2) Would it be better to buy a standard 1275cc engine and modify it accordingly to become a turbo, or just refurb the turbo unit as a whole (im thinking it may have been thrashed)?

3) Are there any step by step guides (for novices like me) so i can strip down, rebuild and setup a metro turbo (standard spec)?

4) If i obtain the turbo engine from my friend, how difficult is it to get parts / refurb parts to complete the job?

5) Whats the overall power gain (standard) in comparison to a 1275cc carb engine?

5) What sort of price would you pay for a complete turbo engine & gearbox?


Thanks for your time. Im a novice to engines and have just done some 'light work' (in the grand scheme) of things on my 1275cc carb engine. Im now tempted to go a bit further and would like a 'project' engine to work on so i can completly strip down and rebuild it. Also if it goes wrong ive still got my carb engine.

neil

[Pauly]

Metro turbo lumps are just like any other 1275 so parts are not a problem, it wont drop into a auto subby without the use of the conversion mounts, and you will still need to modify the baulkhead for clearence of the turbo. Unless you go with the mirage motorsport manifold which elimates the need to modify the baulkhead, but your limited to a smaller turbo (which aint bad really, less lag) Your right in thinking that being a turbo engine it may be thrashed, most 1275 engines these days, turbo or not need a re-build, a lot of people like to by n/a 1275s as a base due to not be thrashed as much.

Turbo engines are going for silly money these days for some reason, ive heard of standard turbo engines selling for £500 and up!!

Have a look on these sites, theres not much you wont know afterwards.

www.turbominis.co.uk

www.turbo-mini.com

Edited by Pauly, 01 June 2010 - 07:51 PM.

[Neil7744]

yeah i have conversion mounts atm.

I was told that the auto frame has mounts that sit further forward which compensate for the gearbox size so the turbo engine would sit further forward hence not obstrucing the bulkhead?

what are the sorts of costs involved in rebuilding an engine with standard spec stuff?

[Sleepy Stu]

yeah i have conversion mounts atm.

I was told that the auto frame has mounts that sit further forward which compensate for the gearbox size so the turbo engine would sit further forward hence not obstrucing the bulkhead?

what are the sorts of costs involved in rebuilding an engine with standard spec stuff?

Nope the turbo engine engine would need to be moved back and sit on the normal manual engine mounts hence why you would need either to install a bulkhead box or buy a mirage manifold.

I would be budgeting at least £500 - £1000 for a rebuild but it really depends on what condition the engine is in when you strip it down?

[Turbo Phil]

It will sit slightly further forward on the auto frame, but not enough to clear the bulkhead. As already said if you don't want to cut the bulkhead fit the Mirage kit.

Phil.

[Neil7744]

Ok,

thanks for the info.

I dont really want to modify the bulkhead if i dont have to. I was planning on spending about £1k on rebuild so thats good. Just got to persuade my mate to sell it cheap now!

[Turbo Phil]

You'll soon spend 1k. Unless the engine has been overhaulled before you're unlikely to find a standard Turbo motor in good condition. So you'll be looking at new pistons + rebore, complete gearbox overhaul, possible Turbo overhaul, carb rebuild, crank regrind ? new main & big end shells + gaskets etc etc .......
Plus if you're paying £350 for the Mirage kit you can see your £1000 will dissapear very quickly. I would also add a crosspin diff to your rebuild even if it's a standard motor, these are pretty much essential IMO.

Phil.

[Wil_h]

1) Will a metro turbo fit onto an automatic subframe without modification of the bulkhead? as above

2) Would it be better to buy a standard 1275cc engine and modify it accordingly to become a turbo, or just refurb the turbo unit as a whole (im thinking it may have been thrashed)? if you are planning a full rebuild then not really, unless you are paying over the odds for the engine just because it's a turbo

3) Are there any step by step guides (for novices like me) so i can strip down, rebuild and setup a metro turbo (standard spec)? Don't think so, but the sites linked above have lots of info

4) If i obtain the turbo engine from my friend, how difficult is it to get parts / refurb parts to complete the job? Generally most parts are available, piston rings are notable for being NLA, but there are planty of suitable pistons available

5) Whats the overall power gain (standard) in comparison to a 1275cc carb engine? Standard Metro was 94bhp, but 120 is easily achievable and would be reliable on standard parts (except the diff, I would advise a cross-pin tyrpe from minispares)

5) What sort of price would you pay for a complete turbo engine & gearbox? for rebuild with all the bits (turbo, carb, fuel pump, regulator etc) 3 to 5 hundred

Edited by Wil_h, 02 June 2010 - 07:24 AM.

[Beno174k]

hey i am doing the exact same thing but am a bit further down the line i have my engine got it for560£ with 50,000 genuine miles so am hoping its not to bad have not stripped it yet! "wish me luck" i am a training mechanic and am learning as i go pretty much i am yet to fit the converter mounts to my sub as its also auto is this a hard job or is it easy ? also on turbo mini they talk of a weekend warrior engine and to put it bluntly I want that one ! lol but instead of me fully reconin my engine as standard then trying to up grade it would I be better upgrading as I recon ? if where do I start as im a noob at all this really also what parts would people recommend to get a 170bhp built for accelerating 0-60 price is not and issue as long as it is reliable but im not up for over the top upgrading if u get me just the parts that will do the job comfortably if that make sence

[jamiestevenbell]

well if you aiming for 170bhp your going to need to be up for the over the top upgrading!! and youl need the best of everything

[MJWarren]

well if you aiming for 170bhp your going to need to be up for the over the top upgrading!! and youl need the best of everything

+1

if price isnt an issue then why would you not 'over the top upgrade'?

[Ethel]

170bhp wouldn't necessarily need anything too exotic. Anything over that previously mentioned 120-130 ponies will need the common tuning upgrades - reasonable pistons, strapped mains cap, performance clutch, x- pin diff.....

A lot will depend on how you use it, smash it through the gears and you'll be regularly rebuilding any engine and gearbox with over 100bhp.

[Beno174k]

The money is not an issue it's just don't see the point off throwing money away when
It's not really needed! It not gonna get smashed every day all day just a weekend car
really as I get lifted From the house and dropped off in a van So it's only for messing
round on the odd sunday I get off. I just didn't no weather I should get it in the car
And running then start with the referb and recon thx for all the replies