15 replies to this topic

[mini danny]

Hiya my mate has a 1480 mgb engine lying around he says it a a series engine if so could i simply put a 1275 gearbox on and put it in a mini? ?????

Edited by mini danny, 11 March 2011 - 01:34 PM.

[Dan]

It's a B series, it's massive. It won't fit without spending a lot of money and time and won't get you much benefit over spending the same amount on your A series, and nowhere near as much as some other engine swaps. No it won't fit on a transverse A series gearbox.

[mini danny]

It's a B series, it's massive. It won't fit without spending a lot of money and time and won't get you much benefit over spending the same amount on your A series, and nowhere near as much as some other engine swaps. No it won't fit on a transverse A series gearbox.

Ok many thanks ill scrap that idea then lol

[craig 1010cc]

MGB's where 1800's, sounds more like an MGA engine. But still a B series, not an A series. A maxi (5 speed) box might fit (not sure if the cranks are the same) and then it can be ade to fit, but it is a very tall and heavy engine (and thirsty) and not that powerful

That said, you can get 100BHP easy enough (much less stressed than a 100 bhp A series and lots more torque), have 5 speed, use stock drive shafts ect and no IVA issues, might be a conversion worth looking at again? Wonder who hard a T series would be to bolt up as it evolved from the B series (via the O series)?

[minidream94]

if u want b series get the maxi engine, lots of low end grunt and 1750cc but not too much top end im affraid and a very easy conversion aswell

my mate has an mgb gt and that is a handful with about 80 brake

[Shifty]

The maxi was never fitted with a B series engine.

A maxi engine is only useful as a boat anchor or baked bean cans at best.


MGB engines were never 1480 cc either.

So much wrong info in this topic its unbelievable!!

[craig 1010cc]

So much wrong info in this topic its unbelievable!!

Well why not put some correct info up instead of snipeing?

Yes you are correct, the maxi was a E series, my error. in twin carb'd 1750 though still made 90bhp, so not too terrible an room for cheap tweaking still

[Guess-Works.com]

It was actually the E series in the Maxi ( and allegro ) which in the 70's was not an uncommon conversion for the mini, mainly because they still ran the same tranny under engine configuration which made it a relatively easy swap, but, as above, big lumps of metal with little power.

[Shifty]

My apologies, if you'd actually bothered to quote my full post you'd have seen that I did address some of the wrong info.

Have any of you people actually driven a Maxi?

The word awful barely describes them, 1750 and twin carbs they may be but the engine weighs nearly as much as a mini, have pudding stirrers for a gear change.

[mab01uk]

if u want b series get the maxi engine, lots of low end grunt and 1750cc but not too much top end im affraid and a very easy conversion aswell

my mate has an mgb gt and that is a handful with about 80 brake

The 1800cc B-Series engine was fitted on a transverse front wheel drive (gearbox in the sump) for Issigonis's BIG Mini design the ADO17 BMC Austin/Morris 1800 'Landcrab'. Some B series engine/gearbox units did get transplanted into Mini's in the 1970's (the 1800 S Landcrab even had the twin SU carbs and engine spec of the MGB and there were works rally cars). However as said weight and lack of potential power gains mean't it never became a popular mod.

http://www.aronline....ado17storyf.htm





Engine and Transmission:
Being a scaled up Mini, you’ll find the gearbox in the sump. On the plus side, the engine is effectively the same as that in the MGB.

Italian Job Quote:
Several people who were working for BMC at the time have gone on record as saying at least one Mini was specially prepared for the film, being equipped with the BMC 1800cc B-series engine and gearbox from the BMC 1800 'Landcrab', as the Coopers lacked sufficient torque to climb stairs.
http://www.theitalia...ars_coopers.htm

The Maxi single OHC E Series engine with what was then a rare 5-speed gearbox in the sump were also put in Mini's by some in the 70's but the extra power was canceled out by the tall and heavy Maxi unit ruining the Mini handling.......so it was never a very popular conversion. The same engine can be found in some Austin Allegro's (if you can find one).
Maxi Engined Mini Pickup here:
http://www.theminifo...howtopic=140948

Edited by mab01uk, 11 March 2011 - 07:51 PM.

[Shifty]

My Grandad was a big Maxi fan and he had loads of the things, his teenage grandson(ahem) managed to sieze the engine up in one!!

[minidream94]

ok sorry for getting it wrong, my bad

[MiniLuke]

ok sorry for getting it wrong, my bad

What the hell does "my bad" mean?

[Shifty]

ok sorry for getting it wrong, my bad

What the hell does "my bad" mean?

It just means "I was wrong"

[jamie@thefatgarage]

Just as someone mentioned Maxi's

I had a Maxi 1750 in the early 90's. It set new standards for under-steer and was a great car to learn to get the best out of a complete dog, because... it was a complete dog. Although it ended up painted like a zebra with a brush.

It was almost quick enough for a giggle, got thrashed mercilessly for about 12 months, hardly ever had oil in it. Upon it failing it's MOT it was tortured to death by being revved foot to the floor on the spot until it seized, which took about 10 minutes!

All for £200.

Would I put the engine in a mini? Not a chance.