16 replies to this topic

[stretch tech]

hi all, would an a series from another car ( i.e. mgb ) drop straight into a mini ?

i have heard that they are bigger blocks, is this true ?

i know that you would need to put it onto the mini sump/gear box, but what else would need changing over if it was possible ?

Cheers

Rhys

Edited by TH3aRchit3ct95, 04 February 2012 - 06:01 PM.

[coopdog]

dont think so because they are mounted differently i think
not transversely like the mini

[leroy26]

obvuously the metro would..

[Dan]

MGB uses a B series.

There is a difference between the transverse and inline A series as said above, the cranks are different and I believe in some cases the oil pickup in the block isn't compatible with the transverse type gearbox. The easiest thing to fit into a Mini is any transverse type A series from any of a number of BMC / BL cars that they were used in. Usually you just need to swap some brackets and ancilliaries as they are otherwise the same engine. Other A series based engines such as the diesel and the marine engines are much tougher prospects to deal with and it's probably not worth bothering.

[mab01uk]

The Issigonis designed 'big-brother' to the Mini was the Austin/Morris 1800 'Landcrab' which used the bigger 1800cc 'B' Series engine mounted transversely on the gearbox just like the Mini. Later 2200cc versions used a transverse 6 cylinder engine!





BMC 1800/2200 development history:
http://www.aronline....opment-history/

Edited by mab01uk, 04 February 2012 - 07:54 PM.

[mk1leg]

the old frog eye sprite and healy 100 used a-series blocks............but you would have to get a different crank.............

[Cooperman]

This was covered recently in another thread. The non-transverse A-series engines are all for in-line applications and the cranks, rear main oil seals and block end drillings are all different to take an in-line clutch and bell-housing, instead of a primary gear, transfer gear and transfer gear case.
It could be done, at great expense and a lot of new design and this would not be easy or cheap.
The B-series transverse engine as fitted to the original BMC1800 was a heavy and big old lump and even if it could be made to fit in a Mini you really wouldn't want one.

[cliche]

This was covered recently in another thread. The non-transverse A-series engines are all for in-line applications and the cranks, rear main oil seals and block end drillings are all different to take an in-line clutch and bell-housing, instead of a primary gear, transfer gear and transfer gear case.
It could be done, at great expense and a lot of new design and this would not be easy or cheap.
The B-series transverse engine as fitted to the original BMC1800 was a heavy and big old lump and even if it could be made to fit in a Mini you really wouldn't want one.

yup I knew at least 2 mates in the 80's who had 1 each, though I thought they were 1750's

[Cooperman]

The 1750 was an unusual BMC engine. It was an alloy overhead cam unit fitted to the Austin Maxi. It seemed as though, unlike Ford and GM, BMC were entirely unable to establish a generic range of engines and messed about with lots of different ones. This was very costly in terms of money and loss of structured power plant development.
The 1750 could have been a good engine and it was also produced as a 1500. If it had been developed for the Mini range at 1300 cc then the Mini would have been even better. The gearbox on the 1750 was cable operated change which was not good, but that could have been easily overcome.
In fact, the Maxi was a bit like a big Mini to drive. I had a go in a 'works' rally one and it was nice to drive, although not really competitive with teh Ford escort of the day.

[mab01uk]

The Maxi (code name ADO14) was the last car designed under BMC and was the last production car designed by Alec Issigonis.
This is the story of the 'E' Series 1500/1750/2227cc engines:
http://www.aronline....gines-e-series/

The cable gear change ruined the reputation of the Austin Maxi at launch and by the time it was redesigned later as a rod change linkage many potential buyers were put off! Many modern cars however use cable gearchanges today without any problems.
Quote:
"the Maxi offered the advantage of a five-speed gearbox, but the badly engineered cable operated shift resulted in a bad gear change. Many testers were left with the uneasy feeling that they never really knew whether it was going actually slot into gear or not. Gear changing should never be stressful – in the Maxi, it was.
Julian Mounter, motoring correspondent of The Times summed up the gear change thus: ‘It feels like stirring treacle with a long thin cane.’



I remember seeing a couple of Mini's fitted with the Maxi 1750 engine and the 1800 transverse 'B' series but as said the performance gains were offset by the extra bulk/weight and its affect on the Mini's handling, so were never very popular conversions.

Edited by mab01uk, 05 February 2012 - 11:42 AM.

[coopdog]

The Maxi (code name ADO14) was the last car designed under BMC and was the last production car designed by Alec Issigonis.
This is the story of the 'E' Series 1500/1750/2227cc engines:
http://www.aronline....gines-e-series/

The cable gear change ruined the reputation of the Austin Maxi at launch and by the time it was redesigned as a rod change linkage many potential buyers were put off! Many modern cars however use cable gearchanges today without any problems.
Quote:
"the Maxi offered the advantage of a five-speed gearbox, but the badly engineered cable operated shift resulted in a bad gear change. Many testers were left with the uneasy feeling that they never really knew whether it was going actually slot into gear or not. Gear changing should never be stressful – in the Maxi, it was.
Julian Mounter, motoring correspondent of The Times summed up the gear change thus: ‘It feels like stirring treacle with a long thin cane.’

my dads maxi and my mini :)

[Cooperman]

Talk of the Maxi reminds of the Circuit of Ireland Rally in 1970. We started one long stage a minute behind Rosemary Smith in her works Maxi 1750. I was co-driving for Chris Sclater in a Twin Cam Escort and as it was a fairly long stage I worked out that we would catch her in about 9 miles. Sure enough after about 8 miles she was in front of us and we were catching her. We came around a long 60 degree left going very quickly and there was Rosie with her Maxi spun and right across he narrow banked road. I'll never forget the look of horror on Alice Watsons face as she looked out of her side window and saw the TC approaching in a controlled slide. Rosie shoved the Maxi in gear and shot up the inside bank, we passed by on the bank on the right and the Maxi then slid back down missing us. We went on to finish 2nd and Rosie and Alice won the ladies. We bought them both a large drink at the finish.

[dave1293gt]

The maxi into mini must of been quite popular. There was at least one around here that i heard about as i started driving when i had my 850

[coopdog]

The maxi into mini must of been quite popular. There was at least one around here that i heard about as i started driving when i had my 850

ive never heard of one, and apparntly the block was heavy or something so wasnt worth the change?

[dave1293gt]

It is posted above somewhere that someone had seen a couple done. And i am going back over 20 yrs ago.

Edited by dave1293gt, 05 February 2012 - 01:06 PM.