13 replies to this topic

[Steve-O 2014]

Why do some people prefer the 998 over the 1275? 

 

I was looking at getting a 12g295 head for the 998 but for a small amount more you can pick up a complete 1275 engine and gearbox!

[Dale_]

The 998 is not better than the 1275 in any ways shape or form.

The 998 will never be faster than a 1275 (without a remote and serious modifications) but the that would be unfair to compare.

I believe the 998 is abit better freer reving.
But in all honesty this subject has been gone over soooooo many times that I know if you tapped it into Google it would come up with unlimited answers :)

[petey81]

If your 998 bottom end is good then why risk buying a 1275 with unknown history? Heads will still cost alot to put right.
I was offered a 1275 for 300 but i decided to keep my freshly overbored 998 and fit twin hs2 carbs and 12g202 head.

[Almond-1]

I have had good performance out of a 998. You could always have the block pocketed to accept a 1275 head & go that way. As Dale states there are so many various setups & discussions, that it boils down to money, time & personal preference.

[robminibcy]

A 1275 will always be more powerful than an equivalent modified 998 so on paper a 998 will never be as good as a 1275. I think people like how a 998 will rev hard all day long which to some make them more fun. 1275s wont sustain very high revs as standard for long periods due to the bigger crank.

[Anthony30]

998 engines are better, 'they just are', I believe is the technical term. Nothing to do with my car having a 998 of course.

[Sam]

The 998 is not better than the 1275 in any ways shape or form.

 

I find the 998s a lot smoother, the 1275 is quite lumpy in comparison. I prefer the sound of 998s - the noise is awesome on over run. The engines are also cheaper to buy which is a plus point.

 

Although all of my road Minis have 1275 engines. But in reality it doesn't matter if you have a 998 or 1275, both are slow. I'd pick the engine thats in best condition.

[lsto]

I had a 998 in my old mini 30 and now in my cooper I have a 1275. Honestly I think I prefered the 998, more revvy engine and mine seemed to just be smoother in comparison to the 1275. Give it its due the 1275 is quicker and it will always have a bit more grunt, but either way a mini will never be quick so it'll always be down to personal choice.

[pusb]

You're all wrong. An 850 is the best

[timmy850]

I'm going to split the difference and do an 1100 engine!

[Spider]

Why do some people prefer the 998 over the 1275? 

 

I was looking at getting a 12g295 head for the 998 but for a small amount more you can pick up a complete 1275 engine and gearbox!

 

Not sure what prices are like around your parts, but I've always found it to be WAY cheaper to build a basic, reliable 1275 , that has all the power, reliability etc that I want / expect for normal road use than to try to do the same with a 998 (or an 1100 for that matter - sorry timmy850).

 

With a 1275, (or any engine for that matter) you don't have to use all the power it can give - all the time - but it's nice to have when you want / need it. Plus, the bottom end of the 1275's lend themselves to lasting considerably longer than a 998 and fair even better than an 1100. Just my own experience. I've had a few hot 998's and 1100's, fun, doable, expensive though, so give me a 1275 any day (all our Minis and Mokes have nothing less).

 

I've also found in recent years that there seems to be a better variety and availability or bits for 1275's, both stock and go faster stuff as well.

 

<Edit: I've also found on the longer runs, the 1275's use far less fuel too. End Edit>

Edited by Moke Spider, 01 February 2015 - 10:20 PM.

[Cooperman]

It depends on what you want from a classic car.

The 998 (and, of course the 850) will provide the 'retro' experience of driving the original-type Mini as it was in the '60s when many ordinary people, rather than car enthusiasts, drove them for everyday use. That, in itself, gives it a sort-of iconic status. Then there was the 998 Cooper which was a super touring car back then.

In the '60's a lot of younger people and enthusiastic drivers wanted to own a Cooper 'S', be it a 1071, 970 or 1275. The competition successes of the 1275 made it very desirable for those wanting to go fast on the then uncluttered roads of that time. So a 1275 engined car will now give a taste of what it was like for those of us who owned a 1275 'S' in the '60's, and how good that was. But it was nowhere near as nice to drive on normal roads at lower speeds as the 1275 engine was/is far from as smooth as the 998 or 850.

So there is no answer as to which engine is best. The question becomes 'best for what'? Best as a nice road classic or best as an example, perhaps, of what a then-quick small car was like to own and drive in the '60's.

[Ethel]

I find the idea of a blown 998 ever more appealing. The 1275 is a later revision, so is bound to have improvements, but it's also bound to have compromises to the original design to fit bigger internals into practically the same space. A blower gives you many of the big bore advantages without the compromises.

[Cooperman]

Before the 998 Cooper came along (to replace the horrible one with the 997 engine) a lot of enthusiasts fitted Shorrock Super-Chargers to 850 cars with good results.