14 replies to this topic

[jc_kasabian]

Hi all, as title says I'm looking to build a 1380 engine for my mini. i have never done a rebuild before and not much experience with cars until i bought my mini which i have restored mostly myself.

 

My plan is to buy another engine(tired or high millage) and rebuild from their. this will be a long term project getting it done at weekends and there is no real budget for the price as it'll be little bits every month when i get paid. of course want to keep it as low as possible but have a good engine and reliable as possible.

 

I was it to run and sound good and not too lumpy but also wanting some decent power above 80bhp at least and willing to take some sacrifices! 

 

Next question is whats the best parts to use, camshaft, pistons, rings, con rods etc. also the best clutch? what else am i best to change on this build? i plan on keeping this engine for a long time so anything that is needing changed will also be done along the way.

 

Whats the best methods and products to clean as i go? and where to get a copper gasket set?

 

Any advice is much appreciated. if possible please PM me also so i can keep the advise to go back on as its gonna be a while until it'll be finished.

[ACDodd]

What's your budget?

Ac

[Stiggytoo]

Why 1380?

[nicklouse]

Buy a Haynes manual. Read it.

Pay someone to machine and assemble the short engine to suit your head.

[timmy850]

The standard Cooper S 1275 had 75hp, so you can have a very mild engine if you are only aiming for 80hp+.

 

As people have said on here numerous times, if your block is near a standard bore there is not much point boring it out straight to 1380. Once you bore it out to 1380 you have no more re-bore options available and you either re-sleeve the block or scrap it and buy a new block.

 

If you have a 1275, you have 1293, 1310, 1330, 1360 re-bores available...

[jc_kasabian]

dont have a budget in place, going to be a long term build so the sky is the limit really, spending 200-300 each month on parts to get it built up. will be doing this with a spare engine!

what type of head do people recomend? even to go for 100bhp

whats the best to get it bored out too then? was originally going for 1330 but thought if i was spending all that money might aswell get it to a 1380.

as i said im not too sure on everything to do with the rebuild or that hence why im asking for the best advice from people, thanks

[ACDodd]

Its sounds to me like you want a long lifed engine. In which case you need to keep the power down. I would suggest 90hp as your limit. Expect to spend 2 to £3K as your budget. Strip the engine and box. Set yourself up with a spreadsheet. Log the work and parts needed and the costs involved. The inspection will lead you to fix your budget. Plan to have the engine looked over by a competent engine machinist in order to determine what needs doing and what is re-useable. I offer a free service for forum members for just this thing!

AC

[mk1leg]

or get the minispares budget half engine....£908

http://www.minispare...px|Back to shop

[Icey]

whats the best to get it bored out too then? was originally going for 1330 but thought if i was spending all that money might aswell get it to a 1380.

 

But it's not really an 'upgrade' to keep taking lumps out of the block unless you're really pushing the limits and blocks are a disposable item for you.

 

Some really rough back-of-a-fag-packet maths: 75hp from a 1275cc engine works out to 0.05bhp per cc. 1380cc will expand the capacity by 105cc so 105 * 0.05 is a little over 5hp.

 

5hp extra but you've taken your engine to the end of it's life (unless you do as said above - sleeving etc..). Doesn't really seem worth it to me?

 

If a rebore is required (it may not be if the cylinders are in good shape) just take it to the next size and spend your money getting the engine breathing better - you'll likely see more value for money that way and you'll still be able to step up bore sizes should you need to.

[psmini]

I'm having my SPI engine rebuilt and rebored at the moment and instantly thought 1380cc.  After speaking to the guy thats doing it, I'm going for 1293cc so I can get a couple more rebore's out of the block in the future.  Also going for a 274 cam, standard injection (for now) and a stage 3 head.  I'm learning as I go as I'm not mechanically minded and after years of owning mini's, this is the first engine I've had breathed on.

[ACDodd]

Guys you are all talking like 1380 blocks are scrap after this size. They can be sleeved back. It is no problem.

Ac

[ACDodd]

Mk1leg I think you mean £1090.

Ac

[jc_kasabian]

I've bought a 1275 block with crankshaft off a friend tonight and collecting it tomorrow. I'm looking to get around 100bhp now after talking to a lot of people this should be easily manageable! using a swift tune cam and pistons then go from their

[Mrpeanut]

or get the minispares budget half engine....£908
http://www.minispare...px|Back to shop

Does the tmf+ discount apply on engines?

[mk1leg]

 

or get the minispares budget half engine....£908
http://www.minispare...px|Back to shop

Does the tmf+ discount apply on engines?

 

ask Simon on here