54 replies to this topic

[JonnyAlpha]

 

CAM Shafts
So as far as CAM shafts are concerned I was originally looking at the Minispares EVOULTION001, however was then told to use the BP255 and more recently, the machine shop that I have just dropped then engine off at for a quote have said that they only use Kent CAMs in their engines and will quote the MD266 Fast Road Cam.
 
So for a decent fast road going car what are your thoughts:
 
1. Standard Metro CAM (Not 100% sure what engine this is as the ID plate disintegrated)
2. Kent MD266
3. Piper BP255
4. Evolution001 
 
Also been advised that the standard Metro CAM is similar to both the Kent and the Piper. 
And taking onboard info in this thread already, the EVO is only £80 odd and with TMF discount if its an improvement on the standard CAM then why not

AC Dodd RS cam

 

 

 

AC Dodd RS is a great cam

 

 

Price, specs and where from?

[cal844]

Ah, sorry AC Dodd is a member of this forum and a very well respected engine builder and tuner.

If AC doesn't comment here, I believe ML Motorsport can put you in touch.

I am unsure of cam specs or prices.

A link to a thread on here with a few replies, one states to PM AC for more details.

http://www.theminifo...-dodd-rs-vs-rs/

I hope the above is of some help

Regards

Cal

Edited by cal844, 06 February 2019 - 10:01 PM.

[JonnyAlpha]

Updated to include MiniSpares Discount

 

So I have received the quote for the engine and it is £1700. This is for the short engine and Cyl Head (Basic recon - no additional work less unleaded seats), does not include a Cam Shaft or CR calculation and modification that will all be extra. 

 

I have costed up the additional parts that are required on top and the parts that would be needed if I did the complete strip clean and rebuild of the whole engine (less ancillaries). Comparisons of the various option are as follows:

 

Local Engineering shop half engine and cyl head build- £2274 £2225

Minispares Pre Built Half Engine Option (+300 for a Cyl Head Refurb) -  £1980 £1950

Mini Specialist Machining Work (Complete self strip, clean and build) - £1742 £1670

 

So looking at the above, if I was desperate to do all of the work then getting just the machining done is the cheapest option at £1670. However, to save myself the aggro and possible balls ups when building the main block / timing etc, buying a ready built half engine would only cost £280 more and is £270 cheaper than my local engineering shop, not to mention saving a bucket load of time from a complete self build!! (assuming I could get my head refurbished for £310 that is).

 

The only problem with the Minispares option is how do you ensure the head matches the build in terms of getting the CR correct, the engine is already built?

 

It would however be a shame to not see the salvaged engine going again and gain a sense of achievement in saving an old Metro Engine.

 

FYI here is a list of additional parts used in the above calcs, where they are included the cost has obviously not been added:

 

Duplex Timing Chain Oil Pump Fuel Pump Centre Main Strap Centre Oil Pickup Clutch Plate Clutch Pressure Plate Release Bearing Clutch Oil Seal Clutch Oil Seal Protector Lightweight Flywheel Block and G/Box Gasket Set Main Bearings Big End Bearings Core Plugs Cam Followers Head Studs Engine Build Lube Cam Lube Cam Bearings

 

FYI Here is a thread I started on Pistons and CR

Edited by JonnyAlpha, 13 February 2019 - 07:25 PM.

[ACDodd]

Regarding the compression setting. Simply chamber the head to suit the supplied engine. This is not cheap as it involves a lot of work. Budget around £400 ISH for this. The benefit of doing this is that chamber re shaping combined with a good 3 angle valve seat can liberate half the power increase of a fully ported head!

Ac

[johnR]

I've never found budgets very reliable or forecasts accurate - but that's probably a good thing or else many a project wouldn't be started! Buying my current 1275, refurbing the gearbox & diff, having porting, unleaded, re-bore, crank grind, balancing done, lighter flywheel, buying and refurbing twin HS2s, new exhaust, 2 core rad. and some shiny bits appears to have cost me @ 4K and that's with building the gearbox and the engine myself. I wonder whether some builders show the costings they prepared for wives and girlfriends rather than accounting for every penny?
This:
To this:

Edited by johnR, 13 February 2019 - 02:51 PM.

[Jase]

There were still some brand new engines and boxes knocking about, I think I paid £4k for a brand new 1275 engine. Making a few changes but not that much.

[JonnyAlpha]

OK so resurrecting this thread.

 

For the past few months I have been weighing up the many options to a point where I feel I may just give up

 

I have looked at three local engine restoration companies, one to just do the machining and some refurb (cleaning / painting / head / balancing etc) and another to do a complete strip and rebuild. I have also looked at several other machinist where I would need to send the engine away to get the machining / balancing done.

 

Whilst sending the engine away to a mini specialist will ensure a top job it adds at least another £100 shipping and any dry building etc will incur additional labour costs.

Doing it locally means that I can do most of the labour (dry build, rebuild etc) and negates any additional shipping costs, however I have not been overwhelmed with faith with two of the companies, maybe I am just too suspicious but I just didn't get a warm fuzzy feeling.

 

Another option I have looked at it a local old boy who is still in business and has come highly recommended by a friend in the local mini scene, he is just going to do the machining, but does not have the capacity to balance the flywheels, crank and clutch etc.

 

I have nearly finished putting a spreadsheet together to compare all of the costing with several options on parts (its been a mammoth task).

 

The results are looking like the cheapest option is the local old fella but there is another consideration which was suggested by @Nicklouse earlier in this thread which is buying a ready made Bill Richards Engine from Minispares.

 

1. Local Machinist - £1762

2. Minispares Half Engine (and my head) - £1651

3. Local Engine Company - £2207

4. Mini Specialist - £2271

 

However my calculations above are flawed because I haven't weighed up is that using my head I won't be able to achieve the correct CR without increasing the chamber size?

 

The Minispares engines are fitted with the Evolution Low Drag Pistons which have a 6.5cc dish, which (correct me if I am wrong) will give to high a CR with my standard head (21.4cc) of around 10.5:1 using this calculator kindly linked on another thread.

 

Decisions, decisions................

[sc-em]

Mini engines are straight forward enough to rebuild. Just find a decent engineering shop for the work you can't do, i.e. grinding and balancing etc. My engine was built by JB Racing (before I had it) but I will take the head off to get the head work improved. It's a learning curve but could save you a fortune.

[ben2626]

hi we can give you any cc in the eng 1 just request it when you order from minispares if you want we can work out the cc just need your head if this helps kind regards bill richards no extra charge

[JonnyAlpha]

hi we can give you any cc in the eng 1 just request it when you order from minispares if you want we can work out the cc just need your head if this helps kind regards bill richards no extra charge

PM'd you