8 replies to this topic

[Dynamodoug]

Any of you guys out there have or have knowledge personally of a 1430 engine? Im mulling over which engine kit to buy and spoke to a mini specialist last week who said 1430cc engines tend to be too unreliable hence many people tend to opt for 1380 in their quest for power. Seems odd to me but theres got to be something in it as practically every mini in mini magazine has an almost identical spec...

[Ethel]

The largest piston still readily available is 73.5mm which gives 1380cc's with a standard stroke.

You can get an A series up to 1399 cc's if you can find some 74mm pistons, to get bigger than that you need to alter the crank which is a whole new expense.

Obviously bigger engines make more torque which can effect reliability but the quality of the build and reinforcing things like the centre main bearing cap will matter more.

[Big_Adam]

To get a 14** engine you have to have a trick crank too.

So they cost a load more for the trick long crank.

People tend to go 1380 as the part are easily avalibe. Go weird like 1293.

[Sprocket]

Biggest problem with 1399/ 1430 is the head gasket. Other than that, reliability is as all the others.


Oh and THE biggest problem, is finding some decent 74mm pistons, unless you want to spend £450 on a set of forged pistons, which is over kill on a road engine.

[ginigwunkle]

i have a 1445cc, 74mm pistons and an 84mm stroke crank, as of yet i dont know the output and its due for a rebuild so i can fiddle with it.

apart from the headgasket which has gone twice in two years (£15 for a good gasket and a day to change) i havent had a problem with the engine at all!

however the extra strain put onto the other components ie starter motor, alternator, cooling system, ignition etc is a lot more due too the extra power and torque, becuase of this or maybe because of the age of them, i have had them fail on me.

the thinner bore walls could be a problem, just let it warm up good before you put the boot down!

if the engine is built properly maintained well and generally well looked after there shouldnt be a problem!

[Jammy]

The meat between the bores on a 1380 will be just the same as on a 1425 (1430) because they both use the same size bore (73.5). As Sprocket said, when you go up to 74mm (1399 or 1445) then you do have quite a thin wall between 2 and 3 cylinders, so its easier to blow the head gasket.

The other thing which now no one has pointed out yet, (assuming 73.5mm is the largest your going to bore a block to), is that you can't rebore that block anymore, if for whatever reason you need to rebore, you'll need to find a whole new block.

[Turbo Nick]

my mates had his 1450 in for about 10 years with no problems, its all down to how well its built and how its treated/maintained, same with all engines.

[Dynamodoug]

Yeah the bore walls was the reason i was told they can be unreliable. I think im like 90% of people here: i start talking about engine/performance when its so far down the line as far as my project is concerned!! There are so many, many things to be done before i can even start considering engine stuff.......and yet i cant help but start dreaming about my hot-hatch beating super Mini!.......

[alexcrosse]

no worrys from my head gasket. Id reccomend stroked over normal if you have the dollar, or luck to come across a cheap crank. Soooo much more torque lower down, makes it almost more drivable. Makes the A series sound so much more evil too, specially with a weber. Up hams hall im sure itll get some looks, when i get it there. Heard everyone is goin to an industrial estate round there instead now, gets a bit hot.