My new racing car....
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Soldato
I have am still yet to drive a car that was more fun down a back lane than my first 998cc MINI as the great Stirling Moss once said 'the nearest thing you can get to a 60's grnad prix car handling on the road'.
they may not be fast and they are hideous on the Motorway but for a 17 year old to rag down the lanes they are awsome and also a great oppertunity to learn a little about how cars work as the diy repairs and Mods will inevitably happen!
You are however correct a decent one is stupidly expensive compared to other cars on the market!
Soldato
Commited,
What are the class's? Also which Mini racing series you in as I have a few mates who are mad about their Mini's.
Weighed the car yet?
What are the class's? Also which Mini racing series you in as I have a few mates who are mad about their Mini's.
Weighed the car yet?
Soldato
What a cool little beast! 
Stinky - yup had to get my racing license - still on a "provisional" one which means I can only race up to 2000cc, but after I finish 6 races I can race anything.
rG- All the Minis I've ever really used daily have been well sorted, safe examples. Quite a few of my mates just use their road cars in the race, they are that safe
Saitrix - classes for the Minis are:
Class 1: Non-standard heads, Forced induction
Class 2: Over 1400cc A series head.
Class 3: 1350-1400cc A series head
Class 4: up to 1350cc A series head.
I'm either going to up the engine size to 1480cc or drop down to 1400cc, havent decided yet
I'm in a racing series in ireland Haven't weighed car.
Slicks have been ordered - woo!
rG- All the Minis I've ever really used daily have been well sorted, safe examples. Quite a few of my mates just use their road cars in the race, they are that safe
Saitrix - classes for the Minis are:
Class 1: Non-standard heads, Forced induction
Class 2: Over 1400cc A series head.
Class 3: 1350-1400cc A series head
Class 4: up to 1350cc A series head.
I'm either going to up the engine size to 1480cc or drop down to 1400cc, havent decided yet
I'm in a racing series in ireland
Haven't weighed car.Slicks have been ordered - woo!
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Soldato
Out of interest what seems to be the going power for class 4? I know someone building a nice high power 1085 (iirc) lump. Wondering how it compares.
Sounds good though!
Sounds good though!
Think the highest power is about 100bhp - there or there abouts!
Soldato
Wow, is there restrictions on what can be done then? My mate will be pulling in the 100bhp at the wheels area. Mini's seem a good fun racing series to get into, plenty of parts, plus the prices for them don't seem too crazy compared to some other cars. Plus so easy to work on.
100bhp at the wheels? I assume it will be have a 16v head or turbo'd or Supercharged?
Otherwise, tbh he has NO chance. No matter what anyone says to you, that's ridiculous. Mine has 100bhp at the wheels, and it makes good power and torque for a 1430.
Otherwise, tbh he has NO chance. No matter what anyone says to you, that's ridiculous. Mine has 100bhp at the wheels, and it makes good power and torque for a 1430.
Soldato
Well he previously had a 1071 with 85bhp at the wheel. Unfortunately due to a break in the piston he is having to rebuild the engine. So at the same time he is upgrading certain bits. For example he had the old Oselli head on there, which now he is swapping to a modern race spec head, as apparently Oselli were good for the time but compared to modern ones they arnt good. He is using a 1275 block with a 1070 south african crank which will be wedged, crossdrilled, backdrilled etc. New conrods and omega lightweight pistons. Also he is swapping from a SW10 camshaft to a Piper BP300 (316 duration), this is all mated to his straight cut close ratio box fitted with a 3.9:1 diff. So he would hope with all those extra bits he will be able to get 10-15bhp over his old engine.
I'll believe it when I see it man I know a lot of guys that build a lot of engines, and when the most you cant realistically get from a 1430 with A series head is 140bhp at the flywheel, I very much doubt you'll be able to get nearly 120bhp from a 1085cc!
I know a lot of guys that build a lot of engines, and when the most you cant realistically get from a 1430 with A series head is 140bhp at the flywheel, I very much doubt you'll be able to get nearly 120bhp from a 1085cc!
Soldato
Fair enough, well the old engine was rolling roaded at 85 at the wheel, and I can tell you that it is quick when driving along with it. But yes I will keep you updated, should be built in a few months. The aim is for 10000rpm, but anything around 9000 would be good, the last one revved to 8500. But we will see I suppose.
But yes I will keep you updated, should be built in a few months. The aim is for 10000rpm, but anything around 9000 would be good, the last one revved to 8500. But we will see I suppose.