Best Daily Driver Upgrade/Mod for a classic mini?
Orig. Posting Date | User Name | Edit Date |
Jan 18, 2017 03:28PM | thewerewolf | |
Jan 18, 2017 03:08PM | mhayes1984 | |
Jan 18, 2017 02:45PM | jeg | |
Jan 18, 2017 02:39PM | specialist | |
Jan 18, 2017 02:03PM | mhayes1984 | |
Jan 18, 2017 02:01PM | mur | |
Jan 18, 2017 01:48PM | thewerewolf | Edited: Jan 18, 2017 03:27PM |
Jan 18, 2017 01:33PM | specialist | |
Jan 18, 2017 01:12PM | minimans | |
Jan 18, 2017 11:43AM | specialist | Edited: Jan 18, 2017 12:10PM |
Jan 18, 2017 11:16AM | Spitz | Edited: Jan 18, 2017 11:17AM |
Jan 18, 2017 11:07AM | Jemal | |
Jan 18, 2017 10:09AM | Minimike1 | |
Jan 18, 2017 09:19AM | mur | |
Jan 18, 2017 07:48AM | RedRiley | |
Jan 18, 2017 07:38AM | mhayes1984 | Edited: Jan 18, 2017 02:05PM |
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I originally had a 998 japanese spec mini that was t-boned by a guy who was texting and ran a red-light 5+ years ago. Then picked up a 68 pickup with an 850 that I went through and replaced all the bushings, etc just to have them all dry rot within a couple months. very frustrating. I ended up selling that to a friend locally who repaired the rust it had and is almost finished a vtec swap on it. I then waited about 2 years before buying another. Fast forward to the vtec mini...
I had my heart set on one and ended up buying a vtec mini in california with an mtb2 kit. It was not as described when I flew out to buy it and unfortunately ended up deciding to sell it because I didn't have the time and space to go through it all and sort it out like it needed. I sold it to a local guy so he could rebuild it with his son. I was happiest it went to a good home where it would be rebuilt.
The only reason I had two minis is because a month after I bought the vtec mini the 850 came up for sale locally for a price I couldn't pass up. I like the handling and natural-ness of the original motor'd cars. There is just something about them that makes them fun to drive. The vtec mini just didn't have the same feel or driving dynamics and having 160hp and spinning the gears was ehh.
For now, the 850 is well sorted as a driver minus some minimal surface rust and a bad rear quarter window seal. I've already repaired the bad rust behind the rear subframe, new radiator and Water pump, clutch master and slave and other general maintenance. It's just when the radiator exploded the 850 started to get some blow by. Rather than rebuild it, I figured if the price was right i'd just replace the motor to something more powerful.
Here is my japanese spec mini when I drove to NYC.
And with 2 brothers who are 6'3 and 6'4 respectively:
Here is the 850 pickup the day I bought it in a lawn mower trailer. It had been sitting for YEARS. It started right up with new gas and a battery! (ended up needing points)
Here is the vtec mini on my friends unimog after it was delivered from cali on our way to cars & coffee:
And with my pup in it....
And the 850 parked across the street from my apt in philly: (yes it's parked on the street)
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If it were mine, I'd do the same as what I did to mine, in addition to the previously mentioned Quadoptic headlamps, Fiamm horns and relays:
First - A stage 1 kit suited to small-bore engines (C-STN17 or C-STN17) (a proper and complete one from our host or MiniSpares, not some budget knock-off with unknown quality. The kit will include a Maniflow Freeflow exhaust manifold, an alloy intake manifold (fits HS4, HIF38/HIF4, HIF44/HIF6 carbs), a K&N filter to fit the standard HS4 black plastic airbox, new carb needle which will get you really close to what you need, twin-box RC40 side-exit exhaust system and all the gaskets, clamps and hangers you'll need.
This will allow the engine to breath better, give better economy and a bit more power.
These parts will also transfer over to any other small-bore engine you one day install.
Then, better brakes, wheels and/or tires. I installed 8.4" disks and 12" wheels, 'S' drums and correct diameter wheel cylinders (understand your braking system before you just buy GWC1102 0.75" cylinders - make sure you've got the correct master cylinder and/or servo assist - use the technical pages and parts diagrams to understand your brakes) in the rear. This upgrade did, however, need new wheel arches, as the wheels now protruded further from the bodyshell. Gotta keep the local law happy...
Door mirrors - It's nice to see what's going on when you're stormin' down the boulevard. Both left and right sides, convex glass to give the wide-view perspective. P/N GAM218A and GAM217A, and since 1980 can be a bit of a wierd year for certain things, fitting kits also - M90997 and M90999, or 2 x CZH3521. These are MSC part numbers, I'm sure our host is using the same - use your search button and see what works best for you financially...
A good interior mirror also - MSA1147.
Then, when your clutch eventually needs replacing, a lightened flywheel. No need to go 'full-race', just the 'road-spec' as it'll take around 5 or 6 pounds off the reciprocating weight and dramatically improve acceleration. The result is very noticeable, it doesn't affect your smooth idle but will make your car a bit more 'sporty' and respond better if you have a passenger.
After that, you'll probably want to install twin carbs and stage 3 cylinder head. And a Super Cool radiator with silicone hoses. And an electronic ignition (Pertronix, AccuSpark, Lumenition Optronic etc...) for 'forget it's there' reliability. And a ... It never ends, but most if not all can be re-used with minimal spending later on. Maybe a different carb needle, maybe a few gaskets and screws. One piece at a time as you enjoy your car.
My opinion is that it may be nice to have a big stereo, 200 pounds of sound deadening material glued all over the place, and fancy carpets to hide it all, but if it's just wheezing along, it's just tarted up. Make sure what should be working, is in fact working - and keep it maintained.
As Steve once said, "Shiny baubles and paint won't make it what it ain't".
And yes, I had twin HS2's on my 850 with the stage 1 kit and lightened flywheel etc.. It would cruise quite happily along at 75 mph, gave good fuel economy and looked really cool when I opened the bonnet. My current 998 uses many of the previously installed parts, as well as some that take the concept well further.
The peasants are revolting...
"Gone with the Wind" - a brief yet moving vignette concerning lactose intolerance
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Thankfully everything is pretty up to date and well maintained on the car. The previous owner documented all maintenance and gas fill-ups from 2008-2014. It's pretty incredible. I am doing my best to continue with normal maintenance as it is very important.
The sound deadening is more for highway noise than anything else. I also can cruise at 75mph no problem...well until my 850 started to get some blow by, now i stay around 70 mph. The 850 currently has an hs4 with wax stat and a 45d4 dist. with electronic ignition.
Since the blow-by started to occur, I started to source a new motor and recently came across 1098 motor locally and will be picking it up hopefully this weekend. It is an mg1100 block, 12g295 head, kent 276 cam, weber dgv carb, remote 22g68 gearbox with 3 synchro jack knight straight cut gears and drops.
I haven't personally swapped a motor in a mini before, but I have in other cars, so I think ill be OK. Looking forward to a bit more power, not gonna lie. I prefer a 1275, but the price and timing are right on this guy. (as I just sold my vtec mini)
The only reason I am putting the wipac driving lights on is because I picked them up for $25 brand new WITH mini brackets.
Cheers!
-M
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As for Rob, the man who should not post anything, his flawed thinking argues that disc brakes are not a good idea because he has wheels with the wrong offset. That isn't very good advice. Broken clocks are right twice a day, but Rob is consistently unreliable with nothing of value to offer any discussion.
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850 @75??? ...i just can't get over it.
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Mini's are like buses they come along in a bunch
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But seriously, i don't think you even need sound deadening on 850's. the noise it produce is directly proportional to it's horse power output.
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A daily driver 850 MINI would benefit from a stage 1 kit I think....all bolt on stuff
If you've not got an HS4 or HIF4(38) already, I'd put one on. ( the 850 auto came with HS4 )
If your drums are set up correctly and adjusted correctly, they work perfectly fine....( better than the first Cooper discs in fact )...so you could save and get discs later and invest in some immediate improvements now ( although ultimately discs are the better brake by miles )
Alternately.....fit a 1098, 998 or 1275. If a rod shift is connected to the replacement....it's an easy swap
"Everybody should own a MINI at some point, or you are incomplete as a human being" - James May
"WET COOPER", Partsguy1 (Terry Snell of Penticton BC ) - Could you send the money for the unpaid parts and court fees.
Ordered so by a Judge
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mike
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Like the above mentioned headlights. My MK VII mini came from Japan so had lamps biased the wrong way. These were replaced with Silvania headlamps built like a sealed beam but with a halogen bulb, and then properly aimed. Since they are powered via relays and the car has a great alternator, these are the best headlamps I have had on a mini.
You already mentioned disc brakes. I daily drive with drums for decades, and would never do it again. Drums are just not reliable.
You also mentioned a more powerful torquey engine. There is nothing wrong with a good 1098.
I like a great heater-and that is part of a good cooling system. A 195°F thermostat and everything in proper shape and you will have a good source of heat. Then make certain all of the other parts of the system, from the ducts and escutions, to any foam pieces or air inlets, are in good shape and fitted properly. You do want your heater to draw in clean cool air, and the same for the eyeball vents.
Another often maligned system on minis is the wipers. If your car is MK III or newer it came with two speed self parking wipers. Sort the motor and cable/wheelboxes out and then fit the good wiper arms and Bosch wipers as were fitted to the last minis built. Avoid anything shiny or chromed as they are of nowhere near the quality of the good stuff. Also, make certain the washer fluid system is in good order.
There are many small systems on these cars that get overlooked, like proper crankcase venting systems, fuel tank venting, alternator capacity, distributor splash shield, battery tie down, battery clamps, ground straps; exhaust engine and subframe mounts. When all of these things are done, and done right, then a mini is a nice car to drive and they stay that way for a long time.
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Also installing the Miata seats.
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In my previous cars it was either front discs over the standard drums, or sound deadening upgrade/addition or changing to electronic ignition.
Next up on my list:
- fixing my leaks before doing the sound deadening
- finding the cause of my voltage drop when 3 items are running (lights/stereo/blower or lights/stereo/wipers)
- 1098 upgrade
- Front wipac driving lights
- What's your favorite/must have upgrade that you can't live without or regret not doing sooner?
- -Matt