uprating/replacing engines
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- ndevans
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uprating/replacing engines
Afternoon folks.
This has probably been covered before many times, but here goes.
Is there a general consensus on how far you can go improving, uprating your engine for more poke, or replacing it with a bigger one, and still keep the original suspension & brakes? In other words, at what point, in terms of power output, do suspension improvements & disc brakes become necessary?
cheers (expecting umpteen different answers )
Neil
This has probably been covered before many times, but here goes.
Is there a general consensus on how far you can go improving, uprating your engine for more poke, or replacing it with a bigger one, and still keep the original suspension & brakes? In other words, at what point, in terms of power output, do suspension improvements & disc brakes become necessary?
cheers (expecting umpteen different answers )
Neil
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Ditto!
1275 is about the limit on standard stuff imho.
Oddly I found handling rather than braking to be my main stumbling block.
I find the brakes perfectly adequate for the 1275 engine but the handling not so.
I have to slow down more than I'd like to on certain bends and start to loose confidence in the car at speeds around 80-90mph.
There are a few 'racer' types on here who should hopefully reply to this with more experience.
1275 is about the limit on standard stuff imho.
Oddly I found handling rather than braking to be my main stumbling block.
I find the brakes perfectly adequate for the 1275 engine but the handling not so.
I have to slow down more than I'd like to on certain bends and start to loose confidence in the car at speeds around 80-90mph.
There are a few 'racer' types on here who should hopefully reply to this with more experience.
What would Macgyver do..?
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Never even thought about attempting a bend at that sort of speed you must have nerves of steelI have to slow down more than I'd like to on certain bends and start to loose confidence in the car at speeds around 80-90mph.
Cheers
Kevin
Lovejoy 1968 Smoke Grey Traveller (gone to a new home after13 years)
Herts Branch Member
Moderator MMOC 44706
Kevin
Lovejoy 1968 Smoke Grey Traveller (gone to a new home after13 years)
Herts Branch Member
Moderator MMOC 44706
Mild mods to the original engine will still be ok on the supension - although stiffening up the dampers with thicker oil is always worth doing. It's more the old narrow tyres that limit road adhesion more than any other factor. Brakes - depends how you drive. The standard 8" front drums (in good order) will lock the wheels and give you a good stop - what they won't do is that stop over and over again unless they get to cool down in between. So - downhill Alpine Passes are not good - but normal Uk motoring will be fine!
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biggest improvement I find is to fit a front anti roll bar. Yes I know front discs are nice. More power is easy with 1275 but a few hours and a cortina roll bar make the world of difference for little outlay in terms of money or time.
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cool cars don't die they just get cooler as they get older!
cool cars don't die they just get cooler as they get older!
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Re: uprating/replacing engines
ndevans wrote:... at what point, in terms of power output, do suspension improvements & disc brakes become necessary?
Disc brakes become necessary by adding 98 octane fuel
Seriously, I changed to discs when I had a 1275 in, that I eventually removed as I didn't get on with it and went back to 1098. But I dont regret fitting the discs!
Mike
http://www.TheMinorSite.co.uk
Modified Best Engine Bay - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012
1st Place Modified - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012 woohoo!
http://www.TheMinorSite.co.uk
Modified Best Engine Bay - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012
1st Place Modified - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012 woohoo!
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Thats easy for you to say - you have a workshop! My 'toolkit' consists of a philips screwdriver and a large hammer. And I often get confused which one of those is the right one for the job...superchargedfool wrote:biggest improvement I find is to fit a front anti roll bar. Yes I know front discs are nice. More power is easy with 1275 but a few hours and a cortina roll bar make the world of difference for little outlay in terms of money or time.
Mike
http://www.TheMinorSite.co.uk
Modified Best Engine Bay - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012
1st Place Modified - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012 woohoo!
http://www.TheMinorSite.co.uk
Modified Best Engine Bay - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012
1st Place Modified - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012 woohoo!
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- Minor Fan
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- MMOC Member: No
Mike
http://www.TheMinorSite.co.uk
Modified Best Engine Bay - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012
1st Place Modified - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012 woohoo!
http://www.TheMinorSite.co.uk
Modified Best Engine Bay - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012
1st Place Modified - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012 woohoo!
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Using both, often as a combination, works very well sometimes!superchargedfool wrote:fair comment but I will say the large hammer is far more usefull when working on old cars than the screwdriver ever could be!
Ultimate rust cure for your moggy....paint it brown, at least that way you dont notice the rust as much!!
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You put the hammer on the car and hit it with the screwdriver?youngun wrote:Using both, often as a combination, works very well sometimes!
Mike
http://www.TheMinorSite.co.uk
Modified Best Engine Bay - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012
1st Place Modified - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012 woohoo!
http://www.TheMinorSite.co.uk
Modified Best Engine Bay - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012
1st Place Modified - Kelmarsh National Rally 2012 woohoo!
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I want your Minor! (Or at least want to drive it!)
I actually did manage to out-accelerate four lads in a rusty old Nova, from a standing start at Red Hill Circle in leicester, in 'Ector! He had no mods either - the looks on their faces would have been priceless, I suppose, but I was nearly half a mile away before they really moved over the stop line!:D That's what you get for loading a knackered old hatchback down with a massive sound system, I suppose! ;)
Did anyone see the episode of Top Gear where a rather old sporty car thrashed a souped-up Citreon Saxo up a hill in a time trial? I'm trying to remember what the make and model of the older car was, the episode was a superb example of the excellence of older cars. I remember the Saxo being loaded down with a huge sound system and a typically naff bodykit, fat wheels, the works . . . . the older car, before commencing its run, was stripped of its "unnecessary" extras, including the two side doors, before a lovely bearded gentlemen proceeded to cane it up the hill and take something like six seconds off the Saxo's time, somewhat upsetting the hoodie/baseball cap crowd . . . . . . lol
I actually did manage to out-accelerate four lads in a rusty old Nova, from a standing start at Red Hill Circle in leicester, in 'Ector! He had no mods either - the looks on their faces would have been priceless, I suppose, but I was nearly half a mile away before they really moved over the stop line!:D That's what you get for loading a knackered old hatchback down with a massive sound system, I suppose! ;)
Did anyone see the episode of Top Gear where a rather old sporty car thrashed a souped-up Citreon Saxo up a hill in a time trial? I'm trying to remember what the make and model of the older car was, the episode was a superb example of the excellence of older cars. I remember the Saxo being loaded down with a huge sound system and a typically naff bodykit, fat wheels, the works . . . . the older car, before commencing its run, was stripped of its "unnecessary" extras, including the two side doors, before a lovely bearded gentlemen proceeded to cane it up the hill and take something like six seconds off the Saxo's time, somewhat upsetting the hoodie/baseball cap crowd . . . . . . lol
Re-employed!:D
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You and anyone else can drive my minor as long as they show funds available to buy it if they bend it! plus insurance.
I do like to ol' A series for tuning up and a minor will keep up, on acceleration with a hot a series in it.
I don't remember the top gear thing
Also on topic I do intend to uprate my engine and gearbox for my 200 goal, down side is the best part of 5k! I'm saving
I do like to ol' A series for tuning up and a minor will keep up, on acceleration with a hot a series in it.
I don't remember the top gear thing
Also on topic I do intend to uprate my engine and gearbox for my 200 goal, down side is the best part of 5k! I'm saving
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I remember that.Did anyone see the episode of Top Gear where a rather old sporty car thrashed a souped-up Citreon Saxo up a hill in a time trial? I'm trying to remember what the make and model of the older car was,
I am sure the car was a bright yellow Frogeyed Sprite with a 1275cc engine which put the youngsters in their place and proved that spending lots of money doesn't always make for a quicker car.
Cheers
Kevin
Lovejoy 1968 Smoke Grey Traveller (gone to a new home after13 years)
Herts Branch Member
Moderator MMOC 44706
Kevin
Lovejoy 1968 Smoke Grey Traveller (gone to a new home after13 years)
Herts Branch Member
Moderator MMOC 44706
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Yes, it proves a classic car with proper mechanical bits in it worked on by guys who know what they are doing will allways be better than modern rubbish! (Saxo).
Cheers John - all comments IMHO
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- Come to this years Kent branches Hop rally! http://www.kenthop.co.uk
(check out the East Kent branch website http://www.ekmm.co.uk )