Mk 1 Stage 1 Tuning Advice

[StuartA]

Hi, I am new to the Mini Forum, having just bought a '63 Morris Mini Traveller. The car is in great condition as restored a few years back and is in totally original spec. I am keen to carry out some subtle modifications and am looking into adding a stage 1 tuning kit (from Mini Sport), the car currently has a standard HS2 carb' and I would need to upgrade to an HS4 carb for the stage 1. Have any other members carried out this upgrade on a Mk 1 850, and if so is the best way solution or are there any other options to consider? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

[mk1]

Hi Stuart,

Welcome to the forum.

If you use the search facility in the top right hand side of the page you will find lots of discussions of basic tuning of small bore engines.

In brief though, you will not see any worthwhile gain in performance or anything else for that matter without a head swap, either for a modified one or for a 998 Cooper type 12G295, that has been skimmed to increase the compression ratio.

I appreciate that this is probably not what you want to hear, but better to save a few quid than spend in unnecessarily.

If you are looking at this one, http://www.minisport.com/t-ktk01half-st ... -carb.html

It really wouldn't be any good for an otherwise standard 850. As the biggest restriction in power is the head itself.

For my money, the best way to go would be as follows;

1. Cylinder head
2. Small bore 3 into 1 exhaust manifold & matching exhaust system (using a cut down standard inlet manifold & standard carb).
3. Better inlet manifold & 1 1/2" carb.

I hope that this is of interest.

M

[mk1]

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13687&hilit=tuning+an+850

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4923&hilit=tuning+an+850

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=531&hilit=tuning+an+850

[StuartA]

Hi Mark,

Thanks a lot for your reply and honest advice - it's much appreciated. I had an inkling that this was the case - but wanted to explore the options and not sure the outlay for your solution really justifies itself, so I think I will leave it as it is and just settle for a session on the rolling road to get the standard set up tuned and balanced as best as possible.

On another topic, I am thinking of fitting a set of Minilites to the car in place of the current steel, can you see any issues with this as after looking into it it does not seem to be a problem in fitting?

Many thanks again
Stuart

[mk1]

Hi Stuart,

I think you have probably made the correct decision. People forget just how sweet a standard engine can be as long as it is well set up & looked after. If you do manage to find a head at a sensible price in the future, there's no harm in changing in the future.

As far as I am aware a set of minilites should fit straight on, although you may need to fit spacers or spacer drums to the back. the person selling the wheels would be able to confirm this.

m

[StuartA]

Thanks again Mark - all much appreciated, last question (for today anyway!!) I need to fit new door locks and ignition key / barrel, in your opinion wheres the best place for these?

many thanks again
Stuart

[mk1]

Minispares North will have a full set in stock.

01423 881 800

I'm biased as my mate Rich works there.

m

[StuartA]

Many thanks Mark, there's nothing wrong with that - it's not what you know it's who etc.

Cheers
Stuart

[gs.davies]

Others may have a different opinion and experience, however this is what I'd have done with my Mk1 if I was keeping it standard (I'm building an 1100 for it..)

- Swap the head for a 202 or a 295 (or flow the existing one)
- Have the existing manifold gasflowed the old way
- Attempt to flow the carburettor the old way

This will give you a better breathing very standard looking installation.

The other thing to consider is the floor starter and the drive couplings - the standard exhaust should have a twist in it to clear the starter solenoid terminals. Some LCBs as supplied with Stage one kits foul the rubber driveshaft couplings.

[mk1]

All good advice above, apart from I have never been a great believer in "flowing carbs". This can muck them up quite badly if done wrong.

m