VDP 1300 = Cooper 'S' Performance?

[coopertim]

Hi all

I have the chance of a Vanden Plas 1300 engine to slot into my car. What would i have to do to it in order to give me 1275 'S' performance and would it cost a fortune to do it? Your comments please.

Cheers Tim.

[618AOG]

Should be the same sort of go. The MG1300 engine (used in the Riley Kestrel and VDP1300) was rated at 70 bhp and not 75 but there's next to nothing in it and was probably marketing spin. They were both 1275cc, the same tame camshaft, 12G940 head, twin SU's, compression etc but without the exotic bits. A head skim to get the CR up and a lighter flywheel should do it - the 1300 used a massive heavy flywheel which needs binning.
If you're putting the complete engine and gearbox in, you might want to change the diff. 1300's came with the 3.65 final drive with is great with 12 inch wheels but you'll need at least a 3.44 on tens. The 1300 remote is the same length as a Mini one so that fits okay.

This takes me back.....27 years.

TOF135H was a poor 1300GT that donated it's engine and gearbox to a drum braked Mini 850. It went well.

[Pandora]

the point about the diff is certainly true. I didn't change it on mine and the acceleration was great, but motorways were a real chore (aren't they always in a Mk1)

I put on an MED head (ported but with standard valve sizes I think) maniflow/ RC40 system, twin 1 1/4s and lightened flywheel and it felt pretty much up to S spec to drive (the diff helped of course!)

Hope this helps

[coopertim]

Thats fantastic stuff guys!! Many thanks for your replies!

Tim.

[Simon776]

Think you'll find the VP 1275 engine was low compression so 9 stud head and deep dish pistons.

[coopertim]

Cheers Simon. So the VDP 1275 engine would'nt be the best choice for a Cooper 1275 'S' replica? Any suggestions.... apart from the obvious which i cant afford!!

Cheers. Tim.

[Nevsmini]

If it coming at the right money I would go for it! All you need to do is drill the block and head tap the block and change the pistons and your away, all in an evenings work Tim.

[LDR209H]

Cheers Simon. So the VDP 1275 engine would'nt be the best choice for a Cooper 1275 'S' replica? Any suggestions.... apart from the obvious which i cant afford!!

Cheers. Tim.

Tim,
The best donors were Austin/Morris 1300GT,MG1300 or Riley Kestrel 1300. (i think the MG and Riley we're classed as Mk2's as the Mk1's were 1098's - nice as well with twin 1-1/4's and 12G295 heads).
The trouble is people are finally recognising these as great little cars in their own right,the ones that come up on ebay and the like go for decent and fair money now.
You're treading a well trodden route !! Back to plan A ?

[618AOG]

Think you'll find the VP 1275 engine was low compression so 9 stud head and deep dish pistons.

Depends what year it was. The 1275 engine was first fitted as an option on the last Mark 1 cars and these used S heads and S (or early Sprite) conrods with the 1275/1300 block. Certainly, the 69-70 VDP's used the 11 stud head and twin SU's along with a fancy chromed rocker cover. Later ones used a regular 1300 engine, and the really late ones used rod change gearboxes and pot joints - the VDP was the last of the 1300's after the Allegro replaced the 1100/1300.

[Vegard]

I've got a 73 1300 and that has got a remote gearbox. Did the Austin/Morrises aver come with a rod box?

[618AOG]

I've got a 73 1300 and that has got a remote gearbox. Did the Austin/Morrises aver come with a rod box?

Yes. Late 1100/1300's used the rod box with the old rubber couplings and finally the Allegro unit complete. Allegro and 1300 production overlapped by about 3-4 months.