LCB or 3 branch

[Sean1380]

Hi all

Just curious as to what others thought.

I am going to place an order with the Guru in the next week or so, and am going to order and new exhaust "branch" for my SA 1978 mk3.

Now, the current manifold is one i picked up over 20 years ago whilst on a visit from South Africa to Northern Ireland, bought it from a dude who had a small Mini business on the Ards peninsula. I think it was a cheapassed Sportex one.

Anyway, its 20 years old, and it needs to be replacing.

Now, i am thinking, just for ease of sealing and installation, of going for a Maniflow Cooper S style branch instead of the usual LCB.

BUT will it work with my motor ? (i.e. will it be to small)

1380cc
11-1 compression
Mini Spares Evo high torque cam
36/30 head
Mini Spares inlet with HIF44.

Thoughts ?

Ta

[mk1]

I reckon you won't notice the difference Sean. But you may have to re calibrate your carb to compensate for your recent change in altitude.

M

[Sean1380]

hahaha, VERY good point there Mark.

Forgot that i am now 5,700 feet above sea level.

The wee beasty is sat at my dads place on the coast until i drive back down from Johannesburg at Easter time to drive it back up - miss it already and its only been 2 weeks.

Am also thinking about dropping the exhaust down from the 50mm (+-2") OD to 45mm (1.77") OD or would that be silly ?

[mk1]

It should be fine.

[Smiffy]

We noticed a difference, when going from the 'freeflow' manifold to a longer LCB on our 998 Stage 1 kit/295 head.

[Bertam]

We noticed a difference, when going from the 'freeflow' manifold to a longer LCB on our 998 Stage 1 kit/295 head.

Smiffy, was that change negative or ?

I have always heard an LCB was overkill on anything below a 1275 unless the engine was modified to race spec?

[mk1]

I agree with Bertam, I think far too many people rush to fit LCB's far to early in the tuning process.

I would however be happy to hear of other peoples experiences.

[Smiffy]

Smiffy, was that change negative or ?

I have always heard an LCB was overkill on anything below a 1275 unless the engine was modified to race spec?

Sorry should of made it clear, the longer LCB was a improvement over the freeflow. Not only performance wise, but the fuel economy improved as well and this was also the other half's opinion.

[Vegard]

Was the engine dynoed before and after?
If not, maybe the settings suited the LCB better....

[Smiffy]

It wasn't dyno'd/rolled with the LCB V, just retuned the traditional way. But was with the free flow and interestingly enough he couldn't improve on my traditional methods if anything it was worse on fuel after they had there hands on it.

[Lord Croker]

I fitted an LCB manifold & standard 1.75" single box Cooper S system to my bog standard (at the time) 998 A+ Mini HL & without making any changes to any other part or engine settings & the power increase was to say the least, very noticeable, as was the improved fuel economy & the disappearance of the high speed 'pinking' which the car had always suffered with. Also, the sound is most enjoyable! I have often heard exactly what Bertam wrote, but I can't go for that, I've had similar results on 998 Coopers & even a 998 A+ running on a Sportex LCB & 2" system, it was against my advice but the damn thing was a flyer! No doubt many people will come along & dispute my findings, but I like being controversial