Cooper 998 Service Questions.

[tweedy998]

Hi all,

It's getting to the time when our '65 998 Cooper is due it's annual service. I have just a couple of queries which I hope some of you may be able to just help with / clarify.

Firstly, this year I'm intending to change the air filters within the original airbox, I've got a couple of standard filters from Minispares for the purpose, but was just wondering if I'd see any advantage to fitting a couple of K&N filter elements within the original airbox instead? Back in the day I used to run open rampipes on my twin SU specced 998's, but I recognise that for a road car and also originalities sake with regards to the Cooper we have now, running open rams is going to be a bit silly! I'm guessing that due to the limitations of the original airbox and location of it's pick up from between the exhaust manifold that the advantage of K&N elements over the standard ones is going to be marginal at best?

My second query is regarding plug gap. We're running NGK BP6ES plugs in the 12G295 head, which seem fit for purpose currently, with a good visual colour to them. I'm going to be refreshing them though with a new set and was just wondering on peoples opinions on plug gap. The manual states 0.025", however, as the car runs Lumenition electronic ignition, I was thinking of widening the plug gap to perhaps 0.030" or even 0.040". The new plugs appear to be pre-gapped to 0.030. Any experiences / advice most welcome.

Cheers! Ed.

[Fanfaniracing]

For the K&N Filter Elements, they can be cleaned and oiled every now and then and will last forever if you are looking good to them...

[Peter Laidler]

I've got my steel helmet on before we start...... Do you want to look good - or do you want clean air PLUS perfect/best possible air-flow through the filter part. If you just want clean air and the best air flow through the filter then according to the boffins at Unipart, the very best at BOTH were made by Coopers. As a result Coopers supplied Unipart with their air filters, boxed and marketed under the UNIPART brand.

The air filter simply does two things. Allows for the freest flow of air possible and as clean as possible too. And forget alll the things your dad told you about air-flow through oil baths...... That stuff went out with the Centurions

Alas, you can't wash them out in petrol every year but you can replace them every few years. The GOOD thing about the Coopers/Unipart filters is that you can tell when they need changing because you can see how dirty they are. Not a scientific test, but pretty good all the same.

Awaiting the incoming mortars chaps......

[tweedy998]

Thanks for the replies. I completely get where you're coming from Peter and think that on reflection I'll just stick with the original type paper elements as you suggest. It's hard to justify the expense of a pair of K&N elements inside the original airbox which is itself probably the main restrictor to airflow due to it's design rather than the type of filter fitted.

Still wondering about the plug gap?

Cheers, Ed.

[Ronnie]

Not standard equipment but if you are that concerned it would be easy to fit a restriction indicator as used on a lot of commercial equipment.
https://www.donaldson.com/en-us/engine/ ... rs-gauges/

[jcr227e]

I have just done the London to Brighton in my 998 cooper. It the first time on the road for 38 years. The trip was 580 miles round trip.

I am running in k&N filter element in the original air box and NGK BP6ES spark plugs, gapped at 0.032". I have electronic ignition (H&H) and I am glad to report that I had no problems with the way the car was running. In fact the car ran like a dream although it has thrown up a few other snagging items.

So I would say that this set up is something of my go to now.


Richard

[Peter Laidler]

Regarding point gap, I'm of the opinion that if it runs well at .025" gap all-round, as suggested by the manufacturer who knows a bit about cars, why change it. Will it run or perform better or will you get something extra with a gap of .030". I'm one of those olden days '.....if it ain't broke, don't fix it' era engineers. After all, all you're doing is basic chemistry. Setting fire to a compressed explosive mixture!

[jcr227e]

Peter, I agree that if you have a set up that works then why change it. For myself this was a new start up and therefore looking at the workshop manual it states 0.025" for points and 0.032" for electronic ignition.

I thought to try the 0.032" as if the gap works then this will give the better chance of a bang, but if the other conditions are right (fuel, oxygen) then there should be no problem, but you have to start somewhere............

[iain1967s]

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