mk1-forum.net

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/113031 A few interesting heads and crossflow conversions, even a pinto on a mini gearbox!

Interesting stuff, I remember lots of Ford based engine conversions in the 1970's & 80's. In 1984 there was a TV program called 'Driving Ambition' which featured a Cosworth / Ford engined Mini, which I think belonged to Peter Baldwin, who also drove in the film sequences. Before you posted this, I had never seen a Pinto engine in a Mini before, but I should think it would be very nose heavy, maybe OK for drag racing! For that kind of weight, I'd rather have this:

This one was at Mini 50 in 2009.

In 1984 there was a TV program called 'Driving Ambition' which featured a Cosworth / Ford engined Mini, which I think belonged to Peter Baldwin, who also drove in the film sequences.

Is this the show that had an all woman crew and driver, or something like that?
If so where can I get a copy?

Thank Scott

The BDA engined mini's where developed by Gordan Allen, funnily enough the same block that cut 2 cylinders of a Jag engine. He went further and had a ford block cast in alloy to match the mini's gearbox. A bloke by the name of Brian Hardwick used to race one at or local grass track events, still the fastest mini I've ever seen.

Bill Quine at Manx Racing used to sell a kit which basically consisted of a modified gearbox case and crank tail to fit Ford twin cams into a mini.

Cheers, Ian

The biggest problem with all the Ford / Mini hybrids was that they would shred gearboxes like nothing & they were mainly all front heavy buggering the handling up.

Still, a very interesting "cul-de-sac" in Mini engine development.

The more modern complete engine swaps, Vauxhall, Honda, Toyota type, are a much better bet, but I have never considered these as "real" Minis.

M

Ah but the BDA's used a dry sump system..........

I've collected a couple of these kits,including a billet crank. I attempted a trial fit in a Mk1 and with the 40's sticking out the front decided it was a no-go (feck I'll upset some 8-porters on here.)
Will have to wait for later on and build an aqua 1972ish 1275GT replica/sleeper.Nothing specific !
But then it won't be this forum

LDR209H wrote:I've collected a couple of these kits,including a billet crank. I attempted a trial fit in a Mk1 and with the 40's sticking out the front decided it was a no-go (feck I'll upset some 8-porters on here.)
Will have to wait for later on and build an aqua 1972ish 1275GT replica/sleeper.Nothing specific !
But then it won't be this forum

id like to see that, always had a soft spot for mini-fords

i built this one









just to see if i could make it work .


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97J-CIzt ... 1Gqu9FVgPA


and ,suprisingly , it just fits under a closed bonnet..









robert

robert wrote:
i built this one

just to see if i could make it work .


and ,suprisingly , it just fits under a closed bonnet.



robert

Nice, what head did you use ? I asume the block is painted Silver ? or ?

mk1 wrote:
The biggest problem with all the Ford / Mini hybrids was that they were mainly all front heavy buggering the handling up.

M

Hi Mark,

Yes mainly front heavy "thingies" but one was lighter = the SCCA Mini JanSpeed built.

It used a single overhead cam Formula engine (by Ford) it was a all alloy engine.

mk1 wrote:
The more modern complete engine swaps, Vauxhall, Honda, Toyota type, are a much better bet, but I have never considered these as "real" Minis.

M

Agree, nice & fast cars, but no true Mini .


Jens Christian

Hi Jens Christian,

do you have further information about that Janspeed Mini? Any pictures?

I agree on the engine swap topic but do quite like the K-series bike head thing...

Cheers Philipp

JC T ONE wrote:

robert wrote:
i built this one

just to see if i could make it work .


and ,suprisingly , it just fits under a closed bonnet.



robert

Nice, what head did you use ? I asume the block is painted Silver ? or ?

thanks jens , it is a fiat dohc 16valve head from a punto . the block was a normal a series with relocated studs .

robert

Nice work Robert, Will has told me you are a bit of a closet genius. Seeing that creation I suspect he wasn't exaggerating!

M

guru_1071 wrote:

LDR209H wrote:I've collected a couple of these kits,including a billet crank. I attempted a trial fit in a Mk1 and with the 40's sticking out the front decided it was a no-go (feck I'll upset some 8-porters on here.)
Will have to wait for later on and build an aqua 1972ish 1275GT replica/sleeper.Nothing specific !
But then it won't be this forum

id like to see that, always had a soft spot for mini-fords

Aqua GTs



I didn't keep it as a sleeper for long though...

850GT wrote:In 1984 there was a TV program called 'Driving Ambition' which featured a Cosworth / Ford engined Mini, which I think belonged to Peter Baldwin, who also drove in the film sequences.

Is this the show that had an all woman crew and driver, or something like that?
If so where can I get a copy?

Thank Scott

That was indeed the show I was talking about, I can only suggest you keep an eye on the video / DVD pages on ebay, I can't think of anywhere else one might turn up.

you can watch it on youtube, or bits of it.

its painful

An associate of mine has an Allen head on his BDA block (alloy).
It won't fit under a "normal" mini bonnet.






The exhaust manifold is a work of art.



The gearbox casing.