My First Turbo MIni
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi All, Thought I would share the build of my 1976 Mini, Will be running standard MG Metro T3 Turbo, exhaust manifold and HIF44 carb. Hopefully I'm hoping for lots of advice and comments from the experts on this forum.
The build started about a year ago with the body work. I'm almost done with the engine and gearbox.

These are some of the bits i've collected so far.

Bits from a MG Metro Turbo, the turbo has been reconditioned

Omega cast pistons 10cc +40 thou

Engine block painted up

Cylinder Head combustion chambers opened up to 25cc, I've calculated a compression ration of 9.0:1, little high so I reckon I will only be able
to run 0.7bar boost

More pics of the engine build progress

Engine fitted onto rebuilt gearbox

Test fit of the turbo

Don't want to bore you with body work but here is the body the engine will be installed in a 1976 rust bucket



Started by stripping the car down and cutting out the rust

Removed front and rear subframe and stripped them down. Will clean them up at a later stage.





The floor panels were badly rusted so I cut them out

Got new floor repair panels

Also cut out the boot floor and rear valance. At some stage it took a rear smash. Will need a bit of straitening.


Started Stripping the Paint and body filler, what a crap job about 5 layers of paint!



The tools used for removing the paint

The heat gun works really well.

Don't forget an intercooler this means. Free power

looks like a good start.

Is nice to see an montego block

Pedro Silva

http://miniciados.blogspot.pt/

Looks more like an SA or Marina block to me.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

you should be able to get more than 10psi, at least stick it up to a bar!

http://turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=170151

cool,

deffo a SA block, I'm guessing your in a hot climate? in which case definatly add an intercooler.

I plan to run an intercooler but maybe not straight away.

Yes its a South African block.

Will it be safe to run 1bar boost with a cr of 9.0?

with a good intercooler and decent fuel yes, without an itercooler stick to about 7-10psi

Would it be worth while running an oil cooler too? I plan on using the car for track days and the odd race here and there.

for your climate I think yes, but I'd look at fitting an oil temp gauge too.

Looking good, is this a short stroke turbo or a regular one?

I want one of those oil cooler sandwich plates. Any idea where I'd get one from?

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

I got it from Minisport.

Looks good.

My 79 Clubman Build Thread - http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=451008

Jamie.

Looks nice!

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


Fibreglass Parts? - http://www.tdkracing.co.uk/
Split Rims? - http://www.force-racing.co.uk/

Do you have a link Dion

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

John there all over ebay, you just need on advertised as 3/4

Mike

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


Fibreglass Parts? - http://www.tdkracing.co.uk/
Split Rims? - http://www.force-racing.co.uk/

It's an SA/Marina block mine - not 3/4 UNF.

Thanks for the comments and advice, here are some more pictures of the progress I've made over the past few months. Cleaned up the front and rear subframe and lightened the front sub frame, Got new Hi-lo's, gaz shocks, adjustable bottom arms and a poly bush set.


Sub frame almost complete with new drilled 7.5 inch discs



Will be using these steel rims at first and when I have extra cash I'll get a set of alloy wheels. The wheels are fitted with dunlop D93 Tyres. I have no experience with these tyres, I understand from the supplier they a good track day tyre and are super soft. Not sure if anyone on this forum has any first hand experience with them.






:)Oh and the block is a SA original 1100, from what i understand the SA 1100 and 1275 block are the same just the crank is different, so I've used the 1100 block with a 1275 crack.

Edited by dion on 30th May, 2012.

made some quiet progress

Sprayed the the firewall, boot and underside





The boot was rusted very badly, so the floor will be replaced by a aluminium floor, also the back seat area and parcel shelf was cut out by the previous omner for speakers, these holes will also be closed up with alumium. This will save a few grams :)



Underside sprayed with water based stone chip.



Front and rear subframes fitted and standing on the new dunlops









THe rear arches have been tubbed and the Hi Lo's adjusted to as low as they will go, hopefully it will sit lower when all the bits have been installed

this is looking really cool! regarding the cranks and blocks would i be right in thinking a south african 1100 crank is a short stroke 1275?
lee

Speeding is like masturbating, everyone does it, but not all of us film it and put it on the internet

[quote=fab,8th Oct, 2010]fuck off

The SA 1100 and 1275 blocks are identical. The 1100 used a short stroke crank 69.85mm, same length conrods as in the 1275 and pistons with a taller compression height. ---if I recall correctly. I've heard these 1100 engines loved to be reved...