Re: the talk re drag minis etc....
I race a mini in vintage... and
I agree that front wheel drive cars are not the best drag racers...but that
said, there are several ways to get lots of power from an A series motor.
the cheapest way is probably to take the engine out to 1430cc. this will
give pretty strong hp and torque. even the GT5 national motors are probably
not pulling over 140 or so hp, a good 1430 should do so.
a turbo is next cheapest, but will shorten engine life, remember you only
have three main bearings. and big boost will not enhance durability.
the most and easiest horsepower(and most expensive) is to put a 16 valve
twin cam head on the car, either the KAD one or Narita (japan).
the KAD head has been extensively written up in Mini World and in race trim
with fuel injection puts out around 195hp, Narita is probably similar.
the head costs 2500lbs sterling and the fuel injection is over 1000sterling.
I suppose you could also use Haltech. Twin webers would be cheaper.
you will have to seriously strengthen the trans to make it live. my race
car puts out maybe 118hp out of 1293 (read less torque) and I replace the
layshaft and bearings, idler gear bearings and input bearing each year and
check the trans thoroughly. every two years I pull the main shaft and inspect
and replace as necessary. You do not have to do this kind of maintenance,it
is just preventative. a race season is about 15 or so engine hours.
Re: mini curb weights. stock curb weight is 1400-1450, varying by wet or
dry suspension. My car gutted, with single seat, roll cage, accusump and
fuel cell full(8 gallons), plexi rear quarter and rear windscreen and no
door windows, weighs 1395. I run no alternator to save weight and am
considering a lexan front windscreen next season to save weight.
some of the minis I run against weigh 1330-1350 by using lightweight drag
type fuel cells, no accusump etc.
one of the canadian minis weighs in below 1300...but with enforced weight rules
in SVRA maybe this will change.
jim fuerstenberg
186,000 miles per second, it's not just a good idea
it's the law!
jfuerstenberg@dcmdc.dla.mil or
xgg2356@dcmdc.dla.mil
The opinions stated herein are solely my own and not those of my employer
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