SUSPENSION - Terminology
Glossary of terms used in the suspension on the mini.
The Mini has consistently more than proven its capability in competition with very limited and cost-effective modifications based on the standard equipment fitted. Having first ensured the bodyshell (in reality little more than a complex bracket to hold suspension and driver securely in place) is well sorted out by removing all cruddy or rotten metalwork and into something like straight, square and strong we, maximising suspension stability and geometry pays dividends in the enjoyment that is driving a Mini. Understanding what the individual ingredients are helps in pursuing what you want from the experience.
Smooth Mover
Good, reliable, and consistent handling is dependent on a number of factors. At this stage, we’re concerned with clapped out or badly adjusted suspension components. Stiff, seized, partially seized or slack, sloppy, worn out suspension components will cause inconsistent, wayward, confusing and – more important
GEARBOX - Syncro vs 'Dog' engagement
NOTE ; A 'high' or 'low' ratio gear is in reference to it's performance, not it's numerical number. To illustrate - a 'high' FD ratio will give 'higher road speed', but will have a numerically low figure. A 'low' FD ratio will give lower road speed, but have a numerically high figure.
part numbers: C-AJJ3371, C-AJJ3319, C-STN39, C-AJJ4014, C-STN76, C-STN77
A by-product of this will be reduced acceleration capability on the 'high' ratio, increased acceleration capability on the 'low' ratio. The main gearbox gears work in the exact same way.
Cog swapping
Elsewhere we've considered what alternative standard production ratios are available - but that still leaves you with the power-consuming and limited-ratio alternatives helical tooth type gears. Not desirable in a competition orientated car. The solution to this comes in the form of several types of straight-cut gear sets (teeth are cut at 90 degrees across the gear as opposed to the angled helical type).
Brakes - Fitting Discs and Required Ancillaries
What you actually need for the disc/drum conversion is pretty straightforward. Disconnect the steering arms, top and bottom swivel-pins, CV joint, and flexible brake pipes at the subframe - that’s it. There are, however, a number of ancillaries to consider.
Basics
Basics Fitting discs designed for the Mini is easy enough. Just make sure you use CV gaiters for the disc-brake set-up - these have a different bellows shape to stop the gaiter rubbing the inside of the hub. The drum type will rub, then split, shedding grease all over the place. Moly grease is mighty mucky stuff to deal with and doesn't assist braking at all! A tip for racers - to stop the gaiters over-expanding when getting very hot and imitating the aforementioned, put either a decent sized split pin or (my favorite) a piece of very small bore pipe - as in the type supplied with WD40 aerosols, etc. - under the retaining strap on the drive shaft. This allows air to escape and return,
MSE6 - POST 1992 Unleaded Stag
Modified to give maximum performance gain for cost. Combustion chambers, inlet and exhaust ports extensively re-worked. Stone-ground finish in ports promotes ultimate fuel atomisation. Three-angle valve seats in head. Super-quality MG Metro valves modified to increase airflow.
MSE6 - POST 1992 unleaded stage 2 (Road Rocket) large-bore head
Part No Applications: MSE6, TAM1059, TAM1061, TAM2069, 12G1963, 12G1015, ADU4905
Inlet Valves: 35.6mm(1.401") dia. Original equipment type P/No. TAM1059
Exhaust Valves: 29.2mm(1.150") dia. Original equipment type P/No. TAM1061
Exhaust seats: Latest type Beryllium-based for lead-free fuel P/No. TAM2069
Valve Guides: AE Hepolite cast iron P/No. 12G1963
Valve Springs: Nominal 140lb. Max actual valve lift 0.400" P/No. 12G1015
Stem Seals : Latest 'top-hat' design with tensioner springs (inlets) P/No. ADU4905
Chamber Volume: Nominal 20cc
Combustion chamber volume used to give slight static compression ratio increase over
MSE6 - POST 1992 Unleaded Stag
Modified to give maximum performance gain for cost. Combustion chambers, inlet and exhaust ports extensively re-worked. Stone-ground finish in ports promotes ultimate fuel atomisation. Three-angle valve seats in head. Super-quality MG Metro valves modified to increase airflow.
MSE6 - POST 1992 unleaded stage 2 (Road Rocket) large-bore head
Part No Applications: MSE6, TAM1059, TAM1061, TAM2069, 12G1963, 12G1015, ADU4905
Inlet Valves: 35.6mm(1.401") dia. Original equipment type P/No. TAM1059
Exhaust Valves: 29.2mm(1.150") dia. Original equipment type P/No. TAM1061
Exhaust seats: Latest type Beryllium-based for lead-free fuel P/No. TAM2069
Valve Guides: AE Hepolite cast iron P/No. 12G1963
Valve Springs: Nominal 140lb. Max actual valve lift 0.400" P/No. 12G1015
Stem Seals : Latest 'top-hat' design with tensioner springs (inlets) P/No. ADU4905
Chamber Volume: Nominal 20cc
Combustion chamber volume used to give slight static compression ratio increase over
MSE4 - Post 1992
Modified to give maximum performance gain for cost. Combustion chambers, inlet and exhaust ports extensively re-worked. Stone-ground finish in ports promotes ultimate fuel atomisation.
MSE4 - POST 1992 unleaded stage 2 (Road Rocket) large-bore head
Part No Applications: MSE4, C-AEG544, C-AEG106, TAM2069, C-AJJ4037, C-AEA526, ADU4905
Inlet Valves: 35.6mm(1.401") dia. Tuftrided EN214N s/steel P/No. C-AEG544
Exhaust Valves: 29.5mm(1.161") dia. Tuftrided EN214N s/steel P/No. C-AEG106
Exhaust seats: Latest type Beryllium-based for lead-free fuel P/No. TAM2069
Valve Guides: Magnesium bronze P/No. C-AEA526
Valve Springs: Nominal 180lb. Max actually valve lift 0.500" P/No. C-AJJ4037
Stem Seals: Latest 'top-hat' design with tensioner springs (inlets) P/No. ADU4905
Chamber Volume: Nominal 20cc
Three-angle valve seats in head. Cooper S size valves with current maximum flow profiles and Tuftrided for durability/longevity when used with unleaded fuel (hence 'black' finish).
MSE4 - Post 1992
Modified to give maximum performance gain for cost. Combustion chambers, inlet and exhaust ports extensively re-worked. Stone-ground finish in ports promotes ultimate fuel atomisation.
MSE4 - POST 1992 unleaded stage 2 (Road Rocket) large-bore head
Part No Applications: MSE4, C-AEG544, C-AEG106, TAM2069, C-AJJ4037, C-AEA526, ADU4905
Inlet Valves: 35.6mm(1.401") dia. Tuftrided EN214N s/steel P/No. C-AEG544
Exhaust Valves: 29.5mm(1.161") dia. Tuftrided EN214N s/steel P/No. C-AEG106
Exhaust seats: Latest type Beryllium-based for lead-free fuel P/No. TAM2069
Valve Guides: Magnesium bronze P/No. C-AEA526
Valve Springs: Nominal 180lb. Max actually valve lift 0.500" P/No. C-AJJ4037
Stem Seals: Latest 'top-hat' design with tensioner springs (inlets) P/No. ADU4905
Chamber Volume: Nominal 20cc
Three-angle valve seats in head. Cooper S size valves with current maximum flow profiles and Tuftrided for durability/longevity when used with unleaded fuel (hence 'black' finish).
MSE3 -Pre 1992
Modified to give maximum performance gain for cost. Combustion chambers, inlet and exhaust ports extensively re-worked. Stone-ground finish in ports promotes ultimate fuel atomisation.
MSE3 - PRE 1992 unleaded Stage 2 (Road Rocket) large-bore head
Part No Applications: MSE3, C-AEG544, C-AEG106, TAM2069, C-AJJ4037, C-AEA526, ADU4905
Inlet Valves 35.6mm(1.401") dia. Tuftrided EN214N s/steel P/No. C-AEG544
Exhaust Valves 29.5mm(1.161") dia. Tuftrided EN214N s/steel P/No. C-AEG106
Exhaust seats Latest type Beryllium-based for lead-free fuel P/No. TAM2069
Valve Guides Magnesium bronze P/No. C-AJJ4037
Valve Springs Nominal 180lb. Max actually valve lift 0.500" P/No. C-AEA526
Stem Seals Latest 'top-hat' design with tensioner springs (inlets) P/No. ADU4905
Chamber Volume Nominal 20cc
GEARBOX - How they work
Having decided on or even implemented a course of action to bolster the performance of your Mini’s engine, maximising it’s potential should encompass a good look at the gearbox.
GEARBOX - How they work
Having decided on or even implemented a course of action to bolster the performance of your Mini’s engine, maximising it’s potential should encompass a good look at the gearbox.
Bill Sollis starts the 2005 race season with new colours.
The red lights went out after a short wait and the 2005 season was underway. I held position and went early on the attack,
It seems remarkable, but a winter break of over six months is never enough time to prepare a racing car! The truth is, at long last I've completely refurbished the hall, stairs and landing at home. That concludes a 7 and a half year ...
Engine transplants - Clutch and flywheel assemblies
To go in to all the possible permutations would take a few chapters on it’s own. Suffice to say that the Metro had a few weirdo fitments such as cable operation, an in-line ‘damper’ (some got fitted to Minis too - eek),
Terminology - BBU - Big Bore Units SBU - Small Bore Units
NOTE: This information is largely concerned with transplanting a large-bore engine into a small-bore engined Mini. For further information on clutch and flywheel assemblies in particular, refer to relevant separate article.
To go in to all the possible permutations would take a few chapters on it’s own. Suffice to say that the Metro had a few weirdo fitments such as cable operation, an in-line ‘damper’ (some got fitted to Minis too - eek), and ‘top-hat’ plunger and rod bearing operation.
Engine transplants - Clutch and flywheel assemblies
To go in to all the possible permutations would take a few chapters on it’s own. Suffice to say that the Metro had a few weirdo fitments such as cable operation, an in-line ‘damper’ (some got fitted to Minis too - eek),
Terminology - BBU - Big Bore Units SBU - Small Bore Units
NOTE: This information is largely concerned with transplanting a large-bore engine into a small-bore engined Mini. For further information on clutch and flywheel assemblies in particular, refer to relevant separate article.
To go in to all the possible permutations would take a few chapters on it’s own. Suffice to say that the Metro had a few weirdo fitments such as cable operation, an in-line ‘damper’ (some got fitted to Minis too - eek), and ‘top-hat’ plunger and rod bearing operation.
Engine transplants - initial information and engine choices
Is this familiar? - You take the small one out; you put the big one in. In, out, in, out, shake your fist about, you do the hokey-cokey and you turn around, that’s what it’s all about...
Terminology - BBU - Big Bore Unit SBU - Small Bore Unit Bodge - English term for 'make do' engineering- assured to fail at an in opportune Moment. Dizzy - Distributor
NOTE; this information is largely for transplanting large-bore units into small-bore engined cars.
Is this familiar? - You take the small one out; you put the big one in. In, out, in, out, shake your fist about, you do the hokey-cokey and you turn around, that’s what it’s all about...kinda sums up the situation many folk find themselves in when attempting to endow their beloved Min with a more impressive turn of speed.
Lubrication - Oil pumps
Essential to the well being of every engine is its oil pump and oil. Much in the same way as the heart and blood is deemed relatively important to us humans! It's also another of those greatly misunderstood and, unfortunately, misrepresented subjects connected to engines.
An alarming number of so-called A-series engine specialists would have you believe that once parting with a veritable bundle of your hard earned readies on that mega motor, what you really need to keep it in good health is a high-pressure/high-flow oil pump. Seems a sensible consideration - except in the A-series world it's impossible. Oh, there are pumps that will give better flow rates than others, but high pressure? Absolutely not.
Oil pressure is regulated by the relief valve in the block of an A-series, not in the oil pump as with say a Ford. Yeah, you know - the one that gets jammed, causing heart failure as you believe your crank bearings have dissolved, and is a pig to get out.
SU Carbs - HIF, a more finely honed instrument
Modern technology continually sweeps its ever-growing arm across all manufactured products and the SU was no exception. From closer scrutiny, and more demanding emissions control the HIF variant was born. So what have they done to improve it over its predecessor - the HS - and is it worth hanging out for? PROS. Integral float - the 'IF' in the new type number HIF. The previous H and HS type carbs with their side-mounted remote float bowls worked fine until used in racing where serious cornering speeds generated enough G-forces to lean-out the fuel mixture. The remedy was to fit a spacer between the float lid and float bowl to raise the fuel level held in it. OK when running, but at idle and rest, fuel would bubble out of the jet - causing bore washing, poor pick-up, and horrendously rich CO mixtures at idle! Fitting the float integral with the carb, directly below the jet hole (port/orifice), eliminated this problem. Jet temperature compensation - This was first aired on HS types
SU Carbs - The history
Practically every Mini owner can name the brilliant engineer responsible for our obsession. Many can name the man responsible for the rubber suspension spring.
A goodly number know a fair bit about the engine's heritage and the man who came up with the extremely efficient cylinder head design.They account for the biggest chunks of the Mini's anatomy. But what about that other extremely simple yet hugely effective instrument that features so prominently when engine tuning occurs - the SU carburetter? A limited few can tell you what 'SU' stands for, extremely few have any idea of its concept and evolution. So let's put that right… In the beginning Strangely enough, it all started way back with William Banks Skinner; one of the owners/directors of the well-known Lilly and Skinner footwear distributors.
C-AHT88 STAGE THREE SPEC SMALL BORE CYLINDER HEAD
Modified to give maximum performance gain for cost. Exhaust seats Latest spec inserts for lead free fuel Modified to give maximum performance gain for cost. Combustion chambers, inlet and exhaust ports extensively reworked. Stone-ground finish in ports promotes ultimate fuel atomisation.
C-AHT133 - Pre 1992 BUDGET UNLEADED STAGE 2 (ROAD ROCKET)
Modified to give maximum performance gain for cost.
LARGE-BORE HEAD, 24.5c chambers for large bore motors.
Inlet Valves: 35.6mm(1.401") dia. Original equipment type P/No. TAM1059 Exhaust Valves: 29.2mm(1.150") dia. Original equipment type P/No. TAM1061 Exhaust seats: Latest type Beryllium-based for lead-free fuel P/No. TAM2069 Valve Guides: AE Hepolite cast iron P/No. 12G1963 Valve Springs: Nominal 180lb. Max actual valve lift 0.400" P/No. C-AEA526 Stem Seals: Latest 'top-hat' design with tensioner springs (inlets) P/No. ADU4905
Chamber Volume: Nominal 21cc Modified to give maximum performance gain for cost. Combustion chambers, inlet and exhaust ports extensively re-worked. Smoothed finish in ports - not mirror-finish polished - to minimise drag. Multi-angle valve...
C-AHT135 - Pre 1992 BUDGET UNLEADED STAGE 2 (ROAD ROCKET) LARGE-BORE HEAD.
Modified to give maximum performance gain for cost. Combustion chambers, inlet and exhaust ports extensively re-worked. Smoothed finish in ports - not mirror-finish polished - to minimise drag. Multi-angle valve seats in head. Super-quality MG Metro valves modified to increase airflow. Combustion chamber volume used to give slight static compression ratio increase over standard. Head mods employed greatly increase volumetric efficiency, boosting actual running (dynamic) compression ratio.
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