Gearbox - Up-rating diffs and FDs

There’s a good selection of straight-cut final FDs available. Examine the FD table, and using information from

'Gearbox - Final dives, standard' and 'Gearbox - Formulae for car speed, etc.'

you can assess which would best suit your usage. Bear in mind that they’re noisy, make sure you select one that’ll fit your diff unit, and also consider that using drop gears will allow fine-tuning of the ratio where necessary. See

'Gearbox - Up-rating drop gears'

Gearbox - Up-rating diffs, FDs and ancillaries.

part numbers: C-BTA166, C-BTA167, DAM6624, BTA101, 2A7062, DAM5071, DAM6027, RPS1418, C-AJJ3385, C-22A1731, ...Read more

GEARBOX - Final Drives, standard

FDs are ultimately responsible for the way your Mini goes after engine, gearbox, and under carriage tweaking has been applied. part numbers: DAM3647, 22G443, 22G101, 22G340, 22G338, DAM4131, 22A399, DAM4162, 22G940, 22A399, DAM2677, DAM2679, 22A411, 22A413, DAM2808, DAM6327, DAM2808, TCC10001, Terminology - FD - Final Drive/diff ratio The aforementioned and the degree to which it has been done will affect the decision as to what FD is required. They’re also responsible for much discussion between many tuning freaks, and confusion to the less informed. There’s nothing weird or scientific about it. Maximum acceleration requires a low final drive, top speed a high one. And these two terms confuse most. The confusion being the LOWER number denotes a HIGHER gear. Likewise the higher number denotes a lower gear. Likewise the higher number denotes a lower gear. Largely because the lower the ratio, the slower you go and vice versa.

Engine - 1098, Initial Tuning

The 1098 (1100) engine has had a lot of bad press over the years - largely because of early experiences when trying to tune the motor brought about problems with the then standard components available - they simply were not up to taking any real punishment as experienced in racing.

See bottom for useful part numbers.

This fallacy was handed down generation to generation like some scary bedtime story. Those that have used the unit in more recent years, employing more capable componentry know what a demon motor this can be. Following is an initial look at what it will do with a little modification - the results compared directly with it's smaller brother the 998 for illustration of the potential.

Abridged History
When the Mini was first conceived it ustilised a de-stroked version of the then quite remarkable 948cc A-series engine.

GEARBOX - Limited Slip Diffs, what's available.

‘Salisbury’ is the word banded about by most un-enlightened folk when discussing LSDs for Minis, mistakenly believing the word covers all Mini orientated LSDs. This is grossly incorrect. Terminology - LSD - Limited Slip Differential The ‘Salisbury’ was designed in the ‘50s at a time when racecars were a good deal less sophisticated than today. Tyres were usually cross-ply with severely limited grip due to poor compounds developed ostensibly for rear-wheel-drive cars; the front wheel drive of the Mini being a rarity. And tracks were more than a little ‘bumpy’. Agriculturally built cars needed an LSD designed along similar lines; enter the Salisbury - effectively developed from a tractor diff. High static pre-loads were more than common to help compensate for severe short-falls in chassis, suspension, and tyre design. To all intents and purposes the diff was practically locked up, making the car a real beast to drive.

C-STR313 Evolution 73.0mm pistons

The design concept for this new range of pistons from Mini Spares raised a few eye-brows at their introduction almost a year ago now

However, the design was arrived at after consultation with a couple of very learned and experienced A-series engine specialists and the piston manufacturers concerned – themselves a highly rated company that produces extremely hi-tech pistons for all manner of piston-driven engines including the mad, seriously engine-punishing world of 'drifting' cars tuned to run at extreme rpm producing extreme levels of BHP for protracted periods. Certain features of the piston and ring pack from pistons designed for these 'drifting' car engines were employed, receiving most attention of those used to more familiar, old school spec designs. Most completely over-looked the quality and material/heat treatment spec of the piston itself. A very durable, very high silicone content material heat treated to a specific requirement ensures tough, reliable and lo

Mini Production dates

We have tried to get together as complete list as possible to show all the models made from 1985 onwards, hopefully this will help identify those cars that have been modified over the years. If you have any information that you know is correct or anything that you think is not right please let us know.

Jonathan Lewis - Memories and racing exploits from the past

As I am now a Mini Spares sponsored driver one of the things I have been asked to do is a regular blog about some of my many memories and racing exploits from the past and future involving the classic Mini we all love, so here is my first.

My first blog to the Mini Spares centre is my first love story, don't stop reading just yet !! It's about a classic Mini. It was the end of 1978 when I was a very poor 17 year old racing in the Mini 7 Championship in the 850cc seven class.

Brands Hatch Bump and Bubbles

Since I last wrote my blog for you all I have not stopped for 5 mins to get my breath so please bear with my fading memory as I write about all that's gone on since the Silverstone race weekend in June. After Silverstone, Justin Cooper asked me if we could go to Brands in his car with two seats so I could teach him the fast way around the track! A decision he and I both regret very much now.

Evo

1950s design with 1990s engineering and technology - originally done by the inimitable Davc Hirons at Trannex, now under the EVO banner at Mini Spares Centre (www.minispares.com) following their buy-out of all the Mini/Sprite Trannex products some years back now. The only real similarity to the old Salisbury is the 'plate type' design - purely because it gives maximum frictional area, therefore most effective performance.

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - A Series EVO L.S.D

When most folk talk about limited slip differentials for the Mini, minds immediately turn to the name "Salisbury". Indeed many think that word covers any LSD for the Mini. This, of course, is not so. The Salisbury diff was designed in the 50's at a time when race cars were not sophisticated, tyres were usually cross-ply with limiting grip due to poor compounds, and tracks were more than "a little bumpy".

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - A Series EVO L.S.D

When most folk talk about limited slip differentials for the Mini, minds immediately turn to the name "Salisbury". Indeed many think that word covers any LSD for the Mini. This, of course, is not so. The Salisbury diff was designed in the 50's at a time when race cars were not sophisticated, tyres were usually cross-ply with limiting grip due to poor compounds, and tracks were more than "a little bumpy".

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - A Series EVO L.S.D

When most folk talk about limited slip differentials for the Mini, minds immediately turn to the name "Salisbury". Indeed many think that word covers any LSD for the Mini. This, of course, is not so. The Salisbury diff was designed in the 50's at a time when race cars were not sophisticated, tyres were usually cross-ply with limiting grip due to poor compounds, and tracks were more than "a little bumpy".

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - A Series EVO L.S.D

When most folk talk about limited slip differentials for the Mini, minds immediately turn to the name "Salisbury". Indeed many think that word covers any LSD for the Mini. This, of course, is not so. The Salisbury diff was designed in the 50's at a time when race cars were not sophisticated, tyres were usually cross-ply with limiting grip due to poor compounds, and tracks were more than "a little bumpy".

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - A Series EVO L.S.D

When most folk talk about limited slip differentials for the Mini, minds immediately turn to the name "Salisbury". Indeed many think that word covers any LSD for the Mini. This, of course, is not so. The Salisbury diff was designed in the 50's at a time when race cars were not sophisticated, tyres were usually cross-ply with limiting grip due to poor compounds, and tracks were more than "a little bumpy".

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - MINI SPARES 1000CC STAGE ONE KIT

Both Keith Calver and Keith Dodd have fitted the Mini Spares kit to their 1000cc cars. Keith Calver was involved in getting the ignitions and needle settings correct at Peter Baldwin’s (Marshalls) rolling road in Cambridge.

Many people already have some of the parts on their car without know how close they are to extra power. The parts required are the original Competition Silencers exhaust RC40, Mini Spares special inlet manifold, Maniflow freeflow exhaust manifold...

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - MINI SPARES 1000CC STAGE ONE KIT

Both Keith Calver and Keith Dodd have fitted the Mini Spares kit to their 1000cc cars. Keith Calver was involved in getting the ignitions and needle settings correct at Peter Baldwin’s (Marshalls) rolling road in Cambridge.

Many people already have some of the parts on their car without know how close they are to extra power. The parts required are the original Competition Silencers exhaust RC40, Mini Spares special inlet manifold, Maniflow freeflow exhaust manifold...

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Mini V's Sprite - Historic Sportscar Race - 28-3...

Last year at Willow springs, California the gauntlet was thrown down by Mini Mania, USA, to see which was superior. The front wheel drive saloon, or the rear drive sports car.

When these cars were new there were very few organised races for them to compete against each other and the Sprite MK1 or Frogeye as we know it, because of its headlights mounted on the bonnet, only had a 948cc engine while the early Minis only had 848cc or 1275cc of the Cooper “S”. Times have changed and most Frogeyes...

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Mini V's Sprite - Historic Sportscar Race - 28-3...

Last year at Willow springs, California the gauntlet was thrown down by Mini Mania, USA, to see which was superior. The front wheel drive saloon, or the rear drive sports car.

When these cars were new there were very few organised races for them to compete against each other and the Sprite MK1 or Frogeye as we know it, because of its headlights mounted on the bonnet, only had a 948cc engine while the early Minis only had 848cc or 1275cc of the Cooper “S”. Times have changed and most Frogeyes...

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Visit Across the Pond

Every year in America and Canada, Mini enthusiasts get together for a Mini “Convention”. In fact there are two held, due to the copious quality of “surface area” that makes up North America and Canada! One designated Mini Meet West and the other (Surprise surprise) is the Mini Meet East. Each year one of the numerous Mini owners Clubs volunteers to arrange and conduct the meeting at a venue in their area.

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Visit Across the Pond

Every year in America and Canada, Mini enthusiasts get together for a Mini “Convention”. In fact there are two held, due to the copious quality of “surface area” that makes up North America and Canada! One designated Mini Meet West and the other (Surprise surprise) is the Mini Meet East. Each year one of the numerous Mini owners Clubs volunteers to arrange and conduct the meeting at a venue in their area.