Brent Marshall
2 posts
Joined: 22/05/2005 21:40:03
Location: Regensdorf Switzerland
Catalytic convertor
Has anyone else had problems with speed bumps breaking the ceramic filling in the cat? This is the second cat that has had the filling smashed inside causing a rattling noise from the cat.
Posted: Oct 28, 2008 10:40 PM
Tim
1849 posts
Joined: 18/10/2004 09:40:59
Location: Bournemouth United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
stink bomb smell
Does yours have a catalytic converter, by any chance?
Posted: Oct 09, 2006 09:31 AM
Cat replacement
1st August 1992 is the start date for checking catalytic convertors, according to the MOT testers manual. So anything earlier than this, and you can remove the cat if you want.
Posted: Feb 28, 2007 05:30 PM
taffy1967
1783 posts
Joined: 27/09/2006 18:58:07
Location: Rhondda-Cynon-Taff United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
I have a problem
Well i've heard that later carburettor Minis (post 1993) equpped with a catalytic converter don't actually need the cat for the MOT and should only be tested like non cat Minis.
Posted: Dec 12, 2006 01:43 PM
John
Joined: 11/03/2006 14:23:34
Location: United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Stage 1 kit on a mini with a Cat
I have a 1994 1275 Mayfair, one of the last with a carb. I have plans to fit a stage 1 kit, however the car has a catalytic convertor. Where do I stand as far as emmissions and an MOT if I ditch the cat? As an alternative, can you get a stage 1 kit with a cat on the exhaust, or would it just be a waste of time?
Posted: Mar 15, 2006 08:30 PM
Peter
Joined: 13/05/2005 13:23:52
Location: Worthing United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
SPI to SU carb conversion
I want to convert my SPI to a single SU caburetor. Has anyone made this conversion before that could offer any advice? Also are there any legal concerns with removing the catalytic convertor when making the conversion to carbs?
Posted: May 14, 2005 06:29 PM
Jake Holmes
172 posts
Joined: 14/02/2009 21:39:11
Location: Walton on Thames United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
re
A decent garage would normally adjust the carburetter for a small fee. It doesn't take long provided its just the mixture that needs adjusting. Emissions problems are really much more of an expensive concern in modern fuel injected vehicles where expensive parts like catalytic converters may be at fault.
Posted: Jan 05, 2011 10:53 AM
Luiz
4 posts
Joined: 11/01/2009 23:28:15
Location: London Spain
Spi High Co at high RPM
Last measure was 9.0%. Did not pass Technical Control. any help to know how to adjust to around 4%? Will replace the catalytic converter for a new one. Anything else could be done? Thanks all in advance. Luiz
Posted: Jul 03, 2015 06:19 PM
1948 posts
Joined: 28/05/2006 16:49:46
Location: cambridge United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
My mini project
what were aluminum door skins like to fit? how u secure them at top where normally welded? be interesting to see how well they last compared to steel as aluminum against steel will normally corode quickly if there is metal to metal contact due to a catalytic effect. how u planning to secure wingmirrors? also where u buy skin from. iv got a door iv got a few doors i might skin so interested to know all. u converting it to mk1 grill? ur engine ready? ps where in soton u based id be interested to see project im living in soton.
Posted: Jan 27, 2008 11:52 PM
Well how come my 1990 Mini Cooper (Mainstream carb model) has passed it's MOT every year and yet I removed it's catalytic converter back in 1995!
I believe the first Mini to get fitted with a catalytic converter as standard was the 1990 Mini Cooper LE aka RSP Cooper. Prior to that it was an option and the Mini 30, Mini Racing Green, Mini Flame Red, Mini Sky & Mini Rose LE's were amongst the first to run on unleaded fuel.
I remember there used to be a cutout point of Minis with carbs manufactured after 1993 needing to retain their cats, but apparantly there's a ruling in the MOT guidlines that all carburettor equipped Minis fitted with cats don't need to be tested for it.
So you can remove them, but if your running an SPi or MPi your stuck with it. But then it isn't costing you much in the performance stakes like it does on carb models.
Posted: Dec 13, 2006 05:51 PM
Siryun
33 posts
Joined: 27/11/2004 13:31:15
Location: Rotterdam Netherlands
some suggestions
i would not bother with the LCB. for all practical purposes the fitted manifold is the same, performance wise (its an MPI, not a fire breathing racer wich might gain the odd HP). and you need to retain the Catalytic converter anyway. MS carries an RC40 system to suit. . stainless is great but friggin expensive.
Posted: Jul 07, 2005 11:58 PM
rover mini cooper year 1991
I own an identical model to yours and I've had it for over 13 years now. I removed my catalytic converter and noticed a difference too, but I just contacted the exhaust specialist "Maniflow" who are experts in Mini exhausts and their products and service is superb: -
Maniflow Shop Link
You just need the twin or single (much louder though, I have the twin which is loud enough) side exit back boxes that run from the catalytic converter back.
It's worth asking for the fixing kit too, but tell them it's the standard bobbing style fittings that you need.
And don't get a system that's any bigger than 1"3/4 because it can be detrimental to the performance. So 1"3/4 is about perfect for a standard 1275cc Mini Cooper.
I've also got the K&N cone type bolt on filter too, which is superb: -
K&N Cone Filter Mini Spares Link
Posted: Apr 24, 2007 05:44 PM
stage one
No carurettor equipped Mini needs to retain it's catalytic converter for the MOT. If you get any problems with the MOT man, just tell him to look in the back of his rules book, because he'll see that all carb Minis are exempt regardless of age.
If it's an injection Mini then it should have the cat fitted.
Posted: May 24, 2007 12:56 PM
thats what i said mate "co 92-94 carb 3.5% " same as non cat.
Posted: Dec 12, 2006 04:06 PM
J. Clegg
74 posts
Joined: 27/10/2006 20:12:54
Location: accrington United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Emissions!!!
or if it hasnt got a cat then temporarily put one in ;)
Cat = Catalytic Converter (easier to say cat)
Posted: Mar 30, 2007 02:40 AM
Matt1977
27 posts
Joined: 05/01/2005 19:21:43
Replacing throttle body on an MPi mini / fitting a stage 3 kit
Hello all, Ive seen that its possible to buy a replacement throttle body for MPi minis. Its made of metal rather than plastic and increases the diameter of the trottle body by 4mm. The advert claims improved torque and acceleration across the whole rev range of ca. 10%. Can anyone explain to me how this is possible, what the effects would be on fuel economy etc? Are there any dangers in doing this? Im also interested in fitting a stage 3 kit to the same car. Does anyone know if this will poison my catalytic converter or cause any other problems?
Posted: Feb 11, 2005 11:52 AM
Rooster
9 posts
Joined: 23/10/2007 17:42:34
Location: Nr. Wigan United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
What first?
Hi, I haven't touched a Mini for about 15 years but today acquired from a relative a 1997 Equinox for my son. It's only done 26K miles and is in great condition. I'd like to get a bit more out of it and make it sound nicer. I'm guessing the first place to start is the air filter and exhaust. What's the favourite solution these days bearing in mind this is injection not carbs. If replacing the exhaust with say RC40 then do the new ones have catalytic converters? Also, the steel wheels are 145/70 x12 inch. What do people recommend for alloys that will fill the arches a bit more. I don't want to do anything radical, just to give son something sporty but reliable. Thanks for any advice. R
Posted: Nov 19, 2007 12:14 AM
Chris
131 posts
Joined: 18/02/2005 08:56:10
Location: Leamington Spa United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Exhaust
Good Afternoon, Without wanting to burst your bubble, a Catalytic convertor is a legal requirement on all vehicle built and registered from 1992 onwards. If you remove the Cat it will automnatically fail an MOT and if caught by the police with a by pass hose you will be fined !!! Also it only gives a gain of around 2bhp. Personally, its not worth the hassle to remove it. Regards Chris
Posted: Jan 17, 2006 12:33 PM
Roy
261 posts
Joined: 19/09/2005 19:34:20
Location: huntingdon United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Dont know who told you that cars without cats dont need to pass emissions tests as any car produced after 1980 must pass a graded test getting tougher as the year of manufacture gets more recent! Have a look on the DVLA website....DVLA.gov.uk
Any car that was fitted with a catalytic converter during manufacture Will fail its MOT without it. it is a legal requirement!
Posted: Dec 12, 2006 09:00 PM