Garf
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 posted on 15/6/02 at 07:55 PM |
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A-Series Engines ...
Ive been observing this board for a while. In decision of what my next automotive project is going to be. I used to have a 998 mini with plenty of
mods.
Just out of interest and to confirm my own suspicion ....
Is it possible to fit the Transvserse A-series engines ( such as 998, 1275cc ) to a locost?
My own thoughts are that as Minis were front wheel drive and Locost's are Rear wheel drive, its not possible. But Ive seen mention of A-series on
this board before.
Laters
Garf !
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 15/6/02 at 09:04 PM |
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quote:
Ive been observing this board for a while. In decision of what my next automotive project is going to be. I used to have a 998 mini with plenty
of mods.
Just out of interest and to confirm my own suspicion ....
Is it possible to fit the Transvserse A-series engines ( such as 998, 1275cc ) to a locost?
My own thoughts are that as Minis were front wheel drive and Locost's are Rear wheel drive, its not possible. But Ive seen mention of A-series on
this board before.
Laters
Garf !
I have been reading lists like this for over 2 years and have never heard of anyone using an A series engine. The 'standard' small, compact engine
for the locost seems to be the ford crossflow.
atb
steve
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 15/6/02 at 09:22 PM |
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did not BL produce RWD cars with the "A" series engine fitted ?....having said that there not the strongest unit around, 3 bearing crank, siamese
ports ect... 
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Garf
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| posted on 15/6/02 at 09:32 PM |
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No harm in asking ! Its just that Im more familiar with the A-series. I know the 1300 xflow engine is the standard engine to begin with.
Laters
Garf !
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paulf
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| posted on 15/6/02 at 09:50 PM |
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The MG midget used the 1275 A series as did the 1300 marina and ital.People have built with these engines and i did consider using a marina van as a
doner and using MG metro turbo parts to get 90 to 100bhp. The morris minor also used the 998 engine but there would not be much point in using one of
these. I think the maestro used an engine that could be mated to a BL rear wheel drive gearbox.
The later lotus and caterhams used an Ital back axle as it is reputed to be stronger than the escort one.
Paul.
quote:
did not BL produce RWD cars with the "A" series engine fitted ?....having said that there not the strongest unit around, 3 bearing crank,
siamese ports ect...
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 15/6/02 at 09:55 PM |
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thought so, just dint know the models...ta
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Garf
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| posted on 16/6/02 at 02:39 PM |
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Has anyone tried using the 1275 RWD A-series? Id rather choosee A-series over Ford Xflow 1300, just cos Ive experience in A-series ...
Is there much difference between the RWD 1275 A-series (Midget) and the 1275 Metro/MG Metro? As the block goes? ie can you bore it out to 1330, 1380
...
laters
Garf !
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 17/6/02 at 06:30 AM |
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The engines are totaly different,use a midget 1275 block,i had mine bored out +60 mg metro head ,manifold , cam and carb,3 branch manifold,lots of go
but the head gaskets dont last too long,use metro turbo head gasket or proper racing item. 
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Garf
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| posted on 17/6/02 at 02:04 PM |
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Is it simple to fit to a Locost chassis? As 'simple' as 1300 Xflow?
Laters
Garf !
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 17/6/02 at 03:18 PM |
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From memory its physicaly smaller so no probs,there is an adapter to fit a type 9 box as well
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Simon
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| posted on 17/6/02 at 03:31 PM |
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Hi all,
Just thought I'd stick my bit in, having built myself a turbo'd Mini a few years ago.
If you want to stop blowing headgaskets, you will need to have the head and block machined to have inserts set in. I used standard Metro Turbo
gaskets. Unfortunately, I've forgotten proper name for the job. I was running upto 14 lbs of boost - standard is 7. Boost controlled by an "ECU"
(term used very loosely as all it does is increase boost pressure as engine revs rise. I did away with that, and had max boost as soon as turbo was up
to speed.
Blew gaskets very regularly.
Was quite good fun though - I'm guessing, but reckon, well over 110 bhp.
If you are serious about using A- Series, and have a very serious budget, there is in company called KAD (Kent Auto Developments) who produce 16
heads, fuel injection etc etc. More info at www.kad-uk.com
But, IMHO you might as well go for a bike engine for the amount of money you'd be looking at!!
All I can say is; why not use an A-Series indeed. Might be worth looking at engines in Midgets etc and comparing with Mini. That way you should be
able to figure out differences.
Me. I will be using the incedibly oily (looking and burning) 1.8CVH that came with donor, till it's SVA'd/registered.
ATB
Simon
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bob
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| posted on 17/6/02 at 04:26 PM |
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I read an article in the locost car club newsletter(feb 2001)a build was completed using an 1100 crosslow fitted transverse in the rear of the car.
Maybe if you are interested in the build rory perrett at the club could make up a back issue for a couple of stamps.
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Fatboy Dave
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| posted on 17/6/02 at 05:04 PM |
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quote:
Me. I will be using the incedibly oily (looking and burning) 1.8CVH that came with donor, till it's SVA'd/registered.
Oooh, SVA it, rip off the head, slap on a pre '86 1.6 or an XR3i hemi head (drops the compression to 7.5:1) and liberate an RST inlet/exhaust setup,
and either wind the fueling up on the mechanical system, or get a 1.8 Zetec escort inlet manifold (with electronic injectors) and buy an Omex ECU and
MAP sensor to control the engine.
Big fat shiney exhaust, dump valve Pfffssssttt!
Nurse! I need some more pills!
Dave
Stop the planet, I want to get off
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Glenn
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| posted on 18/6/02 at 09:48 AM |
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Have a look in "the book" page 9, in the FAQ section, Ron Champion says that his son has a locost with an 998 A-series engine, it is capable of
85mph.
He mentions that the engine was used in the Austin A35, Morris Minor and Frogeye Sprite, he dosent say which one was a donor, but if you really want
to go the route of the A-series i would pick one up out of an old MG Metro (£50)
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Bob da builder
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| posted on 18/6/02 at 03:13 PM |
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Dont Quote me on this one as its a bit before my time but wot about the Morris Minor?? RWD A series engine?? i seam to remenber that some one built a
locost with this running gear, you have to reduce the passangers foot well to allow the bell houseing to fit.
Big Up the Mini!!!! im a proud owner of many, when ive finished my locost im back to the mini, planning to cut n shut the rear seats out and off with
the roof and in with a big lump under the bonnet!!
rob 
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Simon
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| posted on 18/6/02 at 03:52 PM |
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Bob,
May a suggest a visit to www.v8mini.co.uk or a search in Google for V8 Mini.
Apologies to everyone else if getting a little of topic!!
ATB
Simon
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 18/6/02 at 06:03 PM |
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Front wheel drive a series engines share virtualy nothing with the rear drive ones,you cant use the block or crank,heads are better ,rods are pony
compared with the early ones,dont use marina box,its worse than usuless
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Fatboy Dave
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| posted on 18/6/02 at 06:47 PM |
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Conrod,
Does that mean (if I wanted) I could use a head/rods+pistons off a Metro Turbo in a Spridget block (mated to a Sierra box)?
I'm quite happy with my diesel and V8, but you never know....... 
Dave
Stop the planet, I want to get off
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 18/6/02 at 07:15 PM |
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quote:
Front wheel drive a series engines share virtualy nothing with the rear drive ones,you cant use the block or crank,heads are better ,rods are
pony compared with the early ones,dont use marina box,its worse than usuless
years ago, i guy down my road had a marina as a compoany car. it went through 3 gearboxes.
atb
steve
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david walker
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| posted on 18/6/02 at 09:58 PM |
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As "Conrod" has told you, the front wheel drive mini and metro engines are different to the rwd units fitted in Marinas' and Sprites etc.
The Spridget engine (unlike Marina) has better rods than the Metro. Metro Turbos are junk despite what anyone tells you. You would not want to put
turbo pistons in anything other than a turbo has they have a big dish in them to lower compression. They are also now unavailable.
The proper Spridget engine uses an EN40B steel crank, has small journal big ends and is therefore unable to use Marina or Mini (except Cooper S)
conrods. This engine will make good power with modest tuning and despite being three bearing is fairly sturdy.
Adaptors are available to mate up to Ford boxes. Sprite/Midget boxes are OK. Marina boxes are not.
Why go to all that trouble to fit an A Series anyway? If you "know" A Series engines then why are you asking these questions?
My car has a Crossflow but I wish I'd fitted a bike engine!
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Fatboy Dave
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| posted on 19/6/02 at 11:18 AM |
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David,
I'm bored of Xflows........
I like interesting (i.e. large and pref. turboed) engines. I've just sold my seventh Locost, and have had two Xflow cars, I just liked the idea of a
small turbo rear drive engine, that's all.
Dave
Stop the planet, I want to get off
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Garf
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| posted on 19/6/02 at 02:54 PM |
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Thanks alot for the information. Im just at planning stage at the moment. Gotta recooperate funds after a busy first year at uni.
Laters
Garf !
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 19/6/02 at 03:58 PM |
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Dave you can use the turbo internals in a midget block,only need a drain hole for the turbo and the ignition ,boost control,watch the head gasket
though,good luck,ps i may be able to get my hands on a 16 valve twin cam head for one of them.
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Fatboy Dave
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| posted on 19/6/02 at 04:43 PM |
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quote:
ps i may be able to get my hands on a 16 valve twin cam head for one of them.
Now that's just showing off!
It's waaaaaaay down the list ATM, due to me purchasing a Suzuki 1300 16v from a Swift Git (er, sorry, Gti) and a RWD gearbox, and realising I don't
have anything to put it in.....
So, that's Metro Turbo, Swift Git (er, Gti), Rover T16 Turbo, and a bike engine. Plus I have to finish the Dax.......
Dave
Stop the planet, I want to get off
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