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Featured Classic Mini DIY Articles

Conversion from Injection to Carburetor MMKT0404 Kit (Fuel System)
Carburetors: Conversion from Injection to Carburetors MMKT0404 Kit Single Point Injection to Carb Conversion IMPORTANT NOTE: This change should be considered a significant deviation from stock and thus should only be undertaken by a competent mechanic. /addProduct:MMKT0404/ Historically, the drive to keep the classic Mini in production and marketable meant the factory decided to modernize the fuel system of the Mini from Carb to Fuel Injection. Thus in 1991 the first FI was installed on the Mini. Known as Single-Point Injection or "SPi" for short, the system also incorporated its first ECU into the car. This version of the Mini was produced until late 1997 when it was changed to the Twin- or Multi-Point Injection version (also known as an "MPi" Mini). The MPi model is a completely di...
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Choosing a Sway Bar for your Classic Mini Cooper & Cooper S (Suspension)
NOTE: The following applies to the Classic Mini Cooper - if you have a BMW MINI (2002 thru present), you will have to change your car type then search for "sway bar", and then select the appropriate article: /carselectbutton/ =========by Don Racine, Mini Mania========= This is a subject I should never get started on; I will try to give you the "short story!" For any readers that don't already...
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Upgrading Classic Mini Brakes (Brakes)
Upgrading Classic Mini Brakes For BMW MINI Cooper Brakes (2001 thru 2018) - click here Over 5 million Classic Minis have been made, most of them before 1985 when front disc brakes were standardized. Previously, standard Classic Minis were fitted with drum brakes all round, adequate in light traffic but prone to fall out of adjustment, not very progressive unless recently overhauled, and not ...
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Classic Mini Torque Wrench Settings (Engine)
Do those nuts and bolts up properly, or a wheel might fall off... if you've been trying to find correct torque wrench settings for your Mini here they are for just about everything that matters. Suspension and Steering, Mk1/2 Fastener Torque (lbft) Torque (kgm) Drive shaft coupling U bolts (rubber cross inner joints) 8 to 12 1.11 to 1.66 Drive shaft nut (front hub...
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Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned for Better Fuel Economy (Fuel System)
Keep Your MINI Cooper Engine Properly Tuned Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.  Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.SHOP MINI COOPER OX...
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Harmonic Damper For Classic Minis (Engine)
Are you familiar with the term ‘torsional vibration’? Well, torsional vibration is simply a periodic vibration which would result from the twisting of an object around its axis. In your Mini engine, this vibration would be expected to originate from the crankshaft as the engine tries to turn it. Excessive torsional vibration, however, is unwanted because it may cause various damages no...
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Upgrades for the Mini Cooper MPI/TBI models (General Articles)
This is the 3rd installment in a series of articles that are intended to provide some insight and direction to new owners of the late model range of Classic Mini Cooper. (Part One and Two can be found here.) The term MPI and/or TBI is often used to identify the range of cars produced by the Rover factory in 1996 and continued unto the end of the production of the Mini Cooper. The best way to ident...
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GEARBOX - How they work (Transmission)
SHOP GEARBOXES and GEARBOX PARTS   GEARBOX - How they work       click on links for related images      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. It rarely does, as most folk take one look at those seemingl...
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Kent Camshaft Fitting & Timing Rules (Engine)
Kent Cam Timing: There are a number of different methods of cam timing. We at Kent Cams use either the 'Lift at Top Dead Centre' method, or the 'Full Lift Position method' Full Lift Position method: For many years the most commonly used method has involved establishing top dead center (TDC) as a datum (zero degrees) and positioning your camshaft with its inlet valve at maximum l...
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Troubleshooting Lucas Points (Electrical)
Troubleshooting Lucas Points Ignition Systems Rev.02 Doug Lawson ( [email protected] ) July, 2006 What is Covered:   The following document discusses the operation of the basic “points type” ignition system. Included are steps to troubleshoot the ignition system. This document presents a negative ground system only. Please read the Theory of Opera...
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Classic Mini Suspension, Steering and Handling Data 1959-2000 (Suspension)
The data on this page relates to all Classic Minis unless specified. Major changes to suspension and steering are limited to the introduction of a new steering rack and steering arms for Mk2-on models. Mk2 steering arms have two `ears' to aid in the use of ball joint splitters; this is how they may be differentiated from Mk1 steering arms. Very early Mk1 Minis (to around 1960) were ma...
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Improving Your Mini Cooper Gas Mileage (Fuel System)
Most engines (and all Minis) use an electric spark to start the burning of the fuel/air mixture which in turn powers the car.  If the engine is to run properly this ‘electric spark’ must happen at the exact right time. Setting your timing means you adjusting the time the plug fires relative to the position of the piston.  Piston position is defined as follows: at the very top...
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Classic Mini & Cooper Wiring Diagrams On-Line (Electrical)
Wiring Diagrams for Various and AssortedMini & Mini Cooper These diagrams are high-resolution PDF documents. You will be able to zoom in to view detail, and print legible copies on your printer. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the documents; click here to download and install a free copy. Click here for a Wiring Harness Overview Each document below consists of a one-pag...
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How to check your Clutch (Pre Verto) on a Classic Mini (Clutch)
Maybe your Mini clutch is working fine. Maybe you’re starting to notice that the master cylinder fluid is going down slowly. Maybe the action just doesn’t seem the same. Maybe you are hearing some noises you don’t remember hearing before. The following are some quick checks even a beginner can do to make sure a clutch keeps operating correctly or to point one towards areas that m...
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Gearbox Rebuild (Transmission)
Gear Box Rebuild  Written By GuessWorks Gearboxes may seem complicated but they are very simple in their construction, and surprisingly easy to put together. The main issues are having the right tools to do the job. So here's a list of what you will need. SEE VIDEO HERE Torque Wrench with a maximum range in excess of 150lbft 1 1/2" deep socket ( a ball joint socket is ideal ...
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Classic Mini Brake Data (Brakes)
Classic Mini brake data         Or Click here to look at just how brakes do what they do, and ways to improve them... When working on your brakes, ensure that the brake pads, shoes and hydraulic cylinders used match the specifications given below. Over the years, many changes were made to Mini brake configurations. The manufacturers tinkered with the master ...
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Clutch - Drive Strap Alignment (Engine Drivetrain Exhaust)
  If the pressure plate clutch plate friction face needs re-surfacing, get it machined to clean it up. Make sure the engineering company doing the job records the amount taken off, as the recorded amount needs removing from the tops of the 'horns' that stick up to ensure proper clamping force is achieved. If this is not done, clutch slip is inevitable. If using a pressure plate of unknown hi...
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Kent Camshaft Timing (Engine Drivetrain Exhaust)
Kent Cam Timing: There are a number of different methods of cam timing. We at Kent Cams use either the 'Lift at Top Dead Centre' method, or the 'Full Lift Position method' Full Lift Position method: For many years the most commonly used method has involved establishing top dead center (TDC) as a datum (zero degrees) and positioning your camshaft with its inlet valve at maximum l...
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BRAKES - Rear brake bias adjustment (Brakes)
Brakes - Rear brake bias adjustment When altering the front brake set-up away from the standard installation, it invariably alters the amount of rear brake bias needed to re-balance the cars brake balance.  The problems start occurring when folk graft alternative brake set-ups onto the front of their Minis. Be this 7.5" discs onto a previously drum-braked model, or going from current standa...
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The Paint Codes (Exterior Trim Upgrades)
HELP OUT! We would like to continue to fill in the details and the important "examples".  If you know a color code, have color chip, If your car is a certain color;  Please send us a picture or a link to a picture of the color. You can forward any additional information to: [email protected]   Thanks to Hugh Cannon for putting together this great list of paint codes...
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Mini Cooper Specials