Well thank you Billy. My interest is more over in finding some 998 engine rebuild work. I have collected the tooling and done one recently and look forward to doing more. Each bigger and better than the last.

Steve (CTR)

Lol, that's my office.  You guys could just call or drop me an email, no need to go all internet snoopy

CTR..  I googled his phone number and it gave a business address in Old Lyme, across the street from my wifes favorite local grocery.  I can check it out if you like, let me know....

Elwood, there is no mention of where you are located in your profile. I recently rebuily a 998 using the 1275 cyl head and I have been having a ball with it. I think there are a few pictures on my Baby Cooper S engine anybody thread. I'll bump it back to the front page so you can find it. I plan to rebuild several 998s in this manner this winter.

Steve (CTR)

PS it seems to me there was a guy at the Mini meet in Denver end of the 80s work on his BMW bike head 850 all weekend in the parking lot.

It was MadMatt, and his mates, if I recall correctly?

Looks like this is right across the river from me in Old Lyme, if anyone wants me to have a gawk at it and report back....

Bump - someone call a builder and get a price for an 7 port or 8 port engine ready to go with everything you need and compare prices

Really, I am open to offers, but no trades.  Someone wants to trade me a custom motorcycle, I need space and cash!

This was the first guy to do the conversion, albeit with the 8v head - but same bore spacing / stud pattern as the 16v

//www.lojomo.com/

The first guy to do the 16v was Bruno Rouille - a french guy who was working in England while he developed the concept. This was featured in the May 1996 issue of miniworld.

The "conversion" got a huge resurgence in 2006 with MadMatt in Australia finally getting his up and running in May after working on it for countless years, then John Kimmins (of Specialist Components) in June, and Jim Lyons of Wales completing the first turbocharged 16v conversion in July... After that, the floodgates opened!

Thinking back - it was probably Matt occasionally posting pictures of his conversion on the various forums, that was the catalyst for everyone else. I know that I tried talking Jim out of the 16v and going for the 7-port in early 2006; but he ignoed me, bought a head, and then cajoled me into helping him put it all together LOL.

 

" someone actually must've measured dozens of cylinder heads to find the one that fit. " ? if memory serves correct the idea came from down under and when i read the story the guys just happened to have the bmw bike engine in the shop and looked at the mini an said "those look pretty similar" or something like that. put it on top and the rest is history. i dont believe they started out looking for a mate.

Don't get me wrong here guys... I absolutely love the idea of a twin cam cross flow head on a mini bottom end.  I think these engines look awesome, and I am absolutely humbled by the fact that somewhere on this earth, someone actually must've measured dozens of cylinder heads to find the one that fit.  I've often thought that maybe a 1071- based bottom end would be perfect for one of these heads because you could likely spin it much higher with the shorter stroke, and better utilise the breathing.

Not very cost-effective on the dollar-per-horsepower ratio, but extremely cool nonetheless.  Good luck with the sale!

Really is expensive, no matter which way you go.  I've done the tear down of the engine and gearbox and rebuilds, and all of the fab work on the electrical, sheet metal and other things.  I had the machine work done in a local shop.  Even then I must have about $10000 to $11000 into my head conversion.  I sold my '56 Ford hot rod pickup to do this!  I had to be dedicated to even consider doing that.  Uncharted territory, but sooooo much fun.

I'm confused. I'm really close to buying something to replace my tired 998.

Our host has the HP 1275 as described

"With an estimated 100 horsepower on tap from this engine this great package is ready to install and will absolutely thrill you. The rebored 1275cc motor includes high compression (9.75:1) performance pistons, a Lomgman cylinder head and a fast road camshaft (276 degrees duration). This set up will provide the ultimate in performance with great reliability. Includes water pump and spin-on filter assembly. The transmission is rod change type with provisions for inboard CV joints & 3.44:1 final drive ratio. (Special order units with the older 'remote shift and/or yoke outputs are also available). Clutch, flywheel and all covers are in place. It's ready to install! Built by the experts at Mini Mania.
Note: All our remanufactured motors have a 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty (which ever comes first). No core charge and call us if you are interested in 'trading-in' you old engine!"

OK, that's $5800 - transmission included (right?), no core charge.

Plus, yes, another $700 for the big carb - but it comes with a manifold, right?

And maybe I'll go for the $500 electronic distributor.

Fark, shipping is a hassle. Damn sales tax.

Exhaust + Manifold (can I reuse my RC-40 Stage 1 kit?) = ???

Some hoses, a couple motor mounts. I have the disc brake kit waiting to be installed.

So yeah, Let's say $8k out the door. I'd love it if I could have someone simply rebuild my 998.

I love your engine, it looks the 'business'

 

 

 

These shenanigans all started really when I tried to find out the REAL cost of a 1380 power unit.  I see adverts for $4995.  Then you add a trans, oh, and a core, and what about induction?  Go with carbs that would not pass emissions and catch fire?  Oh, and what about exhaust?  What about ignition?  In the end, these power units from our host and others came to around 9-10K landed with only minor enhancements.  I also looked into a Vmax Supercharger and that required a rebuilt engine with proper recent mechanicals BEFORE adding the 4-5K worth of S/C and EMS.  I then considered the Honda route and found that I would drop 15K and STILL need to cut my beloved mini to bits, spoiling the "mini-ness" of it (in my opinion)

I realize that if you have time and energy and access to parts you can rebuild your own and save a bundle.  But, if someone wants a "special" or different one of a kind engine, to be able to tune with their laptop, spark and FI all through one interface, and wants more modern mechanicals including an 8K readline (R1100's readline at what, 10K?) this is a great option.

And I agree, it's a load of money.  I will show all receipts and accept reasonable offeres.

 

I salute the OPs dedication to the hobby.

The difference between 135 NA horsepower and 135 supercharged suck-through horsepower is that the NA engine will carry on delivering it for a long time.  Eaton M45s are not designed to run wet...

These BMW headed engines clear the bonnet - you just need to remove or re-shape the internal ribbing over the cam pulley.

The cams in these are very mild - 260 ish duration. close to 100hp/litre is quite acceptable all things considering - but forced induction will always make more hp per $ spent - especially if you already have a healty engine and trans to use as a base.

Wow, that's A LOT of money for 135HP.  Was it RPM limited?  I would expect more from one of those heads, though to take advantage, it would probably need to go north of 7500RPM.  I was torn between spending the money to convert to the BMW head, or going supercharged on the car I used to own...  Ended up getting around 135HP with a supercharger and Avonbar head for about $1500 USD. 

Also guys, make me an offer, me posting it on ebay was to widen my audience.  I would love to find a all primer 60's rat car and drop this baby in.  If I had more garage space I would have.

Slightly OT, I have read that mounting in an auto sub frame would allow it to sit low enough to not bubble the bonnet. If so I have a late single bolt sud frame for sale. Very nice and well worth the asking price.

Steve (CTR)

yeah, I am.  This is just a starting point for negotiations, but it was about 15K landed and with ancilliaries.  SC has just gone up on their pricing too!