What - the - Ffffff ????

Classic minis are for display only?

I have a more accurate statement: Robster is an idiot.

Short, simple, factual.

Really !!!!! I know a lot of people that would disagree wit hthat comment. Your car is an exception though Rooster, the way you are repairing yours i wouldn't trust it around the block.

good luck with your 1275 purchase...get one that's in the best condition you can afford.  Also get a repair manual and a gang of tools. 

always remember that fast cars wears faster, classic minis are for display only ,because it has a very cute and attractive appearance, i mean i dont wanna risk myself driving it to california 200miles away.?!! but  i wanna drive it on weekends just around town and show people hey i have a cute little car,  or everyday quick erands and groceries.

for me, im happy with a smooth running, quiet mini , good in gas, with lots of power going uphill.  thats my ideal mini.  speed? not my tempo.

Thanks for all the replys, I have been away working and not on a computor. All good information, and I agree fast for a Mini is still not going win any races against modern iron. I guess I really just want ideas (which I now have thanks) on getting the most, within reason, power from a 1275. THanks for all the good advice. Now to find one.....

I always like reading these types of threads; I could have posted a similar one back in the 90s when I first got the bug for these cars.  Many years and cars later, I have come to realize that a "fast" mini is only fast for a Mini; a lot of modern cars will run circles around the best prepared examples. I have well over 100,000$ in parts, materials and labor,(mostly my own), into my "fast road" mini; at 1250 pounds, 190 WHP and gummy track slicks, and there are still not many cars at a "track-day" event, that I can stay with.  An "all Mini event" is a different story entirely; I very much enjoy being in the hunt, even knowing I "cheat" with a modern, non-Mini power/drive train.

  From my experience, I will warn you that an "A" series engine and gear box is not a reliable platform by todays standards, and increasing the performance while maintaining integrity is very expensive and limited.  I know that most of the clan here, who have been at it for awhile, are used to, and even enjoy keeping their "A" lump Minis in a drivable state; It can be a big part of the fun if you have the right attitude; Just don't expect it to be faster than the majority of cars you see going down the road today.  Take it with a grain of salt, when you hear/read about a Mini that out-did a Porsche or even a Civic....They beat the driver, not the car.

Disclaimer:  I am a huge Mini fan; I will always own at least one; however I do not love them for their drive train....it was good for it's time, place and intended use, but there are much better choices available that are cheaper, more reliable and powerful.....some even lighter.   That's my opinion and I'm stickin to it.

Funny there is another thread talking about 911s. How could anything be more different? One has an engine just ahead of the front driven wheels and the other an engine hanging out behind the rear driven wheels. Once you have added the kit shown in the link from that thread, to a 911 you can go very fast around corners. Main thing to keep in mind with 911 don't lift when oversteer shows it's ugly head. Same with a mini add power and steering and try and out run it. Steve (CTR)

Fast is relative...one day years ago I was heading east on Hwy. 1 in my son's Mini with modestly warmed up MG Metro 1275 and adjustable suspension.  A fellow with his sweetie closed up on me very quickly in his Porsche.  When I got to the  exit cloverleaf I thought , 'What will happen if I don't slow down?'  So I didn't.

The relatives in the Porsche quickly had looks of horror on their faces and appeared to be throwing a boat anchor out the back...eventually they made their way safely around the cloverleaf.

I had a quiet smile on my face.

I have noticed how often people start a thread and never post to it again. Anyway fast is a relative thing. My older brother was into GT 350s and GTOs when I started with a Model A Ford followed by a sq body Sprite then a mini. He always ask why I wanted to be the fastest of the slow cars? Steve (CTR)

That's about 90 hp at the flywheel Cup Cake

For recreational purposes the Mini handles very well out of the box so spend your $ on a motor. There's an entire book on Mini motor tuning, Tuning BLs A-series motor by David Vizard. This book goes into great detail with dyno results to prove the results. With it you can turn that 1275 into a 140hp motor. To give you a taste of what a DIYer can do using this book here are the dyno results for the motor in my Cooper S. After spending all the time and $ I was expecting more but 74hp at the wheels is not too bad. The graphs also show the improvemnet changing from points ignition to Pertronix Ignitor electronic ignition.  

What I really like is that the person who started this thread said nothing about cheap. 

An early car, a strong 1380, maybe a 3.2 or 3.44 final drive, S discs and 10" wheels are things to consider. Larger rims are heavier. Of course, it is torque that makes a street car fast, so spending time and money on a fancy high rpm valve train should not be a priority. 1380s make cammy camshafts less cammy so you can run something goofy like a Kent 286 without regret. Idler gears take a beating so a later large idler gearbox might be nice, but they are harder to keep in place, especially if driven by someone with no mechanical sympathy. I prefer remote gearboxes. Pretty much every detail of a boy racer mini would merit a paragraph or a few pages. The thing to keep in mind is that 70 bhp at the wheels makes for a very fun car, and is pretty reliable. 

Now, if you want to be cool, do that with a small bore mini engine!

Never has something so true been said so perfectly in so few words! As someone who probably uses too many words 'on occasion', I'm impressed!  Pick any two, the other is simply unattainable!

Fast,cheap, reliable...you only get two

I have been into minis since the 60s. Fast is a relative thing. I have had light weight cars with a high reving engine with 4.10 gears. Very quick and fun to drive. I currently have a 1360 in a very heavy car with a 2.56 overall FD ratio. Using a wide ratio gear set it's quick from the light and runs 100 without a problem. I'm building another for a customer and plan to try a different cam. Hard to imagine a mini that has it all between 1500 and 3000 rpm. 3000 rpm is 70 mph so anything over 3000 is showing off. Steve (CTR) 

How / where does your friend want to go fast?

 In a straight Line? Or round the twisties?

Straight line= add a turbo or Supercharger

Twisties-- invest more in Suspension + Handling- power isnt your 100% required part.

Overall - still slow compared many of todays cars. But its not all about speed and handling its about fun and enjoying your own car...130 Plus HP  mini's are Handfulls with torquesteer and power put down issues so be prepared for fun! 

A lot of the "built" engines are using the A+ engine block.

Many builders out there if you want one already done. (our host sells some) Lots of builders on this forum like Coopertune and others.

If you're looking to do it yourself there is a kit on sale from our host that may work for you //www.minimania.com/part/MMKT1380/Big-Bore-Kit-1380cc-Engine-Do-it-yourself-Kit.

LCB header, 1"3/4 carb, weber, throttle-body injection, cam choice, turbo or super-charger, many many more products.

How fast do you want to go ? ($$$$, rubbing fingers and thumb together)

A 1380 with a 2.95 final gear. 

New to the forum but this seems to be a place to start.

I have a MM Traveler that I put a 1275 in and a MG ZB Magnette but I have never owned a Mini.

I have a friend that would like me to build him a very fast Mini. I know there are modern engines that are going to be the choice for fastest but he wants to stick with a 1275 built for speed. Any suggestions for this project are appreciated, and I will be needing a Mini to start this project. I am in Connecticut USA. Thanks, Martin