Building an engine is very much like most things in life- the more attention to detail you give an effort the more likely you will get the results you were looking for. Whether you are installing a new stock or performance camshaft or even simply rebuilding your motor with the stock camshaft getting the valve timing correct is one of the more important things that you can do.

Acronyms used in the camshaft grinding industry. This Cam Glossary was created by Elgin Cams to help provide our clients  a tool which they can in turn use to decipher all the cryptic acronyms used in the cam grinding industry. Hope you find it useful.

Choosing The Right Timing Set For Your Engine with an quick review of timing chain tensioners. Camshaft selection can be as complicated as you like, but for the ultimate performance, even if that means best gas mileage, the decision requires that you consider the entire envelope that the camshaft will work within.

Understanding how to set your camshaft timing is a fundamental necessity when working on your Classic Mini Cooper. Learn from the experts at Mini Mania the basic and beyond.

Considerable information has been recorded about numerous aspects of the four stroke internal combustion engine. Nevertheless, only a small percentage of people really understand how it works and even fewer still know how to modify an engine to suit their needs. I will try to simplify this complex subject by discussing some basic principles that may be overlooked or misunderstood by the average person.

The installation and first few moments of running are critical factors in the life of the camshaft and the following instructions have been devised in order to obtain maximum performance from the engine and to ensure a long and trouble free life from both the camshaft and associated components. These points are designed to be used in conjunction with the original manufacturers installation procedure.

This whole 'scattering' deal has befuddled many. The simple fact is the principle is very basic and easy; it's getting a cam with the right profile and figures applied to it that's the hard part.

When you are trying to build a motor to get the ultimate of performance you often optimize the life expectancy of the entire assembly. One such area centers around the rocker assembly. In general the rockers are part of the process that translates the lobe of the rotating camshaft to the vertical deflection needed to open the valves on the cylinder head.

A question that has cropped up frequently on the message board lately, and one that I do not ever recall having been set down in print in any magazines, is that of how to decide what the valve clearances should be when changing from the standard rocker gear to higher-lift options. So I thought I wo...

Whether you’re building a solid road performer or fire-breathing monster, the main goal is to improve air/fuel flow into the engine. The more you can get in, the more power you can get out. Cheapest chunk of power improvement comes from sorting the asthmatic manifolding and exhaust by applying a stage one kit. Then what?

The new generation of short period, high lift cams have been developed to give the best results in large bore engines when used in conjunction with 1.5 ratio, hi-lift rockers. For the small bore range, the stock 1.3 ratio is optimum. In certain instances ratios of 1.7 to 1 are of benefit - but is really only applicable to fully developed race engines.

Here's The Secret To Buying An Engine For Your Classic Mini.

Let our experts build you a brand new "Killer" classic mini race engine that'll give you the edge you’ll need to put you in the Winner's Circle! Built with the latest cutting-edge components.

VIDEO: Classic Mini Pre-Owned Engines

Highway Cruiser 1275cc Engine & Transmission special built to allow you to enjoy your Mini at modern highway speeds!

Big-Bore Power Units from MINI MANIA for the Mini Cooper

Have The Engine of Your Dreams. Call our Classic Mini Engine Experts for a free estimate on building your a Mini Engine / Powerunit you'll love!

If you're looking to build the ultimate road or race engine, let Mini Mania build it for you! In this video we give just one example of the higher end racing components.

Our Mini Engine Shop offers a complete range of services, from complete race powerunits built to your specs, to rebuilt street engines in any size for any year Mini, Mini Cooper or Mini Cooper S.

Now Open! Mini Mania Engine Shop. Trust the experts.

The Mini Mania rebuilding service will tackle almost any problem you are having! Engines, Cylinder Heads, Transmission and more!

Mini Mania is the online home for all the best engine accessories and parts for your Classic Mini (1959-2000.) Shop the best in Classic Mini camshafts and timing gears, clutch, cooling, cylinder, engine components, exhaust, gearboxes, pistons and complete engines.

Here at Mini Mania we can custom make engine to exactly what you want. Here is a video on one of our engines.

In this video our Engine Builder, Tony, is testing a rebuilt 1275cc Sprite engine by running it on a test stand. And wow, the sound was so loud!

These pre-owned Classic Mini power units have been tested by the experts at Mini Mania for compression, oil pressure and blow-by. Our pre-owned assemblies includes everything from cylinder head to clutch and transmission and are ready to bolt in to your Classic Mini and go!

The question has come up again about whether it’s possible to pull the engine unit from a servo equipped Mini without disturbing the hydraulics. A ‘servo’ is what a power-brake booster is called for a Mini.

VIDEO: Listen to our Austin Mini Supercharged Engine Scream

Did you know a detailed engine increases the resale value of your car?  It's a well-known fact that people who take the time and effort to detail their engines also take better care of their cars.

Longer rods provide for a longer dwell at piston TDC, keeping the combustion chamber small for a longer period as the expanding gases push against the piston. This extracts more power from a given air/fuel mixture thus increasing combustion efficiency.

TECH INFORMATION FROM CLEVITE ENGINE PARTS

Here we have a set of videos on how to set the cam timing on a Mini Cooper 1275 A+.

In this video how-to, Mini Mania's engine tech Tony Gambirasi, explains the proper way to install piston rings, pistons, the camshaft and lifters, and the oil pump in a 1275cc A+ engine block.

Watch Our Video - If you've got too much slack in your A-Series engine timing chain, Mini Mania now has Rollmaster timing gear sets in stock to take up that slack! These oversized gear sets come in three offset options.

VIDEO: How to install the 1275 crankshaft. The A-Plus crank has fillet-radius journals and 1.75" rod journals. Bolts directly into Mini 1300, Austin America, Mini A-Plus and Metro engine blocks.

VIDEO: How-To Fit Pistons, Camshaft & Oil Pump in a Classic Mini 1275 A+ Block

VIDEO: How-To Set the Valve Timing on a Classic Mini 1275cc A+ Block Part 2

VIDEO: How-To Set the Valve Timing on a Classic Mini 1275cc A+ Block Part 1

How To: Engine stand mounting bracket for A series

This overview of the basic steps to convert your classic, English-built, Mini from an automatic to a manual transmission covers the five main changes, and which items, such as modifying the engine block, should be left to an expert.

Classic Mini Identification: Identifying Minis by Engine/Power Unit When is a Mini, is a Mini, is a Mini? Most current or potential Mini owners have no idea how to tell what kind of Mini they have. In fact, in many cases they don’t even know there are really so many different Minis.

This simply guide will help you identify your Mini or Metro engine when original serial numbers are still in place. A word of warning - whilst the data given here is as accurate and complete as I could make it without 6 months-worth of hermit-like investigation, there are bound to be oddities. Austin/Morris, BL/Austin Rover Group/Rover were never dedicated at keeping 100% correct records, particularly post 1970 - that's why Heritage really struggle with trying to identify cars manufactured after 1969. The Metro data - or lack of it - proves the point. It's nothing like as comprehensive as the Mini stuff.

If you have the engine tag still attached to the engine - just in front/below the thermostat housing - or perhaps the original engine number in the log book then the following should help you determine which engine you have. For Metro units, see 'Engine - Metro identification data'.

If you're looking for Oil Filter Head parts for Classic Mini then you've come to the right place. 

If you're looking for Oil Filter parts for Classic Mini then you've come to the right place. 

If you're looking for Oil Cooler parts for Classic Mini then you've come to the right place. 

Looking for top rated oil filters for your Classic Mini - look here.

The Right Engine Oil for Your Classic Mini

I think it is time to go over passenger car automotive engine oils in detail. I will be writing several articles to be published soon so I will try to get some of it out here. I feel this is a very general topic for all car owners on this board.

I think it is time to go over passenger car automotive engine oils in detail. I will be writing several articles to be published soon so I will try to get some of it out here. I feel this is a very general topic for all car owners on this board.

It’s criminal. Folk spend fortunes putting together super-sonic motors, only to skimp on the oil they use. Why? Oil’s oil right? Wrong. Even if it’s a standard engine, it deserves TLC considering it's extremely hostile working environment.

The correct running temperature of the oil is perhaps even more important than the water/coolant temperatures - so let us consider how to control them. Mainly because it seems to be the most misunderstood of the whole process, and oil cooler fitment almost a reflex when over-heating occurs where a tuned engine of any type is concerned. And in many cases on standard production road cars for that matter.

Installing rings or pistons? We offer this almost fool proof means of installing your pistons with rings into the block. The hard anodized 6061 alloy has been precisely machined to virtually eliminate any chance of ring damage. Available for 1275cc pistons with +.020, +.040 or +.060 bore size as well as for 1360cc & 1380cc pistons.

Small piston applications and availability have been changing over time

The following chart shows the SAE recommended Automotive compression ring end gaps. These recommendations are followed for the majority of the ring line unless a certain application requires deviation from the chart.

Arias Pistons

Pistons - Mega piston performance report The two other articles I have done on this site concerned what pistons are all about, different design and construction pros and cons, material specs, ring set-ups and so on. Under 'Pistons - Favourable features for maximum performance' it would seem that th...

This is another of those subjects abused for ‘bar stool b*llsh*t’ one-upmanship. Ignorance is the main problem. Particularly as trying to get any really useful information out of the manufacturers concerned.

The overriding factor that influences just what is best for an A-Series engine is the block's propensity for flex at higher rpm, and the crank's equal propensity for flex at the same sort of rpm levels. Both combine to require a piston that is as stable as possible to maintain effective and consistent ring-seal performance.

When Omega quit making A-Series pistons, Mini Spares took it upon themselves to design and build a better Piston. Recruiting the AE Hepolite Group for their unquestionable and renowned design and manufacturing expertise, the goal was to produce the most robust piston possible given reasonable cost and weight limits. Applying current technological advances incorporating their very latest hi-spec AE109TF lightweight alloy and special double heat treatments, the result is an extremely durable piston that will withstand greater cylinder pressures at higher RPM than any other currently available.

Over the years, there have probably been a dozen "stock" 1275 pistons. Currently, three different designs are available from AE/Hepolite as "stock" replacements. All have an 8.4cc dished top, but compression ratios are carried by changing pin height (Pin height is the distance from the top of the piston to the center of the wrist pin- see dimension "A" shown here).

Below is a list of crankshaft identification data by forging or stamped numbers - yes, contrary to what many say/express, all cranks are forged. None are cast. They wouldn't last 2 minutes in an engine if they were cast - they'd be way too brittle. The differences are in the material used,...

Did you know that Mini Mania has over 40+ years of experience in building and racing?At Mini Mania we specialize in engine rebuilds, taking your beloved Mini from street to race. Mini Mania provides unparalleled performance and reliability.

When Classic Roots Revive a VTEC Build This video explores the story behind the a great Classic Mini. Felix's lifelong journey with classic cars has without a doubt influenced this build. Many folks have stuffed the Honda B18 VTEC engine into this chassis, but Felix's seasoned taste and eye for detail set this car apart. Do what moves you. Enjoy.

Don't miss out on the savings . 10% off our popular VTEC B Series Kit  and B-Series Upgrade!  Plus, 5% off all other VTEC upgrades!  Sale Ends Jan 12, 2019 so don't delay!

Easily convert your RHD Mini to Honda VTEC Power with our simple steering modification Kit and this handy installation guide. Please note - this will not convert your Mini from LHD to RHD, but will allow you to retain your RHD Mini when using our MTD or MTB2 Kits.

Mini Tec Honda VTEC Conversion Kit and Accessories

This is the story about HS-Racing in Sweden.It started with a dream, a dream to be fast and furious, but most of all - HAVING FUN !

1974 Clubman Wagon For Sale It's a New Zealand 1974 Clubman Estate.Since I bought this car it's never stopped changing.

MINI Countryman? Please. Here's a REAL AWD Mini. Oh yeah, and it's SUPERCHARGED with a VTEC too.

Engine - Honda K20A2 VTEC out of 2004 Acura RSX Type S

The MTAA-B Series Kit was designed to install Honda’s B Series DOHC engines into the Austin America, Morris, MG, Riley, Vanden Plas, Wolseley, 1100's, and 1300's. , upgrading the Classic Austin America's A-Series engine with today’s most trusted engines built by Honda.