Hi all,
Just wanted to ask some opinions, I've got a 998 engine that had been rebuilt (standard) before it fell into my lap but I'm wondering if its worth keeping....Currently I'm in the U.K. (holidaying) and I've been asking all the "specialist" over here the same questions and all they've got is to bin it and find a 1275.
I'm not really keen to chuck a rebuilt 998 in favour of a 1275 that'll need rebuilding, especially if the money I'd spend finding, buying and rebuilding a 1275 could partly be put into the 998 to make it a bit nicer. This is my first mini project so am at a lack of information about the engine and any mods that should/could be done.
Any help is much appreciated and please give me as much information as you want, I'm happy to learn.
Thanks guys and keep up all your good work

You can get a lot of HP out of a 998 (or 1098) with a bit of work. These days they both can be overbored to 68.0mm, giving 1107 and 1220cc.

If the motor has recently been rebuilt I'd get the head ported with bigger inlet valves, fit a better cam with new lifters, fit a Minispares inlet manifold with a single HS4 (or twin HS2s), and a Maniflow freeflow exhaust manifold with a 1-3/4 exhaust system.
Cam can be changed in the car with a 998 or 1098.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Is the engine and your car in Aus or the UK?
The UK guys have a greater access to 1275's than we do here in Aus and they are also much cheaper in the UK. If you and the car are in the UK the 1275 could be a good option. If the car is here in Aus do what the Doc said and work the top end.

Or if you can buy a cheap 1275 short block while you're in the UK bring it back with you, just leave all your clothes in the UK.

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

It's alright for the chaps in UK to say `just fit a 1275' but we had hardly any Minis fitted with them (only Cooper S, Clubby GT and LS).
No 1275s sold here after 1978 (Minis) or 1981? (Moke).

In UK they could pull 1275s out of their Metros in the `80s, and they also had all the 1275 Rover Minis from 1990? on.

Our main source of `drop in' 1275s was Morris 1100S, & 1300 automatics (need mods), and they all finished around 1971 I think.
There are still a few 1275 motors about but getting scarcer. I now only have 1 spare 1275 block left (a std bore 1300 auto).
Cooper S blocks are getting rarer too and the price of them is going ^^^.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Yeah both car and I are from/in Aus (I'm just holidaying in UK for the next few weeks) and yeah their access to 1275s is a lot better than our.
Thanks dr, I'm glad there is someone that has some time for the little 998.
We aren't chasing great power as it will be a daily driver, we just want a tidy package that delivers reliability and it not to struggle too bad with the hills lol
But if what your suggesting can deliver that I'll definately look into those bits.
Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming

Mini Experience did a project build report with Graham Russell a few years back...

You can see this as "Project Small Bore" on the website:

http://russellengineering.com.au/

It's also on the minimania site, I find it easier to read on there due to the formatting...

http://www.minimania.com/Project_Small_Bore__Part_1
http://www.minimania.com/Project_Small_ ... inder_Head
http://www.minimania.com/Project_Small_ ... mbos_Weber

And a couple by Keith Calver
http://www.minimania.com/ENGINE___998_T ... STAGE_ONE_
http://www.minimania.com/Engine___998_T ... er_Options
http://www.minimania.com/ENGINE___1098_ ... ning__1128

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Although with an 1100 crank it's now at least 1098cc..

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Posted again from another post. Sorry for the spam..

This is the engine in my 62 997 Cooper. Now 998

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=65421&p=778806&.#p778806

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

998 engines are so under rated. Set them up correctly and keep them stock and they go fantastically

Hey guys,
Thanks heaps for all the info, its great that there has been alot of success with the small bore. Will actually get my build up on here one day for all. Thanks again