Engine 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: Next step in my Modding

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  1. Sully

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    #31 Sully, Oct 19, 2018
    I think this really depends on the desired outcome and machinery. For some of my cars, the 88M5 in particular there were not really any options. However there were a number of folks who did the work. The two most predominant (and IMO best) had a full set of jigs specific for the head and produced consistent results and gains. Granted they had both worked for Factory backed BMW teams.

    Now, I do think the bigger question is the difference between a head that is developed on a computer and flowed for specific outcomes and tested heavily, that should almost always create better results. It would most likely be more consistent also. That said, I would expect it to be more expensive per HP (Design/machinery cost etc). I am kind of surprised that both are in the $50/HP.

    For me personally, it's not just about HP it's also about Torque. Euro engines (at least my old school ones... especially the 88) the torque and HP came in at the top of the range. Getting more HP while expanding the Torque curve helps a lot. One way we do it is to change to shorter flutes and mating them to the side of the intake plenum. It makes a significant change in the torque curve at very little cost. :)
     
  2. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #32 Dave.0, Oct 19, 2018
    Old school hand porting was ok because everything was hand controlled with a carb and a screwdriver. In today’s cars everything is controlled by sensors and ECU’s and hand porting will never be as good or as consistent as CNC’ed flow tested work. Also you can make many more changes with a tune than you can with a head. It’s all about where you want you power curve to be.

    I can can tell you this, Shelby, Foyt and Yates would ALL be using CNC machines and today’s tech if they were building motors for a car with a modern ECU. Why work harder and not smarter?

    That is what the MINI is, a modern car.

    This would be a different story if you are hand porting a head for a classic Mini.
     
  3. Goldsmithy

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    #47 Goldsmithy, Oct 21, 2018
    It seems to be true that companies that do not provide a quality product will not survive. You always pay for what you get--you don't always get what you pay for. I wish I could see ahead for 20 years to see if the Gen2 and Gen3's are lucky enough to have the wealth of information on modding that Gen 1's have. I thank you one and all for these informative posts. I just wish I had a standard transmission so I could enjoy the benefits. Unfortunately, when my trans gets to about 6500 rpm's, it will shift by itself, regardless of the driving mode.:(:(:Devilish:
     
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  4. Dave.0

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    #50 Dave.0, Oct 22, 2018
    ^^^^^ I can agree with that.
     
  5. Whine not Walnuts

    Whine not Walnuts Active Member

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    #52 Whine not Walnuts, Oct 22, 2018
    If I could turn back time, and take my MINI with me, I would just love to drive it to high school and then do a drive from Cazenovia to Chittenango on Falls Road. The guys I knew that had MoTown Muscle cars would just be sitting in their cars with their jaws wide open and a look of total amazement on their faces.

    In 1972 my Flyin Pig MINI would be a Supercar.
     
  6. ScottinBend

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    #53 ScottinBend, Oct 23, 2018
    There is no question that a ported head is an improvement over oem. What is in question is the quality of the work. If you believe that the quality concern is outweighed by the cost difference that is all that matters.

    Can't wait to see the product you get.:Thumbsup:
     
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  7. Sully

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    #67 Sully, Oct 31, 2018
    Aren't those lifetime fluids?? :Cigar:
     
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  8. BlwnAway

    BlwnAway Well-Known Member

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    #2 BlwnAway, Oct 14, 2018
    I'm extremely happy with my fully match ported TPR2rt.
     
  9. Whine not Walnuts

    Whine not Walnuts Active Member

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    #3 Whine not Walnuts, Oct 14, 2018
    What is your low end torque and do you have his ported intakes as well?
     
  10. MCS02

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    #4 MCS02, Oct 14, 2018
    What about RMW's head? It has a great reputation.
     
  11. BlwnAway

    BlwnAway Well-Known Member

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    #5 BlwnAway, Oct 14, 2018
    Yes, my intake was ported by him from when I ran the RMW BVH, then this Head was matched to that intake, along with the exhaust matched to my old Mynes V2 Header.
    The low end torque is similar to any BVH, it is of course lacking compared to stock, but the high end makes up for it in spades....
    I did however make up for some low end by using Thumprs Adjusted Cam Gear, brought my torque numbers up starting 500-700 RPM lower in the range, than without the gear. Basically you could really feel the torque kick you in the pants from about 4200-4500 without the gear, and about 3500-3700 with the gear.
    I couldn't tell you anything more than that since the car only ran about 1500 miles with this Head and my old induction setup for comparisons.
    There's no way to honestly compare things with my new setup since its so different.
     
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  12. Whine not Walnuts

    Whine not Walnuts Active Member

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    #6 Whine not Walnuts, Oct 14, 2018
    Yes, Jan appears to have only one type of head that being the 1.8/2.3 valve size, but with what my current mods are and based upon my use, I thought that I might not need valves that large. Now there will be those that will say bigger is always better but I have never been one to follow others but rather make up my own decisions based upon my own research.

    I have dealt with Jan and he always treated me right. I can also say that when I started the conversation with Mike at Thumper, I told him what I had, what I planned on doing and I asked him what he would do. He came back and said his middle unit, the TPR2 would work for me. He did not know me from Adam and very easily could have told me to go with the more expensive top line TPR2-T head that has the 1.8/2.3 valve sizes that Jan uses. I place a high value on any individual that puts the customer over price. At the same time I recognize that both Jan and Mike have probably had issues with something they sold somewhere down the line for as that famous fake American Forrest Gump said, "shit happens."
     
  13. Thumper460

    Thumper460 Active Member

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    #8 Thumper460, Oct 15, 2018
    Good day... !!
     
  14. Thumper460

    Thumper460 Active Member

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    #9 Thumper460, Oct 15, 2018
    Interesting....
     
  15. Whine not Walnuts

    Whine not Walnuts Active Member

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    #10 Whine not Walnuts, Oct 15, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2018
    I am OK with smaller valves and it appears that Jan does not have this type of head nor does he port/polish. I have done enough research to make my mind up that Thumper is an old style craftsman when it comes to machining engine parts.

    Reminds me of a saying my father had -" I have forgotten more about _________ than most other people will ever know." My dad was a Mason - block, brick and concrete and a very good one.

    Here is a website about somebody I consider to be like Thumper, be sure to read the part about putting two different displacement motors together. I knew of this guy and all the racers he talks about. The Impossible section, that engine, is in with the 1971 posts. A truly amazing mechanical wizard.

    https://widowmakers.edrcreations.com/page1.html
     
  16. Whine not Walnuts

    Whine not Walnuts Active Member

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    #14 Whine not Walnuts, Oct 15, 2018
    One of the things that Porsche did and would think the other exotic makers did was to ceramic coat the ports. I will also never forget when I took the heads off my 928 and saw there was not a block but rather just sleeves surrounded by nothing but space.
     
  17. Dave.0

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    #15 Dave.0, Oct 15, 2018
    As for Big Valve Heads BVH the only true aftermarket head that has proven flow and performance gains over all others is the custom CNC flow tested RMW BVH. Each one is made to the exact same high quality standards time and time again with only the highest quality parts.

    Many have tried to copy it and they have all failed. This is the reason Jan owner of RMW have set the standard for 1st Gen MINI performance and is still the best head on the market bar none.
     
  18. Whine not Walnuts

    Whine not Walnuts Active Member

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    #16 Whine not Walnuts, Oct 16, 2018
    Thanks but really not interested in a head that has 1.8/2.3 valves, looking for something smaller and Thumper has that. Sneed4Speed also has a variety of heads with different options.

    What should be considered before doing a mod that will increase HP/TQ is a test to verify the condition of the engine. A dry and wet compression test along with a leak down test is advised by a reputable performance shop and/or provider. The Tritec Engine with the cast iron block is good motor but anytime changes are made that produce more stress on the components there may be issues. The tests I noted above will assist in the determination of whether the mod should proceed but they will not guarantee that the procedure will be problem free.
     
  19. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #18 Dave.0, Oct 16, 2018
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 16, 2018
    __Sully - edit some none fun rule stuff out__ rest is as is.

    As far as Thumper and Sneed are concerned they have a proven “non” track record of failures and poor quality parts and are not recommended for use no matter what they “personally say over the phone”. They should not be linked to on M\A just like the NAM and every other car Fourm.
     
  20. Crashton

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    #22 Crashton, Oct 17, 2018
    All this talk of rules & such makes me wonder if I've somehow gotten into the sewing site by mistake. We've gone a very long time without needing a rules refresher. What has changed? :Whistling:
     
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