Dear Friends,

A few of us, Peter, James, Uthama, Chong and CE were discussing rebuilding an engine the other night. Ever wondered how much it will cost to build an engine. I was working with a mini mechanic (name witheld) the other day. Well if you need a rebore than you can expect around RM2000 for parts and engineering works alone just for the engine without touching the transmission. If you are thinking of putting in a 276 cam, centre pick up pipe and high capacity oil pickup pipe that will cost you another RM1000. A set of secondhand twin HS4 or Weber 45 cost around RM1500. Throw in a Straight cut close ratio 4 syncro and a 1:1 drop gear, add in another RM7000. Having done the engine department you may want to also improve the suspension and brake department. A 8.4 ventilated 4 port disc brakes can cost RM1000 (second hand) while a set of competition shocker and spring set to replace the old fashioned rubber cone can cost RM2000. A set of 13" low profile tyres on 6 " alloy wheels can cost you RM2000. So gentlemen & fair ladies, if you want your car to go a bit faster you may have to spend as much as RM20,000. That is a lot of money considering that you can buy an illegal 1.3 Rover with automatic transmission for half the cost.

By the way, a Kent 276 cam is far better than a standard MG Metro cam. A few us including some from UK are building engines. Forwarded below is a typical discussion on the project on internet. I have lots more if you are interested. Topic opened for discussion. Peter, Chong, James and PE Tan over to you. You are all old hand at this so any advice on this is much appreciated.

CE

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> Since the dyno run, all I have thought about is a re-bore! Anyone got any
> ideas on costs for the following and where would be best to go? MED (down
> the M69, Jonspeed (nice and close), others??
>
> Get my own engine bored out to 73.5mm - 1380cc
> New pistons, maybe powermax?
> New carbs, possibly Twin HS4, second hand ~ 100 squids?
> Lightened flywheel?

Problem is that once you get in this far you should look at getting quite a
lot done. Ask your favorite engine supplier (I haven't heard anything bad
about MED) about an exchange.

> My current Cooper S head should be ok to keep??? Maybe given a bit of a
> polish.

Depends on the spec. Once you get up to 1380 the spec of the head makes a
lot of difference. You should think about a new cam to the MG spec cam is OK
but something like a 276 would be much better.

> Anything else I may need??? Any ideas on costs? I know a rebore is usually
> about £60-70UKP

To get it all done properly you are looking at 400ukp for the block and
associated bits. Maybe 300ukp for the head, 150ukp to sort the gearbox
approx figures anyway..

Ade