Sometime next year I would like to start building an engine for the Mk1 and I will have about £700-£800 to spend on a half engine (hopefully will have a decent stage 3 head by then - a friend has one that I have my eye on). Am not desperately worried about all-out power and am not bothered if not a 1380 engine - I just want a nice torquey engine with a warmed-over cam - say about 80BHP with similar torque numbers. I plan to be using an HIF 44 carb (rebuilt) and would like to use Megajolt.
My question is this: Should I aim for a half-engine kit from one of the more well-known Mini Engine suppliers or do I go to a more local engineering shop that might not know Minis that well? I currently have a standard Metro 1275 lump in bits (it was how it came with the project) that looks in pretty fair condition (I think it had done 60k miles before one piston seized - at least that's what the previous owner told me). The bores appear unmarked and the crank looks ok too.
If I was to use this engine I would be using a new set of pistons if told a rebore was unnecessary, but is it really necessary to re-do the old engine when I can simply exchange it for one where all the work is already done?
I have seen these from Jonspeed: http://www.jonspeedr...re.php&cID=2096 - are they worth talking to? When I was in the Mini scene in the mid to late 90's I don't really remember them being at the forefront of the tuning scene although I could be wrong.
Also Minisport seemed to be a good place to go for an engine kit but I can't seem to find one on their website. Do they still do them?
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts Guys and Gals as I am totally unsure of the best way forward.