fuel pump for my 1380

[rich83]

Hi all, i'm planning on getting my mini sorted after being away for over 2 years, but its never run right. Anyways i'm planning on trying to get it RR'd in the very near future, but wanna make sure i'm making the most out of my setup.

spec:
MSPD 1380 trackday engine + head
Weber 45
123 ignition no vac

Am currently running the standard mech fuel pump direct to the carb (no pressure reg) as i've been told by several people that it is adequate. Having read other posts i'm now a bit confused. Am I overfuelling by not having a regulator, or am I underfuelling by not using a pump with a high enough capacity? The car has never run right and feels as though its missing power, however I would've expected the engine to start stuttering if it wasn't getting enough fuel.

If I need a lece pump, please recommend one, as there is a few and they vary in price.

Also can anyone suggest good ballpark 123 curve to use (think i'm using 6or7) before I get to the rollers. Engine put out 70bhp when new with standard metro dizzy n carb, but feel this setup should be good for at least 85@wheels....heres hoping )

thanks

rich

[jonnyboi]

Dellorto have recommended no more than 3psi on the webber and dellorto carbs and the mechanical pumps runs at 5psi IIRC. Your best bet is to get a regulator and a pressure gauge to fit in the fuel line like i have as it helps you so much when you are trying to get the pressure right.

oh yeh and when u adjust the regulator it does take a couple of seconds to kick in, when i was adjusting mine i had to drive it up and down my drive, either that or rev it for a bit

What made you choose the 123 over megajolt?

[nightrain]

You'll feel it been held back at the top end, especially with that cam. which I to believe has a strong top end (not tried it so can't actually comment on the cam).
1380, 286, 45, and standard pump, made 89 and you could feel it was restricted at the top end. Same engine same RR but with a facet red top 97bhp.

[rich83]

Thanks for your replies. Think i'll start off with a regulator and see how it goes from there before I start forcking out (i've spent a LOT already) more cash on a pump.

reason for the 123 was it was an easy exchange. megajolt seemed a bit more involving and I wasn't too sure how easy it was to tune or who'd be able to do it on rollers, of which there aren't many of in my area. 123 just seemed like an simpler more reliable option........

however, I don't know how much I rate it...yet: It seems to suffer in damp conditions like a points dizzy does, but I've previously never had a problem with the metro style electronic one. I think it prob works well when set up correclty: I took the car with its current setup to a 'race car tuner' who was old school and seemed to be very familiar with A-series engines. He tuned the car by ear, changing the 123 curve, putting shallower plugs in, and putting much smaller jets in the carb. The end result was that he said he'd never felt a mini with as much low down grunt, which it had loads of, however despite this it drove like a diesel and power ended at 4k rpm. He told me it was the cam that was the problem and sent me on my way. It rev'd better before I took it to him. have since put bigger jets back in (recommended by avonbar) and played about with it...needless to say it runs crap!!!!

I'm hoping to crack it soon though as I've spent a lot of money restoring the car and its not turned out how i'd hoped.

[nightrain]

What jets/emulsion tubes/chokes are fitted ? Which curve are you using on the 123 ?

[rich83]

TBH nightrain, i'm not 100% it was so long ago n am not currenty in same part of the country to have a look,

think main jets are 180 (tuner put 155's in)
tubes 3f2???
pump jets? 30 rings a bell
chokes can't remember but avonbar confinrmed they were correct along with pump jet, so only changed mains, which at the time made it instanly rev more but not as smoothly ie the progression wasn't as smooth.

think i was on curve 6 or 7 but not sure.

i'm no expert with these carbs and hope to get to a RR where they really knows their stuff, just need to make sure I get the fuel pump setup figured out n ballpark 123 curve before I get there.

cheers

rich

[nightrain]

Is this a fixed choke weber ie. off a car fitted with webers as standard ? Idle jet seems way to small, but hard to say without the full info.
6 or 7 sounds like a good starting point, can you describe what it feels like to drive and I don't mean just with your foot planted. Theres a problem and I don't think it's your fuel pump, so ideally this needs sorting before you chuck anymore cash at it.

[rich83]

As i say its been ages since i've given the car any attention so these numbers could be way off. I'll be working on her when on hols in april so will keep you posted as to the outcome. Carb is DCOE 45, off another mini, but almost new. all components are apparently correct according to avonbar / tuning guy with exception of main jets. Dont think the chokes are fixed but have tamperproof covers on them.

thanks for your guidance

rich