engine performance

[ram12]

does anyone know of any mods that i can do to the engine
without changing it. would great help if you could let me know

[matty101]

telling us what engine you have might help lol

[ram12]

oh yer poo forgot that bit
its a 1.2 16v

[kie-1200sxi-shed]

induction kit (and recommend a upgraded filter panel )
then exhaust system

thats it lol

if you want it quicker,you can strip interior
get lightweight alloys

[ram12]

what a joke i now wish i could afford an engine change
actually couldn't i re map the ecu or would it screw over the engine?

[BenR]

If you're going for a 1.2 road racer you could go through cams, manifolds, even strap on a turbo if you really want. The classic mini's biggest engine was a 1275cc for quite a while, and they built quite a following. OBVIOUSLY none of the parts would work (I better point this out) but I just want to open you're eyes to what could be done.

There's the simple part, in and out. In through a new panel filter, out through a 'better' exhaust. I use ' ' because what you class as better will be different to the next person. Generally, if you improve the air flow, you'll get some more power. But more air generally = more noise both in and out. I have heard people saying that silencers restrict airflow and make thing slower. THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY TRUE. If you get one cheap, a savage sounding exhaust could be taking away power, and companies such as Powerflow can make you the perfect system, and it could be near silent. Same with the intake, you could put a very big cone filter hanging out of the grill, and you'll get lots of induction noise. You can have a replacement, uprated panel filter from the likes of Green Cotton or, if you want a nice sticker, K&N. That'll give you a bit of power, and induction will stay mostly the same.

If you get bored but don't want to follow the many and get a bigger engine (which I would encourage you to do, break the trend! I want to see a true 1.2 ripping it out of a civic or maybe a golf. Anyway) you could move onto things such as the manifolds and cams. I very much expect you'll have to have these made for you, as the GM 1.2 engine has always been the baby of the 4cyl bunch. It has been reported the head from the DOHC 1.4 will fit, but this is only rumour. I will respect anybody who trys it though! On the subject of having a manifold made, why not add on a turbo too? This WILL require the internals to be changed though (don't kid yourself like this guy http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=7488 just look at how he's been shot down) so there's pistons, rods, etc. Each of these little changes will slowly increase the fun involved when you push hard on the right pedal.

And yes, you could remap the ECU. That'll have to be another custom job, but every ECU remap should be done on an individual basis. Don't be tempted by 'universal' ECU maps.

[ram12]

finally someone who doesnt tell me to do the usual stuff to a car thanks
couple questions bout what you have said

1.does anywhere on the web sell the cams or manifold for my lil car, i know of no websites that sell aftermarket corsa products.
2. which head for a DOHC 1.4 would i get it from ?

sounds like silly little questions but would help me in my research and me moving forward to making my car better

[kie-1200sxi-shed]

there is a reason why most people say the same thing! its because that is all you can do to the x12xe engine (i know thats what i have got). you can not put on upgraded cams ,higher engine manifolds or parts or turbos you can not chipp the cars ecu if you do you would run the risk off fkking it up and even if all goes perfect you will stuggle to see more than 5bhp. you can not get de-cat pipe for the x12xe. if you want a faster car buy a bigger engine that it capable of them upgrades. i think anyone on this site that ''KNOWS'' about cars will agree with me.

[BenR]

Well, I assume you're 1.2 16v is the X 12 XE engine code, The X 14 XE is based around the same block and head so, in theory, should work. Now, whether it actually will or not is debatable. The piston doesn't travel into the head far enough for the extra space to be a problem... But has been done to the 8v engine, and there were compression problems after about 3000miles. Which would suck.

On the subject of cams and manifolds, I don't know. I'm looking intently because I want to have a go at mine next year but there's very little about. I think it's more of a case of adapting what's already available, but that means mo' money. So I shall keep looking. When the Nova was young, a couple of firms made parts but I'm not sure if they still exist, let alone still make the parts.

[kie-1200sxi-shed]

the x14xe 'IS NOT' the same block as the x12xe. however the x14xe ''IS'' the same as the x16xe.

also you can onli uprade the cams and manifolds on the 1.4-1.6+, save your money and buy a bigger engine or bigger engine car.

[BenR]

Well some people just spoil all the fun!

[kie-1200sxi-shed]

thats what im here for just stating the facts mate

[ram12]

so basic recap i can do fck all to the engine with splashing out lots of cashhh to buuy a new car or new engine
what a pile of s**t

[kie-1200sxi-shed]

tbh they are a decent engine, pritty bullet proof. you can still get them fast by doing the following:

full exhaust system
induction kit
full interior strip
lightweight alloys.

but yer if you want a really fast car get a bigger engine car.

[matty101]

its a 1.2 its never gona be fast or stupidly quick. but bear in mind this is not the only car you are ever gona have and at some point you will no dout have a big powerful car but until then, patients is a vertue