Classic Mini Restoration Episode 54 - Rolling Road Tuning The Car

[@SteveCrook]

Great update video. I have been looking for an old school Classic Mini tuner with a Rolling Road in the West Yorkshire / East Lancashire area and was struggling to find one so this video was very timely. I think I will be booking in with Ken at RE Performance when I am ready. Thanks.

[@SmugwoodMini]

He’s done a great job with mine…although I can’t technically make recommendations etc as I don’t know the place well enough to comment. It was minisport who recommended…they’re not really using their rolling road for customers at the minute so they’ve been redirecting people to Ken. I can’t fault the work I’ve had done but one thing I will say is that the rolling road wasn’t fully operational when I went so some things were a bit limited. But luckily I wasn’t there for max power and Bhp figures etc…so fortunately I was able to get done what I needed. Worth giving them a call but also it’s worth checking to see if any of the limitations would affect the work you might need doing. 👍

[@SteveCrook]

@@SmugwoodMini Thanks for that additional info.

[@recreativesigns4571]

Great video update. I had my Mini Thirty put on a rolling road locally to me in Sussex, after having a new exhaust fitted along with a new carb needle. It’s clever how they manipulate the needle to help increase the cars overall performance. I ended up with much more bhp than the 41 bhp it was supposed to have when it was a brand new car back in ‘89. Not too bad for its 998cc engine.

[@SmugwoodMini]

Yeah I think any change made to the vehicle probably results in the need for a tune up. I did mine all by ear and feel to get it running but thats probably not ideal long term. So much more fun to drive now. Ive often wondered how they do those alterations with the needles and I sort of have an idea...but part of me knows that if I find out how to do it...I'll probably end up having a go myself and messing everything up :-)

[@recreativesigns4571]

@@SmugwoodMini mine had a hammer being used on it but I’ll be stating well clear of playing with it now it performs so much better. I too found the pull was better in lower gears than what it used to be like. Hills are not such a problem now.

[@SmugwoodMini]

Yeah probably best leaving it alone now...I know I will :-) I think the lesson I learnt this week is that if I make any changes to the engine setup or suspension...I need to take it somewhere to be checked.

[@demetrispatrikarakos5565]

Thank you for the informative video. One suggestion only. Try to check your valve clearances again because according to keith calver roller rockers should be checked from side to side not from front to back, they act like panel rollers!

[@SmugwoodMini]

I can certainly double check. I might be changing the rocker cover soon so I'll give them a check when I do.

[@classic1989mini]

How’s things with the car? Love the way it look. Not seen you on for a while 😮

[@SmugwoodMini]

Hi, the cars doing alright :-) Been a lot going on so it's been hard to get my videos sorted, but managed to do a bit more this week. :-)

[@classic1989mini]

Which tyres did Tom fit for you. I'll be visiting MS soon for mine

[@SmugwoodMini]

I went for the Yokohama A008s this time. The Ao32rs didnt really last long and were a bit too sticky on the roads for my liking. I do prefer the look of the A032r but Im finding the car more fun to drive with the A008s. And they are half the price :-)

[@classic1989mini]

@@SmugwoodMinihad mine fitted this week, much better than the old 20 year ones I had on my car

[@julianrowland9079]

Not rolling road. AC Dodd. Adrian Dodd is a genius!

[@SmugwoodMini]

If AC lived closer I'd definitely let him have a look :-) There aren't many options up this way unfortunately. But it seems to run well now after its tune which is good.