John Cooper Conversion Road Test - Classic Mini Workshop Racing Green

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00:39 Intro
01:33 Walk around
03:01 Under the bonnet
03:55 Interior
07:00 Exhaust note
07:44 Driving
12:30 0-60 run
15:25 Suspension & handling
21:00 Motorway speeds
Project Racing Green is my 1989 Rover Mini Racing Green that has had an official John Cooper conversion fitted by John Cooper Garages. The standard 998cc engine is boosted from 41BHP to 60BHP thanks to the engine upgrades. The upgrades include a polished and ported Cylinder head with enlarged valves, LCB exhaust system, Roller tip rockers, and Twin HS2 SU Carburetors. The interior enhancements include walnut door cappings, walnut dashboard, alloy door furniture, and luxurious John Cooper emblem full leather GTS recliner seats.
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[@MiniMattTV]

Gotta love how revvy the 998s are! It sounds fantastic and 15 seconds is a recent time definitely. Can’t wait to see what your plans are over the winter.

[@mikeuk1954]

Looking forward to the restoration. Exciting. 👍

[@rbirdi900]

It will be nice to see a winter project and watch the restoration over the coming months...with the continuing unboxing of parts (oh,,oh,,oh)

[@brystonecowboy]

These vids have been a youtube highlight for me, all the best going foward with the project

[@classicminiworkshop]

Thank you Bryan

[@mk1leg]

very spirited old JCW conversion I did drive the first 998 mini conversion over here in Jersey at the local garage loved it but whilst at IMM30 I came accross the Cooper garages car a much nicer finish than this conversion but I could not affore either at the Time I also sat in the ERA demo and I know own an ERA and can not wait to get it finished

[@peterdemetriou2263]

Can’t beat the sound of twin SU’s ! Looking forward to seeing the transformation 👍

[@Tears4Guthix]

Contagious smile, what a beautiful mini and oh how great it sounds! Thanks for sharing Keith, hope you enjoy your new project and I'm really looking forward to more videos on it. All the best

[@classicminiworkshop]

Thank you kindly

[@laroseraieglamping]

Loved this video and the smile on your face all through the drive 😀

[@classicminiworkshop]

😊 thank you

[@robertnehrbass7745]

Great video.I have 1967 Mk1 998 Cooper left hand drive that was brought over to the USA in 1969.Quite noisey when you get over 50mph.This one has wet suppension,7 in. brakes,just fun to drive.Keep up the great videos , BOB

[@classicminiworkshop]

Cheers Bob

[@janvanstraelen3727]

Looking forward to your next video Keith 👍😊

[@GTE_Channel]

I had a 998 Van with 12G295 head and some decent other mods. It accelerated just as fast as my wife's mainstream Cooper, but it was on 10inch wheels and had short gearing , so no where near the top speed. I do love a fruity 998, they just rev so willingly.

[@JPMergens]

Love this video! Thanks so much. excited for the teardown and build up.

[@dnf1903]

Hiya Keith-hope your OK. You never stopped smiling during that video-must be the Mini effect. It does sound good though with the twin carbs. Can't wait to watch the restoration videos!

[@recreativesigns4571]

Boom, can’t wait for this.

[@Radfordperson]

Love the video, thank you. I would have thought that a 3.44 Diff with 12" Wheels would produce a high geared car. My 1962 Mini fitted with 1098, 12G295 head, AEA630 cam, Duplex timing gears, 1 1/2" SU, 3.44 diff, and 10"wheels, 6000 RPM is roughly 100 MPH, which the car could easily pull.

[@gavinivers8941]

The rolling diameter of both 10' and 12' wheels is very close so shouldn't make that much difference. The 1098 engine is very under rated

[@recreativesigns4571]

I think I need to make you up a ‘Used & Abused’ vinyl sticker for the rear screen. Great drive and impressive times for the 998 engine.

[@Conor.Twomey]

Given the price of 1275 second hand units a properly tuned 998 can be lots of fun and the base engine is a hell of a lot cheaper

[@classicminiworkshop]

Good point mate, 1275s command a premium!

[@GTE_Channel]

We've had our fair share of Minis through the tears and always loved the 998s. There is something about them with their free revving character.

[@ravisidhu1667]

So true, that’s what I’ve done, purchased a Rover Cooper with no engine for under £1k, picked up a complete engine and gearbox for £200. Upgraded the engine with stage1 kit, an HIf38 carb, a performance cam, performance head, electronic fuel pump, electronic ignition, with the upgrades and being a Revving motor should be fun. I’m Hoping to have it on the road for summer. I’ve loved watching the build. Good job Keith! (Watch this April 24’)

[@rbirdi900]

Keith - Excellent drive video.. also

[@classicminiworkshop]

Thanks Raj

[@pauljeffries]

Great video Keith, good comparison to your other 2 cars 👍

[@classicminiworkshop]

Thanks 👍

[@jaggass]

That's sounds so good.

[@surfblue63]

You should check the 0-60 time as you go on the dual carriageway. You can just make out the 6 on the GPS. My rough timing is about 13.5-14 seconds. The K&N filters do not help with noise, but with the twin carbs you do not have much choice, unless you fit an original '60s filter box. By the way, with the final drive and the lighter weight that 998 should easily beat your Almond Green car.

[@edwardfothergill6156]

Great video again Keith. My 998 with Sportax exhaust is a lot noisier then yours! New cones on mine & it does bounce around a bit & I am yet to do more than 50 in it too. I must find out about the quick shift as my remote is a bit woolly to say the least despite the gearbox being overhauled. My next job is to fit a servo. Maybe I am used to driving modern cars but, I am not going to let my daughter drive until there is bit of assistance. Looking forward to the restoration, keep up the good work.

[@paulrobinson3528]

Recreation signs, no good hanging around the goal post at 6.30. You missed the earlier video 😆

[@recreativesigns4571]

True, but I was out in my Mini Thirty enjoying the countryside.

[@classicminiworkshop]

😆

[@paulrobinson3528]

@@recreativesigns4571 I'm always late to the 6.30 party cus I'm hanging around other clubs in my mini......skirt 😆 🤣 😂

[@grahamwoodier5066]

Hi Keith, Your Racing Green sounds fantastic on the road and seems very eager to get going. I have recently purchased a 1978 Mini 1000 (from the Leyland Cars era) which is in very standard condition. However it is lacking in power so that will have to be addressed in due course. What size is your Moto-Lita steering wheel? Is it slightly dished? I am about to order one and am considering 13". The car currently has a massive wheel that feels like it came from a Leyland truck.

[@classicminiworkshop]

Hi Graham, the wheel is 13" and has a very slight dish on it.

[@jaggass]

Super Cooper

[@andyfry1970]

Hi Keith, well my first comment was guna say that you didn't stop smiling, despite all the faults! and you did say it was fun! Negative camber, hi-lo's certainly make a difference to the ride hey. It's package is impressive, matching the performance of the 1275. Should be a much better mini once you've done the resto hey! Will you change the solid mounts for polybushes? Great stuff Keith 😊 Will you do another road test once the resto is completed??

[@classicminiworkshop]

I'll go back to standard bushes on the subframe. Once it's finished I'll try and do the same drive again to see how it compares

[@philtucker1224]

Hi Keith, when you get round to it, please explain the quick shift and why it is an improvement. Thanks! 🙏

[@classicminiworkshop]

Will do mate

[@GTE_Channel]

I have a KAD quickshift which is hardly used (50 miles at most) if you are interested. My 2nd gear did not like it, but that's due to the age of my box and nothing to do with the shifter itself. It makes the shifter feel much more tight and modern, it gives a notchy shift with really short throws. Don't see it as something to improve acceleration.

[@FastTrack-1]

I have a Flame Red and agree it does feel raw. Ive have had many Mini including and SPI and MPI and still cant figure out what makes the later cars smoother and refined. Is it the rubber suspended hanger exhaust......better soundproofing...if so where ? The engines are no doubt smoother....but that is not the main reason. What is it Keith.....be good to find out why.

[@classicminiworkshop]

I'm not 100% sure myself to be honest. I think the inlet and filter system on the SPI and MPI must help with induction noise. No mechanical fan makes a big difference on the MPI and the top engine steady bushes are different and the steady is slightly longer I believe. The carpets certainly have more sound deadening on MPI's and the front screen is thicker (not sure if that helps with noise?). The standard exhaust systems were much better and of course, the Catalyst acts as a slight restriction to flow which must also cut noise a bit. A full dash also helps cut noise from the bulkhead.

[@StefanMiniCooper]

Love the sound from that screaming 998👍. What's the rev limit with this engine? Btw that diff is a 3.1

[@classicminiworkshop]

I don't know to be honest, it's points ignition so there is no actual rev limiter. It will be limited by valve bounce so probably around 6000rpm unless something else let go first!

[@StefanMiniCooper]

@@classicminiworkshop was thinking that there is a wild camshaft in it but I think you have a 266 in it?, saw some other tuned 998's with probably wilder camshafts that can do 8000rpm

[@classicminiworkshop]

@@StefanMiniCooper I'm not sure of the spec of the bottom end. I will be pulling it all apart soon so will find out

[@StefanMiniCooper]

@@classicminiworkshop that should be nice! Keep on going with the nice video's 👍

[@MiniMattTV]

I would’ve thought it was a 3.4 by the noise at 70

[@philtucker1224]

Hi Keith are you planning to put a bigger lump in it, or possibly a supercharger to up the power a little bit more?

[@classicminiworkshop]

I'm probably going to over bore the 998 and put a cam in it. Aiming for 70BHP

[@GTE_Channel]

@@classicminiworkshop sounds like great fun. A 1100 crank will also be a great upgrade, if you can source one.