Tritec-engine "unburstable"

[Grenadiers]

I got a copy of the book "MINI - 50 years" by Rob Golding, after reading a review here on MINI2.com.

As I have a Tritec-engine in my recently bought 2004 Cooper, the authors mentioning of the same engine made me interested.

Bob Golding writes that the Tritec is considered "unburstable", after being run low on oil and cooling in races (?) on Cooper S-cars.

Does this mean that the Tritec is considered an especially robust and solid engine? I think I have heard the opposite somewhere, but I'm not sure..

If it is "unburstable" - does that also translate into good quality and reliability on a normal usage?

[JustACooperClubman]

The TRITEC is a very solid engine because it has an "old school" cast iron block which makes it virtually bulletproof. Also its architecture is fairly simple with single overhead cam, metal timing chain and other characteristics.

I have owned 3 MINIs with this engine (1 Cooper and 2 Cooper S) and I have never had any engine related problems. These engines can virtutally take anything you throw at them. The Cooper S supercharged engine has reinforced mechanicals and this powerplant has proven to be very tuneable and can take some serious power. Here in the United States, Fireball Tim, the famous hollywood car turner, has paired up with MINIUSA to create very special MINIs. One of the cars he did a few years ago was a Cooper S producing 600 horsepower at the wheel, WITH THE STOCK ENGINE HEAD!.

Unfortunately the new second gen PSA-Peugeot "Prince engine" is more technologically advanced than the TRITEC engine, has better fuel consumption and better emissions, but this engine probably will not take the abuse the TRITEC has taken in the past that well. The Prince is all alluminum and by virtue os that, it is very likely that 25-30 years from now MINIs powered by the TRITEC engine will still be alive and well.

But it is a great engine, it is rock solid, sounds great and it was well tuned to the MINI driving experience.

[Gristy]

Shame its now in this stylish car from China - Lifan 520

[Ant FR]

are they having a laugh, unburstable

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gristie (original)

Shame its now in this stylish car from China - Lifan 520

Why is that a shame? - kinda reminds me of the ignorant moron who called the R53 a small Chrysler because of the Tritec

The Tritec engine is just a platform and considering the difference between the Cooper vs and the Cooper S vs I doubt Lifan has anything like the S lump under the bonnet.

That said considering all the development work, tooling, factory etc is in place I would much rather see the engine continue to "live on" - in fact I hope it goes into a whole bunch of cars, hopefully with a few minor improvements over time to give better economy and lower emissions if possible.

I also hope mine will still purr at 150,000k at it does now (plenty of TLC and only ever drinks V Power......).

Cheers, Geoff.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Yes, it has a serious reputation for lasting and lasting, even with huge power increases over standard.... The oil is changed in mine every 6,000 miles and I have every confidence that I will see 200-250,000 miles from it.

Tigger.

[Ant FR]

Quote: Originally Posted by drainaudio (original)

Why is that a shame? - kinda reminds me of the ignorant moron who called the R53 a small Chrysler because of the Tritec

The Tritec engine is just a platform and considering the difference between the Cooper vs and the Cooper S vs I doubt Lifan has anything like the S lump under the bonnet.

That said considering all the development work, tooling, factory etc is in place I would much rather see the engine continue to "live on" - in fact I hope it goes into a whole bunch of cars, hopefully with a few minor improvements over time to give better economy and lower emissions if possible.

I also hope mine will still purr at 150,000k at it does now (plenty of TLC and only ever drinks V Power......).

Cheers, Geoff.

The Lifan is the Cooper engine, everything including gearbox is exactly the same, power output of 115 bhp too.

[MiniPetrolHead]

Wonder if you can get hold of one of those chinese cars and put a tunned Supercharged MCS lump i there.

Then that would be fun to go and do a lap round the top gear track i our reasonably priced car!

Alex

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ant FR (original)

The Lifan is the Cooper engine, everything including gearbox is exactly the same, power output of 115 bhp too.

Great..
The Chinese obviously saw a good long-lasting engine and gearbox combo for their car (I had an 05 Cooper with the 5 speed it was a v.nice drive-train once they'd fitted the updated flywheel/clutch).

Best of all it's from an existing supplier and lets face it, as long as the Tritec stays in production it will be easy and economical in terms of parts for the hundreds of thousands of 1st gen Mini owners out there.

Cheers, Geoff.

[hedgetrimmer]

for reference, my unburstable engine is being rebuilt as we speak by BMW due to head gasket issues following on from coolant problems. Having said that, they are very strong engines, unlike the k series I have in my r500 caterham which needs a rebuild about every time I fill it up with Fuel!!! Its currently running 257 bhp at 8850 rpm out of a 1.8 rover engine which is not bad for normal asperation.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by hedgetrimmer (original)

for reference, my unburstable engine is being rebuilt as we speak by BMW due to head gasket issues following on from coolant problems.

Strangely enough, I've just bought a steel coolant expansion tank (from GT Tuning) for my R53 as the original plastic have been known to split open and cause instant overheating problems Was this the reason for the head gasket failure on yours, or was it something else?

I'm being cautious with the motor as I'm planning on running it to an interstellar mileage!

[hedgetrimmer]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

Strangely enough, I've just bought a steel coolant expansion tank (from GT Tuning) for my R53 as the original plastic have been known to split open and cause instant overheating problems Was this the reason for the head gasket failure on yours, or was it something else?

I'm being cautious with the motor as I'm planning on running it to an interstellar mileage!

I am runing the later yellow header bottle so I think the previous owner must have had problems. The reason the head gasket has gone is due to the fact that the fan has not been coming on at stage 1 which is already pretty hot at 102c. The head gasket was pressurising the cooling system and causing the cap to release pressure. BMW are rebuilding the top end as we speak!

[Jaw_F430]

Quote: Originally Posted by hedgetrimmer (original)

for reference, my unburstable engine is being rebuilt as we speak by BMW due to head gasket issues following on from coolant problems. Having said that, they are very strong engines, unlike the k series I have in my r500 caterham which needs a rebuild about every time I fill it up with Fuel!!! Its currently running 257 bhp at 8850 rpm out of a 1.8 rover engine which is not bad for normal asperation.

I have similar problem, also being rebuilt after coolant problems

[Lucky Dave]

Im told from a top bod at the factory the block is based on the old Talbot one from the 80s!

They ran and ran but the top end of the engine rattled like mad!

[MINIMANIAUK]

I think you will find there is also a link to the k series !! and a few rover parts used on the mini -not least the infamous gearbox.
at 8850 rpm im amazed it lasts until refuel!!!! it was originally a 1.4 and not that well balanced then ,quite a progression for an engine ,the motor industry is never shy to rehash and copy is it ?