Mini'formance

15/02/2026

Haven't done any real world tests lately. So used the weekend away as an opportunity to prove, if things are done correctly in the engine build and tuning department, old classics can show modern cars a few things.
We used Hedleys Sprite as the mule..It has a 1275 A series with a mild Miniformance cam, and head porting. A 45 DCOE for carburetor and a Mazda 5 speed gearbox. Cruising at a safe 115kmh GPS true speed down to the Berg and back. Down was on the N3 to Harrismith, and into the berg, via Sterkfontein dam and Berville, back we did the trip via Clarens, Reitz, Heilbron.
So a nice mix of hway, and B roads, with varying traffic conditions.
I was blown away with the consumption, averaging of 6.1 l/100km. For the 900km round trip
Easy to overtake in 5th gear, plenty of punch. The Sprite was loaded with gear.
Very pleased with the outcome
Happy customer..

11/02/2026

Busy start to 2026. All shades of red, from BMC.
When you need a special tool to test torque of clutch plates.
We even drop our standards to commission Alfa rebuilds, for close friends.
Hedley doing the Mini brand proud at both rounds of Passion for speed, Zwartkops and Redstar.
Rare gearbox builds coming together

10/12/2025

A wonderful full nut and bolt rebuild for a customer, that had some very unique requests. Amazing transformation from a rust bucket to a very Gorgeous MKIII/MKI Cafe racer. David Terblanche and Kirsty Terblanche from Hot seats have done incredible work on the interior.
Just the motor to go, and this beauty will be cruising the streets of 4ways soon.

19/11/2025

1957 COOPER Climax F2, 1967 Austin COOPER S, 2006 BMW COOPER S, 2024 K9 COOPER.

I believe we may have an obsession. I think the best cure is to take COOPER for a drive in a COOPER, as treatment...

06/10/2025

It's the finer details of a restoration that really count, but also takes the most time. But it pays off with fantastic results for the customer. Hidden items in the door, that will never be seen, yet its all stripped, cleaned, handles chromed, greased and assembled. So just unlocking and opening the door, will be a nice smooth operation, that gives the customer great satisfaction.

15/09/2025

08/06/2025

A phone call and subsequent meeting, that will remain in my memory for years to come. People dream of iconic moments in their lives, I have been blessed with quite a few, and cherish them all, but this is certainly one that has had a significant influence on me.
I was asked to build and deliver a working, reliable and competitive 1500 FPF Climax engine for a 1957 Cooper. I believe I started sweating, and took awhile to reply. Blown away, honoured, p**p scared, challenged.....a few emotions come to mind.
I had only seen a handful of these engines in the pits a Zwartkops in the cars from the UK, and I'm being asked to build one, that is in a thousand pieces....you can't be serious...
Rodney Wayland Green was dead serious....
Anyway, we got stuck in and learned, studied, assembled, stripped down, assembled, checked, stripped down, assembled......
What an amazing piece of engineering from a by gone era. To cut a long interesting story short
We fired it up 2 weeks before d day, which was the 2025 Simola Hillclimb. It burst into life, was taken to Redstar to be run in gently, and with no issues to report, headed to Knysna where it ran well and faultless.
I cannot thank Rodney and Ken enough for entrusting his priceless Climax with me, and providing me the opportunity to learn and gain experience on an engine and car, I would have never otherwise had contact with in RSA.

29/05/2025

Been awhile since our last post, been busy times in the workshop. Beautiful Midget engines refreshed, a few MGB V8's in for tuneups and misfires to solve. More 7 port motors for a few customers in RSA, an amazing Birkin with Lotus twincam motor in for a tuneup, and jetting. We even delve into the Italian thoroughbreds, booked in for some boost issues and a thorough service.

10/07/2024

Finishing touches to the MKI Cooper S restoration, tune ips for a Rolls Royce Cornice and MG1100, the MGC needed some tlc on the brakes.
New project arriving this week from the painters.
Very proud to have been given the nod to build and exceptionally rare 1957 Cooper Climax engine and gearbox for a famous MG racer and farmer.

09/04/2024

Beautiful one owner MG1100, in for some tweaks. It's an MG week

23/03/2024

Congratulations Hedley for winning both heats today at Redstar, awesome achievement

13/02/2024

February the month of love and Red. Amazing to have two MPi Rover Coopers in for some extensive work, along with a beautiful special MGC 6 cylinder.
Who said there is alot of space in a Mini engine bay.