The UK's leading tuning specialist for "A" series engines

At Bill Richards Racing we are renowned for the quality and reliability of our competition-proven engines and we are very proud of this reputation. Unlike many other engineering companies, we do not supply engine kits and packages built to a price. We build and tune engines according to your requirements and take a holistic view regarding their installation. Thus we will insist that the general condition of your car is suitable for a tuned engine. We do not offer 'menu' pricing for our products as we feel this is generally a simplistic process (for example how many companies that offer apparently high specification engines at a budget price point out the need for uprated carburation, ignition and high tension electrics, cooling and exhaust systems?). If you are interested in obtaining a high performance engine, please give us a call and we will discuss your needs in detail. Better still pay us a visit and bring your car. We will then provide you with a realistic estimate.

We build and tune 'A' series engines ranging in capacity from 850cc-1425cc for all types of competition as well as road use. Numerous combinations and permutations are available and it is impossible to list them all here. Some aspects are as follows:

All donor engines are chemically degreased, cleaned, painted and surfaces blueprinted. All nuts, bolts and studs are replaced with high tensile steel items; competition bearings are used throughout. All engines are fitted with high output oil pumps and water pumps.

This is really where the power lies. We can either modify the standard 5 port design or alternatively use the Arden 8 port crossflow head which gives much more torque (be warned though, the latter option is not cheap). Our cylinder heads are always to the highest specifications as we don't know how else to make them. This means that they are all ported and gas flowed to competition levels. The compression ratio and valve sizes are selected according to your needs. We use stainless steel competition valves and phosphor-bronze valve guides in all our engines. For fast road and rally cars we fit unleaded valve seats. Lightened top caps, roller-tipped high lift rocker assemblies and Iskenderian valve springs can be supplied as necessary.

Camshafts

Camshaft profiles are selected according to the driver and the intended use of the car. Because they make such a difference to the "drivability" of the car, we take great care with the choice of this component. We use conventional or scatter type cams and if necessary can custom design a profile to suit your precise need. Competition cam followers are used in all our engines as are vernier-adjustable duplex timing gear and chain sets.

Photograph courtesy Piper Cams

Pistons, Connecting Rods, Crankshaft and Flywheel

We use competition grade pistons in all engines: there is a choice of Cosworth, Omega or AE.

Con rods are lightened, balanced and can be bronze bushed as required. For full race specification engines we can supply billet steel (Carillo or Arrow) items. Titanium rods are the ultimate but are expensive.

 

Standard crankshafts are reground and balanced. For engines that will be used for sustained periods at high revs we recommend wedging and cross drilling to improve lubrication. Hardening (Nitriding or Tuftriding) will be carried out to order. Alternatively, if your budget permits, we will fit a billet steel crank. On all of our engines a reinforced centre main strap is fitted to support the crankshaft

We do not condone lightening standard cast iron flywheels as they can shatter and not only destroy the engine but injure the driver. We thus recommend that a billet steel light weight flywheel be fitted to all engines.

Fuelling

Again several options are available. Conventionally aspirated engines have a choice of several carburettor setups. For road or classic rally use we recommend single or twin SUs. For circuit racing where maximum bhp at high revs are required, a Weber is our preference. In the case of 8 port heads, four Amal carbs are the classic choice (the induction noise alone is brilliant). However this setup can make the engine somewhat difficult to start and twin 45DCOE Webers are more practical for road use. In all cases, inlet manifolds are gas flowed and high efficiency air filters are used.

 

If you have a Rover Cooper running either single or twin throttle body fuel injection we can tune your engine without modifying this system which is not amenable to "chipping" in its standard form. If however you require an ultimate specification fuel injected engine we can supply and fit a Weber-Alpha system (as used on the contemporary Rover Cooper group A rally cars) which can be fitted with a programmable microprocessor chip "burned" to suit your engine's exact specifications.) which can be fitted with a programmable microprocessor chip "burned" to suit your engine's exact specifications.

 

We also build engines with forced induction and will fit superchargers and turbochargers on request.

  Photograph courtesy Weber Carburettors

Gearboxes

Our engines are mated to gearboxes which are also built to your requirements. We can supply and fit Jack Knight helical and straight cut gear sets (including drop gears), synchromesh or dog engagement, twin pin and limited slip differentials as required. Gear ratios will be selected according to your needs as well as the type of clutch. All gearboxes are fitted with central oil pickups and our unique magnetic swarf traps. Competition baulk rings are fitted as standard on synchro boxes.

 

  Photograph courtesy Jack Knight Developments

Ancillaries

Once we have completed the mechanical aspects of the engine build we pay close attention to all the ancillary items. Ignition systems are critical to an engine's performance and reliability. In terms of electronic systems we prefer the "Hall effect" magnetic field induction types which in our view are superior to optical types. If you are compelled to use points (such as in classic racing and rallying) we will overhaul your distributor and fit uprated springs which obviate the need for the vacuum ignition advance mechanism. Competition grade Cooper S points are fitted. Needless to say high grade spark plugs, leads and a sports coil are used on all engines. Once the engine is installed, we recommend that a heavy duty stabiliser is fitted to minimise rock (saves broken manifolds) and improve handling.

 

In order to ensure that your new engine 'breathes' properly we suggest that it is fitted with a sports exhaust system such as an RC40 or Maniflow and a long centre branch manifold.

 

Performance engines generate much more heat than standard units. We thus recommend that an uprated high efficiency radiator is fitted along with silicone hoses and a good quality, graduated temperature gauge. An oil cooler is de rigeur.