1) What inlet port configuration does your fancy head have?
Not that fancy, just larger valves. It's the usual weird 5-port, so two inlet ports total (picture below).
2) one of those late model reproduction ones 1994?
Actually, iirc, normal production went on until 2000. The late models even had multi-point injection, but not sure about how the ignition was solved. Would have to check myself. True, Minis have gotten pretty expensive. I'm OK with that, I've got mine already.
3) Wasted spark stuff
Re-read the Wikipedia article, thanks! Ok, so this wouldn't matter. Same so if I chose to use coil-on-plug, right? It's just a useless spark happening on exhaust stroke.
4) afraid of the UK to EU import tariffs?
Not the only reason.
German businesses tend to be reliable, quick with shipping and all costs are foreseeable. I've had opposite experiences with UK-based sellers and would rather avoid them.
And besides: I support any country defying this monstrosity called EU. What happens in Brussels is in no way democratically legitimate and vastly dictated by Germany. I like the €uro though...
5) I'm wondering how it's constructed and which bits are damped/not etc, though. A cross section diagram would be good to see
True! The way I see it is the center is rigid and the pulley + trigger wheel are bolted to that. The dampening mass seems to be separate from those.
The original part uses a rubber-cored damper, wheras this aftermarket one uses friction dampening. I'd prefer the latter, but meh, I'm probably overthinking this. Others remove the damper entirely.
6) & Peter ran his J series honda on *cam* speed 6-2 for a while
Nice! I guess with 36-1 we're golden, right? Or, if indeed I were to fab one, would even more teeth make sense? I guess not.
From what I was able to gather (by image searching for "trigger wheel mini a-series"), most of the trigger wheels are bolted to the outside of the damper or the pulley (in case of missing damper). There's
this kit here that's screwed right onto the crank.
Space-wise, I'd rather have the trigger wheel on the inside of the pulley, replacing the timing disc (picture attached), but couldn't find any ready-made parts yet. KLAS, is there such a part yet?
Since I'm bound to choose, which brand/type of crank sensor is recommended?
Thanks guys!