One of my friends put a rotary engine from a '87 RX7 into his '74 Spit. He
replaced the drive train from the axles up to the cooling fan to make sure
everything fit together. The gear shift lever was about 6 inches back from
where the original lever was, but the short throw made it comfortable. The
increased ponies and lower weight up front made his Spit wander a bit at
high speeds (we got it up to about 110 mph before common sense kicked in).
He was planning on installing air dams and adding some weight to the front
to keep it stable, but he moved before we had the chance to do it. He was
able to get the emissions sticker in Washington state without any trouble
since the transplant had lower emissions than the original.
Mike Welch
'68 +/- Spitfire MkIII
'60 Jaguar MkII
http://home.turbopower.com/~mikew
-----Original Message-----
From: Reed Mideke [mailto:rmideke@interbase.com]
Sent: Friday, October 16, 1998 10:17 AM
To: Bowen, Patrick A. RP2
Cc: Spitfires@Autox.Team.Net
Subject: Re: GT-6 engine in Spitfire
Bowen, Patrick A. RP2 wrote:
>
> Ok what would it take to fit a GT-6 engine into a spit without changing
the
> bonnet. I know stock it won't fit.
>
> But I was thinking there has to be a way. Is it possible to redesign the
> thermostat housing, what about the valve cover, carburretors. Could the
> engine be sat farther back, maybe lower it some on its mounts (might have
> to redesign an oil pan) I really want to add some gusto to my spit
> (fastest looking car on the road, but yet a Geo can out run me) But I
> really like the Spit hood and not the GT-6's. I was thinking that keeping
> it with another Triumph engine would be the easiest way. Thinking a V-6
> conversion would cost too much. Thoughts? comments? laughter?
> Patrick Bowen
> '79 Spitfire
> Jacksonville FL
Drop in a blown V8, drive around with the bonnet off
and call it a 'spit bucket' ;-)
Seriously, I think Barry is right that the factory would have done
it if it was practical. If your willing to go to a non triumph
engine, you might find something with similar power to a gt6
that will fit. It looks like an RX7 will go in without
the bulge. Most of the 4 bangers I would want to put in are
OHC or DOHC which tends to make them taller. If my DOHC
nissan ends up in a Spit, it will probably get a custom
oil pan and a bulge or scoop. I've looked at the 300zx motor,
which doesn't have the length problems of an inline, but
I think you'd still have trouble with the throttle body or carb.
Maybe oil pan modifications would be enough.
But after riding in my friends 510 with that motor in it, I think
I could stand putting a hood scoop on my spit ;-)
I don't think the cost of switching to a non-triumph engine is that
much more (though some will say you have to sell your soul).
If you switch to a common, more recent motor, you get the advantage of
easy to find, cheap parts at the junk yard. The swap in mine (which isn't
much of a performance upgrade) only required a custom driveshaft and
motor mounts.
With a 79 spit, you might have problems with emmisions laws if you do ANY
engine swap.
--
Reed Mideke rmideke@interbase.com
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