Ahhhh...The Great Engine Swaps debate is reborn again! <VBG>
Laura G. and Nigel
-----Original Message-----
From: Bowen, Patrick A. RP2 <jak0pab@jak10.med.navy.mil>
To: john matthews <john__matthews@hotmail.com>; spitfires@autox.team.net
<spitfires@autox.team.net>
Date: Thursday, April 22, 1999 5:57 AM
Subject: Re: Engine Swaps
>
>John, to simply say... I disagree. While the "Beast" is outside of my
>tastes there are many engine swaps that I consider to be quantifiable. Do
>not sell the mechanical engineering abilities of anyone on this list short.
> If Triumph had a couple of these guys 20 years ago they might still be in
>business (if they had a better accountant too) There are several on this
>list that have perfected engine swaps Barry Schwartz v-6 and Dan Masters
>with his whole collection, oh and as for the Roto-spit... Probably one fo
>the best all around sports cars available. I would drive it before driving
>a Corvette (so when do I get my chance John Suddard) Engineering
>excellence. In short, tastes differ, some prefer originality some prefer
>exoticism, in my opinion - whatever it takes.
>
>Patrick Bowen
>
>At 10:12 PM 4/21/99 PDT, john matthews wrote:
>>
>>Hi All,
>>
>>Sorry to throw gasoline on the fire, but anybody who seriously thinks
>>an engine swap on a spit is a good idea is just plain out of thier
>>mind!! There's a guy out here who has a small block chevy in his spit,
>>I think it's called "the Beast" or something like that. I've seen it,
>>and it's... Well, it's really not what you want to do. Do yourself a
>>favor and chuck your money down a deep hole instead.
>>
>>Yes, it's true that the little pushrod 4 that came with your car
>>doesn't have quite as much power as some would like. However, it does
>>have about as much as every other component in the drivetrain will
>>handle. Unless you're an independently wealthy mechanical engineer
>>with a machine shop in your garage it's just not a good idea to
>>attempt an engine swap in a spit.
>>
>>You may ask yourself how I can say this with so much authority. Who is
>>this new guy to pee on my campfire? Well, I currently own a '61 Herald
>>with a '79 Spit 1500 engine in it, and I can tell ya it wasn't easy. I
>>also happen to crew for a GT6 that races in SCCA, and I can't begin to
>>count how many clutches and differentials we've gone through.
>>
>>This has nothing to do with "originality" or "saving the few remaining
>>examples of fine British craftsmanship". I just want to warn you that
>>it's not easy or advisable to try to put anything other than a
>>Spitfire engine into a Spitfire. If you need more power try a mild
>>cam, or better yet, buy a Camaro.
>>
>>Cheers,
>>
>>John Matthews
>>'61 Herald (granny spit)
>>
>>BTW, Does anybody know what happened with Grassroots Motorsports
>>rotary spit project?
>>
>>
>Patrick Bowen
>'79 Spitfire - daily driver
>'79 Spitfire - soon to be daily driver
>'76 Spitfire - parts car
>Jacksonville FL
>
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