While the Miata engine would certainly give you the reliability and power you
seek, Since it is an overhead cam design, I'd bet the
engine is too tall to be hidden below the stock bonnet.
Joe
"Michael T. Altomare" wrote:
>
> I have done a lot of web browsing lately, looking for engine swaps
> that
> people have done in the past to their Spitfires. With the exception
> of
> installing a GT6 engine, the only engine swaps that I have found so
> far seem
> rather radical in that they use relatively large engines. They are:
>
> Rover 3.5L V8
> Chevy 350 V8
> Ford 2.8L V6
> Mitsubishi 2000 Turbo
> Ford 302 V8
> Chevy 2.8L V6
> Buick 3.8L V6
>
> I am considering an engine swap, but I want to choose an engine and
> transmission that will allow me to:
> - use a modern, reliable, fuel injected engine with increased power,
> but not enough that I have to change the rear end.
> - use a 5 speed overdrive transmission.
> - use the engine and transmission from a similar sized car so any
> modifications to the car itself will be as small as possible.
> - make the swap completely unnoticeable unless the bonnet is open.
>
> What about the engine and transmission from a Mazda Miata? As
> blasphemous as this might sound, it makes sense. Both cars are about
> the same size and weight. (I've heard rumors that they copied right
> off of a Spitfire). The
> 90-93 1.6L engine puts out 116 HP, and the 94-97 1.8L engine puts out
> 128 HP. I don't have any dimensional or weight information yet, but
> the Miata engine and transmission will certainly be lighter than the
> Triumph 1493
> engine and gearbox.
>
> I don't want to start a war in the newsgroup, but I am looking for
> opinions on this. I also want to find out about other successful
> swaps that I can or should consider.
>
> Michael Altomare
> '77 Spitfire 1500
> Kennesaw, GA
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