Though I'm not as zealous as Reid and Chris on the subject, I must admit to
agreeing with their philosophy to a point. Then again, with my Weber DGV
carb and Monza exhaust, I'm not driving a "true" Spitfire, either. So where
do you draw the line? I think this topic is subjective and potentially
detrimental to to the list because it has the strong potential to be
devisive.
While I have no personal interest in swapping engines or the rear end, I am
quite interested in a 5-speed transmission conversion that one of the
listers is working on. Personally, I would prefer a straight 5-speed to an
overdrive unit. Though I'd probably feel different if I already HAD one, I
don't, and I like the idea of a simpler gearbox that doesn't require another
complicated component like the "D" and "J" drivetrains entail. I sure wish
that Triumph would have devised a stock 5-speed gearbox before they went
away...
One way or another, I'd like to have lower RPM at cruising speeds. If I
can't find a clean full-synchro gearbox with a J overdrive and that 5-speed
coversion box turns out to be smoke, I'll probably just stick to the
original stock gearbox, stay on the backroads and fuggeddaboutit.
Best wishes,
Jeff in San Diego
'67 RHD Spitfire Mk3 aka "Mrs. Jones"
Jeff's Classic '67 Spitfire Mk3 site & Vintage Spitfire Webring
http://www.ohms.com/spitfire/spitfire.shtml
home of the NEW Totally Triumph Auction
"By Triumph enthusiasts, for Triumph enthusiasts"
http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRauction.cgi
and... The Triumph Autos/Parts Wanted Listings
http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRwanted.cgi
...plus a few other surprises!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
----- Original Message -----
From: Simmons, Reid W <reid.w.simmons@intel.com>
To: 'Spitfire News Group' <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2000 9:17 AM
Subject: RE: ENGINE SWAPPING
>
> I agree with Chris in keeping a Spitfire as original as possible. A
> Spitfire with a non-Triumph engine is no longer a Spitfire. Putting a Jap
> engine in one (or any other engine for that matter) would be sac
religious,
> heretical, satanic, WHITCHCRAFT!! :-)
>
> Reid
> '79 Spitfire (original owner)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris De Wet [mailto:DeWetC1@sapo.co.za]
> Sent: Monday, May 15, 2000 11:33 PM
> To: 'Michael T. Altomare'; Spitfire News Group
> Subject: RE: ENGINE SWAPPING
> Importance: High
>
>
>
> Michael
> Don't know if it's available on your side of the pond , but in South
Africa
> the most popular swap is with the Nissan ( Datsun ) 1400 . It's supposed
to
> be a direct swap , but I've never done it , so no exact info available .
> I've also seen a Mk3 Spitfire with a TR 7 unit fitted .
> Personally I like to keep my cars as original as possible , but have been
> known to entertain thoughts of a GT 6 swap . :-)
> Best wishes .
> Chris de Wet
> South Africa
> One '56 TR 3 with o/d , two Heralds and four early Spitfires without o/d .
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael T. Altomare [mailto:MTAltomare@Prodigy.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2000 12:24 AM
> To: Spitfire News Group
> Subject: ENGINE SWAPPING
>
>
>
> 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
>
>
> The information contained in this e-mail including any attachments is
> privileged and/or confidential. If you are not the intended recipient
> please reply immediately and delete this message. Please do not make use
of
> it, nor disclose it's contents in any way. Thank you.
>
>
>
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