There was an interesting site on the net, detailing putting Toyota engines
and gearboxes into Spridgets. They were using the T-series engines, and
required a bit of cutting on the Spridget, but no external (bonnet) mods. I
wonder if it would work for a Spitfire, and if the separate transmission
tunnel would eliminate most of the cutting necessary on the Spridget?
I can get engine and trans anytime for $150, and I see lots of performance
pieces reasonably priced. Apparently, they last a long time when putting
out 125hp.
There are good pics here too.
http://www.team.net/www/mg/tech/midget/engswapa.html
<http://www.team.net/www/mg/tech/midget/engswapa.html>
Don't know of any of these that have been done - anyone heard of this in a
Spitfire?
-Mark
-----Original Message-----
From: Nolan Penney [mailto:npenney@mde.state.md.us]
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 6:00 AM
To: spitfires@autox.team.net
Subject: Toyota conversion available
Lying in a junkyard in Maryland is a complete Toyota engine and transmission
converted
roundtail Spitfire The junkyard is Voughts, and it's northwest of Baltimore
by about 20
miles.
This is no jewel in the rough! It's completely stripped of all trim and the
entire interior.
The paint is long gone, and has been replaced by rust. Though the car is
not terribly
rotted at all. There is the most god awfull ugly hoodscoop covering most of
the
original bonnet to allow the engine to fit.
Voughts being who and what they are, probably want at least a grand for the
car.
It isn't worth it. But it is worth looking at and studying. The conversion
appears
to be quite well done mechanically. It's also a great case study of why not
to do
it. The engine is either an L series, or possibly an 18R. With the engine
back
against the fire wall, it still sticks as far forward as a GT-6 engine does.
It's
also tall, real tall. That's why the hoodscoop was used. Not even a GT-6
bonnet would clear this engine. And clearing the valve cover is only part
of the battle, the next part is clearing the carburetor. The installer made
an interesting custom intake system on it, but it's still high. The
transmission
tunnel is custom fabricated, but looks quite nice. A series of flat
pannels,
much like a Cobra or other kit car would use. Stock rear end was left alone
it appears.
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