Boy do I feel better. After seeing what Grassroots Motorsports did to fit
the rotary into the Spitfire, am I glad I went the route I did. With the
V6 I didn't have to cut up the firewall, bonnet, or frame (with the
original 4 speed) and even with the Borg Warner T5 5speed I only had to
trim the inside flanges on the frame a bit, and re-weld. No part of the
frame was actually cut into, although I did have to 'dimple' the frame a
small amount for a bolt to clear. But all that amounted to was heating
with a torch and a couple of carefully placed wack's with a ball peen
hammer. Most of the modification work was on the motor or bell housing. I
would hate to have to replace the starter on that Mazda conversion, plus,
unless reinforcement's aren't done correctly (can't see how in this
application but it’s hard to tell from the pictures) I'll bet if it
collapses that's where it will bend - and I still haven't seen how they
plan to run the exhaust yet! I think I would have searched long and hard
for a top mounted starter. Frame modifications, unless simple, non
structural (trimming flanges/re-welding) or done correctly, are not
something to take lightly
Barry Schwartz in San Diego, CA
Bschwartz@encad.com
72-V6/5sp Spitfire ( daily driver )
70 GT6+ ( when I don't drive the Spitfire )
70 (sorta) Spitfire ( project )
73 Ford Courier ( parts hauler )
|