Feel free to jump on me if I'm wrong (not that I doubt it'll happen anyway),
but I thought I saw in the "Spitfire/GT6 Guide to Originality" that the GT6
actually used SOFTER front springs for a more "civilized", grand touring
(GT) type ride. The question would then be what is the difference in spring
length between the GT6 and the Spitfire.
Another consideration is that the Spitfire is essentially a GT6 without the
roof. From experience (I've got a really neat 'fastback' hardtop for the
Spitfire, talk to me offline) the GT6 roof weighs in at something like 60-70
pounds without the rear hatch & glass. This is weight that the Spitfire
just won't have. The GT6 also has some extra trim and sound deadening that
the Spitfire never saw. Granted it doesn't totally offset the weight
difference between the Spitfire and GT6 engines...
Barry,
If you're swapping brakes and rotors then I assume you also have the
vertical links and appropriate steering arms?
Jim
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Barry Schwartz [SMTP:bschwart@pacbell.net]
> Sent: Thursday, April 30, 1998 11:33 AM
> To: Isaac Crow
> Cc: spitfires@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Spitfire 6 Curiosity
>
> >Which parts should be chnage din the front? Mine has the Spit springs
> and
> >shocks, which I will swap with GT6, and I will be swapping the rotors and
> >calipers with GT6 hardware soon. It sucks to have to literally STAND on
> >the brake pedal to slow the beast down, and it definitely isn't safe!
> *************************************
> I'd be real surprised if it sits correctly with Spitfire front springs. I
> imagine the front end would drop a good inch or more from the additional
> 162 or so pounds of additional engine weight, with stock Spitfire springs
> rated at 150 lbs/in. The front uprights, brakes (larger disks) and hubs
> are all bolt in pieces, and are really a MUST for the additional weight
> your adding. Believe me, if they weren't considered a necessity by the
> bean counters at British Leyland, they wouldn't have been used - The rears
> are also larger than Spitfire units and the additional braking from the
> front and rear set make a world of difference in stopping power-
>
> Barry Schwartz (San Diego) bschwart@pacbell.net
>
> 72 V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
> 70 GT6+ (when I don't drive the Spit)
> 70 Spitfire (project)
> 73 Ford Courier (parts hauler, rain vehicle, getting a V6 soon!)
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