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Ian1208

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    Scotland
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    1977 Triumph Spitfire

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  1. Apologies been a while. An update. Having shelved the twin cam route and deciding to go stock with ported head and fast cam for the 'trip' I received an email from the organizers informing me that my entry had reluctantly been declined/ rejected because the car was TWO months too young on the start date of the event. Disappointed to say the least. At least it came a full six weeks before the car was stuck on a container to be shipped out. On hindsight it was a blessing. I was grossly underestimated how much work was needed and not being able to find reasonable costing guys to help. Family/covid issues also meant cancelling our holiday. The 'other' car arrived as it should have done. In many many bits on a part load with the engine/box and other stuff like a door a bonnet etc 6 weeks later. Its still in many many bits in my garage over in Thailand. Moving on............. I still 100% want to do this event next year but have time to organiz properly. I have used the car every single day as my daily (but short) commute of about 8 miles plus a few more miles thrown in. Every week I stick in 20 quid and the juice clock says half full. It still needs a clutch! It still needs replacing many bolt on's but my parts list is growing slowly but surely. Just labour. A not so near neighbour has bought himself a rat spitfire. looks shit with bits and bobs all over the place but impressive enough on power. Bit of a Q car really. Its a 1300, got single webber, fast road cam and s/s exhaust. I came across a face book page of a lad who rebuilds race/rally engines north of the border. A quick chat suggested that my 1500 could be rebuilt as a 1300, lightened and balanced, trick fast road/rally head, cam etc etc for not a lot of money. He can set it up on his dyno if I give him the relevant parts to bolt on. Impressive BHP and a load of torque. The lump is coming out anyways for the clutch and front suspension renewal so this is my preferred method to date. Im assured the performance could scare me. I can now finance all of this with the sale of the twin cam engine and box. I just wish I was more able to do some of the work myself. I'm even struggling to find a coil. Seems there are many variants to choose from...
  2. So, back on thread. Thanks for all the 'for' and 'against' advice guys. Much appreciated. Since the plan was to give the car away (in standard form) when I had finished using it, I've decided to shelve the twin cam options as they pose more issues than answers. I would have loved to have done this though being something different with a bit of get up and go. So, going down the standard 1500 route I need a head. Stage two probably with a usable fast road cam. With this in mind, and allowing 1k for this. I have to think of manifold and carbs. Any suggestions to get the power up bearing in mind I have a grand in budget. Second hand is an option. Brakes. They are only there to slow you down but when you need them, you need them to work. I have standard original front discs and callipers and drums on rear. Is there a headache free conversion for bigger front and rear disc conversion? Am I correct in saying the GT6 fits the bill? I have purchased a steel lightened and balanced flywheel that was supposed to have been fitted when the clutch was replaced last month but the 'mechanic' didn't see the box in the boot. Is it worth the effort to fit now? I know it made a huge difference in my Mini days. Apologies in advance (again) if some of the above seem irrelevant but I like to have practical experience of those who have been there and done it. Ian
  3. Found this but not the one I saw;
  4. Agree Clive. I've had many Fiats and Lancias with 1300, 1600 and 2000 engines. Whilst the body and electrics rotted as you slept, the engines were a joy even in standard form. Keeping to the forum and Triumphs, I have had it in my head that I saw (somewhere) a long time ago someone fitting a Fiat TC to their Spitfire. I have searched but cannot find it. However, I'm no mechanic. I love the simplicity of these British engines when something does go wrong.
  5. Mathew, I know some answers but the question was directed or aimed at you guys that have 'been there and done it' so to speak and thus persuading me to do choose what I have (and love) or go for some decent BHP with a budget of 2k. Of course I've looked about and priced what I think I need to do either choice and the twin cam appeared (to me) something I should consider. The weight of opinion suggests keeping the 1500 lump and modify (that would be my 1st choice) but to get the power at anywhere near something that won't embarrass me would cost about 4k. Using it as is would probably mean a Tuk Tuk would thrash me. I'm not suggesting my 50 years of driving experience would nab me a class win but from what I saw it would mean dead last (on the hill climb). I have a bit of competition experience in the 80/90's but minis, Fiats, and Lancia's. Mainly the forest and some tarmac. Beginning with road rally's and progressing. Also in my mid 40's I took up karting and got pretty much hooked on that. I will drive anything that has four wheels. There is a huge difference running around enjoying yourself with a small group of people but when the helmet goes on................... I am sad (maybe ashamed) to say I have never ever driven a rear wheel car in anger. FWD, 4X4 and even mid engine but never straight RWD. I didn't have the balls to get the tail out until a couple of years ago when I had the opperchansity to drive some Escorts, Nissans and Toyota's in Thailand. Sorry, I'm going on a bit. Anyway the best price for a ST2 (whatever that is) lightened & Balanced, bear unit is 2.5k exchange from a well known supplier. That's put me over the budget by £500 and still to fit. That was my dilemma. I got an answer that 2k probably wouldn't be enough to to do the conversion but it appears 2k wouldn't be enough to squeeze out some decent HP either. I hoped that those that did a transplant could give me the pitfalls and complexities. I have tried searching for a used uprated unit but to no avail or there really quite expensive being very highly modified for track racing. Bear in mind the rally covers some 1,500km. I had always intended to send the car to Thailand. Classic events or not and to that end I had already pre-emptied sending over a complete rear end still attached to a chassis (I simply cut it) a non running front end with chassis and some interior etc. I did this in early March last year when I bought a rolling unfinished project for 1k. I'm not from management. I own the management! (tongue in cheek of course) Thanks for all the input guys
  6. So the points raised is my dilemma. I would love to keep the 'standard' 1500 power unit with the existing gearbox and o/drive. I have just had the uprated clutch fitted and was intending to have a raft of upgrade parts fitted that I have collected. New alloy high capacity rad, electronic distributer/ignition, 4 into one s/steel manifold, new vented disc and callipers, oil cooler, comp air box, uprated springs and shocks etc, and a few other things on top of a serious service. Compression is good and all fairly balanced. The engine was reputably rebuilt 20k miles ago. After the new clutch I took it to a rolling road and it only achieved a paltry 62 BHP at the rear wheels. Even after fettling with the parts I have, the mechanic suggested another 15/20 horses. So to be even looking at trying, I would have to wind it up on the downhill and be brave on the brakes! (Yes I am competitive and yes I have a full cage and hardtop.) I also have a full set of 6" alloy's that look like the original to replace the wires. Tyres are actually free provided they have 4 grooves but I think I would play safe as the rain can be a wash out. (add, every bush, ball joint and mounting). For the record, I am not bothered about the dents, scratches, ripped trim and blemished paintwork. That's the character of the car and its there to be used as much as possible. So I have a raft of improving parts and a budget left of 2k to spend. Do I spend it on the engine; Re-build, balancing, ported head, decent carbs. I'm not too bothered with the gearbox or the overdrive as I quite enjoy wringing its neck. Diff, lim slip? I've been driving FWD and 4WD for 40+yrs since my modified Mini and Fiat days so should I? is it worth it? Alternatively, I already have the 1600t/cam and gearbox ready to fit (something). It really is a work of art and it sits in a steel cradle with absolutely everything already fitted. It was stored at my late parents garage until nearly 10 years ago being turned over by hand twice a year. Then it was stored in a private garage who stores classics etc. Two years ago it was fired up after an oil change and again last year. A prop specialist quoted me £150 to modify and strengthen my existing. The rolling road chap offered to do the swap (fit engine and box on to the frame) for £350. He spent a fair while measuring. It appears there is ample room in the engine bay and tunnel. Custom made adapted mountings came in at £160. So, £660. I would need an exhaust. £400(?) So just over a grand. Just the back axle and diff to think about. If I were to do a swap to the TC, it would be fitted tested and removed. I would also take the 1500 unit all packed in the container (import tax reasons) as I will not be bringing it back to the UK. After the two events, be it a finish or in bits, I'm gifting it to my Thai navigator who has assisted my business interests over the past few years and is an avid 'watcher' of classic UK cars ( he has an old MK2 Jag that's his pride and joy) along with a couple of Jap classics and a split screen VW pick up. He wouldn't get the Guy Croft built engine and box though! Thanks Clive, Nigel and Mick for your opinions I am listening. Any track guys on the forum that could give an opinion?
  7. My plan was to take my nearly bog standard 1500 spitfire to Thailand in 2022 and take part in a classic car rally through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. I am familiar with the region as I have family and business’s there. I was also going to do a classic hill climb in one of the national parks. Both of these events I would enter in the ‘standard/ unmodified’ class 1300cc – 1600cc. I have just returned and had a look at the hill climb event and now realise I’m vastly underpowered comparing to what I saw in the class. And this is my dilemma. I have a host of new parts that none of which will give me more horse power. The rules and regs are laxed. Very laxed and I learned that providing you can provide proof/provenance, you can swap engines to a unit from the same era. So question one; For a budget of circa 2k, what mods could be done to the 1500 unit to boost my HP. Bearing in mind I have to outsource this work as I have no facilities or mechanical expertise to do anything other than change a sparkplug. Question two; I have a certified 1974 Lancia/Fiat 1600 twin cam and 5 speed gearbox from my rallying days in the late 80’s early 90’s. It was rebuilt by the now late Guy Croft producing 172bhp at the flywheel and never used (ever!) It is complete with all ancillaries ready to go and I never got round to fitting it to my car back then. It has zero road miles and 30 min running time. I know for the purists this potential swap is taboo. I’m reluctant also but it could resolve my dilemmas if it was doable. I suppose I could simply go buy a hot classic mini or something but I’m rather smitten with my Spitfire. I love it! Used it every day as my daily driver. To my surprise it attracts so much attention with all ages snapping photos and I know for a fact the Thai’s, Cambodians and Vietnamese will love it. I also know for a fact that there are no registered Spitfires in Thailand unlike a host of imported Minis and MG’s from Japan. What to do………………………………
  8. Thanks guys. Answers my questions. The 'mature' mechanic who works mainly on older cars didn't know about doing it from the inside. That kind of worried me but after a quick chat this morning with him he said he had 'looked it up' and he originally thought it was like a MG Midget. Thanks again
  9. Hi everyone Having enjoyed my little spitfire every day as my daily driver since March, I need a clutch. Having searched around I've found it hard up here in Glasgow to get someone to do it for me. However, a little 'corner' mechanic offered to fit for £200 and said its quicker to take the engine out to install the new 3 part assembly. I kind of have a feeling he says this because he has no ramp. Whilst in the good old days my brother would happily do this in the street outside the house, do you guys agree or is from a ramp better? *i have the parts* Thanks
  10. Thanks for the warm welcome guy's. I like the look of the wires. Makes the car look older than it is but they will definitely go before any hard or long distance driving. One question. Did Triumph (or BL) ever produce an alloy hard top for competition?
  11. Hi all. Great forum full of information. I bought my 1st Spitfire (F reg) in 1975 as an impatient teenager aged 16. I wandered in to a dealership and announced I had £250 in my pocket and what was available. I was promptly pointed to the 'trade in' area. There I saw this red rust bucket of a spitfire that I simply had to have as it was exactly 250 quid even although no price was displayed. Strange that! Anyway after driving it the 3 miles home, no tax, insurance, MOT, licence (not condoning this now or then) my old man promptly but verbally slapped me about for being so stupid. After a week or so and the interior was striped out I got a guy to come and price the welding that there was much off. I had removed the doors for ease of access and this bloke stepped into the car and it hilariously broke in half. It wasn't even sold for scrap. It was slowly dismantled and the binmen gradually removed it over a couple of months. That's my introduction to the Spitfire. Fast forward some 40 something years and I was passed by one in the street. My wife commented how cute it was and the hunt began. I had a strict budget (3.5k) and provided it wasn't full of holes, it ran and would pass the current MOT standards, couloir and condition was unimportant as I had a plan. You see, my wife is Thai and my main business is in the far east. We would buy, export over the winter and run in a classic rally that runs through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. I looked at what seemed hundreds of ads. Most were projects that were not full day to day runners or, priced at 4/5/6k. I wish I had joined this forum first but hey, by sheer chance was looking at my daughters facebook and there it was in the classifieds. It appears the chap only just advertised it and off we went to Ayrshire only one hour from home. The guy was really nice. we exchanged formalities and each new what the price was beforehand. If it was what I wanted I would buy. It turns out he wanted it to do the N500 run with his Mrs but for various reasons it didn't happen and the car was up for grabs. I could see some work had been completed and in general the car looked used (albeit it hadn't completed 20 miles in a year) and off I went with the wife on a 30 min test run through some nice twisting roads. The chap siad I would find no problems with the drive and warned me it was 1975 brakes and not expect to stop on a sixpence. Great run, bought the car, drove it home, used it everyday since the end of march. Daily run to work some 20 miles, and another 100 or so each weekend. In general no issues except the temp seems to run hot whilst driving and surprisingly (for me) returns to normal at idle. I'm beginning to experience some electrical problems, some noisy exhaust issues and a few rattles here and there. All in all I love it but I'm not practical in any shape or fashion on mechanicals so soon, the car will be going to the garage for some serious and not so serious fettling. As you can see it has an aftermarket roll bar and I believe (?) wire wheels but I am in two minds whether on not to remove them and replace with original. It also comes with a factory hard top. Once again thanks for having me.
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