TR7 and the Sptfire

John Addy · Postby **John Addy** » 04 Nov 2010 20:33

Hi Guys,
I've joined yout forum 'cos I'm considering putting a TR7 engine and gearbox into my Mk3 Spitfire and looking for any advice that may be out there. What do people think? Is this an easy task or are there other options. Cheers John (NZ)

Red · Postby **Red** » 04 Nov 2010 20:57

Hi John,

Sounds like an interesting project. Assuming it physically fits, I don't see why it wouldn't work. I've not come across that conversion before though, so you may find yourself on your own for a lot of it!

I have to ask though; any reason for picking this engine? TBH if I was going to go to all the effort of an engine transplant like that, I could think of better engines to put in. Although I suppose it at least keeps the Triumph lineage intact!

Garry

1976 2.0 (soon to be 3.5!)FHC
http://reds-tr7.blogspot.com/

john 215 · Postby **john 215** » 04 Nov 2010 21:06

Hi John,

'WELCOME TO THE BEST TR7 / 8 FORUM IN THE WORLD [8D] '

I know it can be done, well seen a Dolomite Sprint engine in one, and that the same block-

And tyhen there a Stag V8 in a Herald so a 4 cyl should be ok-

Cheers John

LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!
1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6,ON THE ROAD NOW KICKING AR5E !!!!

Odd · Postby **Odd** » 05 Nov 2010 12:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Addy

...I'm considering putting a TR7 engine and gearbox into my Mk3 Spitfire <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> Why not go for the TR8 engine? Same gearbox, same lineage - better engine.

ColoradoTR8 · Postby **ColoradoTR8** » 05 Nov 2010 13:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Addy

...I'm considering putting a TR7 engine and gearbox into my Mk3 Spitfire <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Odd

Why not go for the TR8 engine? Same gearbox, same lineage - better engine.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Unless he is planning on using the 4-speed gear box, which would fit the Spitfire better than the five speed.

Shawn

Odd · Postby **Odd** » 05 Nov 2010 16:39

Ah, yes - I forgot about that weak little box. Sorry...

emdee · Postby **emdee** » 05 Nov 2010 19:57

Probably shouldn't say this on here, but try a post on the TSSC forum (Spitfire or TR7) - as I know Hugh Glossop and others have a great deal of experience transplanting various engines into the Spits.
On the other hand, here's a good article if you want to tune your present engine http://www.totallytriumph.net/spitfire/ ... ding.shtml

Matt

claypole1360 · Postby **claypole1360** » 05 Nov 2010 20:19

I am a regular contributor to the TSSC Forum, anyone is welcome to come and peruse as far as I am concerned, and yes Hugh Glossop does know a lot about engine swaps.
I can't really see the point in putting a 2.0 litre lump from the 7 in unless you want to create the ultimate cruiser. The Spit seems a bit too small and pointy to be a cruiser. Now, the dolly sprint engine is 130bhp to start with and you can get 150bhp from the right manifold, needles and filters. That's what I would do, you can make a very interesting spit with 150bhp.
Calvin

PeterTR7V8 · Postby **PeterTR7V8** » 05 Nov 2010 20:26

Hi John & welcome to the forum. Back in the '90s a couple of guys in our club put Toyota twin cam motors in their Spitfires. They did it because the Spit's performane doesn't match its sportscar label. The problem is that none of the other bits of the car did either so pretty soon the entire running gear had been replaced & the cars were Spitfires no longer. They were more like Toyota Datsun mash ups with a Spitfire body shell. I'm not really criticising because my GT6 had a 2.5PI motor & my TR7 has a Rover V8 but I am saying that you need to look at the whole car before swapping the engine. The GT6 broke 3 diffs before I fixed it with a Quaiffe & that car was designed for a 2 Litre motor. So anyway that's my 2 cents. Have you thought about the straight 6 Triumph motors? That is a very popular conversion of course.

Where abouts in NZ are you?

The map: http://tinyurl.com/wedgemap . The blog: http://www.forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8548

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 05 Nov 2010 23:52

Just about everything has been put in a Spitfire, from a RX7 to a "go big or go home" Jag V-12. Peruse back issues of contents of Spitfire Magazine to see articles many of them engine swaps.

http://triumphspitfire.com/contents.html

You can download back issues (for money) at above link.

TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

Craig C · Postby **Craig C** » 06 Nov 2010 00:08

I have a Spitfire with a Isuzu 1600 and 5 speed out of a Holden Gemini (I did the conversion back in 1982-hmmm, feeling old, although I was only 19 at the time). Even with that engine, which is a bit of a boat anchor, a fibreglass GT6 bonnet (but MX5 seats) it weighs only 740kg.

The engine conversion I have my eye on at the moment for the Spit is the Weber MPE V4 (http://www.weber-motor.com/en/products/ ... index.html). It should be in production by the time I get around to it...the other option I keep throwing around is the Suzuki H25 V6. Very light, very compact, very available, pretty cheap.

I have a spare TR7 8 valve in the garage but never considered it for the Spit. Never will, either...[;)]

Craig
TR7V8

claypole1360 · Postby **claypole1360** » 06 Nov 2010 09:45

[quote][i]The engine conversion I have my eye on at the moment for the Spit is the Weber MPE V4 (http://www.weber-motor.com/en/products/ ... index.html). It should be in production by the time I get around to it...the other option I keep throwing around is the Suzuki H25 V6. Very light, very compact, very available, pretty cheap.

Craig
TR7V8
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That looks interesting Craig, would anyone be able to tell me what the bhp and lbs foot torque those weber figures represent as I don't get this new fangled nm stuff.
cheers Calvin

trv8 · Postby **trv8** » 06 Nov 2010 10:08

Some nice ones here [:p]....
http://www.britishv8.org/Photos-Triumph-Conversions.htm

John Addy · Postby **John Addy** » 06 Nov 2010 15:07

Thanks Guys,
It seems many of you (and those from the Spitfire Forum) don't rate the TR7 lump as a good swap for the Spitty 1300. My reasoning for looking at the 2000cc was firstly, it was a Triumph and I might be able to fool the NZDVA and that it was a possibly cheaper option to gain another 25+bhp. I haven't written the project off just yet though.
Cheers, John

claypole1360 · Postby **claypole1360** » 06 Nov 2010 18:07

John,
the dolly sprint engine will give you 55bhp more for the same cc displacement. I don't know if they are easy to come by or cheap in NZ though, good luck with it though.
I do run a modded 1500 spit engine in my competition car Bond Equipe which if you do similar mods to your 1300 then you will have a cracking spit.
Calvin

Anonymous

TR7 and the Sptfire

TR7 and the Sptfire

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