Triumph Sports Cars

engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" V8s (Stag and TR8)

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rickl750
Rick Londono

(7 posts)

Registered:
12/12/2011 03:20PM

Main British Car:


1968 Spitfire rear suspension prep for competition - questions?
Posted by: rickl750
Date: December 12, 2011 03:25PM

Hi Guys,
I hope someone can assist with a few questions. I’m working on a 1968 Triumph Spitfire for vintage racing, the cars in this group are pretty stock, so no real modifications are allowed. Anyway, my questions pertain to the rear suspension.

Spitfire swing axles tend to break so I need to address this issue.
Do the axles break or separate from axle flange? I saw in a forum were the flanges were welded, is this correct? Or are they just too weak and they snap mid shaft etc?

I know that GT6 axles are a good replacement, but I also heard that VW and Corvair also work well. Does anyone know what year VW works and are any modifications required?


To reduce the swing-axle jacking effect.
Adding a pillow block between the leaf spring and rear to straighten the leaf spring, is this correct? And where can I buy one?

A Z-bar should be installed. I’ve looked everywhere but no luck, does anyone have any ideas were I can buy one or do I have to make it myself?

Shocks installed upside down to reduce unsprung weight

Please see link below, this is an example of a car that uses most of these suggestions.

[www.britishracecar.com]

Thank you for your assistance,

Rick


74ls1tr6
Calvin Grannis
Elk Grove,CA
(1151 posts)

Registered:
11/10/2007 10:05AM

Main British Car:
74 TR6 / 71 MGB GT TR6/Ls1 71 MGB GT/Ls1

authors avatar
Re: 1968 Spitfire rear suspension prep for competition - questions?
Posted by: 74ls1tr6
Date: December 13, 2011 09:02AM

Hi Rick,

Welcome to BV8.

Here is a link or websites that may help you out with your questions.

[www.triumphspitfire.com] Check out this whole website.

[www.triumphexperience.com] Also post your questions on this site.

[www.britishv8.org] Joe Curry could probably answer most of your questions, I just don't know his ID on this site. Maybe someone else can chim in that information for you.


rickl750
Rick Londono

(7 posts)

Registered:
12/12/2011 03:20PM

Main British Car:


Re: 1968 Spitfire rear suspension prep for competition - questions?
Posted by: rickl750
Date: December 13, 2011 09:13AM

Calvin,
thank you for your response.

Regards,

Rick


Graham B
Graham Bingham
Draycott, Derbyshire, UK
(63 posts)

Registered:
09/19/2008 08:26AM

Main British Car:
1974 Triumph Spitfire Rover 3.5litre V8

Re: 1968 Spitfire rear suspension prep for competition - questions?
Posted by: Graham B
Date: December 13, 2011 12:53PM

Hi Rick,

It might also be worth looking at
[www.prirace.com]
but that may be more mods than you are allowed, still it may give you some other options/ideas

Cheers

Graham


Wendall Brown III
Wendall Brown III

(4 posts)

Registered:
07/19/2011 10:25PM

Main British Car:


Re: 1968 Spitfire rear suspension prep for competition - questions?
Posted by: Wendall Brown III
Date: December 14, 2011 02:29PM

I picked up a block for my 70' leaf spring off ebay. Be careful when looking for one though. They changed the bolt pattern for the leaf mount on the diff in 71. In accordance to PRI, don't expect your part to arrive any time soon. It seems like they start making things when you order them.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/14/2011 02:30PM by Wendall Brown III.


rickl750
Rick Londono

(7 posts)

Registered:
12/12/2011 03:20PM

Main British Car:


Re: 1968 Spitfire rear suspension prep for competition - questions?
Posted by: rickl750
Date: December 15, 2011 02:17PM

Guys,
thanks for the info I found plenty of advice at the triumph experience site.

regards,
rick


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