Triumph Sports Cars
engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" V8s (Stag and TR8)
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A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
Hi, just joined. I'm wondering what peoples thoughts are on what a good light weight straight 6 engine and manual 5sp transmission would be for a Spitfire, no more than 150hp or so. Something that would fit under the stock bonnet and have no or minimal effect to the transmission tunnel. I was thinking a 2.0l or 2.5l M52 engine from BMW? Would prefer a simple and reliable engine so maybe something from an older generation, but something popular so parts are easy to find.
Even toying with the idea of a VR5 for something a bit different. Or would the Rover 3.9 be an easier fit? Would enjoy seeing some of your conversions! |
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mgb260 Jim Nichols Sequim,WA (2463 posts) Registered: 02/29/2008 08:29PM Main British Car: 1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8 |
Re: A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
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tvrgeek Scott Stubblefield Hillsborough, NC (16 posts) Registered: 01/25/2019 11:53AM Main British Car: 73 Stag TR 3.0 |
Re: A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
Tegler put a TR 2.0 with full MegaSquirt in one. It was a feature in GrassRoots a while back. Not going ot make the 145 HP I don't think.
Might look at Volvo. |
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88v8 Ivor Duarte Gloucestershire UK (1041 posts) Registered: 02/11/2010 04:29AM Main British Car: 1974 Land Rover Lightweight V8 |
Re: A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
Have seen Spits and GT6s with the Triumph 2.5 six-pot, which of course is old-school and has good parts availability, but is rather heavy so not great for handling.
And currently available at £11,500 this well known UK car with Rover V8. The price may seem high, but for the work involved, it is not and the $ is strong. Even after converting it to left hand drive, you would be ahead. [www.carandclassic.co.uk] Finally, this Spit, with it's 1.5 four-pot, has some body enhancements which may or may not inspire you. [www.ebay.co.uk] |
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Re: A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
The first pic looks nicely done except for the bug catcher on the carburetor. Something that would enhance the existing lines of the body would have been much more appropriate. The bug catchers really only look correct when attached to a 6-71 blower on a drag racing vehicle. IMHO
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88v8 Ivor Duarte Gloucestershire UK (1041 posts) Registered: 02/11/2010 04:29AM Main British Car: 1974 Land Rover Lightweight V8 |
Re: A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
Oddly enough, when this car was sold a year or so back, I recall the seller made the same comment, and he provided some Photoshop renderings of how the bug could be removed.
In wet old England, it's not so much the visuals that would bother me, as the rain getting in. There's also the point that the ram effect potentially affects the mixture, so not a great idea for a road car. Nice conversion though. Ivor |
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Re: A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
The Ford six seems like a pretty heavy motor for very little power.
I don't mind bonnet modifications if they look near enough factory, such as the GT6 bonnet but I'm not a fan of hoodscopes or massive buldges. Has a Rover V8 with EFI been fitted under a standard bonnet before? |
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mgb260 Jim Nichols Sequim,WA (2463 posts) Registered: 02/29/2008 08:29PM Main British Car: 1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8 |
Re: A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
Thomas, The 200 Ford six is light and has a low deck height and short stroke. Available aluminum head would make an easy 200HP.
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Re: A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
A bmw straight 6 would take major modifications to fit. I have a GT6, which is similar. I was planning on a BMW 6cyl but after measuring it was obvious that to fit under the hood would require it to extend far into the passenger compartment.
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spridget bill green Maine (68 posts) Registered: 03/22/2008 01:29PM Main British Car: 3 1980 TR8, 1 TR7 2 Bugeye Sprite 1 MG midget TR8 3.5 and 5.0, Sprite 1098 and ? |
Re: A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
A Ford Zetec 2.0 DOHC 4 is a relatively easy swap, plenty of parts for the rear drive. It has been done so there is help and makes about 130 hp in stock form. Parts are available to pep it up, it is easy to find and not expensive. Plus it fits under the hood with no scoop.
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Richard/SIA Richard Brengman No. Nevada (399 posts) Registered: 01/17/2014 07:47PM Main British Car: 1969 Triumph GT6+ 225" Buick V6 |
Re: A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
On another forum I am being pushed to replace my Buick V6 with a Jag 4.0.
Said to be very reliable, all aluminum black and head, plenty of power, not sure how tall they are? No, I am not giving up my V6. |
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88v8 Ivor Duarte Gloucestershire UK (1041 posts) Registered: 02/11/2010 04:29AM Main British Car: 1974 Land Rover Lightweight V8 |
Re: A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
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88v8 Ivor Duarte Gloucestershire UK (1041 posts) Registered: 02/11/2010 04:29AM Main British Car: 1974 Land Rover Lightweight V8 |
Re: A good straight 6 swap for a Spitfire?
Or this very tidy MkII with a GT6 engine and triple carbs [bringatrailer.com]
Ivor Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2020 06:09AM by 88v8. |
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