Triumph Sports Cars

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

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chevykillerx13
Trebor Dodge

(4 posts)

Registered:
05/07/2012 06:51AM

Main British Car:


mopar spitfire
Posted by: chevykillerx13
Date: May 07, 2012 07:05AM

Being the mopar nut that I am I have recently obtained a spitfire. Unsure of the year but for the most part they are the same right? Anyways I am thinking of using a Mopar V8 or V6. Has anyone done one? From what I can tell no I've seen many ford 4,6, and 8 cylinder swaps and gm swaps aswell as british engine swaps. But only one chrysler swap. I have a rainy day 408 stroker set back for a duster but I think that would be way too much engine for a little spitfire. So I'm thinking of either a 3.9l magnum or a carbed beefed up 318. Any suggestions? My main concern is how nose heavy it will be with the 318. Also can anyone tell me where I can get a hardtop to put on my car? I'm a hardtop kinda guy and don't care for convertables. My email is chevykiller30109@yahoo.com I would appreciate any advice you can give! Have a great day


BWA


(344 posts)

Registered:
04/13/2010 08:13PM

Main British Car:


Re: mopar spitfire
Posted by: BWA
Date: May 07, 2012 11:13AM

Trebor welcome to the forum!! Take your time on this project and do lots of research as you may change your mind on using a large V8 in this car. You can shoehorn just about anything into any vehicle but will it be sound from an engineering standpoint and will it be nice to drive and will it look good also? The Spitfire frame is a limiting factor if your heart is set on putting in a big V8. You will have to build your own frame.
I don't know enough about the mopar V6 engine but it may prove to be a better candidate. Last night I was poking around looking at some of the Turbo forums and a really good combo for the Spitfire would be a Mazda Miata 4 cylinder engine with a Greddy intercooled turbocharger. This combo would fit the Spitfire without major surgery and would give you great performance. The Spittfire is such a tiny vehicle that an engine that puts out 200 to 250 HP would give you the thrill of a lifetime.

Cheers
Byron


roverman
Art Gertz
Winchester, CA.
(3188 posts)

Registered:
04/24/2009 11:02AM

Main British Car:
74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L

Re: mopar spitfire, sbm ?
Posted by: roverman
Date: May 07, 2012 01:44PM

Trebor, Welcome aboard. I also have mopar affliction, but you "might" want to consider a smaller/lighter, mopar engine.They have many 4 and V6 engines that will fit much easier,(including turbo), that will provide adequate power. This way your car can still handle like a sports car, instead of a small barge, lol.


chevykillerx13
Trebor Dodge

(4 posts)

Registered:
05/07/2012 06:51AM

Main British Car:


Re: mopar spitfire
Posted by: chevykillerx13
Date: May 07, 2012 03:51PM

Lol yeah I want it to be quick and nimble. I was affraid of using the "small" 318 in it because of the size. And weight factor. I had thought of putting an old Imperial 392 Hemi in a duster until I really thought of it and even with a 383 400 or 440 the duster would be too nose heavy. A 225 slant six would be too long I am assuming.. so which transmission and rear end would accommodate a chrysler turbo? Is there just a turbo 4 or is there a 6? Thanks for the rapid response guys ill keep you posted. And mods and surgery are things I don't fear lol


HealeyRick
Rick Neville

(489 posts)

Registered:
12/19/2007 05:01PM

Main British Car:
1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Ford 5.0L

authors avatar
Re: mopar spitfire
Posted by: HealeyRick
Date: May 07, 2012 04:14PM

How about using a 2.2L Turbo: [www.turbododge.com]


Bill Young
Bill Young
Kansas City, MO
(1337 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 09:23AM

Main British Car:
'73 MG Midget V6 , '59 MGA I6 2.8 GM, 4.0 Jeep

authors avatar
Re: mopar spitfire
Posted by: Bill Young
Date: May 07, 2012 05:22PM

I think that Rick is right on track in suggesting the Turbo 2.2. The Spitfire chassis doesn't like a lot of torque because of it's design as a backbone type frame and the rear suspension is weak for higher torque applications as well, a turbo four would work much better, be lighter as well, and really get you going very quickly in that light chasses.


britcars
Phil Ossinger
New Brunswick, Canada
(346 posts)

Registered:
02/02/2009 07:58PM

Main British Car:
1977 MGB Roadster, Rover 3.5 ADVENTURE BEFORE DEMENTIA!

authors avatar
Re: mopar spitfire
Posted by: britcars
Date: May 07, 2012 09:45PM

Trebor, how about a Plymouth Acclaim that runs a 12.25 second 1/4 mile with a 2.2 turbo at 27 psi + intercooler + 3" exhaust. Lots of info here.................

[www.gusmahon.org]



chevykillerx13
Trebor Dodge

(4 posts)

Registered:
05/07/2012 06:51AM

Main British Car:


Re: mopar spitfire
Posted by: chevykillerx13
Date: May 07, 2012 10:25PM

The 2.2 sounds like a great plan. What transmission will bolt to it with minimal effort? I'm wanting to have a manual but an auto wouldn't be bad. The only way I would use something else is if I can't find one. What engines were in the chrysler lebaron gts that was turbocharged? A 2.2?


BWA


(344 posts)

Registered:
04/13/2010 08:13PM

Main British Car:


Re: mopar spitfire
Posted by: BWA
Date: May 07, 2012 10:43PM

Trebor if you go with an automatic you will have to do some major surgery on the frame to get it to fit. You are better off with a manual transmission as it is narrower.

Cheers
Byron


HealeyRick
Rick Neville

(489 posts)

Registered:
12/19/2007 05:01PM

Main British Car:
1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Ford 5.0L

authors avatar
Re: mopar spitfire
Posted by: HealeyRick
Date: May 07, 2012 11:50PM

This guy used a 5 spd from a Dakota: [www.cardomain.com]


roverman
Art Gertz
Winchester, CA.
(3188 posts)

Registered:
04/24/2009 11:02AM

Main British Car:
74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L

Re: mopar spitfire, transaxle ?
Posted by: roverman
Date: May 08, 2012 11:00AM

Trebor, You "might" consider a new direction, as in a t-axle ? This will skip any clearance issues in the tunnel and many should fit back there, wilthout too much work. Whatever engine you use, make sure it is "clockwise rotation" as veiwed, front of crank. Most Honda 4 cyls and a few others are "counter". A fwd. or mid-engine t-axle will be needed,(clockwise rotation). Porsche Boxter 5 speeds start about $500.(ebay). A t-axle will definately help weight distribution. Your welcome to "pm" me, as I'm using a mopar engine,(Hemi Healey). Good Luck, roverman


roverman
Art Gertz
Winchester, CA.
(3188 posts)

Registered:
04/24/2009 11:02AM

Main British Car:
74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L

Re: mopar spitfire, V6 ?
Posted by: roverman
Date: May 08, 2012 01:35PM

Maybe room for a mopar 3.5 or 3.6L ,(4 valve, 282 hp) ?


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