Triumph Spitfire VX

POSS' HEADER ?

2011-02-15T21:15:00.000-08:00

I have done little to the car lately as I have had to purchase a new work vehicle but I found a Californian company who produce this ceramic coated header for the Fiat 124 .
The 4-1 primaries are not long enough but I am finding out if the company can modify a one off for me . I did not realise the owner is a member of Guys site and I hope Guy will put in a persuasive word for me . Even if he can there will still be the chassis clearence issue to add to the equation .
I mentioned elswhere that Guy has written an exceptional new engine building book that he has published himself in very limited numbers . It is not a book anyone with a serious interest in the field should be without . Just click up Guy Crofts site for a preview . Guy built engines for F1 Hart before setting up his own Fiat/Lancia engine building company and carrying out head development for various leading companies . Very talented .

NEED A NEW ENGINE ? .

2010-09-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

I have decided to list my Rover T16 turbo engine which I had planned to fit to my previous Spit , along with a pair of LT77's on ' The Bay ' to give me a bit more space in my single garage and a bit of cash for further parts .
The Rover 620 Turbo engine is listed with some Rover SD1 and Land Rover MPI bits including a bell housing , engine plate , rear deep section sump with a compatible oil pump and a performance AP racing clutch plate suitable to mate it to an LT77 box . It also comes with a 620 MEMS ECU . It is a wasted spark engine meaning there is no cam rear mounted distributor to foul the bulkhead .
The boxes are listed seperatly , one is freshly rebuilt by Hardy Engineering of Leatherhead and the other I drove back in a SD1 from Coventry to London so I know it is a good box .
It would be a shame not to see someone knowledgeable enough to fit this to a Spit , GT6 or MG .

Matt 07733137231

TESTING TIMES !!

2010-07-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

Even though it is all a learning curve it is good to be actualy putting a few bits together .

For everything done there is at least one rethink but I guess thats the learning progress .

As can be seen I will need a sideways extension to the current bonnet bulge but only to the same height as existing so should barley show .

The oil layout is particulary chalenging as there are so many components to fit into such limited space , especialy with four longish Jiffy-Tite couplings to fit in with the laminova , thermostat , filter preasure warning switch and Accusump , together with trying to keep the lines as sraight as possible . NOTHING LIKE A CHALLENGE !!

I spent 15 mins cutting a very rough template for a turret brace to work from , which unfortunatly has to avoid my dry sump pump , not ideal but not impossible . This should then give me something to mount some of the components to .

For those who warned me about the jic fittings being a pain , you underestimated ! Even putting a full 12 plus stones on the fittings the threads still would not engage so I resorted to G clamps as well as the big Record vice with soft inserts . GRIM JOB !!

More fittings are due out tomorow so I should have the worst of this side of things decided by the weekend .

Sorry should have rotated the first picture .

CANTON IN LINE OIL FILTER .

2010-07-16T01:13:00.000-07:00

As well as the jic fittings for the Jiffy-Tites , the Caton -12 in line oil filter turned up .

However with the fittings it is 27cm long so in order to fit it on the 19mm bore hose between the sump outlet and dry sump pump at least one of the straight push on couplings will have to be changed for a 90 .

I have taken Mr Sideways old advice and purchased a Dremel mini auger and cutting discs to cut my taped up Aeroquip hoses .

The AH Fabrication Escort MK2 expansion tank hopefully completes the main water components .

JIFFY-TITES .

2010-07-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

In the hope that I might get my dry sump tank plumbed in this weekend I obtained these very tasty Jiffy-Tites along with bulkhead fittings from Think-autos , these quick connect fittings might be expensive but once fitted all round will make engine removal so much easier .

The other fittings are jic -10 fittings for the pump .

Think are also sending an inline oil filter to sit between the sump and pump .

This means I should have all I need for one stage of the dry sump pump at least .

FIVE MONTHS LATER !

2010-07-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

I am relieved to have receive my pump bracket after numerous e.t.a's .

It needs very minor mods as expected but looks good to go once these are done . This means I can then set the engine position for once and for all and get the mounts welded up .

COIL .

2010-06-14T18:51:00.000-07:00

Dry coil pack and throttle position sensor .
Missed Bromley pagent yesterday , drove passed there twice on Saturday evening and saw nothing to indicate it was on on Sunday . Did not even twig when Gary texted to say are you going , took it it was on some upcoming weekend . Old muppet syndrome I guess !!

OMEX .

2010-06-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

This took less than 24 hours to get to me from Northampton Motor Sport , cant be bad .

A dry pack coil and throttle possition sensor are still to follow .

I wanted to retain my distributor if at all possible to retain period look and this allows me to do that .

Thanks to peoples advice pushing me down this route some months ago , makes good sense now .

I also tried posting a thank you and update on Mr Sideways site but found myself SHUT OUT, not sure what is going on there ?

I need to phone Titans today and see when my d.s.p bracket is arriving .

FIRST ROUGH TRIAL FIT .

2010-06-07T13:31:00.000-07:00

This evening I decided to spend an hour just roughly fitting the main components for the first time to see how much room there would be in general .

It soon became clear that the best place for the dry sump tank would be neatly tucked into the corner of the passengers footwell , leaving more room under the bonnet and bringing the centre of gravity further rearwards . The Caterham race rad makes things easier being reasonably small and the accusump could possibly be mounted to the susspension turret brace seen here as a bit of 3"x1" timber . This should all leave plenty of room for laminova , swirl pots , thermostats and filters etc .

I am still waiting for my estimate for the Omex 200 and associated bits but that should certainly be here by tuesday .

It does not matter how much progress one makes the list of things still to be done never seems to get any shorter !

BIRDS EYE VIEW .

2010-06-01T14:23:00.001-07:00

Not even enough room to apply full lock ----- grass is allways greener , eh !!

INDUCTION PROGRESS

2010-06-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Engineering Solutions in Bexley Kent returned my plennum today and I have to recommend them on their quality of work , time keeping and pricing .

As long as I do not land on my front d/s wheel on full left lock things should be O.K.

The plennum will be linked to the K and N Apollo remote filter at the front of the car .

Titans are due to finnish the dry sump bracket on the twelth of this month , Allthough I have to say I will be more than surprised if this date is met .

There were two main issues I felt had to be overcome in this build ( which I purchased in engineering ignorance from the original owner ) , both needed in order to sit this engine where it belonged and for others sake I should here inform members that the redisign of the pump and bracket alone will cost me £2,300.00 enough to purchase a Spit on its own . The Induction issue thankfully was not so costly .

This should , I think , be enough to encourage other people to do their homework before embarking on a major implant . This venture is certainly teaching me a great deal with every

step .

However I am still very happy to be involved with this car as I am sure it will one day return the favour in full .

REVISED PUMP .

2010-04-23T01:19:00.000-07:00

My reversed drive pump turned up from Titans yesterday . I am yet to hear how much they are to charge for this revision but I hope it is not too astronomical as I still have the new bracket to pay for yet .( see , you learn something looking up in a dictionary instead of spellcheck --- Astronomical unit = 149.6 million KM , the distance between the center of the earth and the center of the sun . No doubt old news to Starman ! )

INDUCTION .

2010-04-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

Seems my only progress of late has been a slow accumilation of parts and these are the latest .

A KandN Apollo in line filter which will feed my dcoe cool air and a shallow Parts Range Plennum which will go to Engineering Solutions in Bexley next week to be squared off on top and bottom to give me the wheel clearence needed .

I also now have short trumpets to fit the plennum and a carb banjo and hose .

Also not shown I purchased a pair of fitting brackets and JIC fittings ( including a one way valve ) for my accusump .

Titans are overdue with the return of my pump but they seem sure it will return this week .

I have had to purchase and fit new fencing to my garden over the last couple of weeks which looks good but has eaten much money that might have been available .

At least the weather has improved !

I keep meaning to say , if any one lives or is passing any where near S.E London area it would be good hear from you . Matt .

ONE LESS WORRY ? CARB/WHEEL ISSUE .

2010-02-27T11:13:00.000-08:00

Apart from an increased amount of work sorting the air supply and wheel arch squeeze , I am relived this questionable issue appears manageable .

I have been looking at some of Reverie's air boxes which look promosing . Luckily the trumpets can be reduced right down which opens more possibilities.

RAIN THERAPY !

2010-02-26T00:45:00.000-08:00

A package is allways welcome even though with my current progress and lack of funds , I think it might be quite some time yet before this car is where it should be .............. ON THE ROAD !!

Thanks to Guy for setting up the 40 DCOE ( just need to swap the chokes and reverse the linkage mech' ) , fabricating this fine one off manifold , sourcing the Helix clutch and for packing this lot up so well , very efficient !

This weather has not helped at all , neither Psycologically or in my ability to carry out external work but I guess it must change sometime .

LOOKING GOOD !

2010-02-04T01:39:00.000-08:00

Bar a small additional bevel needed on the top arm to increase clearance from the supercharger belt , these drawings are now good to go . All works out in theory but however confident I feel , until its all fitted together I can still not be certain .

A big thank you to Stuart and Dave at Titans who did very well considering the amatuerish drawings they had to work from .

Foolishly I did get a shock by forgeting about the dreaded VAT which means I am going to be broke for the next month or so . Still as I said before , assuming this works , it will make a massive difference to this build , so it has to be worth the sacrifice .

More bits .

2010-01-28T00:46:00.000-08:00

Nothing posted through my door only to find on phonning Demmons these have been sitting in my neighbours hall for three days .

Now I need to probe G.C. forum to establish the optimum layout for this engine .

I have decided to return to Titans soon to ensure for once and for all the pump bracket drawings are as they should be . I must confess I realised I made one stupid oversite myself and failed to allow space for the aeroquip fittings but luckily this was easily modified .

It seems day return tickets might be as low as £14.00 to Cambridge so I might take the train and cycle , motorways are so borring !

Drawings back from Titan/ few bits .

2010-01-19T14:01:00.000-08:00

Titan have sent out their cad drawings of the revised pump bracket , basicaly as expected but a couple of issues they have overlooked will need to be revised ( so it goes on ! ) but no reason why this should take too long and the drawings can then be signed off and bracket machined . This will be a major hurdle overcome . Had the origional builder done his homework I could have saved £1300.00 on dry sump pump revisions !

In the meantime Think have sent out a few bits to use in planning the layout of the oil cooling and dry sump system and Samco and AH fabrication water system samples should be turning up from Demmons tomorow . All new to me but with a bit of effort and peoples advise IT SHALL BE DONE .

I also spoke to Guy today and my DCOE manifold is soon going to be ready , nice !

2009-11-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

Debra and myself drove up to Cambridge in the pouring rain to visit Titans last Friday .

They are very busy with a new range of products for the American market so think I shall need to show some patience .

A couple of friendly engineers had the unenviable job of trying to make sense of my drawings but they quickly grasped the general idea which I hope will allow taking the car towards a far better balanced outcome .

I now have to wait for an estimate of costs : I am hoping they have some sympathy for me as a sole privateer .

I must say we did have a very good afternoon/evening enjoyed in the Cambridge shops , tea houses bars and restaurants .

The accusump turned up from Think and is shown here with my Italian quality chrome lorry horn , a very important asset with so many non-spatially aware drivers on our roads .

To save waiting for Titans results I shall assume a positive outcome and start planning the plumbing etc .

I have been somewhat distracted with the search for a mountain bike which with my recent lack of exercise is badly needed . Looking at the Specialized Stumpjumper or similar but I am very aware that my funds are not unlimited and it will cost similar to a Simpsons exhaust . Dilemmas , dilemmas !!!

2009-11-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

Titans are in Germany on a trade fair so I will have to wait till next week to visit them .

Instead this week I have indulged in a bit of parts therapy . Guy Croft is obtaining a clutch for me and is kindly going to machine me a one off Volumex/carb manifold ( His listed Volumex manifolds are for Lancia models which are fitted on the slant unlike Fiat twin cams )and these bits have turned up from Caterham , Thinkauto and Merlins .

An Accusump is on a two week back order from Think . I am hoping it will help prolong engine life on start up to save expensive rebuilds too regularly .

I now am in a dilemma on electronic ignition decisions , perhaps a MSD Gal-2 programable ignition with a Blaster HVC 11 coil run of a Lumenition optronics but will need and appreciate peoples advice on suitability ( most people will know a good deal more than me so will post ) .

2009-10-15T15:44:00.000-07:00

Another view of pump/susspension turret intended relationship .

2009-10-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

Revised pump bracket drawings ( fingers crossed ! ).

So many issues still on the list :

Pump bracket .

Trip to Guys for engine completion/run in .

Engine/gearbox mount fabricating/tig-ing .

Clutch/propshaft .

All engine bay plumbing .

Turret strengthening .

Induction .

Bonnet and second door prep and spraying

Peddle alterations , could be easier to start again with a manufactured set .

Targa-ing the hard top .

Final bits of electrics .

Alarm .

And more .

2009-10-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

Interestingly Quaife are asking 5124.00 plus vat for the 60G and 370.80 plus vat for the digital gear position indicator yet Caterham are asking 6500.00 including vat for this pack . ???

If my visit to Titans is succesfull I hope to pop down to Caterham next week to check out their selection of rads and might even put in an order to Think autos for dry sump tank , catch tank , laminova , accumulator , oil stat , Revotec , warning lights etc .

2009-10-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

The induction ' lack of space ' is still
waiting to be confronted .
Guy has set up a new 40 dcoe and
my brother in law is due to be cnc'ing a VX to carb manifold .
I dont believe there will be a problem with the new engine location but I may just resort to even stiffer springs to double ensure
nothing meets with the carb . May be even spring fix the carb /filter .

To add to my spares box Guy has also found me another new 124 cam driven distributor which are now hard to come by .

2009-10-08T01:36:00.000-07:00

The block face is now a tad behind the front wheel line . Hoping this has to make a worthwhile improvement in balance to justify the effort/expense .

This also allows me to fit a turret strut brace but I first want to position the radiator so I can explore the options for additional turret bracing possibly forward to the chassis rails .

2009-10-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

If the new bracket works out , this is where the dry sump pump and engine will sit .

A Quaife 60G 6 speed sequential box will in time replace the type 9 box that came with the car . Quaife make a forward offset gear linkage for the Ginetta which should with an appropriately kinked lever put the gear change in just the right place .

In the meantime I shall use the type 9 to get the engine mounts and gearbox bracket fabricated and tiged in to place and then the drive train will just need a clutch and prop shaft .

Once the engine is fixed in place Simpsons can make up a Seven type 4into1 free flow exhaust and things will start to look a lot more hopefull .

2009-10-05T15:53:00.000-07:00

SpitVX .

Having failed ( yes , shamed ) to reduce the KB of images to an acceptable figure without leaving them too small to see I have chosen to blog this cars progress instead so thanks to CC for hosting it for whoever might be interested .

O.K.
Since it last appeared anywhere I have now shortened the existing engine mounts by 4.0 cm and moved the twin cam rearwards by 12.5 cm ; where it belongs !

Titan of Cambridge phoned today to confirm they have received cad drawings of the existing dry sump pump bracket from Guy Croft . This will make it easier for me when I take them up my drawings ( 3D nightmare !) for a revised bracket which once fabricated will relocate the pump in the same orientation but in front of the pump drive belt with the drive wheel refitted to its rear end ( avoiding the pump belt , tensioner , supercharger belt and steering rack ) instead of the normal behind belt position giving clearance for the suspension turret .