Project: Triumph Spitfire Mk3 - Busa

[Northpole]

Hi

I am new here and I hope it is okay for me to post even I am not a Westfield owner...

 

I am installing a Busa engine in a Triumph Spitfire Mk3 from 1968 and was thinking it would be a good idea to have a stronger clutch. The weight of the car will be with the Busa engine appr. 1200-1300 lbs.

I wanted to share this with the Forum and hopefully I will get some feedback and maybe some good advices on the way?

I am located in Iceland.

[locost7018]

Check out the British Locost Builders site. They are the BEC experts. Sounds like a great build, although it might be a bit heavy for a Busa. I know there are Heavy Duty clutches available. Welcome to the world of crazies!!!! Russ

[yellowss7]

You must have the only 68 Spit in existance that hasn't rusted out. :jester:

 

My first car was a 68 mklll. Great little car, Bought it in 73 and drove it for 5 years before the frame rusted through.

 

Just be careful with the Swing Axles. They were also a weak link.

 

Ah the memories. :driving:

 

Good luck with your project.

 

Tom

[Fimi 7]

Pay close attention to the oil and clutch systems. There is a main shaft in the gear box that might also be a good thing to change. Most of the sevens running bec are under 1100, a couple 100 more pounds could really wear on it.

[Northpole]

Check out the British Locost Builders site. They are the BEC experts. Sounds like a great build, although it might be a bit heavy for a Busa. I know there are Heavy Duty clutches available. Welcome to the world of crazies!!!! Russ

 

Thanks Russ!

I will find out very soon if this setup is to heavy for the std engine. If so and if I like the car and handling, I will have to look at more power, and as I understand it, this engine is fairly easy to tune.

markus

[Northpole]

You must have the only 68 Spit in existance that hasn't rusted out. :jester:

 

My first car was a 68 mklll. Great little car, Bought it in 73 and drove it for 5 years before the frame rusted through.

 

Just be careful with the Swing Axles. They were also a weak link.

 

Ah the memories. :driving:

 

Good luck with your project.

 

Tom

 

Hi Tom and thanks for the advices, are the Swing Axels to weak? I could make them stronger, if they are so week, but again the old engine had alot of torque, I doubt the Hayabusa engine has more.

What about the diff itself? I have heard some say it is strong, some say it is weak probably the ones who has a V8 Rover.

 

My car was renovated some years ago and is free of all rust :driving:

The frame is very solid and easy to weld some strengthing iron frames in it.

I love the handling, especially after having replacing all the monts with poly and new shocks.

I am little afraid if the diff will hold, any ideas?

Thanks,

markus

Edited April 21, 2012 by Northpole

[Northpole]

Pay close attention to the oil and clutch systems. There is a main shaft in the gear box that might also be a good thing to change. Most of the sevens running bec are under 1100, a couple 100 more pounds could really wear on it.

 

Ok thanks, many talks about stronger springs (where can I find/buy them?) and kevler plates in the clutch, but not all do agree, some say the original clutch is best, but I dont know....yet.

Regarding the main shaft in the gear box, what changes are popular and effective?

And what about the oil system? How can I improve it?

markus

Edited April 21, 2012 by Northpole

[TLRracer]

Hey Northpole,

 

This article may be of interest to you. The project isn't finished yet but it would solve a lot of the bike engined cars 'issues' if it is successful.

 

http://www.motoiq.com/projects/mazda/project_mazda_miatabusa.aspx

[Off Road SHO]

The main problem with the old Triumph Spitfire's rear end was it loss of contact patch under hard cornering, leading to some immediate end-swapping. It was fixed in the Series IV Spits with some kind of shackle system on the transverse rear leaf spring. This allowed the spring to compress without "tucking" the rear tire.

 

I had a 73.

 

 

 

Tom