BritishV8 Forum

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!

Thomas, 200 Ford six.



https://www.mgexp.com/forum/mg-engine-swaps-forum.40/ford-inline-6-t5-swap.2895734/

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.

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.
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1127113





Finally, this Spit, with it's 1.5 four-pot, has some body enhancements which may or may not inspire you.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Custom-Triumph-Spitfire-1-5-Mk4-1978-Previous-Race-Mods-Convertible-Hard-Top/303291444672?hash=item469d942dc0:g:Q80AAOSwDuZdaqpS

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

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

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?

Thomas, The 200 Ford six is light and has a low deck height and short stroke. Available aluminum head would make an easy 200HP.

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.

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.

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.

The obvious mild upgrade is the 2 litre from the GT6.
Like this
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-triumph-spitfire-10/?utm_source=dm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2020-09-09

Ivor

Or this very tidy MkII with a GT6 engine and triple carbs https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1967-triumph-spitfire-5/?utm_source=dm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2020-10-03

Ivor