Spitfire V8 conversion planning

[dlmos]

Hello everybody!  I'm planning out a V8 conversion for my Spit and have a couple questions.  The drivetrain is going to be a chevy small block(350hp) with an auto trans and a jag IRS rearend.  The car is planned as a daily driver and will never see the track.  My questions are about the chassis and ground clearance.  I really like the custom chassis Mike Renolds used here: http://www.britishv8.org/Triumph/MikeReynolds.htm .  Would something like this ride to low for street use?

So, what is an acceptable ride heigth for a daily driver?  And would the original chassis do the job for a street car that will never see the strip?

Thanks for any help on this one,
Dave

[turbospitfire]

Hi Dave, I believe the standard ride height on the spitfire is 5 inches. I kept my conversion to 5 inches as well. It seems to handle most obstacles on the road.

Cheers,
Max Brewster

[v6spitfire]

David - I just read the comment about using the OE chassis - I don't recommend it for what your doing.  The weight and torque you will produce with a 350hp small block will twist it.  You will need to build a frame.  As for the IRS - can't help you there.  I've never played with them.

[BlownMGB-V8]

An acceptable height is anything that you are happy with. That is why we have everything from cars that scrape on speed bumps to cars on 4wd chassis'. You're sure to find something in between that suits you, it's just a balance between cornering and clearance with ride thrown into the mix so you trade off in the direction you want to go. Pay no mind to what anyone else thinks, it's your opinion that matters.

You will have to build a frame. I've seen one for a spit built from rectangular tubing. It looked stout but heavy. Again, a trade off between weight, appearance, strength, and ease of construction. Large size and thin walls usually mean lighter weight.

The Jag IRS can be made to work. You can shorten the arms and half shafts or buy them ready made.

Jim

[Bill Young]

I'd keep the ride height at about 4" or a little more. You can go lower, but I've lived with a low car and it's not any fun to drive as you constantly have to be on the lookout for any bump in the road and that takes away a lot of the pleasure of driving, especially  on highway trips. I missed out on many events for years because I was uncomfortable driving the car on unfamiliar roads. Last year I raised it an inch or so and had a ball going to the British V8 2009 meet in Durham, about 2500 miles round trip. I wouldn't have done that before. For a street car you probably won't notice the handling difference between 3 and 6 inches of clearance, but you will be happier driving the higher car.

[spit builder]

I am getting a read good feeling about five inches at bottom of frame rails. I will see if I can send a good picture of my highly modified chassis. If not you can get a good look at my car on mypowerblock.com under group (british cars)  It is a red "73"
spit with stroked 302 ford. The pics show an auto trans. but it will actually be a five speed. My chassis is very strong designed with 400 horse in mind especially with the roll bar. Look at the two crossmembers passed through the frame, one at the back and one in place of the mid body mount. Look at the X under the oilpan. It is 2x3x .120 wall. there is too much done to describe
further but look at powerblock and PM me with any questions. Have fun.