1973 Triumph TR6 with all aluminum V12

[kmcphee]

I would like to be the first one to say I am absolutely crazy forging ahead with this swap but I guess that's what drives me in life......being different and doing what others say can't be done.

This project is far from finished in fact I am still in the mock up faze. Fitting, cutting & welding.

Here's my idea: the engine comes from a 1990 BMW 750. I know, before anyone comments I've already heard it.......why??? Well I'll refer back to my opening statement I like to be different. This site is a testament to the common American V8 swaps beautifully done and I just think that if it can be done in a Jag well why not my car. Some would ask why BMW? Well the TR6 is a British car but if you look at the history the body design was partly designed by Karmann (German co.) and today the Triumph trademark is currently owned by BMW. Rumors of a new TR are out there. Wouldn't that be cool if BMW designed a new TR roadster with a V12 power plant.  

My main goal was not max HP but shear "holy crap that's a V12" when the hood is lifted. This all aluminum V12 weighs in at 480 lbs fully dressed so with our heavy straight 6's being around 450 there really isn't a weight difference to speak of. I will be shedding a bunch of weigh off of it as well. HP is a very decent 300 stock with 400 ft pounds torque so really not too shabby at all for our light cars. I will be running the stock ZF bullet proof auto trans but with a twist. Aftermarket transmission controller with paddle shift.....think of modern sports cars BMW, Porsch etc. I will rid the engine of the stock wiring harness and opt for an easily controlled modern aftermarket capable of running 12 independent throttle bodies with 12 polished ram horns......maybe poked up through the hood. lol  Keeping the fuel injection.

Fitment is really going well. This engine has a 60 degree V as opposed to the 90 degree you see on traditional V8's. There really is a lot of room and I may not even have to mess with the steering. My only real issue is that this engine has a front sump which I will have to eliminate in order to not mess with the TR6 front cross member too much. I will run a dry sump system for this.  

For the differential I've chosen the Nissan Q45 (common swap for the TR) which from reading on some of the drifting sites is a very stout rear which can handle some serious power when rebuilt properly.

I attached a couple pictures of the car and engine in place. I hope to keep up the posts on a regular basis but you know how it goes with regular life stuff.

I look forward to hearing any positive comments or helpful hints I may have missed.

Until next time......................

Kevin

[kmcphee]

[dwtr6v8]

Rock On Kevin! You might want to look at cutting down the foot wells and battery tray more, but keep posting your progress, love pictures!

[BlownMGB-V8]

Yes but Kevin, you can't do that/it can't be done. ;-)

Seriously though, great idea. You can always come to us for answers.

Jim

[mgb260]

Kevin, Get a hold of this guy about an adapter plate. He is using a TH425 out of a Toronado. Same BOP pattern as 200R4 auto or BOP manual bellhousing for T5.

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/107913.html

[DiDueColpi]

I like it!!
The fit is actually pretty good and it will sound great.
The stock fuel/ign system is really dual 6 cyl systems married together. And it works quite well. so you might want to keep it in tact.
The ZF trans is pretty much maxed out on the stock motor so an upgrade might be wise if a power increase is in your future.
With the stock power in a lighter car it will hold up just fine though.
It is a dare to be different car, but it makes perfect sense to me.
So let her rip Kevin!

Live like you mean it
Fred

[88v8]

Richard Good's adaptor kit for the R200 is excellent.
The stock diff mountings are poor, you can get a kit to box them in. It's important that there still be some flex there, which the pre-made kit profiles take into account.

With the torque this will make, I would also be dubious about the driveshafts and hubs, but again there are off-the-shelf upgrades.

Would love to see and hear this on the road.

Ivor

[kmcphee]

So I mentioned about staying with fuel injection and 12 throttle bodies but recently I have been digging into a set up with 6 Webers (2 barrel) carb set up. I think the sound with this set up will be awesome !!! I'm also thinking the carbs would be a little more period correct for the '70's. (Jag, Ferrari etc.)

Would love to hear some comments or thoughts on this set up & tuning this type of system vs the 12 fuel injected throttle bodies.

[mgbman]

Holy crap Kevin....a V12???

[MustangSix]

Wow!  What a great concept!  I would love to hear what this is going to sound like.

Personally, I think it would be easier to tune EFI than a boatload of carburetors

[88v8]

That would be fantastic.
And for me, carbs rather than efi any day.
But... Webers... whatever you pay for the carbs, double that by the time you get it dialled in. More, if it needs much dyno time.

I'd get it running on the simplest possible setup. Get the car sorted and comfortable. Then think about going exotic.
Unless you prefer tinkering to driving :}

Ivor