Engine choice??
 

Good morning,
Picking up my donor Spitfire this afternoon to start on an A352 build.
I'm looking to make the decisions now on engine, gearbox, diff and suspension set up before the build to prevent too much backtracking during the build.
Has anyone fitted the Triumph straight six 2.0 or 2.5 into the Spitfire chassis?? I know it can be done, but can't seemed to find definitive guidance or instruction for it - in particular moving the motor back in the frame. From what I can pick up 6" backwards can be done easily without chassis modifications (avoiding complications with DVLA!!), but any further and you are into new mounts.
I know due to weight I'll need the GT6 uprights, and GT6 gearbox and longer legged diff, and also to shorten the prop shaft and alter the gear shift.
Any help from you guys would be much appreciated.
Steve.

Hi,
I have fitted a GT6 engine into a Spitfire chassis that was fitted with an A352 body . It was fitted in the stockish position though , and not moved back...It went in pretty easily using the relevant mounts etc. . I did have to modify the propshaft to fit and used a combination of 2 to do it , due to different flanges ...If you look at the early pages of the Denmark A352 thread , it shows some pictures of what I did.

The Formosa 120 GR thread in Vintage and Classic Roadster builds on here , shows the build I am currently doing with the Vitesse Engine moved backwards . ..This was achieved by reversing the suspension towers by switching left to right and vica versa , this moves the mounts back about 8'' ...the car has an overdrive box , which did mean a very small amount of clearance needed to be created to get clearance , but the gearbox mount ends up in a very easy place to mount .

Both conversions have ended up with custom radiators and modified propshafts ...

I know its not much help , pictures don't show much ...but if you are more interested in the swap than the location , I would suggest the Denmark version , it was a lot easier ...

Thanks Lancelot,
Thanks for the response, that's great.
In reading a lot of articles / threads the reason I want to move it back is that due to the extra weight, and in particular weight in front of the front wheels, it can lead to a lot of understeer.
Although this won't be driven particularly hard (that's the other cars job), I don't want to regret it and have to go in and re-engineer after completion.
What were your thoughts on driving with the 6 cylinder engine mounted on the original mounts??
Cheers
Steve.

Is it possible to squeeze a Rover V8 in? Or any other V8 if it comes to that?

Yes, it can be done, and has been by several people - both American and rover V8 variants.
Having recently got a car through an SVA though, the idea of not having to go through the process again was a major bonus, and reason for the selection of the A352.
My fear is that in fitting a V8, the DVLA would be looking for chassis modifications, and coupled with a rebody at the same time, might give me a headache with registration.
Plus I quite like the idea of keeping it all Triumph under the skin.

If you use the clam front, a later change could be more managable.

Hi Barber,
Yes I'm going with the front clam so that all maintenance can be easy in the future, especially as I'll have built it !!

I didn't drive it very far , so its difficult to comment really ...
There was a Rover V8 Sammio on here a while back ...something to do with Micky1mo ..a mate of his or something ?
Mikmiglia was putting one together once as well ...but I think that became something else ..possibly the German Big bucks Miglia , but can't remember ..... it definitely didn't get finished in its V8 format ...

I like the idea of a V8 version , but it won't be straight forward ..Vitesse or GT6 diff would be required , I suspect , Vitesse brakes etc. at the very least ..a servo ? maybe ? space is an issue too ...

I'd love to do a V8 fORMOSA but wouldn't want to start with a Triumph chassis ...

I think a few of the triumph guys are fitting MX5 engines too ...but I agree with you about keeping it all triumph being quite cool and a bit more retro ....I like the modern options but an old special does always look cooler with a period engine ...

I know a V8 will fit in an MGB and the little NG's, but like you say there are a lot of other considerations.

Perhaps...

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media...6040007311.jpg

Crikey, that is a whopper, as the actress....

The engine in the spitfire is a Rolls Royce (Allison) 250 turboprop. The way it has been installed means that the intake is inside the cabin of the car and the exhausts are the taped up bits on the top. This can't be for road use. is it for use on a drag strip?

Its my daily driver, honest!

It can't be yours WCA there is no front end on it. You usually have an extensive range of different bonnets you can fit on your cars.!!

That is a bit Jane Austin. Which bonnet is WCA wearing today?

:)