How about the best of neither?
Another cheap, probably more terrible, v6 TR7 in the area
How about the best of neither?
Another cheap, probably more terrible, v6 TR7 in the area
What about Datsun roadster? Asking for a friend...
Had one of each in the shop at the same time. (the snowblower was being used to pull the non-running car in and out of the shop, its only attached with a rope)
Lots depends on how far down the rabbit hole you want to go. Minimally down: Spridget, Far down: Spit.
Reasons:
Midget: if you are OK maintaining stock suspension geometry shortening an alternative solid rear axle and installing it it easier than converting the back of the swing-arm Spit. You have less engine compartment space to work with, but the fenders can still come off. Pic below shows a bugeye with the front bodywork off, it would be the same as a spridget with the fenders unbolted. You can cut off the inner fenders for more space, but at the back is the footboxes for the driver and passenger to the sides of the stock BMC A-series. The shelf and box behind it is the heater and air ducting and can be cut out (battery also goes there, you can put it somewhere else).
Strengthening of the stock axle is somewhat possible, but pricy enough that shortening a stronger setup is likely cheaper. I would say you might possibly be able to do 100-150hp with an uprated axle. That said, there is the drawback that it is a lever shock car front and rear. Additionally, if you want to race the car, you need to upgrade the front spindles as there is a possibility for fracture. The stock disc brakes (later cars than mine) would likely leave something to be desired. That said, there is now a cheap way to retrofit discs onto the rear of a spridget (stock rear axle).
Spit: Its Body on frame. The rear suspension/driveline is point blank unusable as stock. It will take less than 100hp and if it breaks one of the swing-axles, you likely go upside-down. If you have a plasma cutter, or love your sawzall, you can take the body off the frame, modify and cut for clearance and likely have an easier build. Other niceities are that the transmission tunnel is literally fiberboard, so no cutting needed there. The front suspension is functional, but does have considerable reverse ackermann (take that for what you will).
Basically, do you just wanna slap a motor in and go? spridget is closer. Even if you have to shorten a rear axle, you can make another axle go in it. Do you want to cut a frame and work in your own rear suspension solution? Spit is gonna make life easier as you can just unbolt the body out of your way.
For me: I had a kid and realized that I wanted to drive something fast before the amount of time the spit build was gonna take me. I was going to graft miata subframes onto the spit frame and slap in a yahama R1 just letting the tires poke 3-4 inches past the fenders clearancing by cutting. I got the Spit for $40. I sold the spit on here for $40, it has since been resold (or is it still available? ask Andy) for... $40. I got rid of it because my saintly wife told me to go ahead and buy a Formula 500 instead.
Apexcarver said:I sold the spit on here for $40, it has since been resold (or is it still available? ask Andy) for... $40
Still available, I did purchase an aluminum block 5.3 today...
Andy Neuman said:Apexcarver said:I sold the spit on here for $40, it has since been resold (or is it still available? ask Andy) for... $40
Still available, I did purchase an aluminum block 5.3 today...
Are you offering to make someone a package deal?
In reply to Andy Neuman :
It NEEDS to be done. I understand if you cant, but SOMEONE must do this. Do kinda drive home: a vintage racing spit weighs about 1400lbs, if you are smart and minimalist about a build...
I dont want it back, I'd never have time (with a toddler I'm lucky to get out with my Fmod), but the only lasting thing I have is a plea: someone give it a better fate than becoming a refidgerator!
$40 man... good luck getting a roller cheaper than that!
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/2000-challenge/1975-triumph-spitfire-roller-40/144518/page4/
(lots has to do with getting the starting point for the right price, it doesnt get better than this)
In reply to Indy-Guy :
I'd like to keep the engine. But I'm tossing in motorcycle shocks into the spitfire because I can stand to throw them out.
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