John, to simply say... I disagree. While the "Beast" is outside of my
tastes there are many engine swaps that I consider to be quantifiable. Do
not sell the mechanical engineering abilities of anyone on this list short.
If Triumph had a couple of these guys 20 years ago they might still be in
business (if they had a better accountant too) There are several on this
list that have perfected engine swaps Barry Schwartz v-6 and Dan Masters
with his whole collection, oh and as for the Roto-spit... Probably one fo
the best all around sports cars available. I would drive it before driving
a Corvette (so when do I get my chance John Suddard) Engineering
excellence. In short, tastes differ, some prefer originality some prefer
exoticism, in my opinion - whatever it takes.
Patrick Bowen
At 10:12 PM 4/21/99 PDT, john matthews wrote:
>
>Hi All,
>
>Sorry to throw gasoline on the fire, but anybody who seriously thinks
>an engine swap on a spit is a good idea is just plain out of thier
>mind!! There's a guy out here who has a small block chevy in his spit,
>I think it's called "the Beast" or something like that. I've seen it,
>and it's... Well, it's really not what you want to do. Do yourself a
>favor and chuck your money down a deep hole instead.
>
>Yes, it's true that the little pushrod 4 that came with your car
>doesn't have quite as much power as some would like. However, it does
>have about as much as every other component in the drivetrain will
>handle. Unless you're an independently wealthy mechanical engineer
>with a machine shop in your garage it's just not a good idea to
>attempt an engine swap in a spit.
>
>You may ask yourself how I can say this with so much authority. Who is
>this new guy to pee on my campfire? Well, I currently own a '61 Herald
>with a '79 Spit 1500 engine in it, and I can tell ya it wasn't easy. I
>also happen to crew for a GT6 that races in SCCA, and I can't begin to
>count how many clutches and differentials we've gone through.
>
>This has nothing to do with "originality" or "saving the few remaining
>examples of fine British craftsmanship". I just want to warn you that
>it's not easy or advisable to try to put anything other than a
>Spitfire engine into a Spitfire. If you need more power try a mild
>cam, or better yet, buy a Camaro.
>
>Cheers,
>
>John Matthews
>'61 Herald (granny spit)
>
>BTW, Does anybody know what happened with Grassroots Motorsports
>rotary spit project?
>
>
Patrick Bowen
'79 Spitfire - daily driver
'79 Spitfire - soon to be daily driver
'76 Spitfire - parts car
Jacksonville FL
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