1980 Triumph TR7/ V8 (Dont Laugh)

[Mad Tiki Customs]

Hi Guys!
I stumbled across this site trying to find answers to some suspension set ups. WOW! Is this information overload or what?! Absolutely awesome information.
Now onto my project.
its a 1980 Triumph TR& DHC (Convertible)
Car is in great condition less paint, top, and needing seat covers. (No rust or Lucas gremlins).
My goals for the car are to drive it to my shop a couple days a week. About a 6 mile jaunt on the highway. Just enough to give a nice spirited run to get the blood flowing.
I already have a 91 Ford 5.0 EFI engine. Its getting Aluminum AFR Heads to lighten it up. Front sub frame with suspension is being donated from a 2nd gen Miata. Brakes and suspension will be upgraded (That's why im here).
Transmission is a T5 speed.
Rear axle will be a Ford 8.8 cut down, geared to 3.83:1 gears with a fully adjustable 3 link set up. (was 4 link from factory) but since im going to install new mounting set up I may as well ditch the 4 and replace it with the better 3. Learned that from reading here this morning.
The overall goal of the car is to be able to go anywhere reliably, comfortably (for a sports car), see local autox use in the south west region, as well as track day. What level depends how much it actually costs to get involved in the sport versus how much I think it may cost. Not looking to be a champion, but I would at least have a reputation as a damn good competitor to the upper middle of the road guys.

[DETON8R]

First thing's first, WELCOME and WHERE ARE THE PICTURES!! See'n is Believing!!

Sounds like an ambitious project. I thought I saw a Triumph that was sold new with a Ford small block, thought it was late 70's or early 80's. Talked to the owner at a show in Santa Cruz CA, and they are a light and fast car. Didn't ask about the roll and twist of the car though.

What is the target weight and HP of the car?
And how are you going to stiffen up the car after all that hacking and replacing?
Can you keep the convertible top with the mods to the rear of the car?

and one more thing.....
WHERE ARE THE PICTURES!!

[Mad Tiki Customs]

Originally Posted by DETON8R

First thing's first, WELCOME and WHERE ARE THE PICTURES!! See'n is Believing!!

Sounds like an ambitious project. I thought I saw a Triumph that was sold new with a Ford small block, thought it was late 70's or early 80's. Talked to the owner at a show in Santa Cruz CA, and they are a light and fast car. Didn't ask about the roll and twist of the car though.

What is the target weight and HP of the car?
And how are you going to stiffen up the car after all that hacking and replacing?
Can you keep the convertible top with the mods to the rear of the car?

and one more thing.....
WHERE ARE THE PICTURES!!

Thanks for the welcome!
Pictures will come once I get everything actually in my own shop. I'm so booked with clients stuff right now I have no room. Even though I can probably place the car in the trunk of some of the 50's and 60's cars im restoring! haha!
The target weight of the car is to be as south of 2K lbs as possible. (its 2300 stock). The 225 stock HP 5.0 is actually more than enough for my goals, but I need to lighten it up the front end by 100 lbs to equal thw 4cyl weight. I am removing the front bumper (-25 lbs. Not kidding!)
I am also swapping out to aluminum heads which will lighten another 50+- lbs. And as a by product will add 75+- HP. My biggest problem will be traction out of the turns especially.
The Miata component swap isn't as big a deal as it sounds. The dimensions are very close to the TR7's. I may use either of the sub frames, or possibly fabricate one from steel tubing and powder coat it. I'm leaning more towards the fabricating avenue. It would look much better.
One of the many benefits of the TR7's short wheel base and and structure design is the car was actually made for a V8. Although it was only 133HP here and 155 in the UK. But its a good start. The fenders are welded to the front unit body so their pretty stiff. I will be running a strut brace from tower to tower and tie it into the firewall as well as the core support. I will also have an extended brace added to the front sub frame that connects to the lower portion of the core support.
I am planning on adding extra supports in the rear where the suspension mounting points are. There is going to be a single hoop style cage behind the seats. It will run down to the floor behind the seats and somewhere before or after the fuel tank (which is mounted behind the seats under the body and above and forward of the rear axle. There will be a brace added to the rear shock mounts that will run left to right.
Since I haven't taken the car apart yet I'm not sure where else I will need bracing. I may end up adding a few more frame to floor mounts if I feel there is a possibility of flex in the cockpit area. Especially since its a Drop Top.
If all goes well, I will be able to start disassembly and construction by the beginning of next month. (Fingers crossed)

*Edit* I'm going to have to read the instructions on posting pics on here. I have a few when I first picked up the car. The site asks for a url. I have them saved in a folder on my PC. Looks like a bit more reading is in order

[BMR Sales]

Welcome - a good friend of mine has a Triumph Spitfire with a 5.0 & T-5. The Chassis & Nose of the car are lengthened

T.C.

[BMR Sales]

Originally Posted by Mad Tiki Customs

Thanks for the welcome!

*Edit* I'm going to have to read the instructions on posting pics on here. I have a few when I first picked up the car. The site asks for a url. I have them saved in a folder on my PC. Looks like a bit more reading is in order

When Posting Pictures, go to the Additional Options Box below where you typing in the Message Text. There will be a Attach Files Section, Click on the Manage Attachments and it will give a New Box to Browse & Download your Pictures. Then Close that. On the Top of Message Text Box there will be there will a White Box labeled Attachments, Click that and your Downloaded Attachments will be there. Click on them and they will be inserted to your Post

[Mad Tiki Customs]

Originally Posted by BMR Sales

Welcome - a good friend of mine has a Triumph Spitfire with a 5.0 & T-5. The Chassis & Nose of the car are lengthened

Ive seen some with V8 swaps as well. Very cool especially with the full front clip opening up to service it. Makes it much easier. Honestly, its way overkill (if there is such a thing in hot rodding) for such a tiny light weight car. But its the look on the peoples faces as they hear the rumble of a V8 coming from a GoKart
Which is why I am going the V8 route myself. The ultimate is over kill done right.

T.C.

Originally Posted by BMR Sales

When Posting Pictures, go to the Additional Options Box below where you typing in the Message Text. There will be a Attach Files Section, Click on the Manage Attachments and it will give a New Box to Browse & Download your Pictures. Then Close that. On the Top of Message Text Box there will be there will a White Box labeled Attachments, Click that and your Downloaded Attachments will be there. Click on them and they will be inserted to your Post

I will give it a shot. Thanks!

[FETorino]

Welcome

Cool project. How much bigger is the SBF than the 215 ci Buick based motor that came in the TR8?

I'd get a photobucket or flicr account going since they make posting pictures and videos easy.

If you e-mail me your pics I'll post them for you in the interim.