Quote:
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