Been poking more holes in the Spitfire

"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228) 02/04/2015 at 17:05 • Filed to: Spit6

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Total weight lost from the front end is now up to 225 grams :) it'll be a push to take a kilo out of the front, but 500 grams should be just about doable :)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/04/2015 at 17:09

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Metal-eating termites?

StoneCold > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/04/2015 at 17:11

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Because RACECHEESE

MonkeePuzzle > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/04/2015 at 17:20

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mmmm, dimple die. I want something holed and dimple died on my car.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 02/04/2015 at 17:20

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If it was that then it would be much less effort...

Cé hé sin > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/04/2015 at 17:24

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Top tip: never fill the tank more than half full. That'll save you about 25 litres which should be around 20kg.

So there you go: save 20kg free.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > StoneCold 02/04/2015 at 17:26

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I put race cheese into google and this is what came up:

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/04/2015 at 17:27

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Why do you need to take weight out of a car that weighs under 1750lbs? Especially using such severe methods.

I know drillium is the lightest metal ever made, but it has never been the hot tip from an engineering standpoint.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/04/2015 at 17:42

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I saw a Z like that. Don't hit anything! I think this is a Miata.

It's a "Porch-uh" > MonkeePuzzle 02/04/2015 at 17:57

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Dimple die all the bodywork. That should save some weight.

That, or remove all the bodywork.

Louros > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/04/2015 at 19:33

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Do you have a method of testing whether or not this will have an effect on structural rigidity?

StoneCold > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/04/2015 at 23:28

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Thank you, that is now on the bucket list. I hope it becomes official again!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 02/05/2015 at 00:00

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Is that a rear derailleur for a bike?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Louros 02/05/2015 at 04:22

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I don't, only common sense. I've read that the rigidity with plain holes is much reduced, but with flanged holes it's either better or at least very close to the original rigidity.

Add to that that the bit I've been chopping is an open box-section so it doesn't add much to rigidity as-is, and that it's in-front of all the major suspension components (which are reinforced with a big box-section running between the rails) and I think I'm safe :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 02/05/2015 at 04:23

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Now that's pretty :)

TBH if I hit anything in this little car I'm probably dead anyway. My plan is just to drive it like someone would ride a motorbike: like everyone out on the road is out there to kill you...

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Cé hé sin 02/05/2015 at 05:00

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That would actually work against my plan thanks to this on the right:

That's a GT6 fuel tank that' mounted in the boot rather than over the axle-line like a standard Spitfire. That'll help shift weight back in the chassis and improve the distribution, which is the whole point in all this weight loss :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 02/05/2015 at 05:35

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Because of this going in the front :)

That's the 2.5l injected I6 from a TR6 (goes in with GT6 mounts and a bit of a massaged sump). It's also 58kg heavier than the stock 4-cylinder (the gearbox is 6.6kg heavier too), and sticks out over the front wheels unlike the 4-pot, so I'm trying to offset the weight from that.

So far I've got various alloy bits to replace steel/cast iron bits on the engine. I've got a fibreglass bonnet that saves 16kg, an alloy radiator that saves , a lightweight starter and a lightweight alternator. I'll also be putting the battery in the boot :)

The goal is to have a 6-cylinder car that's the same or better distribution as a stock Spitfire, with a weight target of 750kg (only 30kg heavier than stock). I'm currently sitting at 755kg and a 55% front distribution based on some relatively rough calculations. I've got quite a few bits unaccounted for though, so we'll have to see what the final figure is...

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > MonkeePuzzle 02/05/2015 at 05:57

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You and me both :) there's just something cool about a panel with shit-loads of speed-holes in it :)

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/05/2015 at 07:00

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I'm a Triumph guy as you can see from my profile pic. I thought about the same swap. I have access to a couple of 2.0 sixes. But once I drove one I decided against it. Prefered the standard set up. What year body you using?

I have tons of spares. Let me know if you need anything.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 02/05/2015 at 07:38

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Neat :) it's a '74 MkIV and I'll be keeping the original body, albeit with a fibreglass hardtop.

Yeah the 2.0l 6s don't have a great power bump over the 4-cyl cars, especially when you consider the weight gain. You can tune them higher, but in stock form there's not all that much difference.

Where abouts are you based? I'll definitely need a couple of things in the future, but I'm in the UK :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 02/05/2015 at 07:49

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Oh, is your's a Mk3? Lovely lovely cars :) what's it like to drive?

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/05/2015 at 08:24

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This is my second one. It is a project car. I may have it running this year, we will see how life treats me.

They are a joy to drive casually stock. If you plan on driving an early model hard, I suggest finding a late model donor car and swapping over the rear axle set up as the pivoting rear leaf spring and wider track really make the car handle better. I know guys with lowered Spits that are pulling .95g with modern tires. Check out this webpage for some good info.

http://auskellian.com/paul/spit.html

When you start driving one you begin to appreciate the little things. The center mounted Monza gas cap is one of them. I always felt like I was making a pit stop when gassing up. And as an occasional smoker the placement of the ashtray on the dashcover is genius. I love the center mount gauge package of the early cars as well.

My last car would pull nicely up to 90-100mph. The 1296 is a great engine. Especially the early small journal versions.

The Mk IVs are very handsome cars. I think the Spitfire is one of the most beautiful convertible designs ever, but I am terribly biased.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 02/05/2015 at 08:40

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Oh cool :) is the plan a restoration to stock or a bit of modification?

I've heard good things about the swing spring compared to the older setup, especially when lowered.

However, I've gone with a modified rotoflex setup using some fancy bits from Canley Classics (a real treasure trove of small-chassis Triumph bits). Things like alloy lower wishbones and proper CV axles...

I've also heard great things about the 1.3l small-journal, especially in competition. Real rev-hungry thing.

I'd be willing to agree with you about the Spitfire being one of the most beautiful convertibles ever. They're just perfect :)

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/05/2015 at 10:16

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My plan is what the VW guys would call stock+ I guess. Upgrade to the later rear suspension, rebuilt front suspension. I still need to get a seat cover kit.

I have access to literally dozens of spare units like diffs and transmissions, so I am not worried about fixing the mechanical aspects. I am really spending my time on electricals and cooling. It gets really hot where I live and keeping the car from over heating is a priority.

http://spitty65.blogspot.com/2011/03/golf-r…

I am going to do this radiator upgrade to keep things cool.

After that I am gong to upgrade the electrical system to take a 94 amp Delco alternator and add modern relays to the lights and starter. Then I will take advantage of the extra amperage and put in a nice stereo, heated seats and upgraded headlamps.

The engine will get a header and some new needles in the rebuilt SUs. I seem to remember "AN" needles being good for the 1296.

Nothing flashy, but sporty and well sorted.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR 02/05/2015 at 10:39

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Very nice :) I'd love a 3.63 diff myself. I've got a 3.89 one in a 6-stud case for the rotoflex rear, but a 3.63 would give it that little bit more lope in each gear that I think would suit the torquey 2.5l much better.

I haven't given much thought to the electrical system, although my dad's an electrician so he could probably lend a hand going through the whole lot. I particularly like the sound of upgraded headlights...

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 02/05/2015 at 11:59

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I have a roll bar in the Z but I'm aware that it probably won't be very safe. I put modern seatbelts in it too, bolted to the rear strut towers where the roll bar is as well.