So, I'm approaching a critical juncture with the Spitfire

"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228) 12/07/2013 at 19:02 • Filed to: None

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I've got 3 options for an engine rebuild kit. The cheapest kit I can put together is £460. I'm not sure whether that's with cheapo bearings though, so I could get it with better bearings for £588. If I want uprated pushrods, that rises to £753, and £1023 if I want uprated pistons. What do you reckon?

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 12/07/2013 at 19:04

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Are you just rebuilding? Or will you be adding other performance upgrades as well? If you plan on building it up then I would go for the upgrades.

Slave2anMG > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 12/07/2013 at 19:08

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Spend the money on the bearings otherwise I'd go with stock spec pushrods and pistons.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 12/07/2013 at 19:26

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I'm looking for 180bhp after a TR6 cam, head work, 6-3-1 manifold and spangly inlet trumpets.

There's one company that says uprated pushrods are recommended for engines making over 160bhp, but they're a company that sells uprated pushrods so they may well be biased.

davedave1111 > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 12/07/2013 at 19:30

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Does it have a big impact on the insurance, or is it going to be modified enough already that it doesn't matter?

If you're OK on that front, I'd lean towards the more expensive options on the basis that the value of the time you're putting into the engine rebuild is probably a lot more than the difference in the cost of the kits.

Computerbudda > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 12/07/2013 at 19:32

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How long before you want to rebuild it again? Do it right the first time.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Computerbudda 12/07/2013 at 20:04

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Very good point. You can do it entirely with the engine still in the car, but I'd rather not all the same :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > davedave1111 12/07/2013 at 20:07

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Yeah, it's already going to be modified enough that most insurers probably won't touch me. Hopefully a classic policy will though. I haven't really checked.

Interesting. I've never really thought of my time having value :)

davedave1111 > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 12/07/2013 at 20:17

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Hell, even at minimum wage the amount of time you must be putting in would add up. But there's also the value to you of having invested all that time in getting the engine to a state where you could put in the bits - anything you do while it's in that state comes at a discount, so to speak.