Spitfire 1275 in a Spit???

[vagt6]

Anyone know if it's feasible to transplant an 1275 engine/gearbox into a Spitfire???

Probably wouldn't be hard to make the engine fit, but what about the gearbox??

Anyone done this, or have knowledge of such a setup??

Wondering . . .

 

[Andrew Mace]

It can't be all that difficult, given that Leyland did essentially the reverse by fitting the 1500 into the Midget, right? But why would one want to do this? Is there something inherently better about a 1275? :wink:

 

[BugEyeBear]

LOTS of perfomance parts available & MANY used hi-perf engines for sale.

Besides, if you already have a Spridget might be nice to have same engine...

Otherwise it is just personal preference.... At least it is still in the same family...

-Bear-

 

[aeronca65t]

It would be kind of weird (like putting a Ford engine in a Chevy), but as stated above, fairly simple.

The 1275 trans is smaller, so no big deal that way.

Both Spit and Spridget engines are getting harder to find, but the 1275 is probably more valuable.
I'd be happy to swap you my 1500 race engine in my race-car for a good 1275
(after it sees battle in our Fall '08 Watkins Glen event of course )

The *best* engine for a Spit (in my opinion) is the 1300/1296 cc engine. Much shorter stroke than the 1500 Spit, so more RPMs and bottom end holds up better.

 

[vagt6]

The reason why I asked is there's one for sale near here, a guy asked if I wanted a '69 Spit with a 1275 and ribcase gearbox in it.

Interesting, but I'm not buying another LBC until my new garage is finished.

Another permutation on an LBC, at least this one's still "in the family", so to speak.