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1500 UK vs Usa specs

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JoeV

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Does anyone know the differences in engine specs for the 1500? Is there more than the twin Su's
Are the cams and such the same? It appears there is 7hp difference could that just be in the carbs?
could I use a spitfire setup pre single Zenith if I could find one in a wrecking yard?
thanks
Joe
77 1500
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1500 Midget/Spitfire engine is totally different from Midget 1275 engines if that's what you're asking....nothing off the 2 will interchange - well, nothing of any importance!
 
The 1500 Euro/Canadian Spit-Midget engine have 9:1 compression. Almost all the USA 1500 BL models of those engines have 7.5:1

I think the cam is a diferent part number too.

And, of course there's no cat-convertor on the Euro/Canadian models.
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by JoeV:
could I use a spitfire setup pre single Zenith if I could find one in a wrecking yard?
thanks
Joe
77 1500
cheers.gif
<hr></blockquote>

The twin SU HS2 setup off a Mk III Spitfire will fit on the 1500 engine I believe. I would suggest though that you look at the price of an HS4 setup from someone like TSI. You wll also see the HS4 setup on Ebay every so often. I put and HS4 setup on my 1500, which I purchased from James Paddock on the UK. The car feels a lot more powerful with the twin SU's compared to the single Stromberg.
 
Well, one good thing about the US spec engine.

It came from the factory already set up with the low compression pistons and mild camshaft that make it great for adding a supercharger to.
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<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by aeronca65t:
The 1500 Euro/Canadian Spit-Midget engine have 9:1 compression. Almost all the USA 1500 BL models of those engines have 7.5:1

I think the cam is a diferent part number too.

And, of course there's no cat-convertor on the Euro/Canadian models.<hr></blockquote>

the Canadian models are different? So I'd have the 9:1 CR but the single ZS carb? How would that affect power?
 
Back in 74 when my 73 Spitfire 1500 dropped a main bearing, I stuck a 1296 Spitfire in it. It had twin 1.25 SUs where the 1500 had a Stromberg.
What a difference a smaller engine made!
The 1296 and 1500 have the same bore, just different compression ratios. Not sure about the cam.
But if you find a 1296 spit engine at the junk yard, grab the whole engine. It's worth it and will fit the midget.
 
The 1500, had a longer stroke. Right? That is where the extra CC were gained?
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Trevor Jessie:
The 1500, had a longer stroke. Right? That is where the extra CC were gained?<hr></blockquote>

yes - a stroked 1296
 
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