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a question only a newbie would ask

gsustudent

Freshman Member
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I have been given 2 Austin Healey Sprites in non running condition on the condition that I restore one of them, (there by restoring the youth and memories of the man giving them to me). I understand this more than I understand how hard what I have volunteered for is going to be. I also understand that working on this is going to keep me sain while I study for he CPA exam as I rebuild my life, at 31 I decided to go back to college and become an accountant, that was in 2002. Now I am in a part-time MBA program and bored to tears by the corporate accounting world while I jump threw the hoops to get my license. I know these hunks of rust are going to keep me saner than long nights with the federal tax code. I also know that I need to make one of them run like a bat out of heck. My question is simple.

What other engines will a 66 or 67 hold in that tiny space?

I have heard things about a small block chevy 327 bolting right in but I don't know anyone that has done it and there fore am not sure that it will just "line right up" and before I drop 2K on an engine I would like to know that I am geting the right one. I am actually currently plannignon taking my welding torch and going to town enough to make both of the shells into running vehicles and considering turnign one into a hybrid if can get a hold of the nuts and bolts side of how to do that.... any advise and suggestions other than run away is welcome.
 
Here's my opinion for what thats worth. First off I don't think any V8 will just "bolt up", you talking about major fabrication job, diffrent tranny, different rear end, major shettmetal and bracketry fabrication and in the end all you would have is a nose heavy, short wheel based terror, that would go like heck in a straight line if you can hold the throttle down (it would be scary), but due to the extra front weight would turn like a plow.
If I were gonig to engine swap then I would think about a Rotary or some small Jap motor, but in my opinion, the 1275 has almost as many goodies avaiable for it as a SBC, so I would go for a hot rodded 1275. If you want to do a V8/V6 swap, then the MGB is a much better choice.
 
So, I just voted - and by the way, welcome. Over the past months I have seen a buick V6, chevette/ miata/ RX-7 (very common) Harley V twin (nasty) even electric (very heavy) etc. etc. My personal favourite is a Jag engine.

https://www.coupers-cars.com/sprite_restoration.htm

Check this link for some others.

https://www.spritespot.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=13&sid=efd1e72ea4c4371cb1ccfa1a6e7b6666

That being said - go for it but keep us up to date!

PS someone post the pic of the Midget with the "blown" engine - I can't find it
 
Nothing will "bolt up". I've considered a swap, and may yet do one. The simplest and easiest would be to find a running '86 corolla GTS. It is rwd/5-speed/1.6 L. This will not make the car much faster than a hot 1275, but it is a smooth and reliable engine. DickC is working on a rotary conversion, and there is a guy on sprite spot working on a zetech, and there are many others. Do alot of research before you light the torch.
 
This scare me.
As Hap mentioned, the physics with that much weight is out there, yes you'll have the power/weight ratio of a Saturn V rocket, but the stopping distance of a supertanker, slam those anchors on and I wouldn't even imagine which direction that thing would go. You'd need disc brakes all round imho, ventilated wouldn't hurt.
There are good alternatives, miata drivetrains are showing up more frequently, or get the 1275 with a supercharger, that'll make it grunt.
 
As Hap said, the best way to go is a warmed over 1275. Weight stays the same and you can double the HP. Oh yea not to mention that everything bolts up.
 
Start by building the best body up in mostly stock form. This is time consuming and expensive enough. You can still have lots of fun with performance on these cars. After you're done, and with all that knowledge, take the second one and build up a Spec Sprite racer. That should take care of most of your newfound $$$ after graduation.
 
Keep the car as original as possible go w/the 1275 as Hap said there is soo much u can do to these little motors you'll be glad u did, good luck ether way. Mark
 
A local guy is swapping a datsun 1600cc motor and tranny and is going through a lot of front frame mods. I vote for a stong 1275 now and down the road a sc. Good luck.
 
I agree with keeping the 1275 and later building it for a sc. Although if you want to go radical and out of the norm I have always wanted to swap a S2000 engine and drivetrain into a Sprite. I have saw this done to a Datsun 510 and I think it would be a good combo with the Sprite along with alot of fabrication work. First and foremost I would decide what you want to do with the car or cars overall. For example do you just want a driver, showcar, road race, autocross. etc. That will help dictate what to do with the car.

Link to the S2000 powered 510
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=945476

Just my 2 cents, Brandon
 
My current project is to fit a lotus 907 engine and gearbox (ex lotus eclat) in there. The lotus gearbox has needed a few mods to fit the tunnel but its in now ! Just think, 150 bhp "out of the box" ! Be patient, Im working on it. At the moment Ive got a bare shell on a rotisserie. Progress will be posted.
 
907? Same from a Jensen Healey?
Let us know if that fits, there's a 907 hanging around our car club that I've been hmmming and ahhing over.
 
I rode in a small block chevy powered Sprite.
Wheelies in first gear, non stop tire smoke in 2nd, and it was only a 3 speed. A rocket was the best discription. Fast and straight. I think he spent 1.5 years making it all work and it self destructed in about a month.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Here's my opinion for what thats worth. First off I don't think any V8 will just "bolt up", you talking about major fabrication job, diffrent tranny, different rear end, major shettmetal and bracketry fabrication and in the end all you would have is a nose heavy, short wheel based terror, that would go like heck in a straight line if you can hold the throttle down (it would be scary), but due to the extra front weight would turn like a plow...

...would go for a hot rodded 1275...

[/ QUOTE ]

Hap has it right, as do others here. I owned and drove a Bugeye with an SBC (327ci, 300 hp) in it back in the '73-'75 time frame. I did not build it -- bought it that way. Left it at Dad's house when I left the area for 25 years (Army career) and it disappeared.

But ask me if I'd own another one? No way!! It was fun (and dangerous) for a young kid. Fast in a straight line is about all it had going for it!

Tim
 
How are you guys getting all that power through a Spridget rear end....

Mine couldn't even handle 124 hp. w/o new axles & double bearing hubs.

Then I couldn't get the power to the ground w/o a LSD and custom backspaced 5" rims.

IMNSHO, have someone to build you a nice 1275

That was a crap load of cash for something that doesn't even make you go any faster. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
 
Didn't go through a Spridget rear end. Trying to recall 35+ years ago, it seems the fellow I bought the car from stated it had a narrowed down Buick rear end with Chevy truck brakes. As far as power down to the pavement, wide rear tires on 14" rims still resulted in alot of tire smoke at times.

BTW, when I said dangerous in my post above, I meant it. The car had very little firewall left and no cover over the two speed Power Glide trans -- shifted on the side of the trans itself. There was an exposed to the driver stubby 6-8" driveshaft and nothing to retain it should it get loose. Legs were exposed to the left exhaust header. (and we complain now about excessively hot footwells in our stock machines...) Did I forget to mention the wooden wedges stuffed into the stock front springs?!?!

From a few feet away, the car looked pretty good. The only visual cues were a small hood scoop for carb clearance and the oversize rear tires.

Thinking back about that car, I wish I still had it. Then a moment later I really thankful that I don't!

BTW, I did not buy the car for the sole purpose of running it on the street though I did for a short while. I bought the car intending to finish turning it into a killer drag car to run at the now defunct Detroit Dragway.

Tim
 
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