• Notice: If you're posting to get rid of the little man (Lucas), please post A NEW TOPIC with something meaningful. Tell us about yourself and your interest in British cars. You need not share anything too personal. NOTE: this New Member's Forum is only to introduce yourself. If you have specific questions about your little British car, please post those in the appropriate marque-related forum.
    Thanks and welcome to BCF!
    Basil
  • Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Do Upgrades Matter on a Classic TR3

Share this page

DornTRoriginal

DornTRoriginal

Jedi Hopeful
Silver
Country flag
Offline
I am getting ready to begin restoration of my engine, transmission, steering and the rest of the suspension on my dad’s 1959 TR3. The body work is almost complete and the tub is ready to be removed from the frame of the car. I’m trying to decide if upgrading makes sense on certain things now, not consider them at all or some oother plan of action.
I am pretty set to use 89 mm pistons and improving the cylinder head to increase HP but as far as converting the steering to a rack and pinion and installing a modified five speed transmission, I have the original steering + four speed, non syncro, in the car now I dunno....
I like the idea of keeping everything as close to original as possible, the cost of the upgrades are a concern as the body work for the project has exceeded my budget. Ultimately my goal is to have a driver that is fun and enjoyable to drive.

Does it make sense to do these upgrades now that the body is off? If I don’t do them now, will I regret it later? What upgrades are suggested by those who know and can advise me on this issue?
 
Welcome to you!

But post this over on the Triumph section, and you'll get plenty answers. This part of the Forum is reserved for introduction of new members.

:cheers:
Mickey
 
Likewise, welcome to the asylum!

Personally, I'd skip the R&P but look for an OD (either 5 speed or an original type overdrive which gives you 7 speeds). However, it's not too hard to add later with the body on the frame, so I wouldn't let that hold you up from getting it back together. Neither option is cheap!

And how important the OD is depends a lot on how you plan to drive. I spend a lot of time at 70+ mph, so I consider it practically a necessity. If you never drive over the posted limit, it might be less important :smile:
 
Do you know of a source for an original OD? I understand they are expensive and hard to find.
 
Not hard to find, if you have a cart of money. Finding one cheap is very hard, though :smile:

Probably the leading vendor in the US is https://www.quantumechanics.com/

I would also try contacting https://www.overdrive-repairs.co.uk/ Shipping will not be cheap, but I believe the prices listed include both core charge (of course you won't have a core, so you won't get a core refund) and VAT (which you won't have to pay).

They also show up from time to time on eBay, Craigslist, the local club newsletter, etc.

You could try https://www.triumphrescue.com/ Although not listed on the web site, they do sometimes have units available.

It's been some years ago now, but a late friend of mine said there were bunches of them at the big autojumble in the UK (the name of which escapes me at the moment). He bought something like 6 of them at 20 GBP each and sold them when he got home. The profits covered the trip.

PS, you really should re-ask over in the Triumph forum. Don't want to irritate the moderators or the non-Triumph folk who read the "New Member" forum.
 
Back
Top