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michalotti_tr

michalotti_tr

Jedi Knight
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Since it looks like I'm not going to get Chance running this year (lack of funds, lack of time), I'm going back over engine swap options - one option that appeals to me is the E5 piston conversion on the Triumph 6 cyl. Has anyone on the list done this, have any insights, caveats, etc? Anybody got a spare 6 cyl longblock they'd be willing to donate? (ok, I know that's a long shot/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif) 2.7L has alot of appeal, especially with keeping the car all-Triumph. If I do this, I do plan on a full documentation on my website, since all I have been able to find are oblique references to it so far.

Ok, I've stirred up the hornet's nest, let the fun begin! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
Ray, do you have a copy of Williams' book on improving the TR250 and TR6? He has a section in there where he discusses the Mazda pistons. It's been a while since I read it, but it seem like there is a caution about the accuracy of the cylinder locations. I think he recommends having the block sonically tested to determine if there is sufficient wall thickness to handle the overbore.
I can check next week. After today I'm off to the Mitty.
 
I don't have a copy of that book, but I read on Shane's site about the wall thickness. I thought it might be doable if I could sleeve the bores to insure sufficient thickness. Whenever you have time, I would appreciate your checking the book.

Good luck at the Mitty (maybe someday I'll get to go too!)
 
Ray, IMO it's no longer "all-Triumph" when you start putting Mazda pistons in the thing. Sounds like a way to spend mega bux and still not get 200 streetable, reliable HP. O-rings to seal the head/block? Making the wrist-pins work - Yikes.

Get serious man, drop a TR8 motor (or other Rover V8) in there. Arrrrrggggghhh! Now we're talkin'! Just icing on the cake that it's 150 lbs lighter than the six lump and you don't have cylinders 1+2 hanging out in front of the front axle CL. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif

Just IMHO - if you really are considerin' your options. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
The V8 is a nice option and I have considered it, but one of the things that really appeal to me about the TR is the silky, seductive power of the straight 6 (I know, I have a 4 right now). I have pretty much narrowed down my choices to the Triumph 6 cyl or to go with the Toyota 6 (maybe even the turbo version). If money were no option, I'd go with the Toy motor(all aluminum like the Rover), and have better than 200 reliable hp. Someone told me with the right turbo you could get 600 hp out of it - tempting, but I think I'd have to pass on that! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
 
Ray,
I'll check the book and get back to you next week. I'm in Alabama. Be at my house by noon or so tomorrow and you can go to the Mitty. My wife isn't interested, my sons are away at college. I'm going solo. The only problem may be rain.
Speaking of a Toyota motor... The straight 6 from the last of the Supras is a killer. The car was available with a single turbo or twin turbos. The twin was rated at 320 HP. That was a lot of power in 1997. In the back of my mind I'm hashing over how to build my TVR. There are plenty of people who have small block Ford engines. The Toyota engine would be a neat choice. I'm not interested in the turbo. But a triple carb setup, a little work on the cam covers to eliminate the Toyota lettering and it would look like a Jag mill. Plus you have the option of a 6 speed, if you can find one.
 
Thanks for the invite, I don't think I could make it in time. Get back with me on what the book says whenever you have time - no rush on my part. I tend to agree with you about the turbo - just a bit of overkill in a LBC. On the other hand, my dream build would have a six pack carb design from PRI along with some tuned headers to go with it. Pick up a 6 speed tranny and Goodparts diff conversion and the drivetrain should be golden!
 
[ QUOTE ]
jooi - what else are you planning on doing to it?

[/ QUOTE ]

I just laid out the dream drivetrain setup - if I go with the Triumph engine I'd still like either a triple SU/Stromberg setup or the PRI 6-pack. I plan on a good street cam, but haven't narrowed down my choices yet. Headers also seem to be a difficult choice, other than not going with Pacesetters.

I'll be keeping my overdrive tranny, but might do the Goodparts diff depending on what kind of horsepower I get.

Suspension wise, I'm going with a coilover conversion for the front, Goodparts springs for the rear and a matched set of adjustable swaybars. I've already got my Bullitt wheels mounted and have enough rubber that the car should run like it's on rails /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've already got fiberglass fenders all around, and am thinking about doing the hood and trunk in the same to lose a little more weight.
 
I'm guessing you are factoring in a compression bump then?
What sort of hp #s ru looking for?

You might have to do rear hub/halfshafts if its around 200ish. I aready know you can get 175 on trip SUs with a streetable cam - saw a car setup that way, pretty nice. Fresh engine, no real upgrades, runs great.

No idea about the power from the pri mikunis/keihins. Love to see a dyno sheet if you do get them.

The od box is marginal if you get to that sort of power, even if you have the dolomite conversion. I went with the hvda/w58 for just that reason. I actually wanted to o/d, but it just wasnt happening.

I'm sure you already factored all this, but I thought I'd mention it.

Oh I looked at the Williams book. He talks about oversize, but I can't see a reference to the Mazda pistons. He does talk about resleeving the block after you centre the bores. Looks like a ton of hassle. I dont have a scanner here so can't send you a copy (it is on p110 in "improve" if anyone else can oblige).

Good luck.
Alan
 
Raymond,

How far along are you with this beast anyway? It's starting to sound pretty interesting. I need to plan a trip down your way sometime and check it out.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm guessing you are factoring in a compression bump then?
What sort of hp #s ru looking for?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, with either engine I plan to bump it up to 10:1 compression - for the TR engine I'm shooting for 175/200, with the Toy engine I'm hoping I can squeeze a bit more than that out of it

[ QUOTE ]
You might have to do rear hub/halfshafts if its around 200ish. I aready know you can get 175 on trip SUs with a streetable cam - saw a car setup that way, pretty nice. Fresh engine, no real upgrades, runs great.

[/ QUOTE ]
I thought about that, and was happy to see the one you had developed - it's on my wish list!/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ QUOTE ]
No idea about the power from the pri mikunis/keihins. Love to see a dyno sheet if you do get them.

The od box is marginal if you get to that sort of power, even if you have the dolomite conversion. I went with the hvda/w58 for just that reason. I actually wanted to o/d, but it just wasnt happening.

I'm sure you already factored all this, but I thought I'd mention it.

[/ QUOTE ]

All good points, and I'm glad you brought them up - I brought up the topic to get this type of feedback, not just for myself but for anyone else thinking along these lines. If I can do more than drool over the PRI setup, I'll be glad to do dyno comparisons. I had been thinking the original tranny would be fine if I did the TR 6cyl, but if I get it up to 200hp, maybe I need to reconsider.

[ QUOTE ]
Oh I looked at the Williams book. He talks about oversize, but I can't see a reference to the Mazda pistons. He does talk about resleeving the block after you centre the bores. Looks like a ton of hassle. I dont have a scanner here so can't send you a copy (it is on p110 in "improve" if anyone else can oblige).

[/ QUOTE ]

I appreciate you relaying the info - one of the reasons I asked if anyone had a TR6 longblock they were willing to donate was thinking maybe an engine that was past salvaging with a normal rebore would be available for this type of experiment.

Thanks for the advice and the good wishes - Lord knows I need both! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Raymond,

How far along are you with this beast anyway? It's starting to sound pretty interesting. I need to plan a trip down your way sometime and check it out.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey Kurtis,

At the moment I'm trying to recover from the disaster my kids created in my garage /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif now that I've kicked them out - once that's done I've got to finish the bodywork before the work actually begins on the drivetrain. In my quest to get Chance running this year I had planned to install the 4 cyl I already have, but since that's not going to happen I thought I'd use the time to explore and nail down other drivetrain options.

You're welcome to show up - feel like cleaning out a garage to find the cars? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
Thanks Rusty (you don't mind if I call you Rusty?)

I saw the GM 6, and admit it looks interesting, but if I remember the dimensions correctly it would be a tough fit in a TR - They actually use the same basic design to produce a 4 and 5 cyl version as well!
 
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