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Speed, round 2

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drooartz

drooartz

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Okay, I'm in a philosophical mood this morning, thinking again about speed and Bugeyes and TR3s. As some may remember, I've been considering where I want to take the Tunebug, and thinking about what I want to do with a LBC in the first place. The TR4 experience taught me that I'm not really interested in a restoration right now, I want to drive and maintain. I'm also faced with living in the mountains, so I've got elevation issues (house at 5550'), and steep road grade issues as well. Plus, need to do some freeway driving to get to work or to the city for car club events.

So... I have decided that I need more speed. Specifically, I've come up with this set of minimal requirements:

<ul type="square">[*]65 mph cruising speed
[*]55 mph hill speed -- on freeway grades, say 6% or so
[/list]

This would make it so I could drive the car to work in the summer, and be able to drive all the nice mountain pass roads around here. My old TR4 could certainly do this (sold it due to rust and styling issues, not driving issues). My current options are to build the Tunebug up to be able to do this, or eventually trade it for a TR3. Why a TR3? Ample power, and the classic styling that I like.

So can I expect to meet those requirements with a street tuned Sprite? That's probably my preference, but I'm not tied to it.
 
Drew, I think you're crying out for that 1275.
A 5sp will cure any cruising nags at 65+.

I have to admit, I drove a TR6 at the weekend, and I heard the dark side calling me.
 
A good 1275 and a 4 speed is fine for cruiing 70 MPH. Mine used to pull hills at speed. Only long steep grades required a drop to third, and even then 55 mph was easy.
 
Drew:

I would find a 1275 and rib case. Rebuild em, over the winter and stick them in early spring. Then enjoy the summer fun. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

Patrick
 
Patrick -- I'm really leaning towards the 1275. I really like my Bugeye in other respects, it's just slow. I'd just hate to spend time/effort/cash to not get to where I can use the car like I want to.

Someday I need to see if I can get a drive in a 1275 Spridget to get a feel for the speed.
 
A 1275 bugeye seems much faster than a 1275 midget (and probably is) due to less weight.
 
Drew:

If you could fly out here in two weeks (fingers crossed) you can take mine for a spin hehehe. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Seriously, before this round of mods, I had a stock 1275 BE. It moved very well and kept me happy for 20+ yrs. It is an inexpensive alternative to modifying the 948. Trust me, with a good running 1275 engine, you will not be disappointed. It is a 50% increase in BHP and a 100% increase in FPH. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

BTW, the only reason I am modifying my 1275 was after having a very early 911 for 10 years and dumping a small fortune into it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cryin.gif, I decided it was time to find a "substitute".

Patrick
 
I can cruise right around 70 with my 1275, but anything over that and the rpm's get a bit too high. Even at 70, I'm crusing at around 3500+ rpms. A 5spd is definitely in the works for my car when I get around to it.

Joel
 
Ahhh, Pat can I have it for the weekend if I fly up?? LOL
 
Patrick--that is really tempting, if only I lived a wee bit closer! Thanks all for the thoughts. Still lots to think about, but it's cold and dark here in the winter, so I'll have plenty of time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
With the 4.22 rear end and the tires I run, 4,000 rpm is 80 on the speedo witch checked with a gps is actually 74. I have had a little head work done on this motor, a header and velocity stacks on the carbs. Really a pretty stock motor, but the 5 speed conv. is really nice. I tell anyone that you need to look for the five speed and buy it if found, just to have, because you will want to have it later and they are getting harder to find. Now the 5550' issue, a friend told me a story about several yrs ago he was at a Brittish car show at Denver and an older gentleman pulled in in a Bugeye with the biggest smile on his face. When asked why he was in such a good mood, his reply was in the mountains, it was a lot of fun passing the big heallys. He had an old judsen sc on a 948. The ultimate anser is a modern supercharger on a 1275 and the five speed.
 
Before my SC, I had trouble keeping up with the Big Healey's acceleration, then I'd be stuck behind them in the "twistys" as they lumbered through (I think they were afraid to push their cars unless it was a straight open road). On the open road my 5 speed enabled me to keep pace with them without fear of my engine flying apart. But know that I have a 5speed and a supercharged 1275 most of the Big Healeys and their drivers are just part of the scenery.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I'd love to own a Big Healey because they are beautiful cars, but the ones I've driven were just not as fun as my midget.
 
70MPH @ 3500 RPM ??
80MPH @ 4000 RPM ??

Is it possible tach's could be off. I am "running with traffic" around 60 MPH and pulling 4000RPM (backing off to that if anything).

Mine is a replacement from Summit Racing and works -- hearing the above makes me wonder if it was accurate (I've tested the speedo and also think I'd know I was going 80 v. 60 -- traffic wise).

Mine above 60 sounds as if it's going blow. Always thought it was the "MG Tranny" syndrome I've been told (they're extra loud).

Replace / "Upgraded" the diff 2 years ago from stock (3.9) to a "better" one @ 4.22 (could be vice versa - I get those mixed up). Never had it running with the old one to compare.

Any thoughts ?

Tx-

George Zeck
 
With a 3.9 diff and a 5-speed I get 3000 RPM = 60 MPH verified by GPS).
Bill
 
You might laugh but the 1500 Midgets have a 3.73 rear end and once you put a weber on it you can easily cruise at 70 MPH @ 4200 RPM's with the standard 4 speed.

Plus they are a bit more available and hence a bit cheaper.

Regards,
Dominic
78 Midget
Clayton, NY
 
Four grand with a 4.22 rear end is about 61 mph (with the original 4 speed. I follow my buddy in his bugeye last weekend to the all Brit in KC. I've gps'd my speedo and think its pretty accurate( but it is British). Doing the ratios with a 3.9 rear end comes up to 66 mph with the original tranny. I think all the fourth gears are straigh through, so the tire size will make a little difference in speed. Ask the kids you know, and one of them will have a gps and then you will know for sure. Good luck.
 
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