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Spitfire Spitina

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Mark Jones

Mark Jones

Jedi Warrior
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Anyone ever heard of connecting a Cortina 2.0L engine to a Spitfire transmission and installing it in a Spitfire? I was in the grocery store yesterday, wearing my Newfoundland Targa Volunteer t-shirt, when I guy stops me and starts telling me about the Cortina engine conversion and what a potient little car it turns the Spitfire into. He didn't mention the name of who had done it but there were supposedly 6 of these cars made and were actually raced. Just wondering if anyone can corroborate this story.

Mark Jones
Halifax, NS
 
The 1600 Cortina "Kent" engine and trans was a very nice swap in Sprites.....I saw several of them in the late 70's, and it always seemed like a great idea to me. Probably an easy and positive swap in a Spit too. The Ford trans is better than the Spit trans, so I imagine that would be preferred. I guess the Ford bellhousing could be fitted to the Spit trans if desired.
Not sure about the size difference on the bigger engine, but with 2 liters, the Spitfire axles would need an upgrade too!
 
The Spitina was the brainchild of Don MacKinnon of Triple E Motorshop in Rockingham, Nova Scotia... just outside of Halifax. Don is now a member of this Group as member 54463... for you non vintage Volvo fans that is a 1963 Volvo 544 ... The shop's own car was raced by Dave Hart who discovered that Steering into a skid really doesn't help if you are sliding along upside down on the roll bar. Don and I go back quite a way and I now own and drive the Volvo 122S he bought new in 1965 .. this car is ranked #2 in the world with 1,560,000 miles on it. Don has sent a PM to Mark and hopefully will soon be a really interesting addition to this Forum.

Regards

Brett
 
Is that reply some kind of record? 19 months after the last post!
don
 
Wow, I've had this transplant in my mind forever. Trouble is a 1600 Kent engine is scarce as all get out. I've been looking for an early cheap model Pinto or Capri with the engine, but they don't seem to exist any more either.
 
Look for Formula Ford racers, they have bought up most of the crossflow Kent engines. Some have trailers full of them. Ford produced that engine as a utility engine right up until the introduction of the Zetec so there are actually quite a few out there. Now private industry has begun building new blocks and cranks for the racers. They are not cheap, though you can probably locate a builder engine from a racer for few hundred bucks. I bought a "711M" (the stronger unit) Kent short block from a local racer for $200 four years ago to use as a performance builder for my Cortina. Best of luck.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Well, now that we have stirred that pot up ... and Don and I are about to construct a good size garage ... maybe we can talk him into restarting production of the SPITINA or a close facimile of same .... I can't help but wonder if the new Ford Focus engine might not be the way to go now .... The other big problem will be finding any SPITFIRE rolling chassis to convert. BTW the Ford 2 liter was not the only swap they did ... as the supply of 2 liter engines dried up, a few SPITINAS were VOLVO Powered either B210 or B230 ... Hmmm how about a B234 FT with TURBO ??? The Ford 2 liter was scary ... imagine 300 more cc s and a TURBO .... WHOOOOOOOAAAAAA BABY !!!

Brett
 
Brett;

Are you a member of BATANS? I am a member and lived on the eastern shore until a year and a half ago. Anyway, I may know where there is a Spitfire or two for sale. Let me know and I'll find a contact number.

I still haven't given Don a call. I've been too busy lately tying up loose ends before changing jobs.
 
The new Ford Duratec is a impressive piece. Very light weight too. Found in the new Rangers as well as various fwd cars. Should be populating the scrapyards in the next couple years.
 
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