TR2/3/3A Tr3 heater conversion

[Scotsman]

The core on my oem heater has burst and I am considering putting in an upgraded version as the original was not very effective. There are a number of options out there from installing one from an early spitfire, to what appears to be a nice kit from Macy's at a reasonable price. Does anyone have experience with the Macy's kit? Does it generate significantly more heat than the original? Are there any other options that are worth considering.

Richard

 

[donbmw]

On another forum I am on this topic has come up. There is high praise for the Macy kit. For the install and heating outpu.

 

[DavidApp]

If everything else on the heater is good you can get a modern heater core. I got my one from the UK.
It works great.

Moss sell the core but it is way cheaper from the UK.

David

 

[Scotsman]

David. Thanks for the info reg the replacement heater core. I will check into it. Responses reg Macy's kit have been v positive so may go that route.

 

[Geo Hahn]

I went with a unit from Maradyne, basically a truck heater:

To fit it I made a cardboard mock-up:

Had to rotate the core 180° to have the pipes present rearward. Sweated on some elbows and added barbed connections:

Seemed to produce a lot of heat though I didn't live in the frozen far north.

It had defroster ports (those round plugs) but I did not use them as I typically drove top-down even in snow & cold so mainly wanted footwell warmth.

 

[TuffTR250]

I followed Geo's lead and installed the Maradyne heater in my TR3. I got mine at a very reasonable price. It does require some rework as Geo shows. With soft top and side curtains on it will very quickly warm up the inside of the car at only the #2 switch speed setting. At the #3 setting it really pours out the warmth. I also did not install the defroster pipes. It warms the inside of the car quickly and I found no need to use the defroster. Being from Raleigh, NC the weather gets quite cold, but not terribly cold.
Bob

 

[SixandThree]

I've installed the Maradyne unit, too, following Geo's instructions. The problem is, with the car running, the heater panels vibrate like crazy. Thinking now of switching to the Macy's unit instead.

 

[GilsTR]

I followed Bob Shallers advice and put a Triumph Spitfire heater in our TR3A.
Installs right where the original heater was.... it’s nice and flat does not hang down
Flip doors so heat can be directed as chosen. In my opinion... much more
heat than the original heater produced.... and it’s a Triumph part!
Just my experience.

Gil. NoCal

 

[Scotsman]

Ended up getting a Macy’s unit. It works well but there were a few issues. Some parts were missing and the manufacturer of the unit changed the design where it would not fit with the supplied parts. Didn’t help that there was no instructions or parts list provided with unit, and Macy’s were not aware of change. Because of this I ended up installing much lower than it was intended to be and have yet to try and reinstall with modified parts supplied later by Macy’s. The vents are supposed to be directional and close but in reality they stick open and can’t be rotated. A parts list and some instructions would have been nice.

 

[DavidApp]

Can you post a photo of the Macy's unit installed.

I am very happy with my new core in the original Smiths heater.

David