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TR2/3/3A TR3 Qusetions

  • Thread starter Deleted member 451
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I have a few of questions about changes to my TR3.

1. Will the long runner TR4 intake manifold fit in a TR3 without modifying anything? What are the advantages to using it?
2. Other than price, what are the disadvantages to changing to a Petronix ignition.
3. What headers would the members recommend? I don’t race or run high RPM just looking for a little more street power.
Thanks
 
1. With the long runner manifolds, you need to use the short bodies SU's HS6 (S-Short) and adapt the linkage.
2. Disadvantage - Electronics die unexpectedly. Advantage - no points to maintain.
3. I like the split 2into1 header from TT for the street.

But unless you plan other mods, none of the above will significantly give you more power. I suggest a good iginition and carb tune-up/rebuild and you will have decent street power. My 58 is bone stock and I can chirp the rear tires (205/60x15) in 3rd gear sometimes, and always in 2nd w/o any trouble.

For more grunt, you'll need to change the cam add the headers, clean up the head a little and rejet the SUs.
 
I've never run the pertronix and alot of guys swear by them but I have noted quite a few failures of them on this web as they seem not overly resilient to electrical fluctuation.
I run an MSD 6 unit (placed in the glove box) with the points and the points last indef. without pitting due to the consistant elec charge. I change them every year as the spring wears out but they look like new otherwise.
I agree with the above about the other mods.
 
The present owner of my old TR3 racecar was going to try to use the long-runner manifold with the long SU carbs by modifying the inner fender. He was going to cut a piece of the inner fender out and weld it in upside-down to provide clearance. Much more elegant solution than my idea, which involved a BFH. I don't know if he ever did it, though.

Probably can't use stock air cleaners. I had velocity stacks on.
 
prb51
I was just reading about the MSD 6. How do you like it?
 
I've been running Petronics for almost 4 years, no problems with it.
 
Bill,
I've used them on a few classic cars and like them very much. I've never had a problem with a unit.
On my TR3 I've placed the 'brick' in the glove box and routed the wires from there thru existing firewall openings so other than a diff wire to the coil it's not really noticable.
You don't have to worry about dwell, can really open the gap on your plugs and remove the condensor. You need a low resistance coil < 1 ohm and spiral wound plug wires, not solid core.
You can use either points or whatever (pertronix) in their place.
I like the points as the contacts never pit (due to the high non fluctuating charge) and only need changing when the spring get's tired (one less electric issue to worry about).
It will run fine with the stock generator/battery set up.
 
Bill, my two cents worth.

I've been running a MSD 6, hiding under the glovebox, triggered by a Crane/allison distributor since about 87. It is on it's third 6(darn things rust out over here). Works great and I NEVER have to touch the ignition. Replace the NGK BP6Es' around every 50K, or so.
 
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