Re: the straight poop on gt vs tr
having installed a tr-6 engine in a spitfire (with webers and straight exhaust!) here is the differences EXTERNALLY as they matter....
you MUST have a gt-6 tranny cover,you MUST refit both the flywheel and balancer from the GT-6 to the tr block (they weight something like 10 lbs less!!!) GT-6 engine plate (so the tranny will match) gt-6 bonnet of course, You must however use the same bolt and stud configuration for the valve cover as the GT-6 engine (I think if i remember the front stud will hit the hood slightly)
If this is a spitfire not a gt-6 then you have to cut the firewall to clear the gt starter motor, its very simple use the GT-6 tranny cover to see where it goes.
here is the only tricky part.... The oilpan... its all about counterweights and stroke. the tr oilpan is deeper and the drain and shape will not work with the steering rack and frame. you must take a gt-6 oilpan and dish out the bottom slightly where the weights will HIT the gt-6 pan
there maybe some oil frothing problems but i did large hard mileage with the motor set up like this and had no issues
yes, the motors show the same HP in USA spec BUT the torque is quite different! plus dont forget the 10 or so lbs you removed from the flywheel/balancer. The difference IN A GT-6/Spitefire is quite large. I'm pretty sure the blocks are of the same dimensions, the height difference is all in the oilpan. remember you have to bascliy dress the tr-6 block as a gt-6 including motor mounts and brackets. its fairly easy to retrofit the mechanical linkage of the bigger carbs to the gt cable BUT the tr-6 manifold rises from the motor and the carbs will hit the bonnet. webers basicly stick out and you will have to hack a big hole in the bonnet. I just made a scoop that was full of carb
It makes a great fun toy, but i doubt i would do it again. The torque of the tr-6 motor will consume gt-6 trannys and rears at an amazing rate. this car will break all the time but really be fun.
It is pretty easy to do, you only have to fab the firewall and oilpan, everything else is basicly bolt in