Hi Pauls!
I am so sorry about the divorce, and about your having to let your neat
stuff go. That really is a shame. At least you're not giving up on the
neat stuff! I currently run a 1969 vintage Spitfire, so I know you guys
will really enjoy yours once you get it going.
Top items I would do to a Spit car to make it a racer (not necessarily
in order):
GT6 front suspension (bolt-in swap).
Performance rear axles (spendy but worth it for safety -- stock rear
axles have a bad habit of snapping at unanticipated times, especially
with sticky tires). If not, magnaflux the rear axle assemblies before
using.
Make sure roll cage has frame attachment points -- not just to body metal.
Accusump - plumb into oil system with one-way valve or tap into sump.
Oil cooler.
Lighten the body by removing unessential stuff (windows and works,
handbrake & works, door handles and works (you can put in a pin & clip
to hold the doors closed), wiper and washer assemblies, etc.).
Good oil pressure and temperature gauges.
Good tach.
Drain the oil from SU carb dampers and cut the plungers off.
Use a race driver's seat (stock seat with adjustable back is unsafe) and
current 5- or 6-point harness.
Mount fuel cell in trunk (no stock gas tanks allowed).
Engine:
Check compression and make sure it is ok, and similar across the cylinders.
Retorque head after running engine.
Be sure to use dinosaur oil for break-in and not synthetic.
Make sure spark plugs are in correct heat range and wires are new or good.
When you dig into the engine the next time, there are all sorts of
things to do to help gain hp and compression. Get the Kastner
competition manual -- it tells you lots of good stuff.
Make sure to check the transmission oil and the differential oil. Make
sure the gear teeth look good (you can pull covers on each unit and look
at the teeth). Check the u-joints to make sure they have no slop, or
replace them if you can. You will need a fully-covered battery box --
mine is in the passenger floorboard for weight equalizing (remove
passenger seat).
Do NOT skimp on a helmet. Make sure to get SA (Special Auto -- rated
for multiple impacts) and not M (Motorcycle). Think of how much you
value your head and then buy a helmet accordingly. Try
www.racerwholesale.com.
This is all I can think of at the moment. Please feel free to contact
me if you have other questions!
Keep Triumphing,
Susan :)
#42 FP Spitfire Tristan
EPaul21988@aol.com wrote:
>I need to collect a little more info about the yes and no stuff for local
>running (NM, Colo. Az. Ca. maybe Ok.) I would appreciate any input from
>those who have been there nose to nose building a Spit. We're looking for
>reliable racing to start, speed will come along. Maybe top ten things to
>start off with. We won't be able to afford fancy, large $$ stuff right away
>so we're looking for low cost, high labor things. The car is an unmodified
>67, very solid body, intact, running. We already know we're interested in a
>roll cage/bar design, seat belt installation and comments. The car is not
>home here yet but we will be checking condition of suspension, steering etc.
>in the next few weeks. What are high probability problem areas of typical
>wear on these cars ? The engine was rebuilt at the local high school :) and
>runs. What to check out before we run it? They want to just run it till it
>gives up the ghost.
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