Thanks, Frank. While I'm confident that a healthy 1275 can run at 4500 rpm,
for as long as it needs to run there (BTDT), I'm sure I don't want to listen
to it for more than an hour at a time. It drives the wife nuts, when I run
4,000 rpm for any length of time (claims it gives her a headache). My
solution to that problem (wife) is to drive my 356, whenever I take her
along. Of course, she'd rather we drive her Passat (great car, but modern
cars bore the SNOT out of me). Ultimately, I'll get my MGB-GT back on the
road, and that'll make both of us happy.
However, I reached the conclusion, last summer, that I actually enjoy
Spridgets more than any other car I've owned/driven. Wife is very tolerant
of my automotive hobby, as long as I don't insist on dragging her along to
every "car thing". So, I've resolved to build myself a Midget that is just
what I want for traveling to select vintage racing events with some old
friends, most of whom drive TR3s & TR4s. Since my stock '72 Midget runs
rings around the Triumphs (yeah, I like 'em, but TR really stands for
'truck'), on our local back roads, I'm not that concerned with straight line
performance. I just want a Midget capable of more relaxed cruising, in the
70-80 mph range, while still delivering excellent fuel economy. I like the
idea of using a 1098, if practical. If the Datsun 5 spd. allows me to match
a stock 1275 4 spd. acceleration, while allowing me to cruise comfortably at
70-80 all day, with good fuel economy, that would be my choice. I realize
that it may be unrealistic to expect all of that from a 1098, but, I want to
research the idea thoroughly, before I commit time and money to one or the
other.
Has anyone ever put together a gear ratio/engine rpm/road speed chart, for
the Datsun 5 speed, in a Spridget? Fuel mileage?
Bud Osbourne
-----Original Message-----
From Frank Clarici [mailto:spritenut at exit109.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 7:08 PM
To: Bud Osbourne
Cc: Robert E. Shlafer; spridgets
Subject: Re: Non-hypothetical question, 1098 vs. 1275
I run a 1275 with a 5 speed and a 4.22 diff.
80 all day is not a problem at 4500 rpm.
To get to any events, I have to drive 3 hours one way (or more)
So it's highways at speed for hours. I can't imagine a 3.7 diff being
any fun around town.
I started out with a 3.9/5 speed, that lasted 2 days. It was a dog off
the line.
--
Frank Clarici
Toms River, NJ
|