Well, I have been lurking for about two weeks now and couldn't resist
this thread. I have a 78 spit and several Mazda RX-7s and I believe a
great retrofit would be a ported 12a or 13b rotary. Not only does one
lose at least 100 lbs in the process the stock to stock gain in
horsepower is somewhere between 25 and 30. If you go with a good port
job and carb you can have 150hp very quickly out of the rotary. I have
seen a Mk IV with this done and it looks very good. Frame work is
minimal to none and the placement of the motor is easy to attain to keep
good handling characteristics in the car. Also, the length and shift
lever placement of the 79 and 80 trannys makes them a drop in item. Not
real cutting to do that I could tell. So less, weight, more hp, and a
smooth running powerplant, good combo I would say.
Nelson Craig
78 Spit
--------- Begin forwarded message ----------
From: DANMAS@aol.com
To: mlibhart@feist.com, Spitfires@autox.team.net
Subject: Your Spitfire!!!!
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 12:41:09 EST
Message-ID: <dee1f49d.3651b535@aol.com>
Martin, (and other Spitfire owners),
Have you read the current issue of "Flight Journal?" There is an
interesting
article in there about the WWII British Fighter planes of the same name
as
your car. Very interesting. The author flew one of the earlier
Rolls-Royce
engined planes, and then one of the later planes with the larger Griffon
engines. Comparing the latter with the earlier, he has this to say:
"While the [Rolls-Royce] Merlin engine versions run very smoothly, the
larger
Griffon-powered machines feel as if they are angry. The sounds from the
stacks
and the vibration transferred to the seat of the pants communicate
visceral
power - almost a desire to go kill something. Any high-performance-car
enthusiast would enjoy this sensation of unbridled power, this impatience
to
be turned loose to hunt."
>From this, I'd say it's not only OK to drop a large engine into the
Spitfire
(car), but doing so is in keeping with an old and honorable tradition. It
almost seems as if you "ought" to do it!
BTW, Dave's e-mail address is: 105671.471@compuserve.com I'm sure Dave
has
already sent it to you by now, but just in case....
Dan Masters,
Alcoa, TN
'71 TR6---------Currently being "Griffonized"
--------- End forwarded message ----------
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