Martin Secrest writes:
> 1) Does a GT6 bonnet fit a Spit without alterations?
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Yes, within the same body styles/hood mounting attachment types.
A MKI GT6 hood will fit a MKI, MKII Spitfire. A MKII GT6 will fit a MKIII
Spitfire, and a MKIII GT6 will fit a MKIV, 1500 Spitfire without modification.
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> 2) Are GT6/Spitfire motormounts identical?
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Yes and no, the mounts themselves are different in that the Spitfire mounts
have one stud that attaches to the engine plate while the GT6 has two studs
that attach to the engine brackets. However, the two holes that secure to
the frame attachments are the same.
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> 3) Are the Spit and GT trannys interchangeable, or does one need the GT6
engine AND tranny for the conversion (not to mention the radiator)?
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No/yes. Although they share the same basic castings, the input shaft as
well as the bellhousing, starter placement, and slave cylinder/clutch
actuation are different. Did you mention the radiator? Yep the radiator
mounting supports are welded in a different position on the frame (further
toward the front) and the radiator and shrouding are different. While were
on the subject the aformentioned starter placement (opposite from the
Spitfire) will require a slight modification to the fire wall area to clear
the starter (the reason for the different part numbers for these items).
Also a different transmission tunnel will be required for the same reason.
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>4) Can the Spit suspension be left unmodified, even with the added weight
of the GT6 engine?
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NO. The different weight's of the engine will require at the very least GT6
springs, and one should really replace the uprights and brakes (front and
rear) with GT6 units as they are stronger/larger than the Spitfire
components. Also if your installing a GT6 engine in anything earlier than
a MKIV Spitfire you'll want to change the rear end/axles and drive shafts
from the GT6 (or later model Spitfire), unless you like changing broken
items alot :-)
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>5) And the big question: Is it worth it?
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That's a question that only you can answer, but a lot of people have done
it, and as far as engine conversions go one of the simplest to do as the
only welding required are the radiator mounting brackets, the rest of the
stuff is off the shelf (so to speak) triumph items.
Barry Schwartz
Bschwartz@encad.com (work)
Bschwart@pacbell.net (home)
(San Diego)
70' Spitfire (major surgery almost done) , 72'-V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
70'GT6+
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