Triumph Repair: conversion, honda vtech, mazda rotary

Question
i have another question...  i'm not sure yet the route i want to go with the triumph.  whether i should go all out cusomizing or try keeping as original as possible.  one of my curiosities was:  how difficult and how much $$ do you think it would cost to convert a 78 spitfire to a honda vtech engine?  i mean is it even worth the time to consider?  i love the spitfires and love their ride, just don't trust their reliability...  what do you think?

Answer
Tom,

Keep in mind that the Honda engine is for a Front Wheel Drive setup.  So the first issue would be what trans to use, unless you plan to convert the Spitfire to FWD.

Also the DOHC Honda engine is a bit taller than the Spitfire engine, so simply fitting it underneath the bonnet may be a struggle.

A more common conversion for the Spitfire is to use a Mazda rotary drivetrain from an old RX7.  I suppose the RX8 could be a donor now too, but I suspect it'll cost a good chunk to get one of those drivetrains.  The advantage to the rotary is that it's a nice compact unit, so it fits nicely under the flip up bonnet.

As to price?  How skilled are you?  Got a machine shop in the garage?  Good friends who can do the work for you for free?   Or will you have to pay to have all the work done?  If that's the case, take what the parts cost (engine, etc) and triple it... that's what it'll cost by the time you're done.  If not more.

A well maintained Spitfire can be a very reliable vehicle, simply because they are... simple.  I have a friend locally who bought a well used '72 Spitfire for $200 back in the early 90s and proceeded to drive it from Texas to the national Triumph conventions in Seattle, Minnesota, South Carolina and North Carolina with no problems whatsoever.  His car is a daily driver so everything is kept in good running shape, but without much real repair needed.  His car has well over 100,000 miles on it and it's still in great shape.  Not a show car, but a good driver.

If you want to hot rod it, sure, it'll break.  That's not really what the car was made to do.

As an investment, you'll get a much better return on your dollars by keeping the car as stock as reasonably possible.  A better ignition system (several to choose from), alloy wheels and decent tires, and keeping the mechanicals in good shape will net you much more money as it'll appeal to someone who wants a Spitfire.  

Extensively modding it means you'll need to find someone who has exactly your taste in cars.  Unless you plan to keep it for many years.  In that case... go for it.



Cheers,

Jim