Questioni have a 79 spitfire, i would like to update the fuse box,to a more modern and better fuse panel. where i can have the flasher relays as well. what would you suggest and how much trouble would it be. I'm in Kansas. thanks for your help.
AnswerWes,
As an engineer I'll subscribe to the saying that nothing is impossible, allowed enough time and money.
What you are proposing is to totally rebuild the electrical system. While you're at it you might want to rethink how the different electrical systems are fused, separating some of the functions and adding additional fuses into the mix.
I have not personally heard of anyone performing such a job on a street car. Race cars are another issue as typically they need the ignition, charging ciruit, and possibly the brakes still functioning.
I guess you'd need to start by finding a fuse panel you can afford that will fit the location you're going to set it in. Then you'll need to rewire or at least splice the existing harness to connect to the new fuse panel.
Do you have ready access to a parts yard for a donor fuse panel? Or are you going to go with new parts? If you go with all new components you can try some of the race shops (Jegs, Summit Racing, Pegasus Racing) for ideas on what's available in terms of fuse boxes.
Remember that the original Spitfire fuse box is in the engine compartment where it can potentially get wet during inclement weather. A better locatin might be in the driver side or passenger side "glove box" inside the bodywork.
Cheers,
Jim
