I recently picked up a 78 Triumph Spitfire 1500 just cuz I wanted something different. I always had big 60's American Cars as well as 70-72 Skylarks and decided to try on a little two seater convertible. Spitfires are dirt cheap and easy to work on, have a cool flip front end, but as you know, they kind of lack in the HP dept. They are also body on frame which I feel is better suited for a bigger engine. I thought it would be kind of cool to stuff a V6 (Chevy 2.8) or better yet a V8 (Buick 215). Since I am a huge Buick nut, the 215 would be way more cool (kind of like a poor mans Cobra). Anyway, as you know, the Buick 215 soon became the Rover V8 and wouldn't you know it, a couple of guys across the pond have done the swap with the Rover version of the 215 in both the Spitfire and the GT6 (the hardtop version of the Spitifre which came with a straight 6). Anyway, can anyone tell me what manual trans bolts up to the 215? The GT8 in the following linked used a T5. Is that a direct bolt up? Can you get headers etc for these engine? If so, where? Finally, does anyone in Canada have a running 215 and manual trans for sale? Heres a couple of links to pics of converted Spitfires, GT6's: http://www.carcentric.com/GT8.htm http://www.chris-gray.co.uk/spitfire/3500project/pictures.htm Thanks Todd
V8 Spitfire Somebody has one of these locally (western Michigan). Very cool car, red with black interior, and that little motor looks so bad with the front end flipped up. I don't know the owner, but I see it at shows all summer. If I can find a picture I'll post it.
The 215 will use a regular BOP bellhousing. Any trans that bolted behind a BOP V-8 will work. 'Fraid I can't be any more specific than that...
That looks like WAY too much fun!!! Knew a fellow in Dallas who stuffed a F*rd 302 into a Spitfire, complete with the old-style Hilborn injection and incredibly wide tires. He mostly raced autocross, but every so often he'd go terrorize public roads.
Buick/rover 215 Source Hi Todd, Geetings from across the Pond. Here's a source that may be of help. www.rpiv8.com They are primarily a Rover supplier.....Check out your Land Rover supplier. The 215 has been modified some, but in a Range Rover was offered as both a 3.9 and a 4.6 liter. Just a little extra note I'm pretty certain that a conventional BOP bellhousing pattern is completely different. Hope that's of help.
I always though the 215 used the same bell pattern as the 401 and 425, not the standard BOP pattern. Might be worth checking into though.
It will be fun watching this come together. When I was in my teens my dad loved that engine and talked anout stuffing in our pinto or any number of small cars. He bought a TR3 for 50 bucks but never got around to making it happen. I'll have to do it in his memory someday. Goodluck!
Unique I think this one is a unique to the 215-but http://www.aluminumv8.com/ has bellhousings to fit all kinds of stuff to the back of that engine! I have a Olds 215 sitting in the garage- I wanted to put it into a 71 Opel Manta!
Thanks for the reply guys. The 231 is just too heavy. Believe it or not the Buick 215 is a bit lighter than the stock 1.5 engine! I dont think the mods to get it to fit would be too extreme. I'd have to figure out something with the rear end. Spitfires have a transverse leaf setup like an early Vette (in fact Munro air shocks for a 1970's Vette bolted right in!). I think it would be a blast. It's already a fun car to drive with the stock engine. These car's handle well and parts are plentiful. The bonus is you can pick these cars up DIRT CHEAP. I want to pull the body off the frame, get rid of the troublesome Lucas wiring and use a Painless kit, redo the frame and suspension, put the Buick 215 in, swap the guages with Autometer Vintage series guages, paint her Ferrari red, and install silver painted knock off wires. Geez it's gonna be fun! Todd PS I still want a 70 Stage 1 too!
Too heavy? My buddy, Engie Bauza, squeezed a 455 and Muncie 4-speed into a TR-7 fifteen years ago and it ran mid 11's right off the bat. That car was COOL!! If it was heavy, it didn't feel heavy! :laugh:
But...that's half the fun of owning a LBC (little british car)!!! :Brow: :Smarty: Funniest t-shirt I ever say had a picture of a freaked-out-looking guy, with the caption: "Whaddya Mean, Doc, a LUCAS Pacemaker?!?!" :rant: Then again, our Brit-car mechanic friend's son got sent home from school for wearing a shirt that had an armored glove clenching a lightning bolt, and the caption "LUCAS: Prince of Darkness". Too funny going to school with him and hearing the explanation!!! ou: Really, though, I think you're on the right track, should a LOT of fun! :3gears:
