Barely Functional Racing LS Swaps a Triumph TR4

In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :

I think what he meant to say is he can go back to a stock crosmember rather than this butchered version.

pres589 (djronnebaum) said:

That's the stock crossmember?  It looks like something I would have welded up in highschool shop class [this is not a compliment].

No. Sorry for the confusion.  What you see on the car is  Not a stock one.  It's hacked up by the previous owner (when he installed the V6).  Pic was intended to show that I have the engine set back far enough that a stock uncut one can be bolted in place & clear the crank & water pump pulley.

In reply to Indy-Guy :

You are making great progress with this!  Very much looking forward to seeing it in person.

Ah, okay.  This project is quite cool.  Hope you can find good solutions in getting the engine fitted.

Is there anything to be gained by using the stock exhaust manifolds facing forwards?

AngryCorvair said:

In reply to Indy-Guy :

You are making great progress with this!  Very much looking forward to seeing it in person.

Thanks.  You'll be able to see it at the Challenge this year when you bring your Sonoma (because Monzora still won't be finished)

pres589 (djronnebaum) said:

Ah, okay.  This project is quite cool.  Hope you can find good solutions in getting the engine fitted.

After another round of engine out, more cutting, and engine back in, I think I finally have a workable location, so next (after removing the body) is build motor mounts.

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

Is there anything to be gained by using the stock exhaust manifolds facing forwards?

Not from a packaging benefit, but that would help reduce the budget impact.

Indy-Guy said:

pres589 (djronnebaum) said:

Ah, okay.  This project is quite cool.  Hope you can find good solutions in getting the engine fitted.

After another round of engine out, more cutting, and engine back in, I think I finally have a workable location, so next (after removing the body) is build motor mounts.

Build/weld something temporary in to hold the engine and trans in EXACTLY the spot you want before pulling the bidy for real mounts. Learned that lesson twice now ...

The stock TR4 only has a thin piece of plywood separating the rear fuel tank from the passenger compartment.  Will this pass tech? Or will I have to weld in a metal separator?

Indy-Guy said:

The stock TR4 only has a thin piece of plywood separating the rear fuel tank from the passenger compartment.  Will this pass tech? Or will I have to weld in a metal separator?

Rules:

There must be a metallic firewall between the driver’s compartment and the engine bay, as well as one between the driver’s compartment and fuel system. Open holes in the firewalls are not allowed. Unaltered OEM firewalls made of nonmetallic materials are also allowed.

If its unaltered OEM its allowed. That said I would err on the side of caution, start looking for a file cabinet on trash day.

With all the "in & out" of the engine, I must have hurt the battery, which proceeded to spill  acid all over the battery tray and transmission/bellhousing

Which meant pulling the engine again and do a bit of Chemistry experiment

Baking soda and water

So it's lighter now?  Good job! 

I know they might sound spendy, but the foam engine black was worth every penny it cost. They are also  quite sellable when you are done. That and a gutted transmission case.

For effective chemical milling you need to keep the acid bath longer

NOHOME said:

I know they might sound spendy, but the foam engine black was worth every penny it cost. They are also  quite sellable when you are done. That and a gutted transmission case.

We bought a used one here on the GRM forum for 1/2 price and are done with it now if you are interested. It is a SBC, but still pretty useful to approximate the shape and what is needed verse swapping back and forth th real thing. We had it bolted to a T56 and it made the project much easier! Let me know if you are interested and I'll have my friend reach out on it with the details.

TurnerX19 said:

For effective chemical milling you need to keep the acid bath longer

I know people work hard to add lightness, this is going a little far... 

Garage straightened out, bolts removed.  Preparing for body removal.....

I'm trying to round up some muscle to help.

Stay tuned..... 

Edit: no muscle available until tomorrow.

In reply to Indy-Guy :

Muscle showed up today so this happened:

Woohoo!!! Does that driveshaft fit?

Do you have a stock cross member?  I have a couple out of TR6s if you need one.

What's the plan for a rear end again?

Heck yes!!!!

Big Day. Rock On!

Robbie said:

Woohoo!!! Does that driveshaft fit?

That's the drive shaft the previous owner had made up for the V6 and Auto tranny.  Turns out the splines fit my manual trans. Length is close. perhaps a bit too long I don't yet have everything in the right location yet.  I wonder if it'll be up to the task of 300-400 hp even if it turns out to be ok length-wise.  That V6 had (at best) 120ish hp.

68TR250 said:

Do you have a stock cross member?  I have a couple out of TR6s if you need one.

No, I don't have one yet.  I'd be very interested in a TR6 one. Trade would be best for challenge budget reasons.  I'll send you a PM.