Duncan's A30

[mpbarrett]

I wonder how difficult it would be to replace a Herald/Spitfire 1300 engine with one of these? the video suggests 130BHP and up to 180BHP with a bit of injection or 200BHP with a supercharger!
I am sure there was a herald being sold some time ago with a BMC A series engine in it....

Mike

[Nick Jones]

Possible..... yes. The 1500 Midget even means their is a bell housing ready made to attach it to the mechanical marvel (!) that is the Triumph gearbox. But why would you? It’s not really any better than the small crank 1300 - in fact it’s worse because it only has a 5 port head- it’s just had a lot more aftermarket tuning and parts supply effort put into it.

Several more worthwhile engine swaps out there. K series, Zetec SE, Zetec, MX5, Toyota, Suzuki......

[A30Racer]

Yes, the Speed Hillclimb rules & class structure are such that my weird head puts me in the Modified Production class. Standard(ish) block, but head & gearbox are free. I don't envisage any unpleasantness (read protests) about my car's eligibility, as it won't be capable of winning against the Minis etc. No bothers for me, but an interesting engineering exercise.

Nick is spot on suggesting more modern engines to invigorate classic cars with good reliability, power and economy. There is a bit of piddling around to do with electrics to get these modern motors to work outside of their natural environment (as I am finding out at the moment!

Added a photo of the progress on the front of my engine. Cam belt tensioner sorted and now water pump pulley done. Awaiting Denso alternator, then second belt will run off the water pump pulley. 

[A30Racer]

Progressing along slowly with the A30. The Denso alternator is loosely in position, awaiting the tensioning slide being fitted and a new, but shorter toothed belt to allow it to be driven by the water pump pulley. Tomorrow's mission is to finish making the crank sensor mount. Been plugging in the loom which reveals a mismatch with some of the plugs.

The very nice Maniflow manifold that had gone brown has been sent for a swim in the molasses bath, been blasted, had a boss welded for the lambda sensor & finally painted with vht black to hopefully prevent it going brown again

[RedRooster]

Very nearly did a supercharger conversion on the AH, built it up and looked ok with the belts, pulleys, etc.. but no one would insure me so went back to NA, probably a good thing as its nuts as it is.

[A30Racer]

That may come later if it is lacking in the Go Dept! Not sure where the blower would go mind, unless it was crank mounted out of the front like a 30s Grand Prix car!!

[A30Racer]

Another busy day taking small steps with my A30. Crank sensor is mounted and the alternator is finished too.

Then put the gearbox back on to test the clutch. Needs the release cylinder spacing towards the flywheel about another 8mm, as it drops off the end before clutch release is achieved. Used an adjacent Mini in the workshop to provide the master cylinder & pedal!!

Just received the call that I am back to work on wednesday, so progress may slow a little.

[Nick Jones]

1 hour ago, A30Racer said:

ust received the call that I am back to work on wednesday

How rude..... 

[A30Racer]

Yes. Hardly helpful regarding this noble mission!!

[TimBancroft]

Good to hear from you, Duncan. (About time you and Mr Jones did a 10CR again).....

This is all very interesting, cannot wait to here the news that she is finished...bloody excellent.

Companies can be so unhelpful eh!

[Nick Jones]

Someone has to keep the water (and poo) flowing........

[A30Racer]

It's a dirty job.........

[Nick Jones]

17 minutes ago, A30Racer said:

It's a dirty job.........

It is.  Though the food-waste powered biogas plants smell even worse.

[GT6Steve]

Ours here in North Las Vegas is largely odour free.  Excepting first stage filtering at Headworks.  I don't like going in there LOL

 

[A30Racer]

Back to the matter in hand! In the workshop there is a BMC C-Series being rebuilt (out of an MGC). What a hoofing great thing that is. I took a picture of the block next to a 1275 A-Series one. No perspective, that is the actual size difference!

[JohnD]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

We talked about putting a BMW cylinder head on a T6 engine, for its cross flow nature.   But with 3L and SEVEN mains, if we're going for a major engine transplant, who needs crossflow?    An MGC has to be in the  frame.  Yes, it's a big b*99^5, and needed a big bulge to fit the MGB, but so did the GT6.   How do its dimensions compare  with a T6?

It even mounts to the front turrets, like a Vitesse!

[mossmonaco]

the tr6 engine tips the scales at a lardy 460lb and gives 150 hp. The MGC engine weighs 610lb and gives 145 hp. a duratec 2.0 gives 166hp for 230lb. I would assume that demand for the MGC engine is especially high in seaside towns where there is always a market for anchors! 

[John I]

You'd need a good set of brakes to help stop that 610lb anchor, that is after you've burnt a tank of go juice to get it rolling.

[zetecspit]

1 hour ago, mossmonaco said:

the tr6 engine tips the scales at a lardy 460lb and gives 150 hp. The MGC engine weighs 610lb and gives 145 hp. a duratec 2.0 gives 166hp for 230lb. I would assume that demand for the MGC engine is especially high in seaside towns where there is always a market for anchors! 

And the duratec can VERY easily make 200BHP.... it is very appealing, but at the moment I can't justify swapping again...

[A30Racer]

It must be said that the old MGC motor makes a fabulous low growl. This one has triple SUs and a big cam. I hope I get to see the finished article in the car. 
That said you can't argue how effectively the Duratec goes about its business. Just limited on the undefinable "soul" of an old, heavy and inefficient engine.

[Nick Jones]

There is a gent who attends my very local car meet at the Dinnington Docks who has an MGC, spiced up a bit.  It has triple Webers and various other bling.  Obviously it sounds the part. 

This same gent gave me quite alot of abuse for meddling with a perfectly good classic (Vitesse EFI!).  I observed that I like to use my car and have been known to do 3000 miles in a long weekend..... with Alpine content, so mid 30s mpg or a bit better is welcome, even essential and the extra grunt is welcome too.  Apparently the MGC does between 8 and 12 mpg..... and no, he doesn't use it much.  Case closed.....

I also observed that he might benefit from having it RR tuned by someone who knows Webers.  Apparently it's already been to the best...... Ah well!

[mossmonaco]

Probably using a fair bit of the available power to drive the fuel pump then!

[Nick Jones]

21 minutes ago, mossmonaco said:

Probably using a fair bit of the available power to drive the fuel pump then!

Indeed!  And drag the fuel bowser.......

[JohnD]

Well, that proposal got properly answered!   Thinking outside the box often means outside sense!

Duncan, triple SUs were on Jag sixes, and were a real.problem.to.tune, thanks to the unequal impulses on front and rear and equal on middle carbs.    

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by JohnD

[A30Racer]

It would be nice to see an MGC with efi & mapped ignition. The main gain on your efi Nick was efficiency and have happy memories of haring up the Alps & getting 35mpg. 
Your chum with the webers may be missing the point!