Re: Diesel Conversion - Triumph Spitfire ???

I'm tossing around the idea of converting a '77 Triumph Spitfire to a diesel powered, high mpg car. I've read about a conversion using a 17 hp Kubota diesel engine (http://www.rqriley.com/cent.html) that got up to 128 mpg. The vehicle was highly modified and barely resembled a Spitfire when completed....and it was probably painfully slow. I want to get great mpgs, however, I want the car to look original without any modifications to the body / interior. I'm not into performance (obviously!!) but I would like the car to be driveable around town and maybe out on the road up to highway speeds. Any ideas? Kubota makes several small 3 cylinder diesel engines with in the 25hp --> 36hp range. My Spitfire will have an 4 speed transmission with overdrive. Here are some specs of the stock Spitfire engine: Horsepower 57.00 BHP (42 KW) @ 5000.00 RPM Torque 68.00 Ft-Lbs (92.2 NM) @ 2500.00 RPM Vehicle Weight : 1850lbs. I thought about going with a VW diesel engine, but that would probably be overkill. Any ideas folks? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Keith 1983 MB 300DT "Hulga"

Do it and send us the pictures

Go with the VW. It won't be that powerful, but being able to remove the Spitfire hood will give you plenty of space to work with. Should still get lots of economy.

I think the little VW 1.9 TDI would make the Triumph scream. I have a friend in San Francisco that blasts his Golf all around and it hauls butt running veggie oil and bio. Find the oil pan from a Van and lay the engine at a slant, should fit fine. But your car being a 77, it wouldn't ever be allowed to be Registered in CA. But a totaly cool concept. If your toy runs out of gas, your left with a pretty paperweight, "I don't push paperweights".

At least when this British car leaks oil, it'll be non-toxic. Effluvius ************** Making methane is easy-I just drink a glass of milk. Storing it, however...

I've got an MGB project car that I've joked about making into a biodiesel powered ragtop. My measurements have concluded that I need to find a old Isuzu or at least something that I can mount in a direction to get power to the rear wheels. I think you'll have that same problem unless of course you highly modify. My advice is to find a less sophisticated diesel (minimal electronics) that was designed to power rear wheel drive mini-pickups and the like. (I'm looking for a inexpensive, but running diesel to convert mine so first dibs. [;)]) BTW ... horsepower is about right too.

Rich, why don't you figure out how to run ethanol through your SU's. Then when you do, tell me so that I can make my Mini run on ethanol!! 1982 MB 300D running on homebrew B100 "My pockets gets fat, others gets thinner!"

Don't have SU's ... I have a Weber downdraft. I occasionally regret it, especially the 'electric' choke. I wish it were manual. I'm afraid Ethanol would melt every part on my MGB ... from tank to exhaust valve! [:D]

Keith,

I always had a memory of that old article in the back of my mind.  What magazine was that...Popular Mechanics perhaps?

I have a Triumph GT6...but always thought about trying the 125 MPG conversion.

Please let me know what you find out.

Thanks,

Tim