Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Updated TR6




This project is to install a fully programmable, multi point fuel injection system with a distributorless ignition in a 1972 Triumph TR6.

These two views show the installation of the new high pressure fuel pump and fuel filter. The fuel line to the engine is 3/8" aluminum. The fuel return line is 5/16" nylon.




This shot shows the fuel injector holders which were T.I.G. welded to the TR6 intake manifold. Also visible are the two (could have been three or six) throttle housings sourced from Extrudabody at http:/extrudabody.com.



This shows the location of the M.A.P. sensor on firewall, the fuel pressure regulator, fuel distribution log and fuel hoses. Also visible is the auxiliary fuse box mounted below the front throttle housing.



Here is the crank trigger. Four magnets were inserted in the back of the crank pulley at prescribed angles to operate the three ignition coils which fire the spark plugs. The original distributor is retained just to operate the tach which, on a TR6 is driven by a cable. An electric tach would eliminate the need for the old distributor.




Behind the glove box, mounted to the firewall, is the computer and wiring (not tidied up yet) sourced from Racetech Inc. in Alberta, Canada (www.sdsefi.com)and marketed as S.D.S.



These are the programmers used to dial in the fuel and ignition maps while on chassis dyno. Once that's done, they are removed until further modifications warrant fuel/ignition changes.



At a dyno run, the TR6 displayed a max horse power of 105.97 and a max torque of 129.39 at the rear wheels. Pretty impressive!

1975 TR6 BMW


This car was towed to the shop and was found to have spun a rod. The owner decided that while it was apart, he wanted to make it go faster, a lot faster. Bart recommended that an alternate power plant would help as the Triumph motor is severly power challanged no matter how much money you throw at it. Bart then suggested that he could install a 1989 BMW 325i motor and 5 speed tranny. The BMW motor makes 190 HP bone stock and weighs considerably less than the TR motor. Plus it has simple fuel injection.


This job required modifying the fire wall, the BMW gearshift assembly (which had to have a short shift installed), and the driveshaft. Next Bart fabricated the gas pedal assembly, clutch hydraulic line, the computer mounting, steel braided oil lines, radiator hoses, alternator mounting and brackets, the fire wall and tranny tunnel.


Bart also fabricated and installed a rear coil-over shock conversion and exhaust system. The front got new Koni shocks. The battery had to be relocated in the trunk. Bart constructed new power, ground and engine ground cables.








Trial fit ....


in and done!


Bart fabricated an aluminum radiator shroud.

When the car was finished, the owner spent several months driving it at auto cross events (taking 1st in his division at Jekyll Island), on mountain tours, and to several races at Road Atlanta. It always drew quite a crowd and lots of questions. Soon he decided that with that much power, it would be wise to have Bart fabricate and install a roll bar. He also wanted a new paint job on the exterior. Off it went to the body and paint shop - this time TC's Place. After the primer was complete, the owner decided to have the entire car painted. It was trailered back to the shop to remove the engine, exhaust system, etc. Then back to TC's Place to have the job completed.





Shots of the car after being painted.




Now that the car has a great new paint job, it's time to have the bumpers rechromed, all new lights installed, new custom seats, Wilton wool carpeting, and new panels. And don't forget the new Sunfast convertible top, dash pads, and a custom made aluminum dash board.


Before starting the interior, the owner felt he wanted some extra sound deadening material added. We had just the thing. Koolmat is a composite of high temperature fiberglass with a top coat of silicone. It prevents the flow of air or liquids and is excellent for sound deadening. It is used a great deal by NASCAR as it keeps the driver of the race car cooler and will withstand high temperatures in case of fire.
Below are a few pictures before the Koolmat installation. Notice the custom made firewall built to accomodate the BMW engine.




And after the Koolmat...





The panel kit and Wilton wool carpet kit were ordered from John Skinner in England. As usual, the materials were of very good quality. The carpet had to be custom fitted to accomodate the enlarged fire wall and smaller floor carpet area. The seat tracks had to be altered to allow the installation of the custom seats. The owner also requested a chrome grab bar be installed on the dash (note the aluminum dash was remade at the request of the customer).



Bart fabricated the center console to accomodate the enlarged fire wall and designed a custom mount for the radio and XM receiver.


Here the engine is in place with a new aluminum crossflow radiator and the reconfigured wiring incorporating relays and a pair of 5 ATC fuse panels.





TC did a great job fabricating the custom front and side grills. These gave the car just the right amount of detail.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

1964 Jaguar E Type Series 1



This 1964 XKE was purchased by a customer who also owns a 1959 XK 150 and a 1959 twin cam MGA. We had serviced both of his other cars, so when he bought this one, he brought it in for a quick go over and some work on the brakes. One thing led to another, and now we are in the process of restoring this car to its "almost" original condition when it was sold by Jaguar Cars, New York to the first owner who lived in California. How do we know that? With a good deal of searching the internet, Carolyn found a source for retrieving information from the original Car Record Book. The customer followed through on the suggestion and was able to find that his E Type had originally been painted Opalescent Silver Blue with a blue top and blue interior. We were already aware that one owner had upgraded the seats to the 4.2 model and these are to be reused. The owner has also decided to upgrade the transmission to a 4.2. Other than those two changes, the rest of the car will be back to it's original condition when the project is completed.

Before we start any restoration, we take pictures of the car as it came to us. As we go through the process of stripping down the car to prepare it for body and paint work, we take more pictures as we go along to keep records of what needs to be replaced or repaired. Following are pictures of a few items that must be corrected and the car's interior.




Notice the lack of the upper chrome strip on the door panel and the original armrest which is no longer there.


The door sill of an original E Type is covered with a material called Moquette which is not as dense as the proper Wilton carpet. The carpet through out this car was unbound, pieced together, and glued down. This sill is also missing the original chrome strip on the outer edge.


The rear bulkhead was also covered in carpet instead of the correct moquette and hardura, a textured material which is used under the seats, etc. Our customer did not want the radio speaker in the rear bulkhead.


All of the rubber seals will be replaced.



Pictures of the engine and under the hood after engine was removed. The frame will need to be stripped and painted body color.


After removing the convertible top, windshield, seats, carpeting, panels and all hardware, the dash was removed.



When the car was totally stripped, Bart trailered it to a body shop for repairs and paint. The first repair was to fill the hole in the rear bulkhead where the radio speaker had been.




Body work is completed and the base coat has been applied.







One door in final paint color. It's going to be a beaut!



The car returns to the shop with a new paint job.


While the car was out for paint and body work, Carolyn started work on the seats and the center console.


The complete interior kit for this car was produced by B.A.S. Ltd. Jaguar Trim Specialist of Canada. They pride themselves in using original materials as were found in Jaguars over the years. These seat covers are Connolly leather with moquette on the back. The center console is covered with vinyl and leather.



The carpet is 100% Wilton wool with storvic heel pads. Half inch English natural jute underfelt is installed under all carpeting to reduce heat and road noise. The outer foot wells are covered with half inch thick insulating hardura while the rest of the footwell and transmission tunnel are covered with Wilton wool and underfelt. The door sills are done with closed cell foam and vinyl and will have a chrome strip on the outer edge.




The rear bulhead is covered with the half inch hardura while the wheel arches and lower bulkhead are in moquette with foam underneath.



Carolyn used the wooden rear tack strips for the convertible top which were on the car to make jigs to reproduce the three sections of the strip. She used thin strips of red oak to laminate and bend the parts to the correct shape.


The tack strips were then screwed into the bulkhead and covered with vinyl.


The trim pieces for the door jams were installed.



The door windows were installed with new channel strips. The door panels and chrome strips were installed along with handles. The arm rests will be next.


The interior light and upper bulkhead panels are in place.


The windshield with new rubber gaskets was reinstalled.



After having a valve job done, Bart installed new rings, rod bearings, upper and lower timing chains with tensioner, head studs and a 4.2 flywheel for the upgraded 4.2 transmission. He also started installing the wiring harnesses while Carolyn began work on the wiring for the head lamps, blinker lights and tail lamps.





With the engine work completed, the engine and transmission assembly were reinstalled. Next comes the installation of brake lines and rebuilt front suspension.


Just a few more minor details and the engine will be complete.


Bart and our friend P. J. install the bonnet.


The bonnet is in place and the convertible top installation is nearing completion.


The headlamps with covers and chrome are installed along with the front bumpers and motif bar.




With the convertible top complete and all details addressed, this Jag looks great inside and out!




A wish that the owner enjoys his Jag in good health and he waves goodby.