RichardSIA
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| posted on 19/11/13 at 10:38 AM |
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Spitfire to Ford front suspension and brake upgrade.
Hello,
I am trying to configure an upright (vertical link), spindle, and brake upgrade for my wood chassis Marcos 1600 GT.
I am fitting an Alfa Romeo 2000 engine, Ford T9 gearbox, and LSD Alfa Spider rear with original Alfa rear disc brakes.
I will have almost double the original HP and torque with no significant gain in vehicle weight.
I will have a 4x108 PCD with light 14" Enkie wheels.
Performance should be adequate if I may sort out the brakes and front suspension.
The old Spitfire/GT6 front brakes and spindles will no longer suffice.
I am sure many here are familiar with the Spitfire lower trunnion issues.
A change to Cortina Mk 3 - 5 has been suggested and I know there are a few Marcos with them on the road.
Making new tubular arms is no issue once I know exactly what uprights to use.
Another suggestion was to use the Ford Sierra parts, but they appear to be entirely different than the Spirfire or Cortina bits as they use a
strut.
Wondering if anyone here might have some expertise on fitting Sierra type rotors (Hubs?) to the Cortina uprights or hubs?
Being on the wrong side of the water and exchange rate I do at least have ready access to Willwood calipers.
But there are no English breakers yards here to provide an opportunity to inspect varied parts of English origin.
The 'net has generally been more confusing than helpful.
Any assistance you may provide will be greatly appreciated.
I've also joined the U.S. Locost site but most builders here seem to use Miata or other Japanese parts.
Virtually none have a clue on any Brit bits.
I would have thought that some one would have alrready worked out a simple upgrade beyond GT-6 parts?
Just as a tease I will post a pic of a car I own the molds for, it dates back to 1973.
I intend to build one with bike power rather than VW.
Sorry about the very large image, I hosted it before learning how to resize.
At these fuel prices I want it leaded, five-star, and my windscreen cleaned!
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Not Anumber
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| posted on 19/11/13 at 11:07 AM |
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Why the opposition towards using MX5 / Miata suspension parts ? These are becoming increasingly popular on 7s in the UK especially on the Haynes
Roadster now.
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minitici
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| posted on 19/11/13 at 11:14 AM |
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The Spitfire/GT6 front uprights have been used on a great many race cars over the years.
They normally do away with the lower trunion and fit some sort of spherical bearing.
Alloy hubs are available with Ford 108mm PCD and there are any number of caliper upgrades which could be fitted.
Look at something like this
http://www.szott.com/zot2/page3.html
[Edited on 19/11/13 by minitici]
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minitici
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| posted on 19/11/13 at 11:22 AM |
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http://www.canleyclassics.com/?xhtml=xhtml/product/alloyhubs.html&xsl=product.xsl
Alloy GT6 hubs
[Edited on 19/11/13 by minitici]
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britishtrident
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| posted on 19/11/13 at 02:50 PM |
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GT6/Vitesse brakes and suspension are different from Spitfire/Herald.
Among other differences the 6 cylinder models had much bigger brakes.
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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snapper
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| posted on 19/11/13 at 03:56 PM |
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quote:
Another suggestion was to use the Ford Sierra parts, but they appear to be entirely different than the Spirfire or Cortina bits as they use a strut.
We use an insert to take the place of the strut that accommodates a ball joint (Transit drag link) that fits the top wishbone
Of you look at Haynes Roadster book it gives all dimensions
I eat to survive
I drink to forget
I breath to pi55 my ex wife off (and now my ex partner)
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Mike Wood
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| posted on 22/11/13 at 08:24 AM |
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Hi
Caterham Sevens used the same upright and may have produced a modified version:
http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/category.php?id_category=1033&p=2
Also talk to Merlin Motorport who bought the Speedex parts business years ago; Speedex was set up by Jem Marsh of Marcos.
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/s/suspension-steering (phone for advice).
What about Marcos rebuild and historic racing community? E.g. http://www.rory.uk.com/Parts%20&%20Spares.html
As others have said this upright has been used by many racing cars and road sports cars, so there should be suitable mods out there. Used on some
1960s Lotus racing cars, Royale, Mallock Clubmans Formula (look for info from Clubmans Register), many Formula Fords (look for classic Formula Ford or
Kent engined Formula Ford), some old Reynards etc. Also probably on old Sports 2000 racing cars and old Formula Atlantic cars - which should be on
your side of the pond - ask SCCA local rep?
As there are many racing users of this upright there will be people fitting larger diameter discs, different callipers etc; some of this could be from
road cars (callipers) as well as special race bits e.g.
http://www.raceparts.co.uk/products/brakes_and_brake_components.asp?group=AP+Racing+Formula+Big+Brake+Kits
Cheers
Mike
PS gratuitous pics of wooden chassis, front metal tube subframe and suspension: http://home.swipnet.se/~w-90803/wooden.htm
[Edited on 22/11/13 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 22/11/13 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 22/11/13 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 22/11/13 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 22/11/13 by Mike Wood]
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