Paul Geithner’s Triumph Spitfire
Links, References & Technical Information
spitfire links:
books and magazines:
information and analytical tools, by category:
Haynes Manuals for the Triumph Spitfire, S.U. and Weber Carburetors
S.U. Carburetter Manual, published by InterAuto
Welder's Handbook, by Richard Finch and Tom Monroe - HP Books
Custom Painting Tips & Techniques, published by Brooklands Books
How To Restore Classic Car Body Work, by Martin Thaddeus
Performance Tuning in Theory and Practice, by A. Graham Bell
How to Make Your Car Handle, by Fred Puhn
Tune To Win, by Carroll Smith
Prepare To Win, by Carroll Smith
Engineer To Win, by Carroll Smith
Historical & Technical Guide for Triumph Cars, by Kas Kastner
Triumph Preparation Handbook, by Kas Kastner
Racing, Winning and Other Myths in Triumph Cars, by Kas Kastner
A Guide to Racing Your Triumph Spitfire or GT6, by Jon Wolfe
Triumph Spitfire Mk 1 to 1500 Official Competition Preparation Manual
Triumph Spitfire and GT6, by Graham Robson
Triumph Spitfire Gold Portfolio, published by Brooklands Books
Sports Car and Competition Driving, by Paul Frère
Practical Classics magazine on Spitfire Restoration
Grassroots Motorsports magazine
Classic Motorsports magazine
Spitfire & GT6 magazine
Triumph World magazine
Car Domain – Triumph Spitfires
Graham’s Triumph Spitfire 1500
International Triumph Spitfire Database
Jan Vogel’s Triumph Spitfire Mk3
Jari's Historic Racing Spitfire 4
Jeff’s Classic ’68 Spitfire Mk3
Netherlands Triumph Spitfire Page
North American Spitfire Squadron
Paul Tegler's Spitfire 1500 Megasite
Triumph Owners Tasmania (T.O.T.)
Triumph Sports Six Club (TSSC)
Performance:
MintyLamb Automotive utilities
General vehicle handling setup guide
Useful formulas
engine:
Spitfire engines and their specs by year
Cam Specs w/ graphical representations of critical camshaft parameters
Compression Ratio calculator---how much to shave off a cylinder head to achieve a target static CR
Making a nice seal with an aftermarket Aluminum valve rocker cover
Thermodynamic basics of the Otto cycle engine
Important info about oil for old flat tappet engines
Fuel & Carburetion:
S.U. carburetor 101---some great notes on how S.U. carburetors work and how to tune them:
The S.U. Variable Venturi/Constant Depression Carburetor
A cool animation of the S.U. carb in action
Burlen Fuel Systems--today’s mfr of S.U. carbs and parts
MintyLamb S.U. needle comparison tool
Heat shields to keep fuel from boiling in your carbs that can cause sputter
Refurbing a fuel tank
exhaust:
Exhaust theory and practice---see Performance Tuning in Theory and Practice, by A. Graham Bell
Performance exhaust alternatives—turn-key and a la carte systems
Heating & cooling:
Oil Coolers
drivetrain:
Got Clunk? It could be the following things…
Overdrive vs. 5-speed—what I’ve learned
MintyLamb rpm and roadspeed calculator
Spitfire and GT6 propshaft lengths
Removing a tranny from inside the car w/out removing the engine
suspension & brakes:
Spitfire suspension specs (e.g., spring rates, etc.)
Front coil spring calculator of spring free length as a function of stiffness and target ride height
Mixing and matching transverse leaf spring leaves to customize stiffness and ride height
Joe Curry’s Kas Kastner design camber compensator for early/fixed transverse leaf springs
wheels & tires:
Wheel and Tire size calculator/comparator w/ graphics
Adapting stock steel 13x5.5” TR7 wheels for the Spitfire
frame & body:
Converting a 1500 to the “early” bumper look, and saving weight for better performance too
Reinforcing your anti-sway bar mountings
Bolts, nuts and other fasteners
Replace your two-piece bonnet prop rod with gas struts
electrical:
Stock generator to AC-Delco alternator conversion
Driving lights
Interior:
Refinishing and customizing the dash, including adding gauges
Thoughts about carpet
A remedy that keeps your soft top frame from pinching the soft top when it’s stowed
Center armrest modified into a flip-top storage compartment and armrest
hidden AM/FM antenna
updated February 2008