Paul Geithner’s Triumph Spitfire

Links, References & Technical Information

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spitfire links:

books and magazines:

information and analytical tools, by category:

Haynes Manuals for the Triumph Spitfire, GT6, S.U. and Weber Carburetors

Bentley Service Manuals

Performance Tuning in Theory and Practice, by A. Graham Bell

Tuning Standard Triumphs over 1300 cc, by David Vizard

Theory and Practice of Cylinder Head Modification, by David Vizard

How to Build, Modify & Power Tune Cylinder Heads, by Burgess and Gollan

S.U. Carburetter Manual, by Interauto (ISBN 0-903192-25-X)

Tuning To Win: A Performance Guide to Fuel and Ignition Tuning, by Don Gould

How to Make Your Car Handle, by Fred Puhn

Carroll Smith’s Tune to Win, Prepare To Win, and Engineer To Win

Kas Kastner’s books about Triumph racing and preparation

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 Spitifre & GT6: A Guide to Originality, by John Thomason

Triumph Spitfire Gold Portfolio, published by Brooklands Books

Sports Car and Competition Driving, by Paul Frère

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

Practical Classics magazine on Spitfire Restoration

Grassroots Motorsports magazine

Classic Motorsports magazine

Spitfire & GT6 magazine

Triumph World magazine

 

Performance:

Cheap and Easy Spitfire Performance Enhancements

MintyLamb Automotive utilities

General vehicle handling setup guide

Effects of engine modifications on ignition timing

Supercharging and Turbocharging

The “Spit-6”

Useful formulas



engine:

The Otto cycle engine

Thermodynamic basics of the Otto cycle engine

Spitfire engines and their specs by year

Building a Performance Spitfire Engine

Optimizing ignition

Cylinder Head options for Spitfires

Compression Ratio calculator---how much to shave off a Spitfire cylinder head to achieve a target static CR

Cam Specs w/ graphical representations of critical camshaft parameters

Important info about oil for old flat tappet engines


Fuel & Carburetion:

Gasoline 101--interesting and comprehensive information about gasoline

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

    S.U. Twin Type 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

ExtrudaBody fuel injection

MegaJolt

MegaSquirt

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

Maniflow Headers





Heating & cooling:

Mechanical vs. Electrical fans

Oil Coolers






 

drivetrain:

Transmission and overdrive diagrams

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

Replacing U-joints


suspension & brakes:

Automobile Ride, Handling, and Suspension Design

Spitfire & GT6 spring info (part numbers, spring rates, wheel rates, roll stiffness)

Spitfire & GT6 front suspension mods

Front coil spring calculator of spring free length as a function of stiffness and target ride height

Anti-Roll Bars (ARBs, a.k.a. anti-sway bars)

Understanding Spitfire & GT6 rear suspensions

Rear Lowering Block

Camber Compensator for fixed transverse leaf springs

Swing vs. Fixed transverse leaf springs

Got a sagging rear? Renew the leaf spring buttons

Rotoflex/IRS vs. Swing Axles

Dampers (a.k.a. shock absorbers)

Bushings


wheels & tires:

Wheel and Tire Terms

Wheel and Tire size calculator/comparator w/ graphics

Alignment Basics

How Alignment affects Handling

Adapting stock steel 13x5.5” TR7 wheels for the Spitfire

Upgrading to stronger, longer wheel studs

Spitfire wheel and tire options



frame & body:

Got Rust? Some thoughts on rust removal and passivation

“Adding Lightness”

Converting a 1500 to the “early” bumper look

Reinforcing your anti-sway bar mountings

Bolts, nuts and other fasteners

Replace your folding bonnet prop rod with gas struts




electrical:

Stock ALTERNATOR to AC-Delco alternator conversion

Stock GENERATOR to AC-Delco alternator conversion

Driving lights







Interior:

Making your own door panels, bulkheads and trim

Refinishing and customizing the dash, 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

Custom shift knobs w/ LED indicator overdrive switches