Spitfire ls1 swap

**98TransAmWs-6** · 06-20-2011, 01:47 PM

My dad has a 1971 Triump Spitfire and I was wondering if it is possible to put a LS1 in it. After I build the motor I am going to swap into my TA I was going to rebuild my LS1 and put it in his Spitfire I was just wondering what sort of work am I looking at to get it to fit. I figured it would need a stronger drivetrain and suspension and maybe even a built up chassis. Would a T56 tranmission work with with the Spitfire or would it be too big? If there is a better swap that would be less of a headache please let me know.

Here are a couple pictures of it right now:

**Smittro** · 06-20-2011, 02:15 PM

Well folks put them into Miata's so why not.?

. If it's anything like an Auston Healey in size you're likely looking @ a crap load of fab work. imho

Weather it's worth it or not is only limited to your wallet which I suspect will be substantial. You can put just about anything into anything. I say go for it. As for the T56 swap you'll likely need to alter the tunnel..imho As the spitfire 4spd is likely much smaller than the t56. Good luck keep us posted..

**Smittro** · 06-20-2011, 02:20 PM

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBFySY2zh7g&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

Looks like many have done similar swaps..and it's even in your color..

**Smittro** · 06-20-2011, 02:30 PM

http://www.madspit.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/home.htm

**98TransAmWs-6** · 06-20-2011, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Smittro

http://www.madspit.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/home.htm

That link is quite helpful. Thanks for the info. Now I just need to convince my dad to do it. When we do it I'll definitely post it up. Wonder how fast it will be after the swap.

**Smittro** · 06-20-2011, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

That link is quite helpful. Thanks for the info. Now I just need to convince my dad to do it. When we do it I'll definitely post it up. Wonder how fast it will be after the swap.

No prob. I'd have to guess somewhere near dangerously fast..

**98TransAmWs-6** · 06-20-2011, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Smittro

No prob. I'd have to guess somewhere near dangerously fast..

Haha yea it probably would be. I'll have to get a video of it when it is done.

**Smittro** · 06-20-2011, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

Haha yea it probably would be. I'll have to get a video of it when it is done.

Sweet! Progress pics are a plus also

we likey build pics..

**98TransAmWs-6** · 06-20-2011, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Smittro

Sweet! Progress pics are a plus also

we likey build pics..

Well I have to see if I can convince my dad to do it first

as it is his car and his money. He seems to want a v6 not a v8 in it though, as his spitfire came with a 4 cylinder. I may have to buy a junk one and restore it and put a v8 in it at some point.

**Smittro** · 06-20-2011, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

Well I have to see if I can convince my dad to do it first

as it is his car and his money. He seems to want a v6 not a v8 in it though, as his spitfire came with a 4 cylinder. I may have to buy a junk one and restore it and put a v8 in it at some point.

Did someone say's V6!?

time for an LQ1..

**98TransAmWs-6** · 06-20-2011, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Smittro

Did someone say's V6!?

time for an LQ1..

I know nothing about v6 engines, as far as power wise. Care to educate me on the LQ1?

**Smittro** · 06-20-2011, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

I know nothing about v6 engines, as far as power wise. Care to educate me on the LQ1?

Hehehe.. The LQ1 is a DOHC 3.4L v6 from only w-bodied "X" code cars from 91-98. Z34, Grand prix, and olds cutlass. Produces 200- 225hp stock but factory bottom ends can hold (more than double) quite a bit more.. It's a 60* v6. I was sorta joking tho..

But if you'd like to see one click my profile. The one I built for my slow going TT project is there as my profile pic.. I am also building a second one as well.

You could also look into the DI 3.6L vvt dohc v6 that is in the 5th gen camaro which is also a 60*v6 but with substantially more N/A power than the LQ1..
A 300+ hp 3.6L v6 will get the job done too imho.. V6's are kinda my thing

**98TransAmWs-6** · 06-20-2011, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Smittro

Hehehe.. The LQ1 is a DOHC 3.4L v6 from only w-bodied "X" code cars from 91-98. Z34, Grand prix, and olds cutlass. Produces 200- 225hp stock but factory bottom ends can hold (more than double) quite a bit more.. It's a 60* v6. I was sorta joking tho..

But if you'd like to see one click my profile. The one I built for my slow going TT project is there as my profile pic.. I am also building a second one as well.

You could also look into the DI 3.6L vvt dohc v6 that is in the 5th gen camaro which is also a 60*v6 but with substantially more N/A power than the LQ1..
A 300+ hp 3.6L v6 will get the job done too imho.. V6's are kinda my thing

I may look into that. I was trying to find that but I couldn't figure out what it was called, thanks for the information!

**Smittro** · 06-20-2011, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

I may look into that. I was trying to find that but I couldn't figure out what it was called, thanks for the information!

Sure! Not a prob.

**98TransAmWs-6** · 06-20-2011, 08:38 PM

I found this for $3500.00 with only 5 miles on it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2010-...item3f08e2c409

I am guessing I'd need some custom headers made for this application. I guess I'll see what my dad thinks of this, still going to be crazy fast with that v6 in it

**Smittro** · 06-20-2011, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

I found this for $3500.00 with only 5 miles on it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2010-...item3f08e2c409

I am guessing I'd need some custom headers made for this application

They make headers for them already (may be able to alter them or they may work as is) and the after market looks to be getting stronger and stronger. Caddy used them first.. That's a good price Imho.. A stock LQ1 engine is close to that in crate price.. I've seen the DI 3.6 go for 6k new.. There's a lot more room under the hood of a 3.6 5th gen than even the 3800II 4th gen for headers. The LT's I've seen for them (3.6) are pretty simplistic in design imho as opposed to the 3800 setups..

**Smittro** · 06-20-2011, 08:53 PM

The issue you may have is the 3.6 is a high feature as is the LQ1 so you may likely have to also alter the Spitfire hood just to get it closed..lol

**Smittro** · 06-20-2011, 08:55 PM

Now if you went 3800, there's a slew of after market stuff for them and built 3800's have seen 8's @ the track with a spool..

**98TransAmWs-6** · 06-21-2011, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Smittro

Now if you went 3800, there's a slew of after market stuff for them and built 3800's have seen 8's @ the track with a spool..

Hmm I may have to consider that. Although I think he may want to keep it stock but just be faster. I'll have to let my dad know about these.

Originally Posted by Smittro

The issue you may have is the 3.6 is a high feature as is the LQ1 so you may likely have to also alter the Spitfire hood just to get it closed..lol

I'll probably do a shaker style like hood if that would help make it fit under the hood.

**Smittro** · 06-21-2011, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

Hmm I may have to consider that. Although I think he may want to keep it stock but just be faster. I'll have to let my dad know about these.

I'll probably do a shaker style like hood if that would help make it fit under the hood.

Well the L67 (3800 SC) is barely taller with the factory Eton 90 on it so maybe check them out.. 200hp crank for the 3800 non-SC, and over 240 crank for the L67 stock, with a 3.4 pully it will net a noticable difference but still wont be 300+ like the DI 3.6L VVT N/A.

A shaker style hood should work you'll just have to moch it up and see how much clearance you're actually left with.

For the 3800 you'll need either an A4 auto or a T5 manual trans (no six speeds).

However the 3.6L has the available 6spd manual or 6spd auto..
The Opel guys across the pond (Uk) as well as here like using the 60*v6 because it's relatively compact size with its 60* "V" angle.

The 3800 is substantially wider @ a lower profile since it's a 90* "v" angle..

Where the DI 3.6 is still making a name for itself, the 3800 is legondary..

Lots of options imho..