trackerjack Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Okay those of you who know me know that I drive a Dolomite Sprint on track days.What do you think is the best and why? Oh and knock my choice if you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bancroft Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 All in all I would think a Spitfire, for the following reasons:1. The cars are still relatively cheap to buy2. Cheap and easy to modify, for the age of the vehicle there are lots of tuning mods that can be done.3. Easy to lighten.4. Is there an easier car to work on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 TR7V8. Cheap, RWD, fast, and loud. What more could you want? And with TR7s the fixed heads are VERY cheap, which is handy as they make better track cars....M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beans Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Have to agree with Malcolm here 8) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTRoger Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Me too..But would never admit it :PAny Triumph would be a good trackday car. As long as you enjoy trashing it around it's ok! Think that's what trackdays are about anyway... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted User Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Not having driven all (or many) Triumph's I'd find it hard to know really, but some that I'd LIKE to drive around Mallory (my favourite track)Vitesse, GT6 Mk2, Dolly Sprint and TR4A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Any car as long as it's your own - I don't get these "track" experience days where you get to drive an E-type or something for one lap around a track - you'd never get used to it on the track before you have to stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bancroft Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Trouble with TR7s is that most of these shells rotten.Also the Slant 4 engine seems expensive to re-con and relatively complicated to re-build. Wheras the Spitfire pushrod engine is simple to build and parts are quite cheap. Also of course they also seem fairly strong, head gasket failure is rare and the bottom end is quite durable. I'd go as far and say thet that Triumph small Engine is a better design than the BMC 'A' series in light of the fact that it is a 8 port design. When comparing with other push rod engines, I suppose the only better one is the Ford Kent engine.The TR7 is probably a better handling car 'out of the box', not so sure if as easy to drive though. However its cheap to make a Spittie handle as well as TR7 (Crikey).I still reckon the Spittie is the better Triumph track day car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beans Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Quoted from timbancroft61 Trouble with TR7s is that most of these shells rotten ... I still reckon the Spittie is the better Triumph track day car.I wanted a more comprehensive reply but this will do ... "I wish you long nights and happy dreams" :P ;DOnly real disadvantage off the TR7 is it's weight ::) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted User Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Quoted from jcarruthers Any car as long as it's your own - I don't get these "track" experience days where you get to drive an E-type or something for one lap around a track - you'd never get used to it on the track before you have to stop.I agree, I really don't get it. Sure it's fun etc, and get's people on a track who would otherwise not get to do so. Still, I'll be buying a Lotus Elise day for my other half's 21st birthday present so I shouldn't say it's all that bad.I'll be lucky if either of my Herald's make it really, Estate is gone in all the right (wrong) places and the Saloon's engine is a bag of monk! (sounds pretty good for a standard car though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyb Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 I've never properly "tracked" a Triumph (took the Scooby to Donnington on the Dec 2005 trackday and had loads of fun in the wet, but got black flagged and won the dubious accolade of having the noisiest car of the day (110dB) when it dried out in the afternoon and I gave it some extra stick!)However, I've had the Mk3 Spit (swing spring and 5.5J's) and the TR8 on the parade laps at the last two Classic Le Mans, was able to give both of em stick. I was amazed that the Spit was a lot better around the corners than the TR. I was a bit miffed as I'd spent a month re-bushing, stiffening and lowering the TR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raider Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 How about working this from another angle?Like - what does best mean? if you define the characteristics then the car should follow.Of course I have no opinions as I don't do track days ::)But if I were to offer an opinion - which Triumph was the most succesful in circuit racing?Wouldn't that give the answer?Spitfire or Dolly Sprint then :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bancroft Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 As a rally car- then the TR7/8 has got to be better as its stronger, more predictable and the suspension is more compliant. With a track where one will know the corners, a Spit has got to be better. Of course a V8 will have the grunt so will power its way around a track- point and squirt.By the way has anyone ever put a Stag V8 into a TR7- gotta be better than the Rover V8- revs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beans Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 A decent RV8 can do 7000 rpm on solid lifters, not cheap to get big power from it though ...Stag V8 is just to to heavy I think. But at least it sounds great ;D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted User Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 post removed on request of author Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackerjack Posted December 28, 2006 Author Share Posted December 28, 2006 Quoted from Raider How about working this from another angle? which Triumph was the most succesful in circuit racing?Spitfire or Dolly Sprint then :)For a Spitfire to get near a Sprint it needs stupid money spent on the engine and track days can be frustrating as most do not allow overtaking in corners so the Spit ends up being walloped on the straights..............so put a better engine in and its almost perfect.Clearly the Sprint punched above its weight in its racing days and is the only Triumph to win outright a national circuit championship.Oddly the fact that it is ugly is good, because many people are surprised at its speedthey are able to change direction in mid corner (not recommended in most early TR's) They are cheap and not as unreliable as some think.I reckon that the Triumph I would like most would be a stripped out 2500 PI well tuned.............but why not buy a BMW.Dave the pic of your Spit is stunning it really looks the part.TR 8 got to be the most sensible choice and even uglier than a Sprint the 7 is too slow, but my Diane is only 4ft11" tall and cannot see out that well.When Car & car Conversions tested the sprint in 73 they claimed it was a party animal in a dull frock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bancroft Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 Sensible summary by Jon.To confuse matters even more, howabout a GT6 with the engine moved back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raider Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 Of course I don't agree that a Dolomite or a TR7 is ugly (ducks for cover) :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackerjack Posted December 28, 2006 Author Share Posted December 28, 2006 Quoted from timbancroft61 To confuse matters even more, howabout a GT6 with the engine moved back!Ah yes possibly the best looking Triumph together with the best sounding and the most satisfying power delivery. 8)If I was not building a four wheel drive sportscar in the garage I would build one of these. Oh martin your in denial TR7's are style ugly (apart from the front) and Dolomites are dull ugly ie they look really boring. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beans Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 Quoted from timbancroft61 Sensible ... howabout a GT6 with the engine moved back!mmm ... sounds sensible Tim. You'll have to move the engine so far back you'll get a transaxle as a bonus :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raider Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 Quoted from trackerjack Oh martin your in denial TR7's are style ugly (apart from the front) and Dolomites are dull ugly ie they look really boring. :PI am not in denial but I am in love with 70s rallying - just ordered a DVD of the 1976 rally season. Escorts, Stratos, and hopefully Dolly Sprints and TR7s :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Toledos Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 It is my intention to prove you all wrong !....But, first: I need to drag myself out of the Christmas comfort zone, back into the garage, and get my engine stripped and rebuilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bancroft Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 I know exactly what you mean- I was due to go out into the garage and get amongst the GT6, could not get motivated- tomorrow will have to be a busy day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackerjack Posted December 28, 2006 Author Share Posted December 28, 2006 Oh come on 2 Tiddles how can putting stripes on an engine make it faster! ;D ;DNow your going to need those brakes of mine cos you is going to be going fast enough to frighten yourself. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackerjack Posted December 28, 2006 Author Share Posted December 28, 2006 Been out in the garage listened to the roar of my twin Dellorto 45's fixed a leaking water pump.Checked the oil cooler for leaks (none thank goodness).Had a tidy up as I have been needed for fatherly duties on Rebecca's AX GT and that always leaves a mess.Yes 2 door Toledo + Sprint lump = fastest accelerating Triumph using standard Triumph partsas not many know but a standard Sprint gets to 100 mph in the same time as a TR5 or 6.Martin (Raider) will know that the 2 door with Sprint lump was what works drivers were begging Triumph to make to beat the Escorts as they were so close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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