phillip ridley

Thanks Clive I’m going to give that a go now thanks for the information 

Hello would anyone have the wiring diagram for an alternator conversion on a mk3 spitfire please 

Quoted from Velocita Rosso-

Quoted from efp-

. We forget that in those pre robot production line days a large amount of human interaction with a large hammer went into body making. 

In short, I think almost all body panels on the market are made by Fitchet’s. 

But I could be wrong. I was once before.

Facts are correct, and in all essence nearly every car was unique ,in so much pushing shoving and hitting was the norm on every car. I`ve seen doors fitted, in a video, whereby a block of wood and 2lb hammer was used to gain alignment. 

I haven’t getting round to the rear panel yet but have bought one off Fitchett hope it’s a good fit but I’m sure with a bit tinkering it will and I have a big hammer if needed 😂

Thank you Richard and Michael for the help I’m going to check it on Monday 

I’ve fitted the new sill panel and it’s a much better fit as are the rear wings very good I’ve cut of the old rear wing off as there both rotten and the inner wing needs replacing the next job I will get there eventually 

Quoted from Velocita Rosso-

Quoted from phillip ridley-

Quoted from sparky_spit-

.... and also be aware that the reproduction inner sills are not quite correct, so when fitted to the floor panel at what you think is the correct height, you end up putting the strengthener at the wrong height, which leads to the outer sill being in the wrong place vertically.

There used to be a Nordic member on here some time ago (Vens? Hans? Vans?...) who posted a through-section diagram with measurements of how it should be. I can't find it now but someone may have a copy?

Thanks Michael I’m not sure what way to go with it I was going to buy another panel but from Fitchett as there rear wings are a good fit 

I know.....that`s why I sold them to you.....and still got the Fitchet sills! 

Thanks Michael I had already ordered the panel I forgot you had these just received it today you can see the between this original and the one I’ve had originally going to try it now for fitment fingers crossed thanks phill 

Quoted from sparky_spit-

.... and also be aware that the reproduction inner sills are not quite correct, so when fitted to the floor panel at what you think is the correct height, you end up putting the strengthener at the wrong height, which leads to the outer sill being in the wrong place vertically.

There used to be a Nordic member on here some time ago (Vens? Hans? Vans?...) who posted a through-section diagram with measurements of how it should be. I can't find it now but someone may have a copy?

Thanks Michael I’m not sure what way to go with it I was going to buy another panel but from Fitchett as there rear wings are a good fit 

Quoted from thescrapman-

I have been told even the Heritage sills do not fit very well now.

I think it is that there is either not enough curvature in the panel perhaps, or may have been that the top is the wrong shape.

 

The problem with mine it hangs to low not touching the strengthening panel enough to weld or even look right 

I’m going to order a drivers side sill panel from Fitchett should sort it I hope thanks Michael 

The sill strengthener only goes in one way I would have thought so I’m assuming if it doesn’t fit correctly it’s a bad pattern outer sill as I bought it off someone local would a Fitchett sill fit spot on without having to alter slightly thanks phill 

Hello I’m fitting a drivers sill to my spit and it’s a poor fit it hangs about an inch lower than the strengthening plate I’ve tried to clamp in place and it won’t go anyone had this problem can anyone recommend a place to get a good fitting one thanks 

hello I’m looking for a mk3 spitfire rear valance I have found one at Td Fitchett has anyone fitted one off them and are they a good fit thanks 

Quoted from Velocita Rosso-

Philip you have PM

Mike

Thanks mike reply sent thanks 

Hello where’s the best place to get rear quarters panels for a mk3 spitfire please for price and good fitment thanks phill 

Quoted from cliftyhanger-

I didn't really know a lot about EFI, but built up a set of throttle bodies onto a manifold, found correct injectors, worked out fuel lines and bought an ECU. Used a map from somebody else to get me to a rolling road, and have been "improving" it ever since. It is actually OK to work with once you start. Honest.

Thanks Clive I’m keeping an open mind about the engine I need to have a look at one done I think many thanks . Phill

Quoted from cliftyhanger-

I have an ST170 in my spitfire. (mkIV)

Be aware the engine is the cheap bit....

You will need: 

Suitable sump or the existing one heavily modified

A solid flywheel/clutch (focus 1800 zetec is probably best cheap option, or there are new light flywheels)

Type 9 gearbox

Make engine mounts plus a few tweeks to the chassis. I made some serious mods to teh bulkhead to get the engine in, plus the VVT solenoid is VERY close on a mkIV bonnet, I think mk3 is even lower? You could delete VVT  and that will make injection easier (more of that later)

New propshaft to suit type 9

Then the expensive bits.

Injection/induction. The std ST170 stuff just won't fit, you will need aftermarket ECU and throttle bodies or bike carbs or webers. Bike carbs can work very well, and probably the cheapest way forward. Then you will still need a megajolt or similar to provide ignition.

Exhaust manifold/system. Again space is tight, easy but sapping power is the std zetec focus manifold, anything else is tricky, with nothing available off the shelf (put it this way, I spent ages sorting mine, and still think I will end up taking it for a bespoke manifold to be made, £££££)

Brakes. You WILL need gt6 sized brakes and vented discs. 

Other issues. Your diff will likely be short-lived if you use anything like the power available. You need to think of alternatives (subaru conversion works well)

No point of starting this sort of thing if you think it will be easy. You are more than welcome to see my car (currently in bits doing some accident repairs, somebody drove into the back on us when we were sat stationary in traffic)

If you want a simpler conversion in terms of engine fitting, the focus 1600 zetec engine (all alloy, very light) goes in rather easier and still produce very good power, but still it is all the ancillaries that will cost.

 

Thanks Clive for the detailed information much appreciated I’m bigining to think it’s going to be to much work for me and too technical to be honest and don’t know much about fuel injection systems so the st170 is still available a complete car not mine but a friends if anyone is interested I can pass his number on thanks for the help Clive 

Quoted from MallardRBRR-

2.0l Zetec has been fitted into a MK4 by bobbyspit. he did a thread on the build on the old site. it did involve some big chassis modifications and a 5 speed Type 9 gearbox with suitable propshaft. Then there is the EFI to sort out but i suppose you could use the Focus EFI with ECU and butcher the engine loom to get it to run.  You'll need the EFI fuel pump and probably a  fuel swirl pot.   Don't forget you'll need to stop it so a vented disc upgrade maybe an idea.

Thanks Tim I will have a look but didn’t fancy altering the chassis as I thinks you loose the free road tax status maybe not a good idea to do it to the mk3 thanks Tim 

Quoted from Velocita Rosso-

I know someone who fitted a Ford engine to his 1500.....easy enough, but just be aware of the paperwork involved, eg log book /MOt etc

Ford Spitfire doesn`t ring well though.... 

Thanks forgot to mention it’s a st170 but very cheep one thanks

Hello everyone I’ve been offered a complete Ford Focus to use for the engine for my mk3 has anyone already done this and how difficult is it please 

Oh dear lost the seat runners at lady 5seconds they where on £73 pound I put a£102 and still lost never mind back to the hunt lol 

Thanks peter I’ve put a bid on them cheers

Thanks Colin back to the search than .phill

hello will seat runners out of a mk4 spitfire fit mi3 seats please 

Thanks nick I will check the link 

Thanks nick I will check the link