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It may not look like it in these
photos, but the suspension on
this TR7-FHC is pretty well
knackered. Due for not only a
freshening but also a bit of
improvement in bushing
material and spring rates, strut
inserts and shock absorbers.
When finished, it will not only
ride better, but will handle like
the sports car that it was
designed to be.
photos, but the suspension on
this TR7-FHC is pretty well
knackered. Due for not only a
freshening but also a bit of
improvement in bushing
material and spring rates, strut
inserts and shock absorbers.
When finished, it will not only
ride better, but will handle like
the sports car that it was
designed to be.
| 1977 TRIUMPH TR7 - Fixed Head Coupe |
Work has begun on the suspension. We
are replacing all the worn out items plus
making some improvements. The basics
are all covered, new springs, strut
inserts, bump stops, ball joints, tie-rod
ends, wheel bearings, control arm
bushings etc... One improvement in the
struts is the addition of a roller bearing in
the upper strut housing to ease steering
effort.
are replacing all the worn out items plus
making some improvements. The basics
are all covered, new springs, strut
inserts, bump stops, ball joints, tie-rod
ends, wheel bearings, control arm
bushings etc... One improvement in the
struts is the addition of a roller bearing in
the upper strut housing to ease steering
effort.
We started with the worn out
components and stripped them out
of the car. Inspected the structure of
the car in the front end while we had
all the bits out and found it to be very
sound. While everything was
undone, we replaced the sub-frame
bushings with new rubber while the
suspension is getting all
poly-urethane bushings.
To the right you can see the new
sway bar bushings as well as the
spacers that make up the "Anti-Dive"
kit. This works by changing the
angle of the sway bar attachment to
the lower control arm.
components and stripped them out
of the car. Inspected the structure of
the car in the front end while we had
all the bits out and found it to be very
sound. While everything was
undone, we replaced the sub-frame
bushings with new rubber while the
suspension is getting all
poly-urethane bushings.
To the right you can see the new
sway bar bushings as well as the
spacers that make up the "Anti-Dive"
kit. This works by changing the
angle of the sway bar attachment to
the lower control arm.
The brakes are being upgraded to TR8
brakes. At the left you can see the size
comparison of TR8 Calipers (left) to TR7
calipers (right). The TR8 rotor is also larger
in diameter. At right, the TR8 calipers are
fitted, along with the TR8 rotors, EBC "Green
Stuff" pads and braided stainless flex lines.
brakes. At the left you can see the size
comparison of TR8 Calipers (left) to TR7
calipers (right). The TR8 rotor is also larger
in diameter. At right, the TR8 calipers are
fitted, along with the TR8 rotors, EBC "Green
Stuff" pads and braided stainless flex lines.
The rear suspension was not ignored
either. The rear shocks were already
KYBs and were still in very good
shape so they were allowed to stay.
However, new springs and
poly-urethane bushes were installed.
The rear brakes also received a
braided stainless flex line for the
brakes. The rear brakes have also
been given a little action by fitting a
modified proportioning valve.
either. The rear shocks were already
KYBs and were still in very good
shape so they were allowed to stay.
However, new springs and
poly-urethane bushes were installed.
The rear brakes also received a
braided stainless flex line for the
brakes. The rear brakes have also
been given a little action by fitting a
modified proportioning valve.
While in a bushing replacing frenzy...
The transmission received a new mount
and the shift extension arm bushes were
replaced. These particular bushes will
wear out so badly that they actually fall out.
Resulting in a shifter extension that can
actually ride on the front u-joint assembly.
This situation causes difficult shifting and
can also cause a lot of noise as well as
increased wear on both items.
The transmission received a new mount
and the shift extension arm bushes were
replaced. These particular bushes will
wear out so badly that they actually fall out.
Resulting in a shifter extension that can
actually ride on the front u-joint assembly.
This situation causes difficult shifting and
can also cause a lot of noise as well as
increased wear on both items.
All the belts and radiator
hoses were replaced with
new items and the Alternator
has been replaced with a
96-Amp unit from an early
Saturn. Which should give
more than enough electrical
power to operate any A/C,
stereo or accessory lighting
needs.
hoses were replaced with
new items and the Alternator
has been replaced with a
96-Amp unit from an early
Saturn. Which should give
more than enough electrical
power to operate any A/C,
stereo or accessory lighting
needs.
| Mid July, 2008 and plenty of more work has developed with this FHC. We have now been given the go-ahead for a performance rebuild of this TR7 FHC's standard 2.0 litre engine. After toying with the idea of a V8 conversion or possibly a 16 valve "Sprint" engine conversion, it was decided to stay with the stock aluminum 8 valve head, iron block configuration and optimize the performance potential the best we could. There by increasing the performance without breaking the bank. The objective is to wake up the performance capabilities of this engine by increasing the compression ratio, fitting a performance oriented camshaft, working the head over to improve the flow characteristics, adding a header to the exhaust and replacing the Zenith-Strombergs and the auto chokes and FASD with a much more tune-able set of SU's. The rest of the A/C system is also being removed which will reduce the weight of the car and improve the weight balance a smidgen. Time to get to work, pull the engine and trans to prepare for tear down and perform a performance rebuild of the engine. While the transmission and front sub-frame are out, might as well clean them up while we are at it. |
Even though this
looks like a radiator,
it is actually the
condenser for the
A/C system that is
being removed from
the car. A lot of room
exists in front of the
radiator for the after
market electric fan
that will be installed
to help handle the
cooling issues with
the new engine.
looks like a radiator,
it is actually the
condenser for the
A/C system that is
being removed from
the car. A lot of room
exists in front of the
radiator for the after
market electric fan
that will be installed
to help handle the
cooling issues with
the new engine.
| the saga continues... |
The engine has been
disassembled,
cleaned, machine work
has been completed.
The oil pan did have
quite a layer of goo in it.
The tear down of the
engine showed no real
surprises other than
long periods between
oil changes.
disassembled,
cleaned, machine work
has been completed.
The oil pan did have
quite a layer of goo in it.
The tear down of the
engine showed no real
surprises other than
long periods between
oil changes.
Upon completion of the short block assembly, the unit
is masked and painted. Following the 'prettying up'
process, final assembly of the long block can begin.
Not only is the engine being rebuilt, but its also getting
European specification pistons for an increased
compression ratio, a mild performance camshaft and
a gas flowed head. It will also be getting twin SU's to
replace the emissions choked Zenith Stromberg's
and the Fully Automatic Starting Device.
is masked and painted. Following the 'prettying up'
process, final assembly of the long block can begin.
Not only is the engine being rebuilt, but its also getting
European specification pistons for an increased
compression ratio, a mild performance camshaft and
a gas flowed head. It will also be getting twin SU's to
replace the emissions choked Zenith Stromberg's
and the Fully Automatic Starting Device.
