Michael Mod Moderator Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Join Date: 02/08/2012 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 18 Rally Car: 1980 Triumph TR8 |
My name is Mike and I have been involved with British cars since 1986 with a 1969 MGB-GT and now 50 cars later! I have owned 5 Triumph TR8 coupes, 1 Triumph TR8 convertable and over 30 Triumph TR7s! Built SCCA ITS TR7s & TR8s and worked for The Wedge Shop for 5 years on too many wedges. I am currently converting a stock TR8 to a BL Motorsport "Works" rally TR8 conversion after watching several you tube videos and hearing the unquestionable sound of that V* tearing through the woods or airborne. I started with an original Triumph TR8 coupe which is #20 of 158 produced for retail sale in late 1979 for 1980 model year. This particular car was a 98% original car with 88,000 miles. Car was equipped with a 3.5 litre 215 cubic inch all aluminum Rover V8 mated to a manual 5-Speed transmission. Rear axle was a 4 link with drum brakes and a 3.08:1 ratio. Front suspension was MacPherson Strut with disc brakes. Included was power steering, power assisted brakes, air conditioning, AM-FM radio, Ermine white exterior with Green & Black Tartan (Check) interior.  
I purchased the car in 1998 from its 3rd owner in Maryland where the car has always resided until I brought it up to Massachusetts. The car has always been garaged and maintained as stock. The body is in excellent condition with very few locations of bubble/blisters in the 1 repaint. In 2001 2nd gear syncro failed in the transmission and the car started to come apart for a clutch and transmission rebuilt. 
Here it is 8 years later and still in pieces but in the process of being converted into a rally car to run in the Targa Newfoundland. Since the conversion has began I have been in contact with numerous owners of original works rally TR7V8s in the US and Europe. I have collected as many vintage and New Old Stock (NOS) parts as possible that I could find. Specifications Engine & Drive train -320 hp Rover 3.5 Litre aluminum V8 bored .060†with 12.5:1 compression, .520 lift cam, roller rockers, stage 2 heads, custom pistons, chevy 327 connecting rods, lightened flywheel, blue printed & balance. -Engine moved back 1-inch -BL Motorsport/Huffaker Engineering 4 Barrel intake & Holley 600 cfm carburetor intial set up -Rare 1 of 10 BL Mototrsport/Peirberg Crossram Fuel Injection Intake Manifold NOS -BL Motorsport oil cooler (STR 0755) with remote filter -Huffaker Engineering NOS headers -BL Motorsport single bore 3-inch exhaust -Rover LT-77 5-Speed with NOS BL Motorsports close ratio gears (STN 0084) -BL Motorsport heavy duty clutch (STR0785) -Ford 8.8 rear axle -BL Motorsport heavy duty radiator (STR 0414) Suspension, Brakes & Tires -BL Motorsport NOS Bilstein front stub axles with 7-inches of adjustment -BL Motorsport NOS Bilstein front struts sets of 320/120, 280/120, & 220/120 dampening rates -BL Motorsport NOS front upper mounts -BL Motorsport NOS 300lb progressive & 300 single rate front springs -BL Motorsport NOS Bilstein rear shocks 190/80 dampening rate -BL Motorsport NOS 300lb rear springs -Urethane front & rear suspension bushings -TR7 Front sway bar -Front & Rear disc brakes -15x7 & 15x8 Rota RB rims with DOT competition semi treaded tires -Hydraulic & cable activated rear hand brake Body & Interior -BL Motorsport front rally flares -BL Motorsport rear forest, tarmac (3 types) flares -BL Motorsport front air dam (2 types) -BL Motorsport roof deflector (STR 0379) -European specification front & rear bumpers -Trunk mounted alloy spare tire post -8-point roll cage -Corbuea seats -NOS trunk lid tie downs -Rover SD1 shift knob -Seam welded & reinforced body Electrical & Instruments -Lucas NOS 20-20 8-inch & 6-inch rally fog & driving lamps -Hella Rallye 2000 -Lucas NOS rear fog lamp -NOS Sun Tachometer -Lucas NOS Horn Push from Rover -Lucas NOS switches -Relocated fuse block -Lucas license plate lamp -T-Handle battery kill and fire suppression cables My original intent was to replicate a works TR7V8 in Red, White and Blue livery, but with a set FIA Group 4 Homologation papers for a TR8 and only one officially badged TR8 was rallied in the 1981 RAC Rally by John Buffum.             Mike "If it is not broken then don't fix it, but make it faster!" Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2012 09:00AM by wedgeworks. |
Michael Mod Moderator Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Join Date: 02/08/2012 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 18 Rally Car: 1980 Triumph TR8 |
I made a rotisserie from some channel & two engine stands.
This was done with a Lincoln HandyMIG on 115v using .035 flux core (inner shield) wire and 1/8-inch wall tubing. Melts like butter! The Master! 8) 
The Master Piece! 
Oh by the way I did not think a coupe was top heavy during the "rotational" movement, ah yeah it is a bit top heavy! Mike "If it is not broken then don't fix it, but make it faster!" Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/2012 08:11PM by wedgeworks. |
Michael Mod Moderator Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Join Date: 02/08/2012 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 18 Rally Car: 1980 Triumph TR8 |
Roll cage installation!
I tossed in the dash board and some interio bits for making the cage work. I will have to notch the dash board but I want the cage to be more obvious than the works cars. They hid the cage at the roof and front pillers in the body work. 
 Mike "If it is not broken then don't fix it, but make it faster!" |
Michael Mod Moderator Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Join Date: 02/08/2012 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 18 Rally Car: 1980 Triumph TR8 |
I finally got to hack, grind, snip and well anything possible to get the dash fit with the roll cage. Man what a fun experience. I will say once trimmed the dash fits really well!
I went as far as getting the arm rest on the transmission tunnel fit around the cage. 
I ordered some brake master to the same specifications of the original rally cars. 875" bore for the rear and .625" for the front. To my surprise my brake pedals are already set up for dual master cylinders! I just have to put a panel over the power brake booster hole in the firewall and redrill for the masters and done! There is enough space to put them next to each other. 
 Mike "If it is not broken then don't fix it, but make it faster!" |
Michael Mod Moderator Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Join Date: 02/08/2012 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 18 Rally Car: 1980 Triumph TR8 |
Got some drive to get working on the project and fabricated the glove box panel for the fuses, tripmeter and other accessories I may need. Some aluminum sheet metal and a bender and snips with cardboard to make templates it was pretty simple.
The fit is perfect and I am going to use the original hinges so I can drop the panel down for access for the wiring behind the panel. 
I had a BAAADDDDDD experience with cold weather and wrinkle/krinkle paint. I ended up spraying the glove box cover and well 50 degrees, rain and an unheated garage decided to screw me on the wrinkle paint. After 4 hours just a few randon spots wrinkled up. I looked at it and some pictures fo the orignal cars and said the heck with it! I striped all the aluminum panels and painted them with satin black trim paint. Man it looks better than the krinkle! I put some of the parts together and Im really happy with the end result. 
I finished the center panel on the dash and here is a better picture. Everything blends really well in this car. I am almost convinced this is why they (works) painted the interior the same satin black on the body & roll cage. 
I also scarfed up two more Sun tachs so besides the one in the dash now I got 2 more. Its a disease!  Mike "If it is not broken then don't fix it, but make it faster!" Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/2012 08:35PM by wedgeworks. |
Michael Mod Moderator Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Join Date: 02/08/2012 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 18 Rally Car: 1980 Triumph TR8 |
Body Modifications
Did more cutting and drilling. The stock seat support body framing was removed to get the seat lower. I recessed the transmission tunnel so the seat would sit level compared to the rocker panel side. 
The piece that was cut out could be flipped over and reused but Im going to make a new part. 
Now plenty of head room! 
Then busted out the sawz-all and removed the rear bulkhead of the boot/trunk so a new pan can be made for the inverted "L" gas tank. The works cars did this for longer stages. Thiswas performed recently to OOM514R a works TR7V8. 
The boot/trunk area is now done for cutting out panels. Bead roller and electric metal sheers are on the way! 
All primed up! 
I cant believe that with all the panels I have removed that there is no rust to be found ??? Made a new panel for the modified rear trunk area. I reuse trunk lids for thier size and flatness. The rest of the structural panels will also be made from more lids. I bought an electric hand held metal cutters from Harbor Frieght with an extra set of blades. For cutting 16 gauge and thinner it makes a breeze! 
The dimple die punch came and was put straight to use and the replacement bead roller die too! All is right in the universe with a full moon! 
I spent my Christmas Eve day working on the TR8. Broke out the die grinder, bead roller and body hammers to get a panel made for the boot. 
 Mike "If it is not broken then don't fix it, but make it faster!" Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2012 09:03AM by wedgeworks. |
Michael Mod Moderator Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Join Date: 02/08/2012 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 18 Rally Car: 1980 Triumph TR8 |
Engine
I dont know what I am thinking? :  I might be taking a big dive and going to fuel injection and I have what is probably the rarest part made by British Leyland.......a 1 of 10 cast crossram Piersberg intake manifold. This is the only that is NOS and never installed on an engine,so enjoy the porn!
Group 44 Inc. Competed two TR8s for SCCA Trans Am series and the IMSA GTO from 1979 to 1981 using a mechanical type fuel injection adapted from dirt/sprint car racing. I got the original blue prints for the intake from Group 44 that were all labled Rally V8 from 1979. In the set of drawing I got copied has ALL the parts down to set screws! 
BL Motorsports used one Works TR7V8 "TUD682T" that ran this injection intake and had little success but maybe two wins. Had electrical issues maybe from the rough road surfaces and the "Lucas" name too! 
Then there is Ian Wilson in Austraila that has a 5.0 liter Rover V8 putting out 500hp using this intake but he has retired the car as being too much and well the Targa Classes keep moving him around in modified classses. 
Tooo much! 
So I finally got off my Arsss and degreased and removed the hideous gray paint that the previous owner of the engine decided to paint it. Why paint an aluminum engine? ??? It took about 4 hours of spraying, wiping, spraying, scrubbing and finally the aluminum shined once again! I cleaned the internals and pulled the plugs. I bought a really nice timing chain that is made in Australia and installed it with 4 degrees of advance. All I need now is my baffled oil pan and I can actually reassembly the engine and make it ready to go in! 
I also thru some searched on the web found this authentic late 1970ies BL Motorsports shirt in my size of course! $30.00 was a steel! ;D 
I dropped off my oil pan which for the mechanicals was the last big item to complete. The pan came out totally outstanding! Just a work of art! It was 1/3 of the cost for a dry sump and in the end it is more than sufficient! I assembeld an engine on an engine stand with headers and they worked around all the components. It has 3 trap doors, windage trays, and a new pickup moved forward in the pan! I just need to drill some holes in the original windage tray that bolts under the crank and I can reassemble the engine. 
I got my engine lift back from my office and dumped in a spare engine with a crank and a hollowed out transmission. I moved the engine back 1" and well the headers barely hit the frame rails and I am sure the steering rod will too. The transmission shifter assembly is so far back it goes beyond hitting the frame. Now to make tons of notes for additional cutting and trial fitting of parts. 
The shifter assembly needs about 1.5" to 2" removed....... 
I ordered a new upgraded electronic stock looking Rover V8 distributor from Petronix with two coils. I need a short water pump and pulley and from there it A-N hoses and fittings with the rear suspension and boot are modifications. Its coming together! Put the front of the engine on to see what nightmare I am getting into with getting the new positioned alternater and the water pump alignment with the crank pulley......we have a issue 
I put the remote oil filter, 4 barrel intake, carb and valve covers on to start work on the air filter assembly. 
 Mike "If it is not broken then don't fix it, but make it faster!" |
Banned Junior Moderator Location: Red Deer, Alberta Join Date: 09/13/2011 Posts: 717 Rally Car: 2002 Subaru WRX STi |
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Martin Walter Junior Moderator Location: North Gower, Ontario, Canada. Join Date: 03/01/2006 Age: Ancient Posts: 450 Rally Car: Nissan 240SX |
Alex Staidle Senior Moderator Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Join Date: 08/21/2009 Age: Settling Down Posts: 1,719 Rally Car: Various Heaps |
Sean Medcroft Junior Moderator Location: Edmonds, Washington Join Date: 02/12/2009 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,802 Rally Car: Building a Merkur |
Andrew Steere Ultra Moderator Location: South Central Nude Hamster Join Date: 12/29/2005 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 2,008 Rally Car: too rich for my blood, share a LeMons car |
Tony Wood Ultra Moderator Location: Wichita Join Date: 02/02/2009 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 181 Rally Car: 83 Citation "Oskar" |
Michael Mod Moderator Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Join Date: 02/08/2012 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 18 Rally Car: 1980 Triumph TR8 |
Martin Walter Junior Moderator Location: North Gower, Ontario, Canada. Join Date: 03/01/2006 Age: Ancient Posts: 450 Rally Car: Nissan 240SX |
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