Hmm... Triumph??

I was just looking around the net when i stumbled across the old Triumph TR7.... and it dawned on me.... why dont we see those drifting?? i mean, they are simple, cheap, parts are abundant and cheap, and with a slant 4 and rear drive with LSD... why not?? hmm, im goin to do more research and see what u can dig up.:naughty:

i say go for it, its one of those rare cars in the drift scene like the bubba drift camino, so do it.

Ditto. Go for it.

I didn't think that parts would be cheap and easy to find, though. Are they really?

ya i already found 2 site divoted to triumph car parts... you could probably build one just of that site.. lol check it out!!

www.triumphtr7.com (http://www.triumphtr7.com)
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/cgi-bin/rimmer?tr7/tr7indx
http://www.ss-preparations.co.uk

the problem with TR7's is that they're ridiculously unreliable and have lucas electrical systems, which you would have to completely replace if you want any level of drivability

whats so bad about them?

the lucas electrical system is the main culprit, but the fuel systems are also quite bad. They're also rather hard to get properly tuned.

hell, one guy on here drifts a MG B, you sure as hell could drift a triumph.

ok, thanks for the info, so if i replaced the wiring harness that would fix the electrical prob?? whats wrong with the fuel system??

well, its a bit more than just the harness, hell, it doesn't have an ECU so it doesn't really have a single harness, but ya, you basically have to re-do all the wiring. www.painlesswiring.com probably has some stuff that could help

For some reason they use Zenith-Stromberg carbs instead of webers and they behave oddly at times, especially on ones that have been poorly maintained. However I don't see why it wouldn't be hard to swap over some Sutechs or Webers.

fuckit.

put a sr20 in it.

The TR7 itself isn't unreliable at all (can't be unreliable when you're taking British Rally wins) and is in fact a great nimble little car.

The big culprit in the TR7 (and in fact in most classic British/German/Italian sports car failures) is lack of preventitive maintenance.

I'll give you an example from my MGB.

My dear Layla (my MGB's nickname) is a knock-off wheel car - meaning that the hubs have splined stub axles and knock-off wingnuts instead of the usual four lug nuts. A common malady with these cars is that during the winter when these cars are put away the wheels rust to the splines, making it nearly impossible to remove the wheel. Thus MG's got a reputation for this.

Is it a bad design? Hardly. It's just that many owners back then, who were used to lugnuts, didn't follow proper maintenance procedures and didn't put axle grease on the splines once a year, right before winter, as the manufacturer advises.

Yes, Lucas electrics are maniacal in their circuitry. However, given a spare day, a wiring diagram, and some new lengths of harness (new modern harness wiring is sold at many shops) you can solve most any British car malady.

Yes, Stromberg carbs are very old fashioned. They aren't so much hard to tune as they have very limited tuning ability (no jets or such to fiddle with). However, be thankful that most TR7's didn't have Lucas's early attempt at EFI. :disappoin

The quick solution to Stromberg, or SU, carbs on classic Brit machinery is the tried and true Weber 32/36 DGV two barrel carburetor. My MGB runs one and I tell you there's no sturdier, more bullet proof carb for the money out there. The shop where I work has a snow plow Jeep that uses the bigger 38 DGEV "Outlaw" two barrel on its straight six. Same carb, bigger primary and secondary jets (the Weber DGV family are all mechanical secondary, no vacuum bullshit to worry about).

The Triumph TR7 is a very fun little car (I almost bought one - decent brown coupe, needed work, but I already have one Brit that needs bodywork) and should you ever feel the need for more power, keep this in mind...

In 1979-1980, Triumph created the TR8 using the 3.5L all aluminum Rover V8 and the TR7 convertible. The conversion is simple, and the Rover V8 is LIGHTER than the Triumph 2000cc four. Lanocha Racing is a shop in England that specializes in Rover V8's, particularly those in Triumph TR8's. They offer crate engines with a proprietary EFI setup (complete with individual throttle bodies) AND multiple displacements of Rovers, all the way up to 5.0L!

Not to mention the classic Group 44 IMSA fender flares.

http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1980/Sebring-1980-03-22-044.jpg
http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1980/Mosport-1980-08-17-042.jpg
http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1980/Daytona-1980-11-30-044.jpg

http://www.lanocharacing.com/tr7_tr8.html

Now get going on that Triumph!

awsome info Layla, thank a lot, i was doing research and it seems the v8 swap is simple but pricey, and im in the US, so imporing the motor from the shop mentioned is almost out of the question. Well anyway, im goin to take a look at it soon, its been sitting but the guys says its still in good condition and he only wants $500 for it, ill keep you posted!

UPDATE!!! the guy sent me pics... look to be in mint shape. I'll share as soon as i get home from work tonight...hehe. Also, the guy said the electrical prob he mentioned was that the battery would "slowly drain over weeks" but he didnt say if that was while it was sitting.... and he mentioned there was a coolant issue... He said that over time the coolant level drops and you need to add some, he said he didnt see a leak, so what do u guys think... cracked head gasket??

Could be a head gasket (which isn't a difficult thing to replace provided the head hasn't warped) but it could also be a water pump.

ok, cool, but either way, both parts are relativly cheap, i found a head gasket set for $50 on www.wedgeparts.com (http://www.wedgeparts.com) and a water pump rebuild set for like 60.

Well, i promised Pics, so here they are.. keep in mind, its very dusty from being in storage for 10yrs.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/198434triumph0.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/198434triumph1.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/198434triumph2.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=503/198434triumph3.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/198434triumph4.jpg

looks awsome!!!

Congrats on a fine looking Wedge. Have fun, wave the Union Jack proud, and don't let the Nisazdayota fanboys get you down.

Well, thanks, but i couldnt say congrats yet... the title isnt in my hand yet.... hopefully soon though.