Recommended (simple if possible) modifications?

[LewisK]

Coming soon to a track near you! Or at least, I hope so <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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I intend to use my Sprinted 1500' for some track days, long road trips and maybe a few scatters - ah, and how can I forget my favorite, Santa Pod! <br>
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So, what kind of modifications would you recommend? I'm interested in anything that will help make the car faster, safer, more reliable and stronger overall.<br>
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I'll be rebuilding the rear axle come the start of my holidays, if that's of any use and I don't mind stripping stuff down for the sake of it.<br>
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My list so far consists of :<br>
- Oil cooler (mounted in the front valance with a cutout)<br>
- Oil catch tank<br>
- Maybe an electric fan?<br>
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The car is to have a sorta 'period' racer feel without losing the interior.<br>
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Does anyone sell off-the shelf strut braces for the Dolly?<br>
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I'm open to suggestions <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif ALT="8)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

<p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.antchip.com/sig2.jpg"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
<!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="font-size:xx-small;"><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>Crazy! I mean like so many positive waves, we can't lose! You're on!</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></p><i></i>

[Carsreunited]

I'd fit an oil temperature guage first and see if the car needs a cooler. You obviously don't want to over-cool the oil.<br>
<br>
If you do go for one in the end, battery to the boot helps free up some space. Aldon ignitor coil and magnecor leads (ahem, I have a spare set) are an in-expensive improvement.<br>
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Brakes, Brakes, Brakes. Not quite as glamourous as go faster goodies but the feeling you get when you are braking later and harder than others around you and you aren't suffering soft pedals etc is generally under-estimated.<br>
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Look forward to seeing you out there with the other addicts!<br>
<br>


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[MaddMart]

Well done Lewis, there should be a few of us next year as David is in the middle of getting his ready for the track aswell, I believe.<br>
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Well not much of a list there but still.<br>
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Have a look at Ben's, mine & Smifter's websites for ideas for improvements.<br>
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Oil cooler yes, leccy fan not so important, catch tank, if you want.<br>
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Uprate the springs & lower a bit. Uprate the brakes, get some vented discs on the front, rears are ok.<br>


<p>Martin<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.dolomitesprint.com/" target="top">www.dolomitesprint.com</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... addMart</A> at: 21/4/06 6:12 pm<br></i>

[LewisK]

Just occured to me that the Sierra caliper conversion might have been a smart idea - 'cept the car now has two refurbished Sprint calipers on it. I might try some grooved discs and Ferrodo pads in that case.<br>
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Conversion kit for that consists of brackets, calipers (with some material ground off to clear wheel), discs & pads. Is it really that simple?<br>
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I'm still running on the original 1500 booster and master cylinder - but I'm guessing that wouldn't necessarily be a problem provided it was working well?<br>
<br>
Battery in the boot would very neatly solve my problem of not having a battery tray (different from Sprint, apparently!)<br>
<br>
I think I will be sticking with HS6's unless I can find some HS8's - and getting a decent panel filter, doing some airbox smoothing, nice piping etc - or maybe ditching the internal filter for a large-bore intake pipe with a single cone filter on it, with ram-pipes in the box. Do the whole carb works too - smoothing etc.

<p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.antchip.com/sig2.jpg"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
<!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="font-size:xx-small;"><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>Crazy! I mean like so many positive waves, we can't lose! You're on!</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></p><i></i>

[Sprint36]

I wouldn't say in the middle exactly Martin! I'm in the middle of polishing my blue Sprint to get it ready for selling. Then I have to tidy my camper van ready for selling. Then I'll finally be ready to start my "project".<br>
<br>
Lewis, you could read back through Moosehunter's ad to see what mods are done for the track, although if you're driving there I wouldn't go for the same spring rates! Basically though, I would agree with Scott and Martin and get the brakes sorted. What wheels are you on? Get something you can fit decent brakes inside (260mm discs will fit inside 13" superlites) as the original Sprint alloys are not worth the hassle. I used to have an 1100 Mk1 Fiesta and the fun you could have with late breaking and pissing people off at roundabouts more than made up for the lack of power.<br>
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Bigger rad and cowling around the rad so all the air that comes through the front grill has to go through the rad will help. Don't go cutting holes in the valance until you find out whether you actually need to.<br>
<br>
David

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[LewisK]

260mm discs? What are they off?<br>
<br>
Might try one of the ally rads offered in the back of Retro Cars mag, specifically for the Sprint. Only reason I fancied cutting a hole in the valance was I kinda liked the look <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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Although on the inside wing might be the best bet <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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I am certainly interested in the brakes though....I like carrying speed more than others! <br>
<br>
Steering will have solid rack mounts, a Jigsaw UJ and a checked over colum so should be o.k <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Might even stretch to polybushes, but not for the time being.<br>
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<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.antchip.com/sw3.jpg"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
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<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.antchip.com/sw1.jpg"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
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Think I'm sorted for gauges <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> - trying to find a full face oil temperature gauge at the moment though <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

<p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.antchip.com/sig2.jpg"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
<!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="font-size:xx-small;"><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>Crazy! I mean like so many positive waves, we can't lose! You're on!</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... >LewisK</A> at: 21/4/06 6:26 pm<br></i>

[Carsreunited]

<!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.greengauges.com/">www.greeng ... <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br>
<br>
I had the sender brazed into the sump. <br>
<br>


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[LewisK]

I am now thoroughly interested in shedding as much weight as reasonable without losing the interior.<br>
<br>
Anyone got experience of the Jigsaw alloy hubs? I'm thinking light steel wheels, battery to the boot, strip as much unecessary un-viewable stuff as reasonable, and let fly!<br>
<br>
Bigger brakes for the win too <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

<p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.antchip.com/sig2.jpg"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
<!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="font-size:xx-small;"><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>Crazy! I mean like so many positive waves, we can't lose! You're on!</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></p><i></i>

[Sprint36]

Weller steel wheels are quite light apparently and available in the right PCD, often second hand. Find yourself a brake disc list for sizes. I think Escort RS turbo discs are 260mm, also XR4i, XR4x4. I think there are cheaper places than Jigsaw for alloy hubs, but you want to put some thought into it. If you're doing a brake mod, get some custom hubs to match the brake discs.<br>
<br>
David

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[Sprint36]

Forgot to say, there's a guy on blatchat (Lotus Seven owners' forum) selling some 6x13 KN Minators (minilite replicas) in dolomite PCD for a sensible price. Only problem is making contact as you have to be a club member to post on the forum.<br>
<br>
David

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[davepoth]

Weight loss is important, but I reckon getting the balance better is even more important, as it's only round the bends that you'll be bothered by lesser cars. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> I reckon shifting the battery to the back is going to push the weight distribution 2% to the rear, give or take a bit, especially as it's in front of the front wheels as standard, which should make a pretty big difference to handling. I think the front hubs would be worthwhile (I was considering it myself) as it will make a big difference to the unsprung weight of the front wheels. <br>


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[davepoth]

And as for the strut brace, I saw a BKT-prepped rally car at a show earlier in the year, perhaps he does one...?

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[SMIFTER]

Dont bother with the standard unvented grooved discs. Waste of time if they cant dissipate the heat and the pad area is too small.<br>
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Sierra brakes are the way to go if you cant afford the hi-spec etc route. <br>
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As for weight balance, i am convinced this is one the Dolomites biggest problems in terms of chassis balance. Just look at how all the engine weight hangs over the front wheels. More you can strip out/lighten in front of the front axles the better. The ally hubs are a good idea but there is plenty more you can do first. You may want to think about having the rear lower than the front to help this also as well as helping traction.<br>
<br>
What about bushing? Poly everything if you can, makes a big difference in control of the car.<br>
<br>
G<br>
<br>
G

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[Carsreunited]

Ditto the polybushes. You feel like you are driving rather than sailing afterwards.<br>
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(I don't have the alloy hubs on my car so no-one else is allowed to have them. Superlites are around 3kilos per wheel lighter than standard wheels.)<br>
<br>


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[tinweevil]

Alloy hubs are good for keeping your bearings cool as well as the unsprung weight advantage but I doubt you'll see that advantage with steels, even lightweights. You can enhance the cooling a bit further by making sure the hub to wheel mating surfaces are clean and flat and applying heatsink compound.<br>
<br>
Tinweevil<br>


<p>1978 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/704">Dolomite Sprint</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
1972 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/754">Spitfire IV</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
1968 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/705">GT6 II</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
1973 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/755">Dolomite Sprint</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
1980 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/864">Dolomite 1500HL</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
39 anorak points on the Nicholas scale<br>
</p><i></i>