Track day/Road long term Sprint project

[mercsprint]

Hi,
Have been on here before, decided to return as a move of house has meant the Sprint is now in my drive, so more accessible. Unfortunately this also coincided with a major planned op. So off work for two months with plenty of time to browse the net looking for parts/advice........ BUT in position to do any manual work!
Six years ago I came across a Dolomite 1300 locally, with good body, but not so good mechanicals.... I bought it cheap ..... then two weeks later found a rotten Sprint (in the same Russet Brown!) with good mechanicals... too good to resist!! Also 30yrs ago.....(in my youth) I did a similar thing, upgrading a Toledo 1300 to Sprint mechanicals..... time to relive youth...... with much more mechanical experience and a little more money.
The very rusty Sprint shell was soon stripped bare and scrapped, the 1300 stripped and all good parts sold on.
Decision was made then to rebuild as a sort of 1970/80’s BTTC replica! So.... stripped interior and moderate upgrades to make more user friendly/reliable/safer!
I worked at Saab for a few years and was familiar with Triumph/Saab history... realising years later the alloy radiator out of my 2001 Saab Aero has similar pipe outlets to the small Sprint one!
Time for mods to start!!

Paul

[new to this]

Saab seats also fit

Dave

[mercsprint]

Hi Dave....... now that I didn’t know...... but do know Saab sears some of the most comfortable!

I have been given a pair of MG Metro recaro style seats..... but they are SO heavy!

[new to this]

Hi Dave....... now that I didn’t know...... but do know Saab sears some of the most comfortable!

I have been given a pair of MG Metro recaro style seats..... but they are SO heavy!

The other good thing about Saab seats,if and when the seat base wear out you can replace just the base from another Saab

What other mods are you planning

Dave

[mercsprint]

Apart from Saab Turbo radiator & electric fan, looking at fitting MGTF wheels (already have a set) ... but modifying the car in such a way that, I can use either Sprint wheels or MGTF..... last time I was on here got a lot advice regarding using LR Defender 12mm studs and then bespoke nuts for Sprint wheels!
Also looking at front brake upgrade...”Trackerjack” conversion maybe if I can find the details and which calllipers I need.
Also possibly upgraded springs/shocks.

Oh.... and respray in white... with Leyland ST stripes

Paul

[mercsprint]

When I work out how to do it..... I’ll post some pics!!!

[MagentaSprint]

Apart from Saab Turbo radiator & electric fan, looking at fitting MGTF wheels (already have a set) ... but modifying the car in such a way that, I can use either Sprint wheels or MGTF..... last time I was on here got a lot advice regarding using LR Defender 12mm studs and then bespoke nuts for Sprint wheels!
Also looking at front brake upgrade...”Trackerjack” conversion maybe if I can find the details and which calllipers I need.
Also possibly upgraded springs/shocks.

Oh.... and respray in white... with Leyland ST stripes

Paul

Funnily enough I've just been searching out threads on the Trackerjack conversion and came across a good thread/write up about fitting the conversion by RodR from early last year, a while ago but The man himself (Jon ) ( Trackerjack username on the forum)posted on the thread last August so still about I guess.........

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=32699&p=306564&hili ... ck#p306564

An interesting write up and read I thought

[mercsprint]

Thanks Magenta..... I’ve seen a few articles.... few years ago people said use Sierra callipers & VW discs... but it seems Sierra callipers are hard to come by..... so looked at suggestions regarding Puma/Ka callipers... as long as using right size calliper/disc combination to fit inside Sprint wheel...

I’ll read the write up now.... thanks

[Carledo]

Thanks Magenta..... I’ve seen a few articles.... few years ago people said use Sierra callipers & VW discs... but it seems Sierra callipers are hard to come by..... so looked at suggestions regarding Puma/Ka callipers... as long as using right size calliper/disc combination to fit inside Sprint wheel...

I’ll read the write up now.... thanks

Sierra calipers are NOT hard to come by, my local factors has them in stock! The tricky bit is the caliper carrier which is now in very short supply at the scrappies. The disc size you need (and that Jon supplies) is 239mm Golf. I gather there IS a Puma with discs at 240mm you can scavenge the calipers and carriers from, but it was only fitted to earlier cars (circa T/V reg) later models had 258mm discs, which I have on my Sprint with 256mm Passat discs and Puma calipers and carriers, but these will NOT accept Sprint wheels (the price I pay willingly for the extra braking on my Automatic car) The generic Ka caliper/carrier combo is fine though the pads have a slightly smaller area than those on either the Sierra or the early Puma. ALL of these caliper/carrier/pad combos will work with Jon's brackets (voice of experience, i've fitted 'em all)

The studs you need for the 12mm convo are not Defender but Freelander (series1) MGF or TF rims are OK but you will have slight clearance issues with the rear arches, front clearances are fine!

I also have the Saab turbo (9-3, 97-03 model) in both my Vauxhall Carlton 8v powered 2 door Toledo and my Omega powered Sprint, the rad will fit with a Sprint motor, but the Saab fan (which i've managed to use on the Toledo) is too fat to use with a Triumph engine.

HTH, Steve

[mercsprint]

Hi Steve, thanks for the informative reply.... I think we have spoken before (a good few years ago) regarding the wheel studs.
I appreciate your advice about the brake callipers.... other than the callipers/carriers and discs, what else do I need?
Is there a specific trackerjack part/bracket I need?

Thanks again for advice

Paul

[new to this]

Hi Steve, thanks for the informative reply.... I think we have spoken before (a good few years ago) regarding the wheel studs.
I appreciate your advice about the brake callipers.... other than the callipers/carriers and discs, what else do I need?
Is there a specific trackerjack part/bracket I need?

Thanks again for advice

Paul

your need the mounting brackets for the brake calipers, and fitting spacers for the disc only other thing is brake hoses and your good to go, or in this case good to stop

Dave

[Carledo]

Hi Steve, thanks for the informative reply.... I think we have spoken before (a good few years ago) regarding the wheel studs.
I appreciate your advice about the brake callipers.... other than the callipers/carriers and discs, what else do I need?
Is there a specific trackerjack part/bracket I need?

Thanks again for advice

Paul

your need the mounting brackets for the brake calipers, and fitting spacers for the disc only other thing is brake hoses and your good to go, or in this case good to stop

Dave

A couple of things to add to Dave's list. Jon normally supplies a kit containing a pair of adaptor brackets with bolts and spacers and a pair of discs (these are 239mm Golf discs, redrilled for the hub mounting bolts and with about 1mm machined out of the inner circumference so that they fit the stock hubs exactly) normal practise is to machine the centres out of your old standard discs so that you can use them as a big multiple captive nut to sandwich the disc. Or for a few dollars more, Jon will supply turned and tapped alloy rings to do the job and save you time and effort (and a bit of weight!) At this point I visit my local scrappies and liberate my chosen set of calipers and caliper carriers (usually about £20-30 for both, don't forget to keep the slider pins and the big spring) I don't worry about the state of the calipers too much, since I only use them to PX with the factors against recon ones and save the old unit surcharge (which at my factors is quite hefty, often as much again as the calipers) then a bit of work on the vertical links to remove the upper rear caliper mounting lug and (sometimes) remove a bit of metal from the 2 lugs where the lower balljoint bolts on to avoid contact with the disc in service. Not all links need this last, it's a production tolerance issue. Then it's just a case of fitting the built up vertical links to the car (keep the mudshield plate at the bottom it spaces out the B/J and stops the hot disc cooking the B/J gaiter - but you may have to reshape it a bit), adding bespoke flexi hoses between the original hoses and the calipers and bleeding it out. Seemples! Finally you MAY need to relieve the outer edge of the caliper itself slightly if using Sprint alloy wheels, the clearance is tight with brand new pads, some fit, some don't, again, it's production tolerances to blame, both on the rims AND the calipers.

HTH Steve

[mercsprint]

Steve/Dave.....

Can’t thank you two enough for all the valuable detailed information you have passed on..... plenty to think about!
I’ve just been offered (via Ebay) a pair of early Puma callipers and carriers for £50 delivered (at present can’t do ANY manual work due to an op )
Sorry to ask more questions, but does it matter whether 1.4 or 1.7 Puma?
Also do you know if Trackerjack still does the kits?

Thanks again for ALL your advice

Paul

[new to this]

Steve/Dave.....

Can’t thank you two enough for all the valuable detailed information you have passed on..... plenty to think about!
I’ve just been offered (via Ebay) a pair of early Puma callipers and carriers for £50 delivered (at present can’t do ANY manual work due to an op )
Sorry to ask more questions, but does it matter whether 1.4 or 1.7 Puma?
Also do you know if Trackerjack still does the kits?

Thanks again for ALL your advice

Paul

Paul

Just send jon trackerjack a message for the brake caliper brackets,

Dave

[Carledo]

Steve/Dave.....

Can’t thank you two enough for all the valuable detailed information you have passed on..... plenty to think about!
I’ve just been offered (via Ebay) a pair of early Puma callipers and carriers for £50 delivered (at present can’t do ANY manual work due to an op )
Sorry to ask more questions, but does it matter whether 1.4 or 1.7 Puma?
Also do you know if Trackerjack still does the kits?

Thanks again for ALL your advice

Paul

The Puma I rescued my 258mm calipers and carriers from was a Y plated 1.7, but that only says what we already know. I would guess if you are looking for 240mm discs, then the 1.4 and an early car is the safest bet. I would say, to be safe, ask the guy to measure the disc diameter, if it's 240mm you're good to go, if they're 258mm it's a no! As far as I am aware Tackerjack Jon is still building kits, I fitted a kit he made for Mahesh of this forum last summer. Drop him a PM!

Steve