Chris1966 Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 I have a 1962 TR4, which is in almost standard form that I have owned for nearly 18 months. This winter I am going to have a number of items uprated / changed to increase reliability and performance. I have found searching the forum and reading Roger Williams book ‘How to improve TR2-4A’ very useful. Now to the question at hand, having looked at different options for more performance, would a swap to the Dolomite Sprint engine be feasible and has anyone done it before? I have seen a thread on using a Dolomite gearbox in a TR6, so I’m guessing that using a TR4 gearbox with overdrive on a Dolomite engine is not too much of a problem? I know that I could get good performance out of the standard TR4 engine, but that does come at considerable cost so I have been looking at the alternatives and this option so far looks interesting. Thanks Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 IMO the sprint engine would not be as reliable as the original. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don H. Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 IMO the sprint engine would not be as reliable as the original... And I'd guess it would destroy a lot of collectibility/resale value, too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 Not a simple 'drop it in and turn the key' job, I think. Best guess is that the motor mounts have to be replaced/repositioned and that means serious welding to the chassis and... what Don says: destroying a lot of resale value. Keeping the original engine with the car has no use when you can't drop it in as a result of the changed position of the mounts. In short, don't do it. Instead, get an old Dolly Sprint and drop that engine in for lots of fun next to the TR. Menno Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris1966 Posted October 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 Thanks for the replies. I do understand what you are saying regarding collectability/resale, which was one of my main concerns. So I guess you have to pay one way or another for more performance. I will be getting some detailed quotes for work on the original engine soon. Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 Depending on what your expecting to do with it and the current condition of the engine and if you can do a lot of it yourself then you could get it to go pretty well without too much expense and as already stated retain its original format. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malcolm Tatton Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 Hi Chris and welcome to the forum. Don't want to seem patronising but have you been to any local groups to ask owners about their cars? (Stoke or Red Rose presumably), maybe even to get a drive? I only ask because if you intend to spend a bit on the engine it's worth finding out exactly what you want and the characteristics that you want to end up with. They may also be able to offer advice regarding who to ask about doing the work. I happen to love the torque of the standard engine and don't often use high revs, some of the more aggressive cams will lose that tractability and once the engine's built it's more expense to go back. I'm in Biddulph so not far away... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Cobbold Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 If the engine is in good sound standard condition then a Moss blower kit can be fitted in a day or so's work. Its worth comparing cost with conventional tuning parts and labour. And it makes no irrereversible changes. Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris1966 Posted October 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 Hi Malcolm, Yes I go to the Stoke group, I have had other TRs before going back 20 plus years with a big gap before the TR4 last year. I have a fair idea of what I want, I'm considering the ways to get it really at the moment. Hi Peter, I attended your supercharging talk at IWE 15 and have read your blog on the subject with interest. Thanks Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Cobbold Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 Hi Malcolm, Yes I go to the Stoke group, I have had other TRs before going back 20 plus years with a big gap before the TR4 last year. I have a fair idea of what I want, I'm considering the ways to get it really at the moment. Hi Peter, I attended your supercharging talk at IWE 15 and have read your blog on the subject with interest. Thanks Chris Hi Chris, Hope it helped ! With a blower your TR would storm up the hills around Congleton, no waiting for the rpm to build to bring the cam on song. Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 Has anyone actually adapted the Moss kit for a RHD 4 or 4A yet? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Cobbold Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 (edited) Has anyone actually adapted the Moss kit for a RHD 4 or 4A yet? Dont know. The steering column might or might not clear the alternator, seen in last photo on Moss site: http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=112398 The vac canister under the blower could be removed and the bypass not used, probably better for the blower too. SU can be rotated/tilted, with new mounting block to blower if it hits the firewall. Remote air filter better too, for cold air. HS6 might fit better, the separate f.c gives more flexibility. Peter Edited October 19, 2016 by Peter Cobbold Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4Deano Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 Have spoken to Moss about RHD blower fitting, they have only trial fitted the kit to a RHD TR4 but at first glances looks like everything clears, will know more in a few weeks when my kit arrives ( that's if it ever makes it from my bed) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roy53 Posted October 21, 2016 Report Share Posted October 21, 2016 I believe there is a 4 in the birmingham area with either a Toyota or Honda engine. Was in the YOF group. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.