Triumph GT6 performance/spray person required question

Dear all

A year ago my wife passed away. We had a Gt6 and was with us for 8 years. I lost all interest and put it away for a year. Well, I'm back in the real world again and trailered it to my new home a few weeks ago.

With a little TLC and a fair bit of cash I've got it back on the road. A years storage had led to siezed brakes and carbs - but all sorted now.

I know I will be condemned for fitting a NOS set of Strombergs (identical to originals) - but to be honest - they are working very very well.

It flew through the test and I'm getting good feedback from all and sundry on the condition of the car - good compression, sound chassis and body etc. Its an early '73 with non-rotoflex as was the way back then when BL were just using up parts etc.

I just *love* it again!

Now I'm driving it again I'm like a kid with rediscovered favourite toy. So fast - so much grunt. It has the semi-sport exhaust and I love the sound,

*but* I want more.

I want to keep it road legal - but would like to really get a good combination of the best performance possible with a good comfortable ride. I know some compromises will be needed here.

It's mainly the engine I'd like more from - so I'd like any suggestions on efficiency/power improvements - better coil/oil cooler/anything you have found/heard does the trick. I'm running on Super Plus unleaded + Millers VSP

- anyone found a better combo (I occasionally splash out on very expensive real 4 star leaded from the petrol Station in Castleton, Derbyshire - seems to quieten car a bit).

Also would like to keep good feel of suspension, but maybe stiffen up a bit, whilst not making it rattly and unsuitable for long drives. Any recommendations?

Finally this semi-sport exhaust is getting rusty - anyone know if a good stainless version is available?

Nope - that wasn't finally - I need recommendations of anyone in or near the South Yorkshire area willing to give me a good price for a respray - don't need to be professional - happy to let a fellow enthusiast to do the work. Its not rusty and is actually in primer from my pre-wife's illness period of when I was doing restoration. I just don't have time or premises to spray it. I have 5 litres of Celly (far too much) but reckon 2 pack would be a better way to go. Mimosa Yellow.

OK folks - hope to hear from you! Best regards Tony

Reply to
Anthony Caira
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Well done in resurrecting your GT6, a Triumph 6 running well is a truly beautiful thing. There are several places offering tuning goodies for your car but do your research first, lots of stuff is just shiny and offers little if any real HP gain. Exhausts are fairly plentiful, the Phoenix stainless systems and manifolds get good press. Check out the message boards and Triumph specific mailing lists ( for example

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) Are you a member of any of the Triumph Clubs? For cheap insurance and shiny bits - The Triumph Sports Six Club at
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lots of bits for sale but do research your prices before you buy. It's a bog club who put on the biggest shows and carry some clout in the classic car world. Nice HQ, very good monthly mag and the insurance scheme is good value, most people seem to pay about £100 premiums for agreed value including European breakdown cover. Active message board, not sure how much is open to non-members. I've been a member for nearly 20 years now.

For driving it check out Club Triumph at

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- thereare some knowledgeable helpful guys up in your part of the world, drop intothe Club Triumph forum for a chat, it's open to non-members. Club Triumphorganise the Round Britain Reliability Run - drive your Triumph around the2000 miles of the UK in 48 hours. Or if you fancy something continental,drive your Triumph around 2400 miles and 10 countries in a weekend :-) CThave a bi-monthly mag and is a little smaller and maybe less corporate thanthe TSSC although CT is effectively the old Factory Club. I've done the 10Countries Run in a Stretched Herald limo and an doing the RBRR in aprototype V8 Saloon his year - been a member for a couple of years now. As for suppliers of bits, I tend to use Canley Classics -
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for most things as they are actually the source for a lot of stuff. They are building a GT6 "rent to race" car with the TSSC so if you're looking for GT6 performance tips, that could be a good place to start. Other suppliers are Rimmers - have a great catalogue but are I find them expensive. Moss - don't concentrate on Triumphs anymore and although they own the Triumph Tune name their stuff seems to get poor reviews. Both Moss and Rimmers have websites but they are clumsy to use. There are others out there like James Paddock (they get good press and seem good on price), don't forget TD Fitchett - great for panels but you really need to go there - Telford - as they are old school luddites, no web site, no email, just about tolerate a fax. Don't let that put you off though.

Reply to
J

The Triumph Sport Six Club

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hasthe full sports stainless steel exhaust for £195 (not includingmanifold). You do lose about a half an inch from your alreadynegligible ground clearance but the note and look are worth it. Spax adjustable dampers and polyeurethene brushes are also well worth while.

Hope this helps, Duncan Jones Merrion Computing Ltd

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Reply to
Merrion

First thing IMO, is to throw away the fan and fit a Kenlowe or similar electric one. I've done so with my Vitesse and hardly ever need to switch the thing on (still only a manual switch), which just shows how daft it is to have a mechanical one running continually.

I used about four on my Vitesse - outer panels only, so five litres isn't _that_ much for a proper job.

Do you have an overdrive fitted? Though not strictly a performance mod, it adds a lot to the enjoyment and can make overtaking quicker - instantanteous drop to a lower gear at the flick of the switch.

Reply to
Willy Eckerslyke

I like them. They're more Stag people really, so don't always have what I need, but their prices are keen.

Spot on! Finding them is a bit of a nightmare though.

I'll also put in a good word for Anglian Triumph. David used to post here occasionally and provides a good and friendly service.

Reply to
Willy Eckerslyke

Reply to
a.dixon

Hi all

I just wanted to thank you all for the tips. Sorry for my delay - been away in Canada (is very nice!).

I'm with Rimmers and the SS Sports exhaust is on my list.

Ot a replacement brake vacuum/servo kit frm Moss as old Girling obsolete and this kit works well. Have also replaced discs, drums, pads, Shoes, calipers, cylinders and flexi's.

My car is overdrive - and its a great option for motorway driving. 3rd od seems maybe a bit weird as is same ratio as 'natural' 4th. I was also told years back by the seller that my car had a different 'option' ratio back axle/diff which means it is better on economy for cruising, but poorer on acceleration - sound about right?

Speedo about 7-10mph out of kilter!! ie at 70 I'm not - if you know what I mean! Very dodgy for low speed speed cameras - have to stick to reported speed of about 23 for real speed of 30.

Have the Kenlowe fan and will be fitting this week as tends to run hot in traffic. Have changed thermostat, NOS Strombergs and all new hoses, also have fitted the thick card engine air ducts as these had degraded.

Am thinking of oil cooler - worth it?

Also thinking of K&N filters but hear carb needle needs changing? Really needed?

Cyl head gask is fine etc so wondering if slightly hot running may be due to LPG. Used to run on VSP but is hard to get.

Top tip: The garage in the village of Castleton, Derbyshire, near here, sells real 4 star which makes my Spitfire very happy, so this week going to fill up GT6 there and see if it makes it happier. Also a village well worth a day out with caves/castles good grub/pubs etc. Maybe LPG requires ignition adjustment/retard?

E.g car will pull up really steep hills even in 4th on ovedrive, but 'pinks' a little - if turn overdrive off is happier - therefore requesting too much power in od. Could be LPG/ignition/dizzy adjustment needed. Although LPG is going...need more VSP!!

Used to run on Super Plus unleaded plus VSP - car was *very* happy then!!

Steering: have fitted new column as old slightly bent, but still feels a little 'floaty' at speed - yet very positive at lower speeds. Is late non-rotoflex model (feb '73 - yes - 6 weeks too late for free tax!!) any hints as know this 'feel' could be due to adjustment required any place in susp/chassis? (Car very solid).

Best regards Tony

PS - know great semi race prepared road legal GT6 for sale at spitfiregraveyard in Sheffield. Call and ask for Richard. Is an amazing car and I think he wants £1700 for it.

TR7 carbs, sports exhaust - racing seats and harness, the gubbins - but still all creature comforts like all trim, carpets etc - ie not sheeled out racer. Yellow - (not Mimosa like mine - is darker and one year newer - 'M' reg) perhaps needs a respray really but not a rot box.

No interest in it myself as I love my car - but thought worth mentioning as I'd buy it *now* if I hadn't got one. Is not on website but his site (richard) is

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if you tell him tony told you about it - he might give me a few quid off spares. Either way is worth popping in there as you get a can of pop - good service and lovely people.

Reply to
Anthony Caira

The Dolomite had the same arrangement. Use direct 3rd for nippy acceleration and flick into o/d 3rd when the revs get high, then change from o/d 3rd to o/d top. I liked tht arrangement.

It is possible to get a speedo re-calibrated. Don't know where though - I've never needed it. Alternatively, can you find a speedo that is right for your axle ratio, perhaps at spitfiregraveyard?

The best known, but not the best. I fitted a fan from a scrap Maestro to my PI, which gives much greater air flow.

Could be, but check the mounting arrangement. It may not be possible to fit an oil cooler *and* a Kenlowe.

Presume you mean LRP. Some engines simply dont like the stuff. If you can't get VSP, you could try Redline, available by mail order from Delta Oils. 01572 768311 or

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Redline in Shell Optimax is ideal for my PI.

Alternatively, you could add your own lead! Have a look at

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for more information.>

Try Optimax though - it is better than normal Super Plus.

Have you still got the original 80 profile tyres? They can fel a littly floaty, but you get used to it.

Jim

Reply to
Jim Warren

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