Miata Engine Swap into a TR3-New Project Direction?

I do a lot of daydreaming about my Triumphs-it is what I do...a dreamer and a planner vrs a do-er..I should probably be daydreaming less and working in the garage more but that is a whole different issue that I am not willing to address today!! Since I am in daydreaming mode anyway I thought I might as well get my thoughts jotted down. Perhaps this action will allow me to move on?

I was e-mailing a friend yesterday who had made an enquiry into my progress on Triumph to give him an update. As I typed the e-mail I realized it had been many days since I was in the garage last so this morning I went in and checked out my blog and sure enough it was September 7th! Way too long in my determination......

I ventured out into the garage yesterday and cleaned up once again. The clutter continues to mount...I did not clean up as well as I would have liked (everything should probably be pulled out of the garage and sorted and reordered) to but it was necessary to get my woodworking and painting tools put away and a space cleared around the car.

I have also been scheming lately about potentially doing a Mazda Miata engine swap on the '57 and making a "rat rod" type ride out of the car. The TR3 purists would find this concept to be a desecration of the marque but to me it makes a lot of sense to upgrade to a more modern drive train from a reliability and environmental perspective. I have probably spent a couple of hours contemplating the potential and working out some of the major challenges. It seems doable for sure and would provide something completely different as a ride.

The inspiration came from a caption on an E-Bay ad for a Triumph TR3. The current owner was lamenting his lost opportunity for doing the engine swap as he had no time to work on the project-resulting in the listing of the car. His disclosure got me doing some research on the Internet that led me to some very interesting sites where people have documented their conversions. No TR3's covered but a MGA and Sprite so the concept and challenges would be similar. I skimmed through the pages and got a pretty good overview of the processes. There are a couple of areas I am not sure of like the electrical system interface with the computerized fuel injection system and the modifications to the gas tank for the return line etc but I believe these issues can be resolved with more Internet research.

In addition the conversion with probably be cost effective as a JDM Mazda engine and transmission is in the $600 range.

I sense there is going to be more daydreaming ahead!!!

Back to Sheet Metal Fabrication-Patch Panels

This morning I returned to the TR after a considerable absence. (August 17th)...I have been distracted largely by vacation travel and a garden requiring immediate attention...but hey, excuses are excuses regardless of the justification...

Today was an excellent metal fabrication day. An "in the zone" type of experience where the sheet metal patches I was making worked out really well and the time passed quickly. I realized today that I just about have all the patch panels fabricated and I can start cleaning them up and installing them permanently-an exciting prospect for sure...as with other endeavors the execution time has exceeded my estimation by a considerable margin and some of the "rework" related to me just not being happy with the initial fabrication. I have to continue to remind myself this is a "fit for purpose" build and I shouldn't attempt to go overboard with the quality of the bodywork. I just try to do the best I can....

Yesterday I regrouped and cleaned up my garage and put away tools etc. I have been working on my 1979 Vanguard Camper van repairing some rust problems that needed to be addressed earlier than later!!! I have a few projects to tackle...

Yesterday I did some fender assessment related to my extra fenders off the 1957. I plan to use the best ones for the current build on the '59. I am still assessing what to do with the "57. It is still on my mind...something fun to contemplate but action needs to be taken soon-winter will soon be here....