This car was towed to the shop and was found to have spun a rod. The owner decided that while it was apart, he wanted to make it go faster, a lot faster. Bart recommended that an alternate power plant would help as the Triumph motor is severly power challanged no matter how much money you throw at it. Bart then suggested that he could install a 1989 BMW 325i motor and 5 speed tranny. The BMW motor makes 190 HP bone stock and weighs considerably less than the TR motor. Plus it has simple fuel injection.


This job required modifying the fire wall, the BMW gearshift assembly (which had to have a short shift installed), and the driveshaft. Next Bart fabricated the gas pedal assembly, clutch hydraulic line, the computer mounting, steel braided oil lines, radiator hoses, alternator mounting and brackets, the fire wall and tranny tunnel.

Bart also fabricated and installed a rear coil-over shock conversion and exhaust system. The front got new Koni shocks. The battery had to be relocated in the trunk. Bart constructed new power, ground and engine ground cables.








Trial fit ....


in and done!


Bart fabricated an aluminum radiator shroud.

When the car was finished, the owner spent several months driving it at auto cross events (taking 1st in his division at Jekyll Island), on mountain tours, and to several races at Road Atlanta. It always drew quite a crowd and lots of questions. Soon he decided that with that much power, it would be wise to have Bart fabricate and install a roll bar. He also wanted a new paint job on the exterior. Off it went to the body and paint shop - this time TC's Place. After the primer was complete, the owner decided to have the entire car painted. It was trailered back to the shop to remove the engine, exhaust system, etc. Then back to TC's Place to have the job completed.

Shots of the car after being painted.




Now that the car has a great new paint job, it's time to have the bumpers rechromed, all new lights installed, new custom seats, Wilton wool carpeting, and new panels. And don't forget the new Sunfast convertible top, dash pads, and a custom made aluminum dash board.


Before starting the interior, the owner felt he wanted some extra sound deadening material added. We had just the thing. Koolmat is a composite of high temperature fiberglass with a top coat of silicone. It prevents the flow of air or liquids and is excellent for sound deadening. It is used a great deal by NASCAR as it keeps the driver of the race car cooler and will withstand high temperatures in case of fire.
Below are a few pictures before the Koolmat installation. Notice the custom made firewall built to accomodate the BMW engine.




And after the Koolmat...





The panel kit and Wilton wool carpet kit were ordered from John Skinner in England. As usual, the materials were of very good quality. The carpet had to be custom fitted to accomodate the enlarged fire wall and smaller floor carpet area. The seat tracks had to be altered to allow the installation of the custom seats. The owner also requested a chrome grab bar be installed on the dash (note the aluminum dash was remade at the request of the customer).



Bart fabricated the center console to accomodate the enlarged fire wall and designed a custom mount for the radio and XM receiver.


Here the engine is in place with a new aluminum crossflow radiator and the reconfigured wiring incorporating relays and a pair of 5 ATC fuse panels.





TC did a great job fabricating the custom front and side grills. These gave the car just the right amount of detail.