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    Specifications Menu
Capacities Overall Dimensions Chassis Data Cooling Clutch
Gearbox Rear Differential Steering Electrical Brakes
Fuel Wheels And Tires Engine Specs. Lubrication Weights

As best I have been able to determine, the following information is the general
specifications for the 1500 model Triumph Spitfire. This table primarily covers
the US market accept where noted.
I have made all reasonable attempts to verify all information contained here.
It is by no means, that I claim these are the true and only versions of
these numbers you'll find.

top.gif (1043 bytes)   Capacities
  US market other markets Note:
   Late models have
an 'expansion zone'
within the tank which limits  the maximum amount  of fuel you can put in the tank to 8.7 US gals.
Fuel 9.9 gallons 37.6 liters
Engine oil with filter change 4.75 quarts 4.5 liters
Engine oil without filter change 4.25 quarts 4.0 liters
Gearbox .9 quarts .85 liters
Gearbox with overdrive .1.4 quarts 1.35 litters
Rear end .6 quarts .57 liters
Cooling System 4.75 quarts  4.5 liters
top.gif (1043 bytes)  Engine Specs.
  US market other markets

Note:
  Just for reference my
own 1978 running TR6 pistons (+0.040" overbore) and a shaved head. This brings the   displacement up to 1534cc with a  compression of 9.93:1.
Number of cylinders 4 in line 4 in line
Bore of cylinders 2.9 in  (73.7 mm) 73.7 mm
Stroke of crankshaft 3.44 in  (87.5mm) 87.5mm
Capacity 91 cubic in (1493 cc) 1493 cc
Compression ratio 7.5:1 (1976 - 9.0:1) 9.0:1
Maximum power 53 b.h.p. SAE net
@ 5000 rpm 		71 b.h.p. Din
@ 5500 rpm
Maximum torque 830 lbf/in
@ 2500 rpm 		985 lbf/in
@ 3000 rpm
top.gif (1043 bytes)  Lubrication 
Oil pump High capacity rotor type Note:
normal pressure
75 psi+/- 5 cold
dropping to 25 psi
warm is not
uncommon
Oil filter Full flow type, disposable cartridge
Oil warning light Extinguishes at 3 to 5 lb/in2 oil pressure
top.gif (1043 bytes)   Cooling System 
Type 'No-loss' Water system
Circulation impeller type pump, Vee belt driven
Pressure 13lb/in2 (0.91kg/cm2)
Thermostat. Opens at 180° F (82° C) - 190° F (88° C) 
Fan 13 blades 12 1/2" diameter
with viscous coupling -US		 7 blades 12 1/2" diameter
-other markets
top.gif (1043 bytes)   Fuel system

US market    

other markets     

Tank
(limited fill fuel tank) 		9.9 gallons (fillable to 8.5) 37.6 liters
Pump Mechanically operated diaphragm type
Carburetor Single Stromberg 150 CD4 side draught [1975,1979-80]
Single Stromberg 150 CD4T side draught [1976-1978]
California market Single Stromberg CD4T 150
water heated auto-choke, side draught 		Two SU HS4
side draught
Air Cleaner U.S.A. models fitted with a temperature
controlled inlet air flow 		Combined air cleaner and silencer  with replacement
paper elements
Crankcase
ventilation 		Closed circuit breathing from rocker cover to
constant depression side of carburetors.
Evaporative
Emission control 		U.S.A. models only, sealed tank filler cap. Vapor emissions from tank are
vented via a separator canister  to a carbon canister located in the engine
compartment.  Canister is purged by carburetor depression. An air pump
injects air into each exhaust port via a distribution manifold and an  E.G.R.
valve. A service indicator located in the engine  bay illuminates a warning
light on the fascia when the  E.G.R. valve is due for periodical maintenance.
top.gif (1043 bytes)   Clutch 
Make/type Borg and Beck, single dry plate,
diaphragm spring type 		Note:
   By the time the 1500
series was developed,
the clutch to drive shaft
interface was a 23 spline
connection, uprated from
the old 10 spline interface
Release mechanism Hydraulically operated
Plate diameter 7 1/4" (184mm)
Facing material Borg and Beck 11046 H.K. Porter 11046
top.gif (1043 bytes)   Gearbox    

Synchromesh - On forward gears

Note:
    this is known as a 'single rail' box as compared to the earlier '3-rail' design. The rails are the rods that ran from the lever to the shift forks and are external visual feature of the tranny case.
Gear 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Rev. O/D 3rd O/D 4th
Ratio 3.50 2.16 1.39 1.00 3.99    
overall-USA 13.62 8.40 5.42 3.89 15.51 4.31 3.10
overall-non USA 10.70 7.85 5.05 3.63 14.48 4.03 2.89

Overdrive (Optional) 

Make/type Laycock J-Type
Operative on 3rd and 4th gears via transmission interlock switch
Overall ratio 0.797:1
top.gif (1043 bytes)   Rear Differential 
Type - Hypoid bevel gears in rear axle

Note:
   The late model 1500's, with or without O/D, all had final drive ratios of 3.89:1

* gearing values depending on type and condition of tires

** speed values depending on type and condition of tires

Ratio

3.89:1 - US market 3.63:1  -other markets
Effective Gearing *         O/D O/D
gear 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 3rd 4th
Engine speeds
(rev/min) at road speed ** of 10 mph-U.S.A. 		2084 1282 827 595 660 474
  Non U.S.A. 1942 1200 772 555 616 442
4th gear 16.7 mph - US 18.0 mph -other
Road speed at 1,000 re/min engine speed in 4th gear - O/D engaged 21.2 mph -US

22.6 mph -other
top.gif (1043 bytes)   Steering
Make/Type Alford & Alder, rack and pinion
Turning circle 24 feet (7.3 meters)
Steering wheel diameter 14.5" (368mm)
Turns lock to lock 3 3/4
top.gif (1043 bytes)  Brake System
Foot pedal Tandem master cylinder operating front and
rear brakes independently 
Hand brake Mechanical on rear wheels only
Type Caliper disc front, Drums rear
Disc diameter 9 in (229mm)
Disk Lining area 14.8 in2 (95cm2)
Disk Swept area 150.0 in2 (967 cm2)
top.gif (1043 bytes)   Wheels And Tires 
Wheels 4 1/2 x 13 Steel disc type Note:
4 1/2" widths
changed to 5"
widths on
later models
Tires 155SR x 13 in radial ply
Tire pressures- front 21 lb/in2 (1.476 kg/cm2)
Try pressures- rear 26 lb/in2 (1.828 kg/cm2)
top.gif (1043 bytes)   Chassis Data 
Wheelbase 83" (2110 mm)
Front track width (2 up condition): 49" (1244 mm)
rear track width 50" (1270 mm)
Front wheel alignment  (2 up condition) 0 - 1/16" toe in (0 - 1.5875 mm)
rear wheel alignment  (2 up condition) 0 - 1/16"  toe in (0 - 1.5875 mm)
Ground clearance    (2up condition) 5" (127 mm)
Front Camber    (2 up condition)  2° positive +1/2°
Rear Camber    (2 up condition) 3 1/4° negative + 1
Caster   (2 up condition) 4 1/2° + 1/2°
King Pin inclination      (2 up condition) 6 3/4° + 3/4°
top.gif (1043 bytes)  Electrical Equipment
Electrical System 12 volt negative earth Note:
   Only three
fuses protect
the entire car.
Battery capacity 40 amp hour at 20 hour rate
Alternator type Lucas 16 ACR output 34 amps
Starter motor M.35 J inertia type
top.gif (1043 bytes)   Overall Dimensions
  US market other markets
Length 155.25" (3943 mm),
'76-'80: 156.3 in (3970)		 149" (3785 mm)
Width

58.5" (1488 mm)

58.5" (1488 mm)
Height (unladen) to
top of windscreen

43.7" (1110 mm)

44.25" (1125 mm)
Soft top hood erect 45.6" (1159 mm) 45.8" (1162 mm)
Hard top 45.4" (1153 mm) 45.2" (1148 mm)
top.gif (1043 bytes)   Weights (approx)
  US market other markets
Dry (excluding extra equipment) 1976-80 804 kg,1761 lb (799 kg) 763 kg
Basic Kerb (including fluids and tools) 1976-80 829 kg, 1814 lb (823 kg) 792 kg
Kerb (fully running with all std equipment) 1976-80 876 kg, 1900 lb (862 kg) 841 kg
Maximum gross vehicle weight 1976-80 1061 kg, 2339 lb (1061 kg) 1036 kg

 

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