Toledo tuning help NZ
Discussion
Bunji said:
I'm based in NZ and hava a Toledo 1300 that I'd like to potentially warm up a bit.
I am led to believe that a gentleman called John Kipping who is knowledgeable in such things emigrated to NZ at some point, does anyone know where he is?
There's a John Kipping associated with a firm called Ecomaster Ltd in Christchurch, which is where the chap you are looking for went to (according to Google).I am led to believe that a gentleman called John Kipping who is knowledgeable in such things emigrated to NZ at some point, does anyone know where he is?
Having owned a 1300 Toledo, as well as other 1300 Triumphs, it's not the first car I think of in the context of hotting up. Best of luck though!
If I have my models straight the Toledo 1300 was rear wheel drive, so you're looking at the standard Triumph 'SC' engine/3 rail gearbox drive train. As such you're looking at basically the same set-up as every Herald, most of the Dolly family and, with the exception of the gearbox on the 1500, all Spitfires so most tuning advice/options that apply to one of those will also apply to your Toledo.
If the engine's healthy the obvious way to warm it up a bit would be to swap the cam, either to the corresponding stock Spitfire one or an aftermarket performance on and swap from the single carb. to the twin SU manifold/carbs from a Spitfire (Mk 3/IV HS2s for a standard cam, 1500 HS4s for a performance one).
If the engine's tired then you can swap to the 1500cc one from a Spitfire, though you also need to play some games with clutch plates to match 1500 engine to 3-rail gearbox. Gives you more power and more torque at the expensive of willingness to rev.
If the engine's healthy the obvious way to warm it up a bit would be to swap the cam, either to the corresponding stock Spitfire one or an aftermarket performance on and swap from the single carb. to the twin SU manifold/carbs from a Spitfire (Mk 3/IV HS2s for a standard cam, 1500 HS4s for a performance one).
If the engine's tired then you can swap to the 1500cc one from a Spitfire, though you also need to play some games with clutch plates to match 1500 engine to 3-rail gearbox. Gives you more power and more torque at the expensive of willingness to rev.
I thought all Toledo's in NZ were 1500.
Anyway, were are you and what would you like to do?
Unfortunately the 1300 Toledo engine was the worst in terms of performance, why? because of the large crank bearings mostly - although naff cam profiles, small valve heads and low compression don't help.
Either, fit a small crank engine OR go 1500.
The ultimate, of course, is to offcentre grind a 1500 crank to give 1670cc (using 2.5 pistons).
PS Ecomaster is now Warmth.NZ Ltd, I've just retired
caziques said:
I thought all Toledo's in NZ were 1500.
Anyway, were are you and what would you like to do?
Unfortunately the 1300 Toledo engine was the worst in terms of performance, why? because of the large crank bearings mostly - although naff cam profiles, small valve heads and low compression don't help.
Either, fit a small crank engine OR go 1500.
The ultimate, of course, is to offcentre grind a 1500 crank to give 1670cc (using 2.5 pistons).
PS Ecomaster is now Warmth.NZ Ltd, I've just retired
Although, I would be keen to hear more about how to achieve 1670cc from a 1500...Anyway, were are you and what would you like to do?
Unfortunately the 1300 Toledo engine was the worst in terms of performance, why? because of the large crank bearings mostly - although naff cam profiles, small valve heads and low compression don't help.
Either, fit a small crank engine OR go 1500.
The ultimate, of course, is to offcentre grind a 1500 crank to give 1670cc (using 2.5 pistons).
PS Ecomaster is now Warmth.NZ Ltd, I've just retired
Bunji said:
Understood there is limited point trying to modify the large crank 1300. Will keep driving it and enjoying it for what it is.
Depends what you're tuning for. If you're making race car, where you're looking for ultimate power and RPM then you're correct, a large crank 1300 isn't the best starting point - but you said you're just looking to "warm it up a bit" so I'd guess we're talking just trying to squeeze a few more ponies out of a road car, at which point there's not a huge amount to choose between small and large crank engines.I can say for certain the large crank 1300 engine in my Spitfire's more fun with a free flow manifold/exhaust, fast road cam and twin HS4s than it was on the riginal cast manifold/pea shooter exhaust/stock cam/twin HS2s. Even more fun when running on MegaJolt mapped electronic ignition.
Bunji said:
Although, I would be keen to hear more about how to achieve 1670cc from a 1500...
Long story.... I was back in the UK a couple of weeks and dropped in at Canley Classics very briefly.The unique 1670cc I made many years ago (offset grinding a 1500 crank to increase the throw) will probably never be repeated - Dave said he didn't know anyone who does offset grinding now.
The engine is fitted to a Courier Van.
I also saw his Atlas, 1500 engine and overdrive, recorded doing over 70 in the outside lane of a motorway.
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