Modified Triumph Stag
Discussion
Monarch do some stuff at a price. I just trying to find out what other owners have done. My Stag is modified but there has been a lot of good ideas and even more bad one's. I was trying to find out who's done what and what's worked.
I have passed all my information on to people who are modifying their stags, other people are quite secretive. One or two owners have been very help full, ideas and parts flowing both ways, which is what should happen.
All we are trying to do is bring a 40 year old car bang up to date but still retain that classic look. A lot of owners hate modified stags, especially when we pass them, broken down in a lay-by.
I have passed all my information on to people who are modifying their stags, other people are quite secretive. One or two owners have been very help full, ideas and parts flowing both ways, which is what should happen.
All we are trying to do is bring a 40 year old car bang up to date but still retain that classic look. A lot of owners hate modified stags, especially when we pass them, broken down in a lay-by.
An up to date Stag? You could just buy a BMW E46 330 Cabriolet and be done with it...
Anyway, you may find this:
http://www.stag.org.uk/technical/page0003.htm
helpfull.
Anyway, you may find this:
http://www.stag.org.uk/technical/page0003.htm
helpfull.
Have a look on the owners club forum. We have a wide range of modded cars on there with the RV8 a common conversion and the odd mustang engine and a couple of supercharger projects as well.
They are getting a bit precious about what non-club members can see at the moment but I am sure you can work your way through it.
They are getting a bit precious about what non-club members can see at the moment but I am sure you can work your way through it.
I'm a member of the Stag club, some people find the idea of modified cars as blasphemous and only want to use original parts, even though there 40 years old by now.
As for a BMW, come on. I might think of transplanting some of the bits on to a stag. The whole thing for the Stag is that its, British, a convertible, A classic, nice to drive and a v8. The bonuses are that its got, cheap insurance, cheap parts, massive load of spares, tax free, fast and makes me smile when i take it out.
You cant say its not a good looking car. It has its faults but when you sorted them out in like a modern day car.
As for a BMW, come on. I might think of transplanting some of the bits on to a stag. The whole thing for the Stag is that its, British, a convertible, A classic, nice to drive and a v8. The bonuses are that its got, cheap insurance, cheap parts, massive load of spares, tax free, fast and makes me smile when i take it out.
You cant say its not a good looking car. It has its faults but when you sorted them out in like a modern day car.
Just fitted an aluminium fuel tank and header tank to mine as the latest 'upgrades' from EJ Ward. Original engine (155k miles) has been blue printed, tubular ss exhaust manifolds and ss exhaust, suspension is all poly bushed and running modern radial tyres - other than that, all as it left the factory 
Was talking about modified classics with a mate earlier and I have managed to crystallise my views, after writing and then deleting a number of posts to this thread.
My experience is that mods/upgrades are a lot of hassle for, usually, not much gain. Both of us are in the process of returning older cars back to standard spec.
I could site many examples but the best is the air filter on his beetle. It had a very nice, chrome pancake filter which was obviously far less restrictive then the original item. Great. While trying to find out why the engine couldn't be timed correctly he learnt about how the vacuum advance and crankcase breathing works on these cars and realised that having the pancake filter also meant using a different distributor, with a different advance mechanism and did not allow for crankcase breathing.
After putting everything back to normal the engine is transformed...it sounds better, pulls better and uses less fuel.
My Stag had horrible steering and wheel wobble at speed when I bought it (the previous owner had had the wheels balanced a number of times). After removing the wheels, adaptors they required (and replacing the butchered studs), and fitting standard wheels with standard size tyres the ride, handling, road holding and steering is all improved...and the steering doesn't wobble. Don't get me started on the electronic ignition my car also had...to be fair it was wired badly but even so it caused no end of trouble...I now have points instead.
I guess my point is standard stuff works, modified stuff sometimes (often in my experience) doesn't. I would never (for example) put different carbs on my car, despite being fully aware that the strombergs it has aren't that good as I know it'll be a nightmare.
Modifying can be good if done well, but usually it's done poorly and unless you really know what you are doing you are batter off making sure the car works as it should, since I don't have that expertise I'll stick to standard.
My experience is that mods/upgrades are a lot of hassle for, usually, not much gain. Both of us are in the process of returning older cars back to standard spec.
I could site many examples but the best is the air filter on his beetle. It had a very nice, chrome pancake filter which was obviously far less restrictive then the original item. Great. While trying to find out why the engine couldn't be timed correctly he learnt about how the vacuum advance and crankcase breathing works on these cars and realised that having the pancake filter also meant using a different distributor, with a different advance mechanism and did not allow for crankcase breathing.
After putting everything back to normal the engine is transformed...it sounds better, pulls better and uses less fuel.
My Stag had horrible steering and wheel wobble at speed when I bought it (the previous owner had had the wheels balanced a number of times). After removing the wheels, adaptors they required (and replacing the butchered studs), and fitting standard wheels with standard size tyres the ride, handling, road holding and steering is all improved...and the steering doesn't wobble. Don't get me started on the electronic ignition my car also had...to be fair it was wired badly but even so it caused no end of trouble...I now have points instead.
I guess my point is standard stuff works, modified stuff sometimes (often in my experience) doesn't. I would never (for example) put different carbs on my car, despite being fully aware that the strombergs it has aren't that good as I know it'll be a nightmare.
Modifying can be good if done well, but usually it's done poorly and unless you really know what you are doing you are batter off making sure the car works as it should, since I don't have that expertise I'll stick to standard.
Yes originality is good but when there is something better than the 40 year old part your about to fit then use it. Polly bushes are far better than rubber especially when its 40 year old rubber.
I see my car like an old house, you up date your house to make it better. Some people may like it, some may not. Under floor heating in an listed house, some may say to hot. 300 bhp rover v8 in a stag, some may say too much. Even though they would love the power.
It is the the way you see things, as a kid it was great to tune 2 strokes for power. No power, no power, no power, all power in a oner. It was the rush of instant power when it hit the power band, bugger all below though but that wasn't important.
I like my stag to sound like, it will eat your kids if they get too near. Of course it has to have the power to back it up. Just wish it wouldn't drink the fuel and coolant so quick.
Like i said the stag is all what you want it to be, providing it starts. Its just your own views.
The English thought it was un-gentlemanly for the Italians to use machine guns in the 1st world war.
I see my car like an old house, you up date your house to make it better. Some people may like it, some may not. Under floor heating in an listed house, some may say to hot. 300 bhp rover v8 in a stag, some may say too much. Even though they would love the power.
It is the the way you see things, as a kid it was great to tune 2 strokes for power. No power, no power, no power, all power in a oner. It was the rush of instant power when it hit the power band, bugger all below though but that wasn't important.
I like my stag to sound like, it will eat your kids if they get too near. Of course it has to have the power to back it up. Just wish it wouldn't drink the fuel and coolant so quick.
Like i said the stag is all what you want it to be, providing it starts. Its just your own views.
The English thought it was un-gentlemanly for the Italians to use machine guns in the 1st world war.
varsas said:
Was talking about modified classics with a mate earlier and I have managed to crystallise my views, after writing and then deleting a number of posts to this thread.
My experience is that mods/upgrades are a lot of hassle for, usually, not much gain. Both of us are in the process of returning older cars back to standard spec.
I could site many examples but the best is the air filter on his beetle. It had a very nice, chrome pancake filter which was obviously far less restrictive then the original item. Great. While trying to find out why the engine couldn't be timed correctly he learnt about how the vacuum advance and crankcase breathing works on these cars and realised that having the pancake filter also meant using a different distributor, with a different advance mechanism and did not allow for crankcase breathing.
After putting everything back to normal the engine is transformed...it sounds better, pulls better and uses less fuel.
My Stag had horrible steering and wheel wobble at speed when I bought it (the previous owner had had the wheels balanced a number of times). After removing the wheels, adaptors they required (and replacing the butchered studs), and fitting standard wheels with standard size tyres the ride, handling, road holding and steering is all improved...and the steering doesn't wobble. Don't get me started on the electronic ignition my car also had...to be fair it was wired badly but even so it caused no end of trouble...I now have points instead.
I guess my point is standard stuff works, modified stuff sometimes (often in my experience) doesn't. I would never (for example) put different carbs on my car, despite being fully aware that the strombergs it has aren't that good as I know it'll be a nightmare.
Modifying can be good if done well, but usually it's done poorly and unless you really know what you are doing you are batter off making sure the car works as it should, since I don't have that expertise I'll stick to standard.
The thing is, that is examples of poor mods badly implemented. Not anything to do with modding classics.My experience is that mods/upgrades are a lot of hassle for, usually, not much gain. Both of us are in the process of returning older cars back to standard spec.
I could site many examples but the best is the air filter on his beetle. It had a very nice, chrome pancake filter which was obviously far less restrictive then the original item. Great. While trying to find out why the engine couldn't be timed correctly he learnt about how the vacuum advance and crankcase breathing works on these cars and realised that having the pancake filter also meant using a different distributor, with a different advance mechanism and did not allow for crankcase breathing.
After putting everything back to normal the engine is transformed...it sounds better, pulls better and uses less fuel.
My Stag had horrible steering and wheel wobble at speed when I bought it (the previous owner had had the wheels balanced a number of times). After removing the wheels, adaptors they required (and replacing the butchered studs), and fitting standard wheels with standard size tyres the ride, handling, road holding and steering is all improved...and the steering doesn't wobble. Don't get me started on the electronic ignition my car also had...to be fair it was wired badly but even so it caused no end of trouble...I now have points instead.
I guess my point is standard stuff works, modified stuff sometimes (often in my experience) doesn't. I would never (for example) put different carbs on my car, despite being fully aware that the strombergs it has aren't that good as I know it'll be a nightmare.
Modifying can be good if done well, but usually it's done poorly and unless you really know what you are doing you are batter off making sure the car works as it should, since I don't have that expertise I'll stick to standard.
You could buy a new BMW and mod it badly.
I agree, stuff needs to be done correctly. My own Triumph is far from stock. And yes it has a few issues, but all limited due to finances, but there's no way a stock example would do what mine does, not even close. And having owned two standard examples I'll certainly attest to that.
Mods include:
starting with a factory stick 2.0 FHC 4 speed car
-RV8 conversion
-Lowered engine mounts/sub frame
-RV8 running a Real Steel Typhoon cam
-4 brl Edlebrock carb and Offy manifold
-Triumph Tune works rally spec long tube exhaust headers.
-Triumph Tune stainless large bore single box exhaust (like rally unit)
-Capri front brake upgrade (callipers/disc)
-EBC discs/pads
-Upgraded larger brake servo
-5 speed HD LTT77 box
-Shore 70 rubber bushes
-KYB rear shocks and -1" upgraded springs
-Spax front inserts and upgraded springs
-anti-drive kit
-Stage 1 unleaded cylinder heads
-Kenlowe electric fan
-X-Eng electronic fan controller
-Luminition ignition
-Originally swapped on a 3.08:1 axle, broke that an now running a 3.9:1 axle
-15" MGF alloys with 225/50R15 tyres (up from the 175R13's it had originally)
-Custom paint
-US spec bumpers and cruise lights
-Halogen headlights
-1 piece bucket seats and harnesses
-some custom trim
-Motolita leather wrapped steering wheel
-shortened gear lever
-uprated fuel pump and fuel line
Sounds like a great car (small + V8 + RWD how can it not be?)
And yeah, I'm not against modifying classics I just wish the people who had started messing about with my previous car had either done it properly or not done it at all, it really did ruin the car.
I guess I've just seen too many that were done badly, my current SIII Land rover had a tiny little sports steering wheel on it...it was being sold (partly) because it was difficult to drive. Well..yeah. I struggled until I put the standard wheel back on it! Perhaps they had put it on to increase leg room...well, yeah..again the seats had been screwed in place...I just removed the screws and moved the seat back.
My BMW comment was tongue in cheek; if you look at my garage you'll see I would rather have a Stag!
And yeah, I'm not against modifying classics I just wish the people who had started messing about with my previous car had either done it properly or not done it at all, it really did ruin the car.
I guess I've just seen too many that were done badly, my current SIII Land rover had a tiny little sports steering wheel on it...it was being sold (partly) because it was difficult to drive. Well..yeah. I struggled until I put the standard wheel back on it! Perhaps they had put it on to increase leg room...well, yeah..again the seats had been screwed in place...I just removed the screws and moved the seat back.
My BMW comment was tongue in cheek; if you look at my garage you'll see I would rather have a Stag!
Nice to see Shaun's Stag again. Well engineered car. Mines the same sort of tune but doesn't look as good. However, its still an on going project. Just a small case of leaking water jacket, we'll see if the Silver seal works.
One of the best things I've put on the car is the moto guzzi lafranconi silencers, to keep the new exhaust system quite.
One of the best things I've put on the car is the moto guzzi lafranconi silencers, to keep the new exhaust system quite.
sax player said:
heres my moddified stag. Am sure most folks have seen it.
4ltr griff engine, twin plenum efi hotwire, lt77box, e30 diff, poly bushed, progressive wound springs, Rover tom cat front - rear seats, image three piece 16in wheels, custom exhaust...
Handles well, 260bhp, 275lbs torque
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