Triumph Herald Mx5 swap?
Discussion
Hi all
So i have a Triumph Herald 1200 1968 and Im at a cross roads of what to do, the original plan was to just get it running and driving before doing anything too crazy, that has now been scraped due to the extent of repairs needed required to even get her road worthy. So now im thinking of doing my initial idea of modifying it to have a mx5 engine and trans (probably will need the mx5 rear axle too) This will be from my understanding rather a large undertaking as the chassis was not built for that amount of power and so will need reinforcing etc not to mention the need to make mounts for the mx5 coilovers to mount too.
So im not sure what to do, I would love to do the swap but am not sure if i should just make it a hotrod with the og engine first. What do you all think?
So i have a Triumph Herald 1200 1968 and Im at a cross roads of what to do, the original plan was to just get it running and driving before doing anything too crazy, that has now been scraped due to the extent of repairs needed required to even get her road worthy. So now im thinking of doing my initial idea of modifying it to have a mx5 engine and trans (probably will need the mx5 rear axle too) This will be from my understanding rather a large undertaking as the chassis was not built for that amount of power and so will need reinforcing etc not to mention the need to make mounts for the mx5 coilovers to mount too.
So im not sure what to do, I would love to do the swap but am not sure if i should just make it a hotrod with the og engine first. What do you all think?
TwigNshiz said:
Hi all
So i have a Triumph Herald 1200 1968 and Im at a cross roads of what to do, the original plan was to just get it running and driving before doing anything too crazy, that has now been scraped due to the extent of repairs needed required to even get her road worthy. So now im thinking of doing my initial idea of modifying it to have a mx5 engine and trans (probably will need the mx5 rear axle too) This will be from my understanding rather a large undertaking as the chassis was not built for that amount of power and so will need reinforcing etc not to mention the need to make mounts for the mx5 coilovers to mount too.
So im not sure what to do, I would love to do the swap but am not sure if i should just make it a hotrod with the og engine first. What do you all think?
I think unless you know what you are doing and can do the fabrication yourself that sounds like it will cost a horrendous amount of time and moneySo i have a Triumph Herald 1200 1968 and Im at a cross roads of what to do, the original plan was to just get it running and driving before doing anything too crazy, that has now been scraped due to the extent of repairs needed required to even get her road worthy. So now im thinking of doing my initial idea of modifying it to have a mx5 engine and trans (probably will need the mx5 rear axle too) This will be from my understanding rather a large undertaking as the chassis was not built for that amount of power and so will need reinforcing etc not to mention the need to make mounts for the mx5 coilovers to mount too.
So im not sure what to do, I would love to do the swap but am not sure if i should just make it a hotrod with the og engine first. What do you all think?
Yertis said:
I'd be worried that I'd be ending up with a Q-plate worthless oddity. Surely obtaining, and then tuning up, a Vitesse MK2 is an all-round easier option? And the Triumph 2L six is one of the nicest sounding engines.
But good luck anyway
well that was the other option swaping it with the mk2 engine. and yea i get you im not worried about resale just about it not becoming a 20k build But good luck anyway
What The Deuces said:
I think unless you know what you are doing and can do the fabrication yourself that sounds like it will cost a horrendous amount of time and money
for sure and i dont ive welded a handfull of times and am by no means a fabricator just dont want it spiraling out to a stupid expencive headachI think you need to hop across to Retro Rides.
The Mx5 is a well trodden route and seems to be ideally suited to the herald/spitfire without going overboard with the rear axle; sometimes less is more.
If you really want to push the boat out you've got to admire this young man and his Dad.
https://youtu.be/SW9RvAh0lgA
I really enjoy his build for a number of reasons. First up is his technical ability, which he can then translate into mechanical/fabrication ability.
The GT6 of course in itself is great, but it's the fact that when you watch his videos you notice that his Dad is supporting him and guiding/teaching him in a really (dare one say it..) loving way. He lets the son take the stage lights and yet the bond is there- for sure I'm projecting and perhaps also retrospectively wishing ..it's still really nice to watch both from petrolhead but also a Dad.
HTH
The Mx5 is a well trodden route and seems to be ideally suited to the herald/spitfire without going overboard with the rear axle; sometimes less is more.
If you really want to push the boat out you've got to admire this young man and his Dad.
https://youtu.be/SW9RvAh0lgA
I really enjoy his build for a number of reasons. First up is his technical ability, which he can then translate into mechanical/fabrication ability.
The GT6 of course in itself is great, but it's the fact that when you watch his videos you notice that his Dad is supporting him and guiding/teaching him in a really (dare one say it..) loving way. He lets the son take the stage lights and yet the bond is there- for sure I'm projecting and perhaps also retrospectively wishing ..it's still really nice to watch both from petrolhead but also a Dad.
HTH
Carsie said:
I think you need to hop across to Retro Rides.
The Mx5 is a well trodden route and seems to be ideally suited to the herald/spitfire without going overboard with the rear axle; sometimes less is more.
If you really want to push the boat out you've got to admire this young man and his Dad.
https://youtu.be/SW9RvAh0lgA
I really enjoy his build for a number of reasons. First up is his technical ability, which he can then translate into mechanical/fabrication ability.
The GT6 of course in itself is great, but it's the fact that when you watch his videos you notice that his Dad is supporting him and guiding/teaching him in a really (dare one say it..) loving way. He lets the son take the stage lights and yet the bond is there- for sure I'm projecting and perhaps also retrospectively wishing ..it's still really nice to watch both from petrolhead but also a Dad.
HTH
ill have to look at retro rides and yea ive seen a couple mx5 swaps in to spitfires so that gives me hope i just worry the diff would crap its selfThe Mx5 is a well trodden route and seems to be ideally suited to the herald/spitfire without going overboard with the rear axle; sometimes less is more.
If you really want to push the boat out you've got to admire this young man and his Dad.
https://youtu.be/SW9RvAh0lgA
I really enjoy his build for a number of reasons. First up is his technical ability, which he can then translate into mechanical/fabrication ability.
The GT6 of course in itself is great, but it's the fact that when you watch his videos you notice that his Dad is supporting him and guiding/teaching him in a really (dare one say it..) loving way. He lets the son take the stage lights and yet the bond is there- for sure I'm projecting and perhaps also retrospectively wishing ..it's still really nice to watch both from petrolhead but also a Dad.
HTH
and ive been following fanatik for a while love how he gose though all the details
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Trouble is the mx5 isn’t really a chassis as such and of you cut into the monocoque to french in herald panels it’s neither mx5 or heraldIf you want to retain the herald reg and age with an engine and gearbox on a herald chassis you’d be ok points wise IRC
Start adding mx5 rear end and modifying herald chassis to take rear axle and suspension and points start to add up
restoman said:
Yertis said:
I'd be worried that I'd be ending up with a Q-plate worthless oddity.
What a load of nonsense. 
MX-5 engine, gearbox and back axle means loss of all points for those items, plus any cutting and modification of the Herald chassis to enable any of that to be fitted into, will mean loss of a points for the chassis as well.
That's enough points lost to mean IVA and Q-plate and loss of historic status.
aeropilot said:
restoman said:
Yertis said:
I'd be worried that I'd be ending up with a Q-plate worthless oddity.
What a load of nonsense. MX-5 engine, gearbox and back axle means loss of all points for those items, plus any cutting and modification of the Herald chassis to enable any of that to be fitted into, will mean loss of a points for the chassis as well.
That's enough points lost to mean IVA and Q-plate and loss of historic status.
Edited by restoman on Saturday 3rd December 21:19
Edited by restoman on Saturday 3rd December 21:20
Please don't take this the wrong way, but it sounds like you aren't that confident in your abilities...
I was the kit car and specials sec' for a couple of the big Triumph Clubs many moons back and this was a common question.
In your position, I wouldn't start on a project that I wasn't convinced I could finish. The "easy" way to do this would be to use as much of the Herald drivetrain as possible and just fit the MX5 engine and 'box (if the diff' gearing is at all close). Obviously, most of the original parts will not be man enough, but there are loads of competition/go faster bits out there that are simply bolt in upgrades. among about a dozen modified Triumphs, I ran a TR6 spec' (140 brake ish) Herald convertible that I built from a 1600cc Vitesse6 saloon. I used nearly all Triumph components. The car was massively abused for many years (lots of drifting and sideways action) and the only recurring failures were gearboxes... but it was quite happy with just the top two gears. Spitfire 3.63 diffs and driveshafts are much stronger than early Herald, for example. Vitesse front suspension has beefier components than Herald or Spitfire - you just need to do a bit of research.
When I came to sell it, nobody wanted such a beast and I converted it back to a civilised 1296cc Herald in a weekend.
I've also known folk fit Rover 3.5 V8s into these and use Sierra parts in the rear end.
As for the legal aspect, to retain its original i.d. the chassis must be unmodified. The moment you start cutting the chassis, you lose the rights to the reg' regardless of how many other parts you change. Never used to bother me, but times are changing fast.
My old 2.5 litre, Vitesse 6 saloon.
I was the kit car and specials sec' for a couple of the big Triumph Clubs many moons back and this was a common question.
In your position, I wouldn't start on a project that I wasn't convinced I could finish. The "easy" way to do this would be to use as much of the Herald drivetrain as possible and just fit the MX5 engine and 'box (if the diff' gearing is at all close). Obviously, most of the original parts will not be man enough, but there are loads of competition/go faster bits out there that are simply bolt in upgrades. among about a dozen modified Triumphs, I ran a TR6 spec' (140 brake ish) Herald convertible that I built from a 1600cc Vitesse6 saloon. I used nearly all Triumph components. The car was massively abused for many years (lots of drifting and sideways action) and the only recurring failures were gearboxes... but it was quite happy with just the top two gears. Spitfire 3.63 diffs and driveshafts are much stronger than early Herald, for example. Vitesse front suspension has beefier components than Herald or Spitfire - you just need to do a bit of research.
When I came to sell it, nobody wanted such a beast and I converted it back to a civilised 1296cc Herald in a weekend.
I've also known folk fit Rover 3.5 V8s into these and use Sierra parts in the rear end.
As for the legal aspect, to retain its original i.d. the chassis must be unmodified. The moment you start cutting the chassis, you lose the rights to the reg' regardless of how many other parts you change. Never used to bother me, but times are changing fast.
My old 2.5 litre, Vitesse 6 saloon.
This is usually a decent resource for modding Triumphs
https://sideways-technologies.co.uk/forums/index.p...
https://sideways-technologies.co.uk/forums/index.p...
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