Got another one and an A/C question

[TR7Aaron]

Hi,
This morning, I purchased a '76 TR7 hardtop with only 46xxx miles. The seller put me in touch with the original owner (who owned it for about 25 years) and I spoke with him on the phone. I found out that he used to race it (SCCA) and took meticulous care of it - never driving it in the rain, regularly cleaning the underside, etc. That would explain why it has virtually NO rust. He made some mods to the suspension, had the engine rebuilt, the rear end replaced, and lots of other repairs (in other words, normal Triumph maintenance). I also received a folder packed with receipts. I'm pretty pleased with the purchase. It's no where near perfect, but it's light years better than the '80 junkpile I have sitting in my garage. The lights don't pop up, the gas gauge doesn't work, but this afternoon I did get the brake lights and turn signals functioning and the radio antenna unstuck.
So, here's my plans and I hope I can get some advice...
I want to convert it to a Buick V6/automatic with A/C. My 1980 model does have factory A/C. What kind of nightmare would I be starting if I wanted to take the A/C parts from the 1980 and swap them into the 1976? I plan on using the compressor (and whatever else may be needed) from the donor car that I get my V6 from. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Aaron

Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

If the car is in such good condition, why would you put a V6 in it?

It is your car and you can do what you want. The best option is the John's Cars set-up. However, you will have to buy another A/C matrix to put A/C in both cars.

[TR7Aaron]

I've communicated with Johnscars and that is the route I will be pursuing. Why a V6/auto? Better performance, MPG, dependability, and my wife can't drive a manual transmission, so she'll be able to enjoy the TR7 also.
The 1980 is a basket case and would take much more time & money to get roadworthy than I'm willing to give so I will be parting it out and using it for donor parts.
Can the A/C system from the '80 be swapped to the '76 or would that entail swapping over the entire dash assembly?
Thanks,
Aaron

Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

[cliff]

Aaron, I to as well as KRenken have put a Buick into the TR7. Mine was a carbed 3.8 '80 vintage. KRenken used a later model EFI engine from a Firebird. I never got mine fully sorted out before my teenaged daughter shorten the left front fender about 6" thus bending the frame horn and other things. I never got the rearend sorted out ie,. 3.90:1 ratio was verrrry buzzy at freeway speeds. A pinion & crown wheel from a TR8 or Rover SD1 @ 3.08:1 would bring the RPMs down and be more fuel friendly. The A/C and alternator from the Buick with GM bracketery will make accessory alignment a non-issue. Any good A/C shop will be able to fabricate replacement hoses. I had access to hose fabrication machinery therefore I made my own hoses. One thing to remember when switching to R134 refrigerant is to do a thouough flush of the system before servicing. The radial compessor is less subject to vibrations and is probably slightly more efficient and it fits the Buick brackets. If the former race car needs a martix, I have an extra matrix as do several other members that post here.
Your inoperative electrical eqiupment can probably be traced to corrosion on switches and connector contacts.
When it is all over and done with, it only requires <b>time and money</b> and it is your choice as to powertrains.
I hope this helps with your decisions. Cliff

[Mowog73]

Funny, my set-son and I just went of opposite way. We bought a TR7 with a Firebird V6 and auto tranny. The first thing we did when we got the car home was to pull the engine and transmission and send it to the scrap yard (try but couldn't sell it).

Will you really get better MPG with a V6 over the I-4?

Mark

1973 MGBGT, 1976 TR7, 1980 Spitfire 1500

[TR7Aaron]

Yes, the rear lights all suffered from loose connections and a little cleaning and tightening solved those issues. In the future, I will probably get rid of the male/female connectors and solder the wires directly to the connectors.
From the research I've done, a 3.8 V6 in a Buick Regal can bring down low 30's MPG. Take the same engine/trans combo, lop off 1000 pounds by putting it into a TR7 and I think that mid 30's are doable, even with higher gears. Since this isn't a car I will be taking cross country trips in, I'm looking more for quick acceleration response and excellent handling without the thirsty appetite of a big block V8.
However, I do want A/C since the summers in STL can be miserable.
Aaron


Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.