Section : General

General Spitfire messages

Early US 1500s?

Posted By : John Davies, 13-Dec-2003, 05:14pm

All,
Across the Pond, on the http://www.triumphspitfire.com/BBS.html bulletin board (General forum, "model designations" thread) several gurus are saying that the US had 1500 engines in Spitfire Mk IVs as early as 1973.

Shurely shome mishtake? (Thanksgiving celebration?)

Can any Spitfire gurus here confirm, or please will you go over and put them right?
John

Followups :

Early US 1500s?

Posted By : Philip Wright, 13-Dec-2003, 05:18pm

Right, this anorak just about fits.....

The American spitties had 1500 engines fitted from 1973 cause Triumph were struggling to meet the strict emissions regs with the 1296 engine, whilst keeping the engine powerful. Power on some american spits dropped to about 50bhp, as the engine were low compression, i.e. they had cut-outs in the pistons to reduce the C.R.

Phil
- Early US 1500s
  
  Posted By : John Davies, 13-Dec-2003, 10:14pm
  
  Thank you, Phil.
  May I have the anorak back, now?
  John