I Put a V8 in a 60's Triumph Racecar

I bought this car a month and a half ago, because of course I needed another project car. This one runs and drives now though. Started with a '62 TR4, and a '95 Mustang GT, somewhat combined the two, and now I have a very light, problematically low traction car.
And as always, My social media:
Instagram: / wesleykagan
Patreon: / wesleykagan
Website: www.wesleykaga...
For promotional inquiries: [e-mail]

[@WesleyKagan]

Hey everyone! Sorry I'm a bit late on this video, it took a bit longer than I thought, but that means there will probably be two this month. Hope you enjoy this project, I had a blast- I wanted to go for something that would've fit from the era- as always, 60's inspired, but not completely period correct of course. It does help that it's slightly lighter than a Shelby with the same block... Traction is now the biggest concern. Thanks for watching!

[@colinjohnson5515]

Don’t worry about deadlines. Just keep doing what you’re awesome at. Although I dream of a future where you have a videographer and/or editor to help you. I’d love to see your work on stuff for an hour kind like Andrew Caramata

[@REDLINEBECKONZ]

Yea budd keep up the good work!!! You should create a discord so we xan chitchat and share ideas.

[@carbonfiber8071]

You even bastardized it with a gm style hei distributor. Cool.

[@craftyukraine]

I didn’t plan watching anything, because it’s almost dawn here in Ukraine right now, but I’ve watched the entire video somehow.🤔 Thank you very much for sharing!😎👍🏻 Awesome project!👏🏻

[@nathancole1802]

Bro take as much time as you need no point rushing content and it comes out crap(Not that you have❤) But are you gonna mess around with mx5 🙏 cos the head tech stuff you did is mind blowing and I'm now wondering if your gonna do the same to this project? Love your channel🎉

[@flintlock_glockTJR]

Dude you're getting consistently more comfortable in front of the camera. Thanks for letting us watch your shenanigans. 🤘

[@WesleyKagan]

Thank you- it's only taken years hah. I appreciate you watching the shenanigans!

[@seanismay]

Any other KZbinr would have a 30min video every week for 6 months on a project like this but you rattle out the whole project in 2 weeks and a 15min video! You are clearly a very talented engineer, you don't do yourself justice at all. I'm pretty sure almost all of your subscribers would have watched 5 times as much video on this one project in several installments! Keep showing what you do Wesley, it's brilliant.

[@fryreartechnology7611]

That's way we love to watch him!!🥰

[@mddaly6082]

My thoughts exactly.

[@rogersmith7396]

Reminds me of "Aging Wheels" He is putting a 900 HP electric motor in a Ford Escape..

[@htownblue11]

There are things in this life we must protect. Wesley is one of these things. I want this dude in my squad when the zombie apocalypse occurs.

[@mightymikethebear]

He would probably find creative ways to dispatch the zombies.

[@OGs_Classics]

Anybody else would turn this into a 35 episode build...but not Wesley, no nonsense, straight to the point! Awesome as always, also we need that Jag back on here soon 😉

[@thesuit4820]

Coming off the back of a Superfast Matt video, this confuses me. A video. About a Project. And they end.

[@merylpelosi8485]

About 50 years ago, I remember being asked nicely to leave the Triumph dealer's showroom after opening the hood on a new TR-6 and measuring to see if a Windsor Ford would fit. I thought the 351 might be a little too tall and wide, but a 289 should go right in.

[@rogersmith7396]

I saw the last TR 6 the local dealer had. Around $7000 maybe with the hard top and AC. You could buy a Cadillac or Lincoln for that. He used to have a lot full of new Spitfires. About $4400 if I recall. I had a GT 6 at the time. RIP.

[@rickc661]

@@rogersmith7396 Yea , my Sister was thinking of a new car , I was thinking spitfire but She got a TR 6. I drove it home from dealer. ( Phillyarea ) in a heavy rain not knowing a single switch.... bit heavy etc. eventually a tree ran into it. I had a TR6 as well , but English carbs / ignition +. US smog stuff =. horrible.

[@MichaelDeweerd]

Nice work So refreshing to NOT see a hood scoop on a V8 swap. love the "stock" look to the race car.

[@Lamotte98]

Come back PLEASE!!!! Your videos are awesome and your projects too

[@RedlineGodzilla]

Hope you're doing well man, can't wait for the next thing you come up with 👍

[@waitemc]

The 95 5.0 was a great car . Had 360k miles on her before she needed a new power train. My other 95 I still have has 160k on it and the brakes is the only thing I've had to replace.

[@composedlight6850]

No vlogs for 6 months -- is all good with you ?

[@section8motorpool466]

Currently onto the same project with a351w in an MGB…..last one was a souped up Inline 6 in an MGB. Love this!

[@WesleyKagan]

Thanks! 351 would be fun too, the '69 heads fit nicely on the 302.

[@fredalaggia9990]

I had a Triumph Spitfire. I blew the engine and decided to sell that car for parts. My uncle, who was a mechanic, bought it from me. He decided to enslist his friend, a former F1 mechanic, to help him modify the car. It started with dropping a Rover V8 (3.5 litre) engine into it. It took extensive modications to the frame, hood and suspension. I am not a mechanic so I can't say what work was needed. I was also only 17 at the time and had just started working on cars. I admire the work you did. Amazing transformation.

[@Mr6Sinner]

Miss your vids man, hope you’re doin alright.

[@bobcarlson7729]

i love this one video and not strung out needlessly over 5 videos like other channels. awesome project!

[@WesleyKagan]

Thanks! Yeah, I really try and only make a video if some good progress gets done!

[@MaNNeRz91]

These huge breaks in between uploads are killerrrrrrr. I need more sarcastic problem solving engineering content to watch

[@AdamDUrso]

I feel like there was about 6 episodes in this project but you just smashed it out in 1!

[@msbmotorsports]

Crazy that 1980 Toyota Pickup calipers bolt up - if you're not already aware, a common upgrade for those trucks is to go to a 1986+ IFS truck caliper which has slightly larger pistons and is wide enough to run vented rotors sourced from an FJ60. Though with how light that Triumph is the additional upgrade may have diminishing returns.

[@pascaljean2333]

Waiting patiently 4 months for Wesley's next video.

[@robnor1029]

Not sure if suggestions are welcome but I would love to see an in-line 5 build from you. Volvo, Audi, vw, even the Atlas GM made for the Colorado would be awesome.

[@matzrat5006]

Volvo in line 5 , great powerplant and great mpg's .

[@everythingcounts9862]

I'm involved in a '63 TR4 build that is taking far too long. Amazing to see someone with the know-how and confidence just attack a project and finish it so quickly. Very cool project!

[@1crazypj]

I really must admit I admire your commitment to building stuff. Nowadays I have trouble doing anything but watching You tube video's (getting old sucks, particularly after multiple surgeries from work accidents 'teaching')

[@lennholm8919]

Love it!, only thing i can nag about is hearing protection while grinding and cutting, ( As someone who have hearing damage from working in a garage on my junk ).

[@jeffreylynch3203]

Good job. I’ve been building cars forever and I like your approach and work ethic, and no drama.

[@mndlessdrwer]

That little Triumph has such a charming aesthetic. I can see why you'd want to swap in a more reliable and entertaining motor. Just remember that you have to perform a comprehensive electrical exorcism by ripping out every last scrap of wiring, switches, relays, and fuse block in order to ban the British electrical gremlins from the vehicle. Start from scratch and it'll all play nicely later. Luckily it's a very simple car, so there's not much to purge with holy vengeance.

[@peterjdo]

Are you crazy, a Ford in a Triumph TR !!!!! I love it, that’s a great little hot rod and you can get parts easy. Nice conversion, that must be a ton of fun 😎👍

[@MagPel1]

American V8 in a small brittish sportscar. One of the greatest combos in car history as evidenced by the the endless Shelby Cobra replicas being built to this day. Very tastefull execution. Cant wait for more V12 content!

[@bullnukeoldman3794]

My brother -in-law dropped a 301 Chevy V8 into a '61 TR3A back in the mid-1960s. It was a monster at the drags and was also used as a daily driver. Issues? Yep, U-joint steering column to clear the headers, '59 Pontiac radiator that extended below the front bumper almost to ground level, drive shaft was little more than two U-joints end to end. It was fun to ride around in - those 3 deuces gave it a ton of go. Spun the wires out of the wire wheels on the rear wheels and replaced 'em with steelies.

[@HLife719]

Wesley, thanks for making these interesting and out of the ordinary videos! Many years ago I was fortunate to encounter a Rover V8 (1961 Buick 215 cid Fireball derivative) converted TR5 in Germany. With a much lighter and more powerful drivetrain, this IRS version of your car was totally transformed. Love your intelligent approach to your builds!

[@RobertEHunt-dv9sq]

Nice conversion. Good engineering on your part. But as a vintage Spitfire racer, you are killing me. You have taken a perfectly good vintage racer with value in the market for any of the racing organizations such as has CVAR, SVRA, etc. and turned it into a hermaphrodite.

[@cilli5866]

the quality of work you do, the things you find interesting, your attention to detail, knowledge, capability, and content density are all top notch and the reasons i am subscribed to you. thank you for sharing your passions with the world!

[@blanchae]

Just a fun fact. Triumph TR4 have a transmission tunnel made out of cardboard. Yes, it is thick cardboard.

[@WesleyKagan]

I have the cardboard one from the car, admittedly I don't think it's getting re-installed

[@bytesandbikes]

They may have been as reliable as British public transport, but I really like the siimplicity and aesthetic of these old British cars. Love that engine note too.

[@ShainAndrews]

Everything old was simple...

[@DrFiero]

Considering some of (all of?!) your former projects - THIS will be a total cakewalk!!! :D

[@WesleyKagan]

It was nice to take a break for a bit!

[@DrFiero]

@@WesleyKagan - minor suggestion (that you might have already done!)... pull your leads, move them around, and rotate the distro body ~90* counter clockwise. That'll move your power wire away from the carb body, and not have the advance can right over the belt (just in case it goes kershnap!).

[@ElliottCollect]

This was such an easy video to watch. I am dreaming about this car screaming around Goodwood Circuit.

[@gafrers]

Great works and project as always. This one was among the most "normal" and simplest you've shown 👍

[@Metalution]

I tend to over complicate everything also. I need to build something simple that I can enjoy quickly rather than build forever. Thanks for the video and inspiration.

[@rogersmith7396]

How about a stick?

[@panther105]

My Spitfire was ton of fun and so easy to work on with the forward tilting bonnet/hood

[@jeremymasterson5818]

Re: "...Traction is now the biggest concern." In my early days of junk yard scrounging for parts to keep my '63 MGB running, there was always a half-dozen or so wrecked TR4's, Datsun 1600's, and other similar small sports cars. All had one thing in common - a huge "U" shaped dent in the front bumper and a small block V8 shoehorned into the engine compartment. It was pretty common in the '60's and 70's - the muscle car era - for sports car nuts to try to up the horse power from the little stock 4 bangers. In their original form, most had outstanding handling characteristics, just a lack of punch. Unfortunately, upping the power to weight ratio often meant altering the front/rear weight bias resulting in - you guessed it - traction problems. Mostly in the form of massive and unexpected understeer and/or power-on tail loose oversteer and sometimes both at once.. The drivers had exceeded the handling abilities of the cars' suspensions and plowed straight off a corner somewhere into a tree or utility pole. The moral....more power doesn't necessarily equate to a faster car. There is a great video on here of a race modified MGB (with original engine) whupping Porsches, Ferrari's, and a whole lot more in a GP street race in Philadelphia (I think). Good luck with your mods...

[@BRaff-hl4ip]

Nice choice of car, something out of the ordinary. You make it all look so easy though I'm sure it's not.

[@facksmasheen]

dashboard came out great, very fitting.

[@WesleyKagan]

Thanks!

[@richardelliott8352]

I really appreciated the editing and general quality of the presentation. Some guys picture almost every turn of a nut, as if they had never seen a cooking show where they put the dish in the oven, and then pull; it out cooked, sparing the very obvious details .

[@MrBubmer]

Oh my god that shit eating grin on the intro, 10/10 just from that you've made something you truly adore

[@actontreadway1168]

This is right up my alley. I'd love to build such a vehicle.

[@WildcatWarrior15]

This fella has no idea how good he is at everything he does.

[@jonmortensen9990]

Great job! TR4 might be the car that I'm happiest about missing the chance to own. Loved the TR4, drove an earlier one with the solid axle and I think non-sychronized gearbox IIRC. Wanted one so bad. Was looking for one but ended up getting a 240Z. I think the ownership experience wouldn't have lived up to the fantasy. Did eventually V8 swap my Z though, so there is that. The Toy 4x4 calipers are a popular upgrade for Z's too, and in Z land the better upgrade is the vented Toy caliper with an early 300ZX rotor (84 would work), utilizing a spacer between the hub and rotor to get the caliper positioned correctly. Having had the 4x4 caliper on the solid rotor, I can tell you the heat would boil the fluid and the pedal would go straight to the floor within a 20 minute track session.

[@steelavocado1]

I just “finished” building a v8 Vega! Would love to race once it’s dialed in. It’s got a 327 small block from the early 60s, 4 speed manual, new rear end, and loads of goodies!

[@devilbub8709]

You know what would have been an absolute baller move? Sticking the turbocharged all aluminum buick 215 in it

[@IbericaOverland]

I love the raw style, please post more often

[@RLRSwanson]

Very cool and the walnut dash is a nice touch. Some dymo labels for the switches and it would be straight out of the 60s/70s. Speaking of intakes and ideas, Bob Tullius raced a IIRC 289 powered TR6 in the early 70s that had a quad Weber setup on it...just saying 🙂

[@billkea7224]

I would expect no less from Bob Tullius. LOL

[@naradaian]

I think the one he tookout was an homebuilt job - in UK these often had a a standard walnut dash, or a flecked black metal thing ....the one that he pulled,out looked leather covered

[@SparkyGage]

"The only difference between Try and Triumph is a little UMPH!" And changing the "Y" to and "I". Nice job!!

[@phillippotter1530]

That's going to be an awesome ride!

[@WesleyKagan]

It's pretty great, I won't lie!

[@HypeRapEnjoyer]

Damn, dude slimmed down! Looking good. Also the casual fit looking good.

[@GreenLantern814]

IDK how you did that Wesley, but when the 302 fired right up at 10:18... That motor was Happy as it ever was in the donor mustang. Amazing stuff .

[@lucasandri5462]

Another very interesting and very good executed project. Thanks for sharing

[@_ericsanchez]

Wesley your projects are beyond underrated, you’re an intelligent individual with a lot of skill, please upload your projects more often and detailed.

[@comeberza]

I wanna be like you when I'm older. The amount of skills I've seen you apply in this channel this last few days is amazing. Im sure there is somebody out there who would sponsor you for a special project (and sometimes duty makes things less interesting or fun, I know, but I cant help myself imagining you with double the budget or the time)

[@randallcl9925]

In the mid '70s I owned a '68 Triumph TR250 (same body as your TR4 but with the TR6 6-cylinder). Someone made a kit to install a 289 Ford engine and trans but I never got around to it, the car was greatly improved by the swap but still had problems to iron out. Terrible Lucas wiring, bad brakes, weak rear end. The funny thing is that the Ford V8 and tranny weighed less than the stock 2500cc six-cylinder.

[@briankeenan4901]

I had 2 tr4 cars. You did the right thing. The engines were crap. They had cast into block main bearings. Although good runners, the repairs were not feasible. I do think the original windshield was better looking. Keep up the good work and don't flip it over. They like to flip

[@1one3_Racing]

I've always dreamed of being an automotive KZbinr. But then I realised that today instead of working on my car, I sat on the sofa playing Faming Simulator.

[@brennanthewizard9252]

That e body mopar clock that you have in your intro is badass

[@evanvukets8035]

That 5.0 could use from a 8 stack bike throttle body intake 😁

[@hanenkamm1979]

My uncle put a 327 into his Austin Healey back in the 60s. It drove, but not well, so he put it in his garage. He then build an addition to his house around the garage, and it is stuck in the middle of his house. He has all the original parts. This triumph looks about the same size.

[@eslai]

I don't understand how you can be so good at this.

[@KurtElliott]

One night I seen a Triumph that had a supped up 400 in it, you could see rubber flying through the air when he got on it, he must have been a pretty good driver to control that thing!!!

[@baileybrewer1172]

cool project dude. I've been wanting to tool around with an old MG, Triumph, or something like that.

[@lawrencet.mcguilicutty7447]

Fantastic. I’ve owned several British leyland cars and this has been a dream of mine. But only using a GT-6

[@jdoniach]

Working on the brakes while the car is just held up by a floor jack is living dangerously!

[@johnnyo3fan]

Love that walnut dash!

[@watahyahknow]

it has been done before : the ac cobra was originally an english sportscar called the ac ace and had a 6 inline before carol shelby got its hands on it

[@backjabber6425]

If you arent the coolest channel ive stumbled in cross in years I truely don't know what is. This is coolest shit I've seen ever

[@fryreartechnology7611]

That's a Shelby ideas at work😂 love it!!🥰🥰🥰🚀🏎️🏎️🏁

[@norami9]

My buddy and I built TR-4 with Chevy V9 in 1962. An elderly driver crossed the double yellow line and hit it about 30MPH. From there it went to the wrecking yard. Sadly The Polaroid photos faded and got lost in multiple moves.

[@Muddytrickle]

Just awesome. Exactly what I want to do for fun. I love this. I always wanted to do this to a TR6. I have seen some very high end v8 transformations of the TR6. I like the way you did this. I am currently stuffing an LT1 on an S10 chassis into a 59 Rambler. Project has stalled for the last 4 months. Seeing this is inspiring!

[@richardcook4111]

A match made in heaven....wish they had done this as a upgrade to the straight 6. IRS and 15 inch wheels. Something the Tiger didn't have.

[@MattBaker1965]

Great project, as a die hard Triumph hate (too much time spent fixing GT6s and Spitfires) the UP-engine sounds way better than the sewing machine that thing came with. Love your work keep the smiles coming please.

[@stuartreynolds4480]

I assumed the TR4 had a straight six like the TR6 GT6 and 2500, the reason a V8 fits!

[@heidelbergaren5054]

I bought breakfast just so that I could savor the moment - Saturday morning entertainment

[@Skooby59]

Always stoked to see a new vid man, very cool car. Loved the “this is vacation” bit hahHa

[@johnbergen9663]

Great project! Have seen V8 in MGs but not in Triumphs.

[@dannywoody5497]

I love a triumph TR 4 great style fabulous. video was Incredible. extremely talented fabricator

[@cj15941]

Get a short shifter kit with adjustable stops to keep the T5 happy if you’re planning on beating on it. The T5’s really do noootttt like being over-shifted (shoving the fork through the syncro)

[@rockycreek6665]

Awesome job. You inspire my confidence in the younger generation.

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

There’s nothing more satisfying than using the angle grinder. Well…….there probably are, but nothing comes to mind at the moment.

[@JDSFLA]

I good engine choice that may have not needed cutting the fire wall back is the Buick 3.5 liter V8 (215 cu. in.). It is very lightweight at just 324 pounds with stock 185 hp. and 230 ft. lbs. of torque. Rover also used it. Due to the light weight it may be the better choice for balance.

[@dawn9340]

This might be the only channel I have post notifications on for. Love your work!

[@timwade5157]

I had a new 1969 TR6 and always thought a Ford Mustang 289 V8 and a 6 speed transmission would have rocked in that car. I still managed to enjoy the heck out of my TR (as did quite a few beautiful CA gals) and loved everything about it. Alas, I traded it off for a BMW 2002 in 72. A mistake!

[@andyMSH700]

in my opinion roll cage could be higher as it is not fully protecting your head......my tr6 is stock and i would not be a fan of changing an old car to a v8 as it means more speed and they were never designed with crumple zones for crashes as they have solid chassis...(for speeding i use my old boxter). Great to see a young man keeping the hobby going even if it is in a different way with mods..

[@liom442]

Only automotive channel I audibly laugh to. Unreal videos

[@802Garage]

Wow, lotta wiring in that car eh? Like 10 wires at least! As for fitting the engine, just gotta keep saying almost until it fits. Gotta be a lot of fun!

[@WesleyKagan]

So many, hard to keep track of. There's almost 3 going to the engine alone!

[@dukie1616]

It’s been a minute since I watched one of your videos. So cool. I really like this channel. Of course that was a sweet project, even though you thought it small. Oh and by the way looking good Wesley. Great work too👏

[@pkuudsk9927]

Use lead wheel weights on un sprung parts like the rear axel over weight the rims .Lots of tricks to help it stick.

[@roboterson]

Wow, you made that look so easy, great work!

[@rocketplane8862]

Carburetor? Distributor? What is this fluid-mechanical malarkey?! Beautiful car!

[@WesleyKagan]

It's a walk in the park compared to my usual nonsense, sometimes you have to take a break!

[@Nickscassera]

I'm convinced you and Tech Ingredients are the 2 smartest people in the world. Yall should do something insane together.

[@carwashadamcooper1538]

I hope you are ok Wesley. I've been missing your content and genuinely believe that you are among the top 5 automotive/engineering channels on KZbin.

[@stuartreynolds4480]

The Classic British mod, although we only had the Buick 3.5l copy used by Rover (I had a P5B saloon, like Margaret Thatchers!) The other classic handling improver in the UK? Two sacks of King Edwards in the boot!

[@hurrahee]

Loved the video! I could've actually watched this thing for a lot longer than just a bit more than 10 minutes. Keep rockin'!

[@JimPekarek]

Beautiful car, and props on finishing what would have taken most people 5 years and 40 videos/blog posts in a couple months.

[@richardgadoury8452]

I saw a TR4 done up with a small block I believe 1979 in Charleston. It was done by an aeronautical engineer. The thing was incredible....