Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

I caught CAR SOS on TV the other evening, this week it was a 13/60 Herald that received the works. In a bid to pep it up a bit, fuel injection was fitted to the original 1296cc engine.

If you were in the same position, would you go down the FI route, or stick to more traditional methods of adding ooommmphhh to a Herald?

RJ
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Bitumen Boy · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 10:08 am Post subject:

I wouldn't have thought that a 13/60 Herald really needed anything extra - I ran my 1200 as standard for many years without really feeling it was underpowered, so a 13/60 in good health should be fine. Maybe they were missing something obvious? In any case the 13/60 still has the same 4.11 final drive as the 1200, so overdrive would be a better mod for keeping up with the moderns.

I'll admit that I've since gone to twin SU spec with my 1200, but that was more for reliability than anything else - better hillclimbing, better economy on a run and easier starting are just a bonus. Over many years I found that the original Solex carb was the most persistently troublesome part of the whole car, wearing me down with one niggling fault after another (mostly blocked jets, despite tank cleaning, new fuel lines & filter), but as the 13/60 has a Stromberg as standard that shouldn't be an issue.

There is of course an easy way of getting extra power in the Herald package - buy a Vitesse instead... Smile

mikeC · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 10:20 am Post subject:

I would stick to traditional methods too: a Spitfire-spec engine with twin carbs and overdrive gearbox would do very nicely for starters, and there is lots you can then do to the 1300cc Spitfire engine if you really want to make a hot rod out of it. A Spitfire 1500 engine would be another route if you want torque rather than top-end power - I had an ex-Standard Triumph development hack with a 1500 engine, special overdrive gearbox and 3.89 rear axle, and that was a super car... I reckon it was a better car than the 1600 Vitesse - much lighter and handled better too (but if I could buy back one of my old cars, it would probably be the SAH-tuned 2-litre Vitesse, which was even better!)

Fatbloke · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 11:41 am Post subject:

My 13/60 runs a standard stromberg and I'm quite happy with it. But if I did want more I would stick with the traditional route of twin SU's etc. But only because any mods I make I would like to keep period (Except seatbelts!)
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Fatbloke · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 11:42 am Post subject:

PS Wasn't that Herald in a magazine several months ago? Does it really take them that long to get to air?
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Mike,

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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

Fatbloke · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:18 pm Post subject:

Apparently the show was originally aired on National Geographic. Channel 4 have only just bought it to air on terestial TV.

But at least I can watch it now! Smile

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Mike,

A Fatbloke in a Herald.

BigJohn · Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire

I'd fit a small turbo as well, if you're going to update it, might as well make a proper job.

kevin2306 · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:26 pm Post subject:

For me, if a car needs more oomf then perhaps it isnt the car for you..keep it standard and simple is my mantra.
it was interesting regarding the Fi tho.

Kev

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

I wonder if someone like SAH offered a supercharger kit in the 60s?

RJ
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MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2701 Location: South Cheshire

I don't have a problem with modifications of this nature, in fact I've thought about adding mappable ignition and fuel injection to my car. It would be nice to use it a bit more, and these modifications would make it nicer in traffic, more reliable (possibly) and also better on fuel. I wouldn't go so far as to change the powertrain completely as some do, but improvements like FI and electronic ignition could be argued to be modifications that the manufacturer might have made given a bit of time to evolve the vehicle. I know that the 'second edition' of my car, had it been made, would have featured fuel injection as it made the engine much smoother.

mikeC · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:21 pm Post subject:

norustplease · Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 825 Location: Lancashire

For me, the attraction of classic motoring, is just that. You not only own a car of classic appearance and style, but you also inherit the classic driving experience.
Having said that, I am not a total stickler for originality and am all for discreet mods to brakes, lighting and anything else that makes a car safer and more usable.
However, trying to pep up something like a Herald beyond a certain point does, to me, beg the question as to why you bought it in the first place, and did not choose a car with more performance to satisfy your need for that kind of driving experience.
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

goneps · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:00 am Post subject: