Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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Rick Site Admin

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK
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Bitumen Boy
Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 1763 Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 10:08 am Post subject: |
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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...  |
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mikeC

Joined: 31 Jul 2009 Posts: 1808 Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 10:20 am Post subject: |
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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!) |
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Fatbloke

Joined: 26 Jun 2014 Posts: 86 Location: Royal Wootton Bassett
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 11:41 am Post subject: |
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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!) _________________ Mike,
A Fatbloke in a Herald. |
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Fatbloke

Joined: 26 Jun 2014 Posts: 86 Location: Royal Wootton Bassett
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 11:42 am Post subject: |
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PS Wasn't that Herald in a magazine several months ago? Does it really take them that long to get to air? _________________ Mike,
A Fatbloke in a Herald. |
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Rick Site Admin

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK
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Fatbloke

Joined: 26 Jun 2014 Posts: 86 Location: Royal Wootton Bassett
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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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!  _________________ Mike,
A Fatbloke in a Herald. |
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BigJohn
Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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I'd fit a small turbo as well, if you're going to update it, might as well make a proper job. |
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kevin2306
Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 1359 Location: nr Llangollen, north wales
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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Rick Site Admin

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK
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MikeEdwards
Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2701 Location: South Cheshire
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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mikeC

Joined: 31 Jul 2009 Posts: 1808 Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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Rick wrote: | I wonder if someone like SAH offered a supercharger kit in the 60s?
RJ |
Sidney Allard offered a general supercharging kit which could have been fitted to the Herald - several were fitted to Ford Anglias, and I know at least one was fitted to a Standard Pennant! - but Standard Triumph marketed pretty comprehensive tuning kits from 1964, right up to 8-port twin Weber Le Mans Spitfire spec, so owners were more likely to stick with the works ideas, or the similar kits offered by the likes of SAH and Mangoletsi. |
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norustplease

Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 825 Location: Lancashire
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ 1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV |
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Rick Site Admin

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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norustplease wrote: | 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. |
I kind of go along with this sentiment too, although I do have a soft spot for tweaks and mods that were routine when the cars were current. For example, Aquaplane head on a sidevalve Ford, or twin SUs on a Mini or A35. It's when our modern-day tech is introduced to an ancient design, I start to have my doubts and/or lose interest a bit, as I do like old cars to be just that, old, warts n all.
RJ _________________ Rick - Admin
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goneps
Joined: 18 Jun 2013 Posts: 601 Location: Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:00 am Post subject: |
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Bitumen Boy wrote: | There is of course an easy way of getting extra power in the Herald package - buy a Vitesse instead...  |
Absolutely! Why fiddle about pepping up a Herald when Triumph considerately made a factory 'shoe-horn' job? The 2-litre Vitesse with overdrive was what the Herald should have been all along. Smooth, flexible, respectable turn of speed, economical, and the modified Spitfire gearbox was infinitely superior to the Herald 'box, with well-spaced ratios and far more robust synchromesh. It could keep up with far more powerful cars across country, and even give them a run for their money on motorways.
Richard |
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