Some thoughts
the main reason the Triumph Spitfires and GT6 cars never sold like they anticipated was very much do to the rear ends. They were unsafe to put it mildly if driven with any kind of spirit.
Sure there are kits now that you can purchase that help to keep these effects at bay such as camber compensator, CV axles, uprated springs and shocks for better tuning and adjustability etc.. However these upgrades still will never completely fix the inherent problems of jacking, blown diffs and axles!
The TIGON kit car gives us the opportunity to correct these deficiencies and produce a truly bullet proof foundation that is safe and robust for any driving situation.
This is truly what I am aiming to do but until I am finished with the first one trying to figure out if it will pencil out is a shot in the dark! If I can do it for a reasonable price it very well may turn out that we will adopt it to all of the models and completely do away with the Triumph rear ends all together with all of its short comings!
I really liked initially the idea of using jag E-type rear ends as they had the exact track widths as the Triumph Spit and GT6. The problem so far is finding a good source for used units. Poking around on the net is not very successful and when I did run across them they were expensive.
From a cost and availability standpoint it is hard to beat the 8.8" rear ends. It is also very hard to beat there strength and durability. All these are very good points for the 8.8" rear ends but the one that really gets me excited is the gearing options.
They can be found in the following gear ratios:
2.73,3.08,3.27,3.31,3.55,3.73,3.90,4.11,4.56,4.88, 5.13,5.71,6.14
Now compare this to the 4 Triumph ratios of 3.27,3.63,3.89,4.11 also compare it to R160 and R180 diffs and you will see that the 8.8" units have much more potential for options and interesting gearing combinations. To me everyone has a little different taste and desires and when we can bring together parts that complement each other and provide a high degree of personal customization I think we have something that is a winner.
Some other good points about the 8.8" differentials is they also came in aluminum pumpkins and offered aluminum carriers. You can find them with posi or non posi with 28 or 31 spline also. They can be built up to withstand a lot of torque more than any 1.9 tdi could throw at it and then some. These differentials not only give you the daily driver ability but also the track day monster car ability.
My intention has always been to design and build a car for extreme fuel economy and that has not changed one bit but my idea of extreme fuel economy is different than most others. The GT2 will do some amazing MPG numbers I have little doubt but the GT4 will give you this also compared to what we currently see today and with the added fun factor!
If you can see 100mpg plus out of a 1.9 TDI and still be able to accelerate to 0-60 in 5 seconds or better its hard to argue with such a proposition. While the GT2 may give you 1 liter fuel economy the acceleration may be horrible compared to what the majority of people these days have come accustomed to. While it may be fine for me and people like me that drive more like grandpas the reality is the majority like power and speed so the GT2 simply would not appeal to the masses.
So that raised the question what engine could I use that would still give me 100mpg fuel economy yet satisfy the need for speed?
This question is what led me to the 1.9 Liter TDI. I can pick them up in great shape used all day long for 2K or better and I can also get them new in crates for under 5K so the options are there either way a customer wants to go. From a business perspective the 1.9L makes the most sense really for here in the US and the rest of North America for that matter.
In my mind I want to create a vehicle that gives us 100mpg or better and that is truly affordable. I am biased to diesels and always have been. I am also biased to hybrids for there fossil fuel saving characteristics and the fact it opens the door for enhanced hypermiling strategies. I see them as a perfect match and one that we can use and implement today!
So first and foremost that is my goal get these things on the road and not just sitting on the drawing boards!
GH
