Rebuild of Tiger Super Six

[Hunky Dory]

Having spent the last 3 years doing a barn conversion, the Tiger has fallen into a bit of a sorry state and I have decided that now is the time to get it back on the road, after 3 years of non-running.

My first worry is the state of the engine (a 2l pinto) and my second the state of the wiring. The latter I think requires a new harness, but have no idea where I can try to source something suitable? Any advice? I am happy dealing with anything mechanical on the restoration, but electrics are far from my area of expertise, so would appreciate some advice from those with more experience than me!

Secondly, I am thinking about changing the pinto for a newer engine and, although a Zetec would probably be the better choice, the exhaust is on the wrong side compared to the pinto, so am swaying towards a Duratec. Is this a bad idea?

[singlecoil]

Hunky Dory said:

Having spent the last 3 years doing a barn conversion, the Tiger has fallen into a bit of a sorry state and I have decided that now is the time to get it back on the road, after 3 years of non-running.

My first worry is the state of the engine (a 2l pinto) and my second the state of the wiring. The latter I think requires a new harness, but have no idea where I can try to source something suitable? Any advice? I am happy dealing with anything mechanical on the restoration, but electrics are far from my area of expertise, so would appreciate some advice from those with more experience than me!

Secondly, I am thinking about changing the pinto for a newer engine and, although a Zetec would probably be the better choice, the exhaust is on the wrong side compared to the pinto, so am swaying towards a Duratec. Is this a bad idea?

You will be by the time you have fitted a new loom.

Get one from those people who make up generic looms for 7s, just tell them what engine etc you are using.

The Duratec is a good choice, you will need to source a suitable induction system, exhaust manifold and ecu, I believe you can get suitable clutches to mate to your existing gearbox.

[ugg10]

Also have a look at the Zetec SE from a Puma/Fiesta/Focus - 1.6 is used in the latest Caterham and Westfields - remember that duratec and zetec SE have a different gearbox bolt pattern to the Pinto/Silvertop/Blacktop/ST170 engines so you will need a bell housing to make it fit, you may also need injection/TBs/bike carbs/webers and an ecu to make them work or the standard ECU with the key/lock/imobiliser sender etc. Also have a look at the Mazda MX5 engines (intake is on the drivers side so the same as the Zetec, so if you are changing the exhaust this may be worth considering, Westfield, Roadrunner, MNR and a few others all do MX5 based sevens so parts should now be around)) - 1.8 makes 140hp and come with an alloy cased gearbox that by all accounts makes the Type 9 feel like it is from a tractor and can be got running quite easily with all the standard parts and standard ecu.

Just a couple of thoughts, have fun with the restoration.

[TIGERSIX]

My S6 has a 2.0l Zetec on twin 45's makes the car is epic on twisty roads ,but I would recommend 4 pot Hi spec calipers and vented discs .

[Steve_D]

The car was most likely built using a Tiger loom so your best bet would be to buy a replacement from them.

Steve

[ugg10]

Antoher comment, if you are going the zetec/duratec route then, unless you are going for webers/bike carbs, for fuel injection you will need to run a retun pipe back to the tank from the engine bay.

Not an advert, but a recommendation, I had a Zetec (silvertop) with the Chester Sprotscars bike carb kit on it (old mejajolt jnr kit, now using nodiz ecu) and it ran perfectly straight out of the box, it is really a bolt on and go conversion. I think they do them for duratec and zetec s as well.

[Hunky Dory]

Good replies, thanks.
CSC sound like a place I should call. I've had a look at their website and looks like they can probably help with most of the things I am going to need and they're only an hour or so from me as well, which is a bonus!

I've been totting up all the things I think need changing or repairing and it's all adding up to a list of most things on the car! It's in danger of becoming like Trigger's broom at this rate!

Any reccomendations for places to source the generic wiring loom mentioned by Singlecoil, in case Tiger or CSC can't help?

Thanks again folks.

[ugg10]

I've been emailing premier wiring, a UK guy based in Spain that seems to be able to do bespoke looms anf has been very helpful, not ordered yet but so far so good. http://www.premierwiring.co.uk

[TIGERSIX]

Tiger Cars are very helpful imho speak to Jim or Paul very helpful guys proper family firm

[mgv8dave]

Have fun with the restoration :-)
I would get in touch with the factory Paul & Jim always have the parts in stock and most things ordered arrive in a day or so
found them to be great to deal with since getting a Avon in August last year.

[Wacky Racer]

Stick with the Pinto...OK, it's a bit long in the tooth, but bulletproof, providing the oil and filter are changed every 6k.

My old Supersix (Pinto with twin 40's) was a lovely car, with a fair turn of speed.

[shirt]

i have a gts clubman with a duratec. i used this loom, very sstright forward:

http://www.rapidfitlooms.co.uk/7stylewiringloom.ht...

[PaulKemp]

You can pickup a Pinto for £250
A Duratec fitted will not give much change from £2000, bellhousing, sump, induction, ECU
The Pinto 4 branch can be modified to fit by cutting off Pinto exhaust flange and welding Duratec flange on

Do a compression test on the Pinto first before throwing it out you may be surprised

[emwmarine]

Zetec is a great engine compared to the boat anchor that is the pinto.

Conversion will need the following:

- shallow chopped sump
- mondeo 1.8 clutch with capri release bearing.
- (type 9 will fit straight onto engine)
- focus 1.8 flywheel (lots lighter than the 2.0 litre)
- race line water rail as the normal thermostat housing fouls the chassis
- exhaust manifold for the other side
- manifold and throttle bodies or bike carbs
- ecu
- starter motor
- alternator brackets and alternator that fits.
- pulley system that still works the water pump in anticlockwise direction when a/c and power steering pumps removed from engine
- swirl pot, high pressure fuel pump, pre and post pump filter, high pressure fuel line ad return.

[Hunky Dory]

Thanks for the further advice. Compression testing is a bloody good idea, before I assume the worst, thanks for that.

Several calls to make this week to different places suggested here and from other research, I think.

I'm off to Stoneleigh at the weekend and quite looking forward to it. I haven't been for at least 4 years and am really in the mood to be inspired and crack on with getting her back on the road this year!