Mike Stefanakis's Journal

Power Antenna

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 09:08:13 -0600

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

Power antenna was easy to incorporate while the body was stripped down. Photos tell the story.

<IMG 0691>	<IMG 0658>	<IMG 0666>
<IMG 4496>

Posted 2019-02-26 09:08:13 by Mike Stefanakis

Fuel Pump / Fuel Tank Modification

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 11:46:17 -0600

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

Once I was satisfied with the conversion I installed the pump into a new fuel thank. In hindsight I think if I were to do it again I would install an external pump.

<Fuel Pump Installed>

<Fuel Tank and Pump>

Posted 2019-01-30 11:46:17 by Mike Stefanakis

Fuel Pump / Fuel Tank Modification

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 11:42:27 -0600

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

My engine is a fuel injected 1993 Toyota 22RE. I decided to use a stock in tank fuel pump utilizing as much of the factory assembly as possible. I modified it so that it would fit the Spit tank and could be serviced if necessary.

<Toyota Fuell Pump Assy>	<Modified Fuel Pump Assy 1>	<Modified Fuel Pump Assy 2>
<Old Tank Mock Up 2>

Posted 2019-01-30 11:42:27 by Mike Stefanakis

Fuel Pump / Fuel Tank Modification

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 11:30:38 -0600

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

When it came to the re assembly of the Spit the fuel tank was near the top of the list for evaluation. I was not expecting what I found but then again it's not too surprising. The photos tell the story.

<Old Fuel Tank>

<Sending unit 1>

<Sending unit 2>

Posted 2019-01-30 11:30:38 by Mike Stefanakis

Engine Side Valances

Sun, 30 Dec 2018 13:50:52 -0600

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

The cardboard side valances that Triumph used in the Spitfire engine compartment were destined for early failure. I wanted to do as much as possible to keep road grime off of the engine. The photos show starting with a cardboard templates to fit the the area to test for interference. Once that was done I used it as pattern to cut it out of 1/8" Baltic Birch plywood. Both sides were covered with aluminum flashing glued to the plywood with contact cement and trimmed with black edging. I was able to attach them to original valance location on the firewall and added a bracket to the frame to attach them at the front. Mike

<Cardboard Template>	<Baltic Birch>	<Aluminum Flashing>
<Valance Installed>

Posted 2018-12-30 13:50:52 by Mike Stefanakis

Hard Top Headliner Install

Fri, 28 Dec 2018 17:39:42 -0600

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

Here are some photos, not in any particular order, showing the headliner installation of my hard top along with the rear and side windows.

<Spring clamps are used to maintain pressure while cement dries.>	<Headliner partially installed.>	<003>
<Hard Top 005>

Posted 2018-12-28 17:39:42 by Mike Stefanakis

Big Brakes #5

Tue, 01 May 2018 18:03:07 -0500

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

Finished product.

<Big brakes assembled 1>

<Brake Kit 007>

<Big brake conversion finished>

Posted 2018-05-01 18:03:07 by Mike Stefanakis

Big Brakes #4

Tue, 01 May 2018 17:58:27 -0500

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

More metal cutting.

<Big Brake Fab Bracket>	<Brake Kit 017>	<Caliper & bracket back>
<Big brakes assembled 2>

Posted 2018-05-01 17:58:27 by Mike Stefanakis

Big Brakes #3

Tue, 01 May 2018 17:53:10 -0500

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

Next phase. Cut metal.

<Rotor Hat band saw cut>	<Scallop rough cut>	<Scallops finish cut>
<Center hole rough cut>

Posted 2018-05-01 17:53:10 by Mike Stefanakis

Big Brakes #2

Tue, 01 May 2018 17:40:49 -0500

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

More progression on the Big Brake process.

<Brake Kit 012>	<Caliper bracket mock up trial fit>	<Disc & Hat mock up>
<Soon to be made from aluminum Grade 2024-T531>

Posted 2018-05-01 17:40:49 by Mike Stefanakis

Big Brakes

Tue, 01 May 2018 17:27:47 -0500

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

After I converted to a Toyota 22RE engine I decided to up grade the brakes. I also went from 13" wheel to 15" wheels and 195-50-15 Yokohama tires. I decided on 11.75" Wilwood rotors and 4 pot calipers. Here are some photos showing the progression. The layout process.

<Wheel internal profile template 2>	<Full scale layout>	<Rotor Hat mock up in MDF material>
<Caliper bracket mock up>

Posted 2018-05-01 17:27:47 by Mike Stefanakis

Hot Spit Walk Around

Sat, 03 Feb 2018 18:54:49 -0600

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

Video walk around of my Spitfire. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yvnFatsVnw&feature=youtu.be

Posted 2018-02-03 18:54:49 by Mike Stefanakis

Engine Mounts

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 13:34:20 -0600

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

With the body off and the engine hanging from a chain hoist, the frame was altered for clearance. The Spitfire motor mounts were used and transition piece was mocked up out of wood to mate up with the engine mounting points. The weight was held up by the hoist during the mock up. When I was satisfied the mounts were made out of metal. Also mocked up at this time was the alternator mount.

<image002MA12332757-0005>	<image003MA12332757-0006>	<image005MA12332757-0008>
<image001MA12332757-0004>

Posted 2018-02-01 13:34:20 by Mike Stefanakis

The Engine

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 12:53:13 -0600

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

The engine is a 1993 Toyota 22RE out of a pick up truck along with the 5 speed transmission. It is a stock re-build except that it was switched over from factory intake to Borla side draft throttle bodies. It fit with minor alterations to the frame and firewall. The hood was altered to accommodate the original intake which was removed. A result of a change to a change to a change along the way, if you get my drift.

<IMG 3221>	<IMG 3223>	<IMG 3224>
<IMG 3225>

Posted 2018-02-01 12:53:13 by Mike Stefanakis

My 1979 Spitfire Conversion. AKA Hot Spit

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 07:44:04 -0600

Mike Stefanakis's Journal --

Here are some overall views of my Spitfire conversion. This was a ten plus year, on and off, effort and my first attempt at creating a custom car. If you see an area that is of interest to you I will try to explain the process that I went through to accomplish it and post any photos that I have. This is also my first attempt to post a journal so I hope you will bear with my amateurish effort. Check out YouTube walk around. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht7c3w6XN6w Thanks, Mike

<IMG 3212>	<IMG 3214>	<IMG 3216>
<IMG 3225>

Posted 2018-02-01 07:44:04 by Mike Stefanakis