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Fiat 1108 to Reliant gearbox adaptor plate
John Bonnett - 25/7/19 at 11:56 AM

I'm still waiting to get onto the 750 Formula forum which might be able to offer help but in the meantime I wondered if anyone knows of a drawing for the adaptor of a firm that will make one.

Thank you

John

scimjim - 25/7/19 at 01:02 PM

The Reliant box won’t take much additional power - I think the Liege trials guys use the Suzuki Jimny box?

John Bonnett - 25/7/19 at 02:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scimjim
The Reliant box won’t take much additional power - I think the Liege trials guys use the Suzuki Jimny box?


Not sure that's right. This box has been used successfully in 750 Formula races mated to the Fiat engine. I'm trying to keep the weight to a minimum and the Jimny box although undoubtedly strong must be heavier than the Kitten one.

scimjim - 25/7/19 at 02:36 PM

I know the 750MC use it with the Fiat engine now - but how much do they modify the box? There are a few versions too as well as different clutches.

[Edited on 25/7/19 by scimjim]

John Bonnett - 25/7/19 at 02:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scimjim
I know the 750MC use it with the Fiat engine now - but how much do they modify the box? There are a few versions too as well as different clutches.

[Edited on 25/7/19 by scimjim]



Yes that's a very good point. I'm hoping I'll get some help and answers from the racers.

scimjim - 25/7/19 at 03:32 PM

Just asked a member and if you’re trying to join the club site, you’ll be waiting forever.

This is the “active” forum.

Adaptors machined to order according to this thread?

[Edited on 25/7/19 by scimjim]

John Bonnett - 25/7/19 at 05:30 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scimjim
Just asked a member and if you’re trying to join the club site, you’ll be waiting forever.

This is the “active” forum.

Adaptors machined to order according to this thread?

[Edited on 25/7/19 by scimjim]




Very useful information. Thank you very much.

John

scimjim - 25/7/19 at 09:27 PM

You’re welcome - and thank you for the alloy GT6 thread

John Bonnett - 26/7/19 at 05:42 AM

quote:
Originally posted by scimjim
You’re welcome - and thank you for the alloy GT6 thread


I really loved doing the alloy bodied GT6 and although I had to sell it to fund the next project it was bought and is being enjoyed by two brothers who are well into classic cars so good to see that it went to a good home and is being appreciated.

I'm toying with the idea of building an aluminium bodied Kitten but with a bit of licence to make it a bit more attractive and to give it a bit of attitude. I want to keep it as light as possible so that it is nimble and has a reasonable performance from a modest power unit. The 850 Reliant engine is very light and can produce some decent power figures so perhaps that might be worth exploring rather than taking the Fiat route. There's a huge amount of expertise from people on this forum and I would appreciate any help and advice you can give regarding their respective merits. I would probably replace the rear axle for a Morris 1000 which is an inch wider and has a decent range of ratios available. Escort is another possibility but considerably heavier.

Front suspension on the Kitten is similar to the Spitfire but not the same and no new parts are available. I'm not sure how easy it would be to modify it to fit all Triumph bits which are readily available. I know everything is possible but I'd prefer to keep things simple as far as I can.

If anyone has trod this path before me I'd be very pleased to hear from you and benefit from your experience.

Thank you.

Dopdog - 26/7/19 at 07:45 AM

The reliant box seems to work just fine with the fiat engine just don't be too hard with the gear changes. Don't forget the minimum weight of the cars so a stronger box might well be a better option at least one of them runs a ford box

John Bonnett - 26/7/19 at 08:34 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Dopdog
The reliant box seems to work just fine with the fiat engine just don't be too hard with the gear changes. Don't forget the minimum weight of the cars so a stronger box might well be a better option at least one of them runs a ford box


I'm just building a road car so no regs or minimum weight restrictions to worry about. I would go rear engine with a 5 speed Fiat box but I don't think I can get 8 points if I do that so I'm stuck with an in-line set-up.

John Bonnett - 26/7/19 at 10:17 AM

I've just found the answer to my question and because of the advantages of the Fiat engine over the Reliant I pretty certain that will be the way forward.

Once I get started on the project I'll be writing it up.

Mike Wood - 28/7/19 at 03:05 PM

John

Good luck.

I too enjoyed your GT6 build on here as well as your Sylva Phoenix blog.

You may want to google 'Liege trials car' and 'Reliant Tempest kit car' (on a similar
4 wheeled Reliant donor IIRC) for inspiration. Tempest now available from Joe Mason Reliant Spares in Worcestershire.

'750 Racer' book by Herbert and Harvey.

Thought about building a historic 750 Formula (Trophy)? Google
'Racekits Merlin'. Forum: http://750trophyracing.proboards.com

Last, but not least, Reliant Kitten Register for spares, info and advice run by the very helpful Brian Marshall. Covers all small engined four wheeled Reliants and kit cars and specials.

Cheers
Mike

[Edited on 28/7/19 by Mike Wood]

[Edited on 28/7/19 by Mike Wood]

[Edited on 28/7/19 by Mike Wood]

[Edited on 28/7/19 by Mike Wood]

John Bonnett - 28/7/19 at 03:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mike Wood
John

Good luck.

I too enjoyed your GT6 build on here as well as your Sylva Phoenix blog.

You may want to google 'Liege trials car' and 'Reliant Tempest kit car' (on a similar
4 wheeled Reliant donor IIRC) for inspiration. Tempest now available from Joe Mason Reliant Spares in Worcestershire.

'750 Racer' book by Herbert and Harvey.

Thought about building a historic 750 Formula (Trophy)? Google
'Racekits Merlin'. Forum: http://750trophyracing.proboards.com

Last, but not least, Reliant Kitten Register for spares, info and advice run by the very helpful Brian Marshall. Covers all small engined four wheeled Reliants and kit cars and specials.

Cheers
Mike

[Edited on 28/7/19 by Mike Wood]

[Edited on 28/7/19 by Mike Wood]

[Edited on 28/7/19 by Mike Wood]

[Edited on 28/7/19 by Mike Wood]


Mike thank you so much for your kind words and for the information. I'm totally new to Reliants so I'm looking to tap into the knowledge base. Racekits will be providing my Fiat 750Formula engine and the adaptor plate and I'm just about to join the Kitten Register. I've actually bought the Kitten from Joe Mason so it looks like I'm moving in the right circles. My friend used to own a Tempest and I'm very familiar with the Liege through classic trials.

The car arrives this coming week and once it's here I'll start the write up under the appropriate heading. It won't be anything too radical but I'm hoping there will be some scope for making aluminium panels and compensating for the slight increase in weight of the Fiat engine and Morris 1000 rear axle. I want to fit a roll cage and am currently looking for a firm that can make one for a reasonable cost ideally here in the westcountry.

minibull - 29/7/19 at 10:24 PM

I don't have a kitten. but have bond bugs. I always found James at Castle Hill Garage to be among the best source of reliant parts. Think it now goes under the name GHG Classics on the web.

John Bonnett - 30/7/19 at 06:22 AM

quote:
Originally posted by minibull
I don't have a kitten. but have bond bugs. I always found James at Castle Hill Garage to be among the best source of reliant parts. Think it now goes under the name GHG Classics on the web.




Thank you. Good information.

scimjim - 30/7/19 at 07:36 AM

quote:
Originally posted by minibull
I don't have a kitten. but have bond bugs. I always found James at Castle Hill Garage to be among the best source of reliant parts. Think it now goes under the name GHG Classics on the web.

CHG Classics (assuming you mean James Holland?)