11 Feb 2018, 6:22pm
Looks really good
Formosa 120 gr build
16 Feb 2018, 5:58pm
A couple more little touches, put some chrome trim around the perspex headlight dishes and also along the top of the windscreen ( not easy to see in the photo) it certainly adds to the overall look of the car
16 Feb 2018, 6:39pm
That looks excellent do you mind me asking how did you manage to do that around the headlights?
16 Feb 2018, 7:27pm
Very nice Graham ...the colour shows well in that picture too ..looks too red in many pics ...
16 Feb 2018, 7:33pm
That looks excellent do you mind me asking how did you manage to do that around the headlights?
Its a bit fiddly but the edge strip is supple enough to follow the contours, I started by threading some cable through the strip first then as you go round the cover you pull out the cable as you go which opens up the gap so its easy to push onto the edge, E Bay edging strip I bought link below
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chrome-Molding-Strip-Edge-Protection-Trim-Seal-Car-Mopeds-Vespa-Lambretta-13/272640027829?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
22 Apr 2018, 7:35pm
22 Apr 2018, 8:52pm
Didnt realise you were there today Gary, you should have given me a ring and we could have met up.Fantastic show probably the best one I have been to with so many cars and all amazing
23 Apr 2018, 7:54am
I wasn't there mate ....someone sent me the pictures on my facebook link congratulating us on the car as they said they have been following the cars but were really impressed with how much better they look in the flesh ...
24 Apr 2018, 1:15am
Can't belive I missed it there!! 
7 May 2018, 8:31pm
Stoneleigh ....
8 May 2018, 8:09am
I managed to get to Stoneleigh on the Sunday with the wife. First time in a number of years. Figured if the show is going to be any good again then it would be now with the weather so good. Wasn't disappointed, lots of cars on display (the outside club areas are the best bit of the show for me). Saw Alex's car and got some pics for the website.
You've done a great job on your Formosa Gary, hats off to you
. Looks good in photos and close up looks even better. Lots of work has gone into getting a smooth look body finish, not easy to achieve but results speak for themselves. I really hope it takes off for you 
Cheers, John
You've done a great job on your Formosa Gary, hats off to you
. Looks good in photos and close up looks even better. Lots of work has gone into getting a smooth look body finish, not easy to achieve but results speak for themselves. I really hope it takes off for you Cheers, John
8 May 2018, 8:14am
Thank you JG ...
So many people say it looks better in real life , I guess you see the detail and shape better than in a picture ...its a difficult car to photograph , the colour rarely shows correctly , its the same colour as Jeff H's car , but you wouldn't know that looking at most of the pictures ...
So many people say it looks better in real life , I guess you see the detail and shape better than in a picture ...its a difficult car to photograph , the colour rarely shows correctly , its the same colour as Jeff H's car , but you wouldn't know that looking at most of the pictures ...
2 Sep 2018, 8:59pm
Had a great today on the Cotswold Classic Car run, nice 80 mile drive around the Cotswolds 100 cars in total, Lucky enough to win best dressed gentleman and car so well chuffed
2 Sep 2018, 9:11pm
Fantastic Alex .... f'kking brilliant ...
2 Sep 2018, 9:49pm
Beautiful! Great work.
4 Sep 2018, 8:47pm
A few more photos from the Cotswold Classic Car Run
4 Sep 2018, 9:00pm
Thank you JG ...
So many people say it looks better in real life , I guess you see the detail and shape better than in a picture ...its a difficult car to photograph , the colour rarely shows correctly , its the same colour as Jeff H's car , but you wouldn't know that looking at most of the pictures ...
So many people say it looks better in real life , I guess you see the detail and shape better than in a picture ...its a difficult car to photograph , the colour rarely shows correctly , its the same colour as Jeff H's car , but you wouldn't know that looking at most of the pictures ...
Photo from eye level and using a longer focal length (ie not wide angle) usually gives improvement, can't change the colour balance though
, but maybe do-able with computer?
8 Sep 2018, 5:44am
Alex – Congratulations on your prize Graham. 
Your car looks right at home here:
Enjoy, Paul.
Your car looks right at home here:
Enjoy, Paul.
17 Nov 2018, 4:19pm
After a bit of advice chaps, thoroughly enjoying the Formosa and been out in it pretty much every weekend throughout the summer and its great but the only thing I would like to improve is the top end speed.
Engine is the Vitesse 2.0l straight 6 but it seems to be struggling at about 4000 - 4500 revs (70mph) it feels as though its air or fuel starvation as the engine seems to have plenty more to give but feels restricted. The carbs are twin Stromburgs but they are a bit worn, I bought a replacement parts kit and a 7mm reamer but it just fell in the bore so lots of wear. my question really is has anyone put tripe SU`s or triple Webers onto a GT6 and does it increase performance, acceleration through the gears is great its just top end that is lacking. I want to get it on a few track days next year but a bit nervous its not quick enough and I would just be a rolling road block
Engine is the Vitesse 2.0l straight 6 but it seems to be struggling at about 4000 - 4500 revs (70mph) it feels as though its air or fuel starvation as the engine seems to have plenty more to give but feels restricted. The carbs are twin Stromburgs but they are a bit worn, I bought a replacement parts kit and a 7mm reamer but it just fell in the bore so lots of wear. my question really is has anyone put tripe SU`s or triple Webers onto a GT6 and does it increase performance, acceleration through the gears is great its just top end that is lacking. I want to get it on a few track days next year but a bit nervous its not quick enough and I would just be a rolling road block
17 Nov 2018, 5:48pm
It might be worth going through everything to rule out any restrictions that might be in the system. On my 250 TR project I'm replacing the fuel line that was fitted in the donor car as it was just 3/16 bore tube. I'm going to up that to 8mm tube which is the same as the fuel pump inlet. Have you got any tight bends or small tubing on the exhaust side of things ? Are you running a points ignition or electronic ? The older systems need to be 100% to work at their best. Points, condensers and coils can cause issues.
Once everything is checked perhaps a rolling road session to set up the carbs and ignition set at their optimum under load. You should see some gains with a carb upgrade but only if the rest of the engine is in good health.
Its also worth bearing in mind that the straight six was only rated at 95 BHP @ 5000 rpm in the early Vitesse and 104BHP @ 5300 in the MK2. Have you got the overdrive gearbox fitted, it might be down to a gearing issue perhaps ?
Good luck sorting it.
Once everything is checked perhaps a rolling road session to set up the carbs and ignition set at their optimum under load. You should see some gains with a carb upgrade but only if the rest of the engine is in good health.
Its also worth bearing in mind that the straight six was only rated at 95 BHP @ 5000 rpm in the early Vitesse and 104BHP @ 5300 in the MK2. Have you got the overdrive gearbox fitted, it might be down to a gearing issue perhaps ?
Good luck sorting it.
18 Nov 2018, 7:18am
… I want to get it on a few track days next year but a bit nervous its not quick enough and I would just be a rolling road block…
Sorry I can’t help with any engine tuning advice, so just a quick word on track days...
From my experience on two wheels, the person with the fastest bike didn’t always have the fastest time.
So whatever happens, just enjoy your day.
Cheers, Paul.
18 Nov 2018, 8:52am
Apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs, but I'd start by making sure everything's set up correctly and not worn out.
Decoke the head and lap the valves in, then refit the head with a new gasket and check your compression - if it's below 120psi across the board or there's more than about 10psi difference between any cylinder it'll need a rebuild.
Assuming it's okay, fit a new cam chain and make absolutely sure your cam timing and valve clearances are perfect. Fit new or rebuilt carbs with heat shields (to prevent fuel evaporation) and a new or reconditioned distributor together with an electronic ignition module, new coil, leads and plugs. Set the ignition timing to 6 degrees btdc, fire it up and see how it feels.
Assuming everything is working as it should and you still want more power, I managed that with a Mk2 Vitesse cam and 1.75 Strombergs on adaptors. My motor had been going flat at 4500rpm and returning less than 20mpg, but those mods freed up the revs and gave around a 50% improvement in fuel economy to boot. It still wasn't a ball of fire but it was quicker and much more fun to drive.
For track use you really need to go large and/or modify. Phil J's green Spyder runs a 2.5 TR5 motor with a hot cam and six bike carbs. It pushes out close to 200bhp and has been clocked on the track at over 140mph (with 3.63 diff and overdrive). It also lapped faster than both a Porsche 911 and a Lotus 11, whose owner had laughed at Phil's car telling him the aerodynamics would make it too slow for him to compete with his Lotus.
I believe Phil posted on here that he could put another six carb setup together if anyone wanted one, but that was a while ago so you should pm him if you're interested.
Unless they're worn out, just changing the carbs for bigger ones or more of them won't make a dramatic difference without changing the cam and modifying the head. Witor would be a good starting point for parts and advice (other Triumph specialists are available) - https://www.chriswitor.com/products.php?cat=254&pg=2
Good luck and keep on enjoying your car.
Decoke the head and lap the valves in, then refit the head with a new gasket and check your compression - if it's below 120psi across the board or there's more than about 10psi difference between any cylinder it'll need a rebuild.
Assuming it's okay, fit a new cam chain and make absolutely sure your cam timing and valve clearances are perfect. Fit new or rebuilt carbs with heat shields (to prevent fuel evaporation) and a new or reconditioned distributor together with an electronic ignition module, new coil, leads and plugs. Set the ignition timing to 6 degrees btdc, fire it up and see how it feels.
Assuming everything is working as it should and you still want more power, I managed that with a Mk2 Vitesse cam and 1.75 Strombergs on adaptors. My motor had been going flat at 4500rpm and returning less than 20mpg, but those mods freed up the revs and gave around a 50% improvement in fuel economy to boot. It still wasn't a ball of fire but it was quicker and much more fun to drive.
For track use you really need to go large and/or modify. Phil J's green Spyder runs a 2.5 TR5 motor with a hot cam and six bike carbs. It pushes out close to 200bhp and has been clocked on the track at over 140mph (with 3.63 diff and overdrive). It also lapped faster than both a Porsche 911 and a Lotus 11, whose owner had laughed at Phil's car telling him the aerodynamics would make it too slow for him to compete with his Lotus.
I believe Phil posted on here that he could put another six carb setup together if anyone wanted one, but that was a while ago so you should pm him if you're interested.
Unless they're worn out, just changing the carbs for bigger ones or more of them won't make a dramatic difference without changing the cam and modifying the head. Witor would be a good starting point for parts and advice (other Triumph specialists are available) - https://www.chriswitor.com/products.php?cat=254&pg=2
Good luck and keep on enjoying your car.
18 Nov 2018, 11:47am
Few words from a triump forum
MK 2 head is the way to go just because the 6:3:1 is an off the shelf component - 10.5:1 comp - TR5 cam and Strombergs - 150 bhp easy
was getting 180 bhp out of a mk1 block running on PI with 1500cc lada pistons - rev'd very well
MK 2 head is the way to go just because the 6:3:1 is an off the shelf component - 10.5:1 comp - TR5 cam and Strombergs - 150 bhp easy
was getting 180 bhp out of a mk1 block running on PI with 1500cc lada pistons - rev'd very well
19 Nov 2018, 10:03pm
Thanks for all the replies guys, plenty to ponder, don,t want to break a lap record just a bit of extra top end.the engine is a 1968 mk2 so possibly the TR5 cam and strombergs would be the easiest.Think I will get it on a rolling road and see what the restriction is and go from there
21 Nov 2018, 10:31am
Watching this with interest - hopefully getting mine on the road in 4 to 6 weeks and may be afflicted with a dose of upgrade-itus ;-))