John Walsh's 1981 Triumph TR7 with Buick 231cid (3.8L) V6 Engine
as published in BritishV8 Magazine, Volume XX Issue 2, December 2012 (updated: 4/3/2015)Owner: John & Becky Walsh
BritishV8 UserID: JohnMWalsh
City: Roseville, California
Model: 1981 Triumph TR7
Engine: Buick 231cid (3.8L) V6
Conversion by: owner
Engine: | 1981 Buick 231cid (3.8L) V6, completely stock except for the addition of an MSD ignition controller. |
Cooling: | custom radiator.
Oil cooler. |
Exhaust: | cat-back dual exhaust system. |
Transmission: | Borg Warner T5 5-speed (from a Camaro). |
Rear End: | Ford 8.8 (1986 Mustang GT).
2.73:1 gears.
Limited slip differential. |
Brakes: | (master) SVO Mustang. (front) Wilwood 4-piston calipers and 11" vented rotors. (rear) Stainless Steel Brake Co. calipers and 10.25" vented rotors. |
Front Susp.: | competition springs.
Koni adjustable shock absorbers.
Polyurethane bushings. |
Rear Susp.: | competition springs.
Koni adjustable shock absorbers.
Polyurethane bushings. |
Wheels/Tires: | Konig Lace aluminum 15x6.5 wheels.
Kuhmo Ecsta 205/60x15 tires. |
Instruments: | Smiths speedometer (0-140mph) and tachometer (0-7000rpm).
VDO oil pressure (0-80psi),
coolant temperature (100-250F),
voltmeter (8-16V),
and fuel gauges. |
Electrical: | battery relocated to trunk.
Sony stereo and speakers.
LED brake lights and third brake light(s). |
Weight: | 2080 pounds. |
Completed: | still a work in progress. |
Engine Installation
This 1981 Buick 231cid (3.8L) V6 is stock except for the addition of an MSD ignition controller.
John fabricated the strut tower braces.
Suspension and Brakes
Wilwood 4-piston calipers and 11" vented rotors.
Stainless Steel Brake Co. calipers and 10.25" vented rotors.
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Interior
Custom instrument cluster featuring VDO gauges.
Illumination.
(Earlier custom instrument cluster.)
Exterior
Authentic Huffaker Engineering fiberglass body panels give this Triumph TR7 a distinctive look.
John says: "She is good looking, fun to drive and she does turn heads!"
A roll hoop has been installed. It fits neatly under the Triumph TR7's convertible top.
Huffaker Triumph TR7/TR8 air dam.
LED brake lights and third brake light(s).
Konig Lace aluminum 15x6.5 wheels. Kuhmo Ecsta 205/60x15 tires.
This is what John's TR7 looked like when he purchased it.
This is what John's TR7 looked like a year ago, before he repainted it.