Hi all,

I've just entered the world of Dutton ownership after buying the following:

Phaeton S3
2L pinto (rebuilt head with hardened valve seats, unknown uprated cam, rebuilt block)
5 speed type 9 box
Coilovers all round
LSD off a Capri
Corbeau seats+4 point harnesses

And a boat load of spares. So far I've had the fuel pump fail (replaced with another electric one but fitted a fuel filter this time) but other than that it's been an enjoyable few days. For me it's a daily driver and I've already experienced hale, snow, rain and high wind!

Anyway, I come from the world of fuel injection and fancy electronic gizmos so need as much of the old school help as possible. I'm a complete novice when it comes to carbs (I know how they work etc but never fettled with them) and the Pinto in general.

So, my questions are

1. What do I need to know? I've heard the oil feed to the cams is a bit of a dodgy area - anyone got some more info on this? Any other things I need to be aware of?

2. My last 2 vehicles were a trike and a 350ft/lb mk3 Supra and the Dutton doesn't feel THAT fast to me. I think the 0-60 is just under 7 seconds - it's got some poke but I feel like it's lacking, what sort of performance should I be expecting from a 2L Pinto? I know this is a vague question to answer and it's all relative but I thought I'd have a go anyway!

3. Other than twin carbs and an agressive cam what's the normal tweaking done? What do I need to know about fitting the aforementioned-I read something about a vac-less distributor being required for twin carbs, is this correct?

4. Does anyone know of a local (Derbyshire) rolling road who can make sure afr is looking safe and everything's running as it should

Thanks in advance

James

Around 7 seconds would sound about right for a midly tuned Pinto engined S3 - they are not the lightest of cars around especially if fitted with decent seats carpet heater etc.
The type9 5 speed box has a very low 1st gear that is not great for 0-60
If its only running the standard carb then about 120BHP is about all you can expect.

Getting the 0-60 down to the 5 second bracket will need a top spec Pinto running 45's and pushing 160+ Pinto's need careful head work to get the best from them and this can get expensive. Carbs and cams make limited improvement. As for dizzies you need one with a matched advance curve to the cam used and a decent electonic set up.

Issues with Pinto's eating cams was down to poor servicing and it's seldom a problem now with modern detergent oils and regular services.

Cheers

Andrew

Thanks for the reply-took me this long to find it!

OK so is there more to be gained by weight saving then? If so, are there any key areas that are open to some work?

Currently has no heater and will be replacing the seats anyway so I'll get lightweight ones

The type 9 needs changing anyway, I was intending to rebuild one and fit that - any thoughts on alternatives or is it up to the job?

With twin 45s and an agressize cam is 160+ ok on stock internals? If I'm going for a full rebuild then I'll probably switch to a tougher engine

As for headwork, any of you tried this yourself? A mild port shouldn't be too difficult

"As for dizzies you need one with a matched advance curve to the cam used and a decent electonic set up."
Need to know more about this - any links you can point me at or more info?

Are you guys interested in guides on how to do various things e.g. valve clearancs, fitting points etc. It's something I've done for a couple of other forums but wasn't sure whether there's any point on here because anyone owning a kit car is likely to know all this.

I have taught myself all i know about cars, (which probably isn't much compared to others) ;) .
I am always happy to read and learn from others. Even if its stuff that i already know, its good to compare notes and see how many bad habits i have picked up.
Sometimes it also lessens the wait for an answer to a question, if the info is already available.

I am a member of another forum (not kitcars) and from the 'how to' section on their, you could probably build a car from scratch if required to.

That's good to know, one is enough. I'll knock up a valve clearance guide and see what people think-thanks

Headwork see about 5 posts below this one :D

Andrew

Aha, thanks Andy - have you any experience with this or did you just follow the book?

Anyone fancy a stab at any of the other questions

Just read the book and got on with it. - Experience :blink: I am an engineer in the Olde Skool sense.

Andrew

Hi and welcome :)

Rather than using a vac-less dizzy, have you looked into megajolt yet. My mates got one on his locost (not sva'd yet), but it looks like a good bit of kit for the money.
I'm going to be using one on the Legerra when i get the zetec in :)

Instead of using the dizzy, you use a trigger wheel, coil pack, edis and the megajolt to control the spark (with a lappy you can do your own mapping to control advance etc)

I dont think a dutton's going to feel that fast after a Supra but they have a great grin factor (they also handle pretty well :) )

Theres no where easy to find a weight saving on a Dutton that i know i'm afraid.

Howdo's make a good read ;)

Cheers
Jonno

Andy - exactly what I plan to do, thanks

Jonno - I'll look into the magajolt, thanks very much. You're right, I've resigned myself to the fact I'm never going to get a Pinto to give me the kind of performance I was getting so I'll just try and get it to run right and enjoy the incredible handling. After 1.6 tons worth of Supra to slide around, the Dutton feels like a go kart!

As for weight saving - might just take the Pinto out and burn it, then all my troubles go away :D

Once I've managed to get the car running I'll concentrate on that guide - in the meantime I need to sort out AFR and ignition timing!