1977 tuned Triumph Dolomite Sprint sights & sounds

[crunkbeatz]

Amazing little car - it was so advanced at the time with it's 16-valve engine. A truly wonderful example :-) I'd like to buy the one that's in the Haynes Musuem in Somerset and do something similar to yours!

[thomasalanmac]

Nice clip of a British Classic. Had one myself in British Racing Green. Reg KOJ 490P. but unfortunately wrote it off.

[TheRebelman95]

that is one tiny engine!

[LashoutUK]

@BluesWireFTW .........but I wouldn't be suprised if you found some minor differences. Try the Triumph Dolomite Club forum if you want the exact answer, they'll know for sure :-)

[BluesWireFTW]

@LashoutUK check my dolly on my profile :D

[LashoutUK]

@BluesWireFTW Hey there! I don't think any of the 2000/2500s came with an LSD although (I stand to be corrected) I think a Salisbury Pow-R-Lock was an optional extra, or fitted to some, in some instance. You can still find them second hand I believe, or Chris Witor (google) sells them new I think. They're listed on the older version of his site, stored in a PDF (you'll see the link).

If the overdrive's a J-Type (from '74 on) they were standard across the entire Triumph range...so should fit!

[BluesWireFTW]

@LashoutUK thenx a lot! , i hope that mk2 that i found uses that kinda overdrive.. i have also 2 weber 45 carb but i cannot find a conversion kit..

[dolomitey]

damn i miss my dolly :(

[LashoutUK]

@BluesWireFTW Hi there! Well, besides eBay, you could ask on the Triumph Dolomite Club forum (google for it, it's a great place) - either they'll know someone out there or, if not, they could probably sort out shipping of an engine to you - probably wouldn't cost too much if you really wanted it. Hope that helps!

[BluesWireFTW]

@LashoutUK i tried to register in triumph dolomite club , but i ain't got registration yet.. Seems that i have to w8 till administrator sign me.Anyway thanx for your help :)

[BluesWireFTW]

@LashoutUK hey again mate , i wanted to ask if triumph 2000 uses a differental lock , and also if triumphs 2000 overdrive fits on 1850 dolomites gearbox.. :D

[ast2boos]

i want it

[RandomAsThisName]

I have decided once I pass my driving test I want one of these! They are so cool and retro, one of the best cars I have ever witnessed to see

[thommyc95]

Nice car,

our doly just got a new distribution chain.

It has a larger exhaust my dad found under a parts-car...

It sounds GREAT

Last saterday we where tuning the carbs (normal SU with bigger needles), it was damp on the streets, so ofcourse when he went to try her out...

Lovely tire-spin!!! Smoke coming out of the wheelarches!!! Felt bad not being IN the car!

[mikeyTR7]

You seem to have had a lot of dolomites! im interested in swapping a 16 valve dolomite engine into my TR7, would you advise this? Im new to the triumph scene and this TR7 is my first car thanks, Mike

[LashoutUK]

@mikeyTR7 Haha! The Sprint engine makes a great swap, as it's a Triumph engine and the bits are all there for it. The 8 valve motor can be livened up quite nicely though with a decent ignition system, tweaked carbs/filters/exhaust and an electric fan (less drag, marginal but true) - but even then you'll struggle to get near Sprint output without taking the engine apart.

Nice engine to drive the Sprint motor too, very lively and a great exhaust note! Set up right they last very well!

[exorcist1998]

My first car was a Dolly Sprint - in fact mt first 3 were. I love them.

[VTS1337]

This was the engine they put in the early Saab 99s. You can really hear that Saab burble.

[LashoutUK]

@VTS1337 The 99 used the single cam 8 valve version that was designed by Triumph for the 1850 (later Dolomite) models - Saab never recieved the engine with the Triumph-developed 16 valve head though, although they later designed their own :-)

As far as I can recall Ricardo were developing a new engine for Saab at the time but it was proving too costly for them, so they put Saab in contact with Triumph, who approved Saab's use of Triumph's own slant-four design.

[bmwnasher]

had one of these in 1976 .fast motor car..in them days dreat fun to drive

[mainman2999]

Sounds nearly as tappety as my BDA !! oh, its a 1971 RS1600 BDA on here if you want to hear what a proper 16v sounds like!! 8-) I liked the Dolly, but they always seemed to be temperamental like the stag v8s were, so i opted for the Escort instead, and 27 yrs later, ive still got it! Put some bf46 profile cams in it, then it should go! cheers.

[markesajanus]

16valve in 1977, for this range of car, dolomite was the first, I want drive her!

[LashoutUK]

@markesajanus Indeed! First ones rolled off the production line in '73 as well so been going some time! Fantastic little pieces of machinery.

[whittledarren]

Lovely Car ! Dont build em like this anymore ..

[fourbabies1]

someone in west brom put a rover v8 in a sprint but i only had the pleasure of seeing and hearing it once. shame

[LashoutUK]

See my other videos - I owned one too :)

[powertoweight100]

How many CCs is the engine?

nice car by the way

[LashoutUK]

1998cc :)

[doorinhead]

I want to import one of these to the states so bad! what a cool car

[LashoutUK]

There are a few in the states already, at least 2/3 I know of - probably more drifting about! :D

[LashoutUK]

@doorinhead You'd probably make a good profit if you imported one and sold it! There are a few in the States, seem to make very good money!

[trulynot]

Great vid, thanks for the upload. I used to own a sprint, might again some day.

[no66y666]

Awesome. That dash and interior - its like seeing an old friend. I loved mine.

[dctim]

What engine do you have in there?

[LashoutUK]

Indeed! Anyone interested should look at The Dolomite Club's website, go to the forum and head for "Cars for sale". An excellent piece of machinery, this!

[MasterBattle2000]

Sweet i love Dolomite Sprints

[mazb6t]

what was the facination with escort mexicos when those beuts were about?

[1fornone]

Great little sporting saloon. I wish they still made Triumph cars...Much more class than a Honda

[supajakepanda]

my dad and i restored a spitfire a few years back now i got a honda del sol, and if they did still make those and they were as cheap as hondas i'd have one in a heart beat lol

[mikew55555]

I had one, loved that car.Seeing that dashboard brought it all back,used to be cheaper to get racing parts rather than standard parts !.Used to blow away Crapi's, Escorts,BMW'S,never could get those two buckets masquerading as carburetters equaled up though !.I loved my Sprint,,completely understated,wonderfull car.Got stopped twice for speeding in it,both times,Old Bill, "Yes I've got one of these myself son,I know what they're like,try to keep the speed down",let off both times !,fantastic.

[mooseman2468]

I was 21 and drove a British racing green sprint bodywork was pristine and yes it moved well...but everyone at my age had the Escorts, RS's, Turbo, Cosworths...my mate could not believe just how much attention I got in my dolly.....especially when elder people saw a young lad behind the wheel of a minta! nice vid love em forever I say!

[AxelsGarage]

Wow, you know you've got a genuine oldy when there's a tape player on the centre dashboard. :)

That's one quiet ride actually... I'm surprised!

And what isn't cool about wooden panelling inside a vehicle.

[LashoutUK]

Gone older - my 1500 had just a long-wave radio. My FWD had.....nothing!

Have to admit though, that was a bit of a pain on long journeys. Especially in the FWD. Wouldn't do more than a happy 65 mile an hour cruise...

For the most part they're pretty quiet inside. Obviously you get more mechanical and wind noise than a modern but there's plenty of steel and thick carpet/panelling to deaden it all...Very pleasant places to be :)

[vector6977]

Motorcycle guys would kill for those SU carbs!

[revlimiterUK]

Ah yes, the ''Dollop Shite Sprint'' I used to have one and seeing that dash, brings it all back. Very quick for its time, but like all those Leyland cars it was Utter Trash. The urinal trap shaped Leyland logo says it all really

[mickeymoose76]

they werent that bad...

[britishleylandcrap]

Yes. We all know Leyland products were abysmal but some of us are addicted. I was brought up with 3 Allegros, 2 Marinas and an SD -1.

Scarred for life :P

[kvikelis]

hi! i love dolomites and i restore my sprint now.. just one question, although silly it may sound, i cannot find a radio cd console for dolomites to fit a modern radio cd - as the one you have on the video.. can you tell me if you know where i can find the same console as yours please?

[LashoutUK]

Hi there! That's the standard factory radio fitting, so probably best to start trawling eBay or breakers for one - alternatively you could make one from a similar black hardboard, stiff backing material and a few brackets.

Hope that's some help.

[Brockie777]

So what tuning have you done?

[LashoutUK]

See under paulhunter's comments underneath :)

[elliottveares]

why did you not buy a t pice and wire and bits - oil light.

[LashoutUK]

Wasn't mine, so was not mine to decide! It did seem like an odd omission but on Sprints the 'oil pressure' light doesn't do much anyway - By the time it's illuminated when driving, assuming something is wrong, the damage is aready done as the pressure it illuminates at is too low to ensure survival of the bottom end - consequently the gauge is much more useful, provided you keep an eye on it.

[elliottveares]

oil light ?

[LashoutUK]

Disconnected - didn't have a T-piece fitted to enable the fitment of both the switch for the oil light and the oil pressure gauge.

Good spot, though!

[g0fvt]

I think people forget how well Sprints went in their day, I remember fixing one for a friend way back in 1981 it was a treat to take it out afterwards "to make sure it was running right". Another friend has a very modified Sprint to this day, good to see the video, thanks for posting it.

[paulhunter123]

whats the engine set up here fella? you changed the cams? what carbs any work to the head? standard manifold?

[LashoutUK]

Hi! Basically, the only receipts were for the (obviously) twin 45s, intake manifold to suit and the full sports exhaust system. The exhaust manifold was the standard 'log'.

There were a few other tweaks as well, like electronic ignition, eletric fan, decent coil, ITG filters, Magnecor race ignition leads and a fuel pressure regulator/filter - but that was it....

[LashoutUK]

....The engine may have had internal work and a cam but we could never really tell as there was no paper evidence for it and we didn't need to take it apart to find out. Certainly went well, mind - although these Sprint engines usually do, quite lively things!

[trulynot]

I had one of these when I was too young too appreciate it !!! It sure put many Aussie V8's to shame at the lights.

[CliveReeve]

Dolly's are fantastic and that one sounds like my teen years. My neihbours had one , not me, I had an Austin 1300!

Fab wheelspin

[topakkiotto]

Bellissima!!! I'love Dolomite Sprint!!!

[RS027]

Sounds great

[LashoutUK]

Thanks! Was a real neat bit of kit, really pulled hard to the redline!

[TONYIANW]

I fell in love with dolly as soon as I saw it, its looks really cute and retro! :D

[SedanChair]

Super clean!

[triumphdollysprint]

very sexy!

what sort of carbs are you running?

and what size and type of tyres?

Cheers!

[LashoutUK]

Carbs were twin Dellorto DHLA 45's.

Tyres were Yokohoma A539's (185/60/R13) on standard Sprint alloys).

Thanks for the comment!

[triumphdollysprint]

sorry, ive got a few more annoying questions.

(i just bought my first car, a mimosa dolly sprint, and am after info from somone who has owned one and done it up slightly)

what other work has been done to the engine?

any idea of bhp?

and (not to be rude, but im gonna be, feel free to tell me to nick off) what does a setup like that engine cost?

any info you can help me with would be awesome.

thanks heaps.

[LashoutUK]

Sorry for not getting back sooner - engine is bone standard barring that if I recall correctly (possibly has a fast-road cam). It does have electronic ignition, sports exhaust and a kenlowe fan however.

Probably generating around 140, maybe 150BHP. To get all those parts and get it well set up could be done for well under 1000GBP!

If there's anything I can do to help, like finding bits or you want more detail, just drop me a PM! :)

[phwodehouse]

change cam, race cam preferably off blank, rework head, 45s rather than 48s, sports exhaust 165-185 hp. sports manifold requires dry sump and changing cant to gain clearance without body modification. check out mr bunkus and 270 hp sprint.

[RightUpYourTube]

Joygasm.... I so want one of these, ever since my old man had a blue 1850 many years ago. Ive wanted to own one ever since. He stupidly cracked the block because of overheating problems and scrapped it :(

[battar]

wonderful!!