This TR7 has had a John’s Cars Conversion to a Buick V6 so I’ll begin with an apology to any Triumph fans offended by the sacrilege. It’s listed on craigslist in Sacramento, California for $2,800. According to the seller, it is “rust free and 99% dialed in.” The problem is, it is nearly impossible to register it in California. I know of one owner who gave up after trying for 2 years.
The interior looks nice and complete. It could use some detailing, but is otherwise ready to go.
The installation looks neatly done. It’s a rebuilt Buick 231 with a Borg Warner T5 five speed transmission. This should prove to be a nice improvement over the original 2 liter inline 4, both in terms of power and reliability.
The TR7 was said to be underpowered, suffered from poor fit, finish and reliability. Does the Buick V6 mitigate the power and reliability issues enough to make the conversion worthwhile? With this Triumph, it’s not really a matter of how much it is worth, but is it worth buying for any price? If you live in Washington or any state where this could be registered, could this be a fun little driver for not much money? Perhaps this TR7 listed on craigslist would be more fun?
In Sacramento, with a Washington title. And it can’t be registered in California probably because of emissions issues. So it begs the question, WHY did the seller (assuming it was him) do this, essentially making the car unusable in the state in which he lives? Am I missing something?
Many people assume that as long as the engine is newer it is a slam dunk. The rules are that ALL of the engine and emissions related equipment from the donor vehicle need to be retained. I know a motor transplant that was rejected because the donor car’s FUEL TANK was not retained.
I suspect that a TR7 with a Buick V6 can be made legal in California … but it would take a lot of work.
I was pretty sure it could be done, but I’m still flummoxed that someone would invest this much money and time to have what is essentially a pretty paperweight.
This would be a great little driver for here in Florida. We have no smog laws….😎
notice the inline fuel filter? gift be one of the worst places to put that useless it is on top of the engine.why?as the engine heats up there is the distinct possibility of boiling the fuel delivery, thus leaving you stranded-
all else looks ok under the hood. I use to see British parts to John’s cars back in the old days.
what I’m not seeingvthoughbis any radio and or heating and cooling controls on the inside dash area,why?
Curious if it would pass in New York
Triumph 4 to a Buick 231 V-6 is a lateral move – at best.
Swap that out with a Grand National engine, or at least one of the milder turbo units, Now you have something! (and a twisted rear axle)
It’s hard to F-up a TR-7. Buick had a 4.1 with a 4 barrel that would be better. What the heck, give it bulging fenders and fat tires.
that would register all day here in minnesota. if it rolls and sucks gas, electrons or diesel we will issue a cab card.
love yellow on small cars……..
Anything is an improvement over that 4 cylinder. It was so choked with emission plumbing that it wasn’t all that fun. The TR8 was a different story.
Just never could get use to the TR7 wedge shape. At least the commercials were good…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrgF38F_qw0
These Triumph TR7s have never done much for me, but I’ll bet this one is fun to drive. If I weren’t so big, I would be willing to lay down $2800 for it.
Not a bad looking car or swap, and kudos for using a manual.
I think I would prefer one with a more modern v6 out of a camaro or mustang. 300+ hp would make this interesting.
Now this would be a fun driver and for $2800!!! Only prob is transporting back to IL where no probs getting on the road, legally!!! Now where is the car hauler and credit card, lol!!!
That wedge shape and the boxey dashboard just dont cut it. Although there is a hint of the Lotus Elan in the front end if you can ignore the giant bumper. There are areasin California , believe it or not, counterintuitively, that are completely smog exempt. One of them is in the mountains east of San Diego. Any number of giant smog puking diesels run around wiith impunity. If you live in the mountainous areas of Califfornia I would check the DMV web site.
WRONG! – There are areas that you only smog
when you sell a vehicle (seller’s responsibility).Other
areas,known as “Smog Counties”,where you have to
smog every two years.
Forgot to ad – 1976 & newer need to be smogged in CA.
The convertible loses the wedge shape with the rag top.
I actually like this one. I saw it pop up last week in the comments on the TR7 coupe listed here and liked it then too. I like these with the Group 44 flairs and a nice sbc (manual only, thank you.). This would register here in Va too, and halfway decent performance could be had from this motor, or pull it for a Grand national style motor as mentioned above, with the 5 speed and light weight (relatively) this would be a nice weekend/timed rally car. I’m sure that I would have a tow dolly on the back of my suburban already if I hadn’t just picked up a rust free 1976 mercedes280 (w114) to do a mild LS/auto swap to. Maybe if I told my wife I was going out to pick up ice cream,,,,,,,,,
Wonder how badly it oversteers with the heavier front end. Would rather have fun with the Lemons car
I think you mean Understeer, not Oversteer. A heavier front end will push the front end out when cornering. That sad old weasy V6 won’t be able to kick the tail out too far I suspect.
Looks worth the $. Grab it with your refund check.
Whats with the Buick V6? Just put in Rover Aluminium V8….. Thats what BL did to make the TR8. Would turn this into quite a nice driver. Lots of gear about to take the Rover V8 from 3500cc to 5000cc with zero reliability issues……
Zero reliability issues with the Rover V8, huh? Lol.
Veloce33, you’ve obviously no experience with the Rover 3.5 litre V8. These are a seriously reliable motor which will easily deliver 200,000 miles without drama provided they are serviced regularly. I know this as its been my experience in my factory MGB GT-V8 and in a couple of Land Rover Discoveries and Range Rovers that all used the same motor.
Better yet get a TVR 5.0ltr version of the same engine with 380hp! Same basic architecture as the Rover/Buick V8 but also includes power!
Got a friend in Reno? Problem solved! I see more Nevada plates in CA than I would expect if everything else was equal. (It’s not equal!)
He could have had a v8! TR-8 that is. My friend just got one and it’s no slouch. I also like the looks of the convertible over the coupe, so it has that going for it at least.
Isn’t that the 90* v6? Started life as the Buick/Rover-to-be v8 with two cylinders hacked off? Heavier, rough running and not that powerful. Odd choice of swap material.
I own a TR7 withe the 231 Buick V6 installed, along with a TH700R4 automatic, high stall torque converter, 3.08 rear end. I bought the parts and built it in SoCal. It was a challenge to pass the SMOG requirements but not impossible. It just required the correct carburetor, EGR, AIR pump factory air cleaner and the associated exhaust manifold and air intake. The Buick is no heavier than the aluminum Buick/Rover V8 and by relocating the battery to the trunk it gets better still. BTW, the Rover V8 is around the weight of the original iron Triumph 4 cylinder. The California spec, fuel injected, original engine was weak. It produced less BHP that the documents claimed. If you were luck you got 74 bhp or a little more. The non-CA spec engines gave a little more. The Buick NA 231 is good for 105 bhp in it’s weakest configuration. Post 1977 they had the even fire crank and ran very smoothly, which is what you can expect from a standard early Rover V8. I have moved to Oregon and replaced the SMOG setup with the Cadillac 252 aluminum intake with a QJ 4bbl. With headers, a less restrictive intake setup and dual exhaust the engine checks out at around 128 bhp, still with EGR and catalytic converters. I don’t have power steering. It doesn’t need it. The V6 is shorter than the Rover V8 so it sites further back in the engine bay. Replacing the iron intake manifold, Lucas A/C condenser fans and steel shroud with light weight dual 10″ fans has eliminated another 60 lbs from the front of the car. I’ve replaced the 13″ wheels with 15″ MGF factory wheels and installed the biggest Wilwood brakes that will fit inside. How mush fun is it? I sold my 1965 Lotus Elan S2 and kept the TR7. The TR is great fun to drive and I can get service parts at the NAPA store in town. I get compliments wherever we go with most people having no idea what it is, and many ask where they can buy one and are surprised to find it’s not in production and is nearly 40 years old! BTW, check out the cost or Rover engine parts and how many have serious problems, like slipped cylinder liners, injector problems, computer problems, etc., etc. I don’t want a TR8. I’ll keep my TR 7.5 Spyder.
Hello bkwanab,
Do you still have the smog equipment for the Buick v6?
Thanks,
Warren
Hello bkwanab,
I realize this is an old post and you may not get this. I am in SoCal and looking to build a TR7 with the Buick 231. The car is a registered 75’ and therefore pre smog. I am looking for suggestions and things to watch out for on the build. Thanks in advance.
Craig