school me on the spitfire and sprintfire

[crosscut]

I'm thinking of turning one into a ice oval machine....just for fun, no sanctioned races....not always on ice, sometimes on snow....how reliable are these? Good power? Let me know what you think

[Matt]

Unusual choices for oval. They are both low HP machines and make up for that being small, light, and direct drive. Downside to that is you can't gear them for a straightaway. Quick off the line but low top speed.

[JoeRainville]

Crosscut,

Matt is right, each sled is very light (about 275 lbs for a Spitty and about 325 or so for the Sprint). But, the sleds are not very powerful stock, about 28-30 hp for the Spitty and 35 hp for the Sprint. At least the Sprint had a 102-C vs the 94C Duster on the Spit.

I have seen guys race Spitfire's in oval and drags, and do reasonably well. But, it took lots of effort in each case. And the track's can not handle a huge power increase either, and neither has any center belt support either.

For the oval thought, a Sprint or Snowfire has a high center of gravity with over 7" of suspension travel and a 32" ski stance, while the Spits are lower, shorter travel and have a 30" ski stance.

The sleds will be as reliable as your mechanical skills will allow. They are all over 30 years old and will need a complete going through, incuding crank seals, fuel system rehab, drive axle and idler wheel bearings, etc, etc...etc...

I hope this helps,
-Joe