Interesting questions and observations. Yes, it is my Healey. I suppose the first question is what was my goal.... it was/is to build a continuation Healey incorporating upgrades that would seem consistent with technology evolution and current world demands.....at the same time, to respect the ole tech. look as much as possible, the objective being that when I open the bonnet the "average" Healey guy wouldn't notice anything high tech. Donald and Geoff were always modifying and testing new things so it is certainly consistent with their spirit. Having said that, I admire and respect an original Healey, and that's what my last one was, this time I just wanted to take a different approach. The car is being built as a Works Rally replica so I felt that gave me a bit of a license to upgrade since no two Works Rally cars were exactly alike. And to the question, "why bother" ... because it's been a fun challenge and I thought it would make a great car even better.
Now technically, the SU's are gutted and act as throttle bodies, the injectors are Bosch disc style, the valve train is all stock.... in fact, the engine only has the following modifications: conversion to unleaded fuel, 20% lightened flywheel, performance quality dynamic balancer, mini starter, and 20 thou. overbore (needed this), a BJ8 cam, and, of course, the tricarb manifolds..... the entire engine is a fresh rebuild BUT all the development was done before the engine was rebuild so that if we messed something up it wasn't a big deal since the engine really needed a rebuild anyway.
Regarding "Toyota" sound, that must be the recording because I assure you it sounds like a Healey....it has side exhaust like the Works Rally cars....the only "Toyota" like characteristic is that it is amazingly smooth and the throttle response is very crisp.....not to mention key only cold starting (no choke, the computer handles it).
I appreciate your interest and I'm open to questions...and, yes, I know this isn't for everyone.
Cheers,
Steve