LV570 (chevy V8 engined 7)
Discussion
Just read about this on the Kit Car Show news article (brands next weeked), I was thinking along similar lines as I have a supercharged chevy lump gathering dust at the moment and a real hankering for a seven type car. I had discounted the idea of a yank V8-powered roller skate as being too nose-heavy, totally opposed to what a seven should be all about - it seems someone has actually done it though!
I'll be going along to the show to check this thing out as I'm intrigued, but I can't see how it can possibly be a decent drive? Anyone know any more about it?
I'll be going along to the show to check this thing out as I'm intrigued, but I can't see how it can possibly be a decent drive? Anyone know any more about it?
Depends how far forward the engine is in the chassis. If they've managed to get the engine well back behind the front axle line, and the weight is distributed evenly, then it should be ok. It'll weigh 700 - 800 kg instead of 500-600kg, but it'll be at least 150bhp up on your usual seven. And think of the noise 
My project involves putting a Ford 302 V8 in what is essentially a 7 chassis built from heavier gauge material.
The installation isn't pain free, still fighting mine. But the entire engine ends up behind the front wheels, and probably a little lower than most of the 4 cylinder installations. I would expect a slightly forward biased weight distribution, but not significant.
Heavier than your average 7 at the end of the day, but still lighter than say an elise.
The hardest part in a 7 would be making body work that fits and doesn't look silly.
My build will also have much larger wheels/tires than your average 7, and I couldn't imagine trying to put that much torque down through skinny 14 or 15 inch wheels.
The installation isn't pain free, still fighting mine. But the entire engine ends up behind the front wheels, and probably a little lower than most of the 4 cylinder installations. I would expect a slightly forward biased weight distribution, but not significant.
Heavier than your average 7 at the end of the day, but still lighter than say an elise.
The hardest part in a 7 would be making body work that fits and doesn't look silly.
My build will also have much larger wheels/tires than your average 7, and I couldn't imagine trying to put that much torque down through skinny 14 or 15 inch wheels.
Mate of mine has built a Chevvy Westfield with the folowing engine:
6.6 ltr 400ci
DART Racing Aluminium Block & Alloy Proformer Heads
Alloy water pump
Mallory magnetic distributor.
Hi torque Mini starter
Forged steel crank and steel H beam rods
Roller camshaft, upgraded bearings and roller lifters & anodised roller rockers.
One set of polished rocker covers.
Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons
Lightened & Full reciprocating balance
Edelbrock 750cfm Carb
MSD Rev limiter @6500rpm
500bhp @5500 rpm
460lb/ft @3500 rpm
Some pics here: http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=c4a812396404d393a8872b7d0ca64b35;act=ST;f=1;t=31223
6.6 ltr 400ci
DART Racing Aluminium Block & Alloy Proformer Heads
Alloy water pump
Mallory magnetic distributor.
Hi torque Mini starter
Forged steel crank and steel H beam rods
Roller camshaft, upgraded bearings and roller lifters & anodised roller rockers.
One set of polished rocker covers.
Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons
Lightened & Full reciprocating balance
Edelbrock 750cfm Carb
MSD Rev limiter @6500rpm
500bhp @5500 rpm
460lb/ft @3500 rpm
Some pics here: http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=c4a812396404d393a8872b7d0ca64b35;act=ST;f=1;t=31223
seight said:
Mate of mine has built a Chevvy Westfield with the folowing engine:
6.6 ltr 400ci
DART Racing Aluminium Block & Alloy Proformer Heads
Alloy water pump
Mallory magnetic distributor.
Hi torque Mini starter
Forged steel crank and steel H beam rods
Roller camshaft, upgraded bearings and roller lifters & anodised roller rockers.
One set of polished rocker covers.
Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons
Lightened & Full reciprocating balance
Edelbrock 750cfm Carb
MSD Rev limiter @6500rpm
500bhp @5500 rpm
460lb/ft @3500 rpm
Some pics here: http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=c4a812396404d393a8872b7d0ca64b35;act=ST;f=1;t=31223
That's tasty. I want one (with twin turbo's of course!)
My engine has a Weiand supercharger sat on top of it, and then a bloody great Enderle scoop sat on top of the Holley 750 carb on the top of that, seeing out of the car may be a problem but it's certainly a unique proposition!
Seriously though, my sbc is iron block and heads, which may cause a bit of excitement when it comes to steering the thing (500kg car . . . PLUS a 500KG engine up front!). Plus this whole seven thing is meant to be getting me away from big tyre and fuel bills! Still a very interesting idea though, I will have to try and blag a drive in their demo car
Seriously though, my sbc is iron block and heads, which may cause a bit of excitement when it comes to steering the thing (500kg car . . . PLUS a 500KG engine up front!). Plus this whole seven thing is meant to be getting me away from big tyre and fuel bills! Still a very interesting idea though, I will have to try and blag a drive in their demo car
aww999 said:
Just read about this on the Kit Car Show news article (brands next weeked), I was thinking along similar lines as I have a supercharged chevy lump gathering dust at the moment and a real hankering for a seven type car. I had discounted the idea of a yank V8-powered roller skate as being too nose-heavy, totally opposed to what a seven should be all about - it seems someone has actually done it though!
I'll be going along to the show to check this thing out as I'm intrigued, but I can't see how it can possibly be a decent drive? Anyone know any more about it?
I've designed a rolling chassis specifically aimed at making a useable V8 powered 7 ish thing. It's wider (6 foot 4 at the rear, 6 foot across the front) and longer wheelbase (98"
and is very strong indeed, built to FIA drag race standards by Webster Race Engineering, with the engine placed fully behind the front wheels. The theory was a super sized seven, able to handle as well as it accelerates. I plan to circuit race and drag race it to prove the potential. Time will tell I guess as to how well it works. I have used the LS1, the all new aluminium Chevy small block, which shall be tuned considerably. See "The Kit Car Design thread" for pics
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=180769&f=30&h=0&p=5
PS - impressed with the installation in the Westie. It's a tight fit, but well worth it!!
Nicely done!
Ever taken it to the drag strip?
eliot said:
Mate of mine has built a Chevvy Westfield with the folowing engine:
6.6 ltr 400ci
 DART Racing Aluminium Block & Alloy Proformer Heads
 Alloy water pump
 Mallory magnetic distributor.
 Hi torque Mini starter
 Forged steel crank and steel H beam rods
 Roller camshaft, upgraded bearings and roller lifters & anodised roller rockers.
 One set of polished rocker covers.
 Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons
 Lightened & Full reciprocating balance
 Edelbrock 750cfm Carb
 MSD Rev limiter @6500rpm
 500bhp @5500 rpm
 460lb/ft @3500 rpm
Some pics here: <a href="http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=</a>
That's tasty. I want one (with twin turbo's of course!)
Thank you
Barry Ashcroft said:
Mate of mine has built a Chevvy Westfield with the folowing engine:
6.6 ltr 400ci
 DART Racing Aluminium Block & Alloy Proformer Heads
 Alloy water pump
 Mallory magnetic distributor.
 Hi torque Mini starter
 Forged steel crank and steel H beam rods
 Roller camshaft, upgraded bearings and roller lifters & anodised roller rockers.
 One set of polished rocker covers.
 Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons
 Lightened & Full reciprocating balance
 Edelbrock 750cfm Carb
 MSD Rev limiter @6500rpm
 500bhp @5500 rpm
 460lb/ft @3500 rpm
Some pics here: <a href="http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=</a>
That's tasty. I want one (with twin turbo's of course!)
Thank you
Barry, I write for American Car World magazine, and would like to put a picture of your car and some information about it is the magazine. Would you be up for that? If so, send me a private message and we'll sort something out. And have you ever taken it up the drag strip?
Nothing wrong with a big V8 in a 7 chassis, as long as it has enough room and torsional strength to cope with such a big lump. I have a 300BHP 4.6tlr Rover V8 Dax Rush, and weight distribution is nearly 50/50, and traction is amazingly good (even with the narrower 235 rear tyres / rims), and handling is excellent. I am aware of 2 Rushes with iron block yank V8's , one is an LPG fueled Chevy , the other had an 8ltr Buick engine. I think both used corvette rear transmission which could (a) cope with the extra grunt, and (b) helped to maintaina near 50/50 weight distribution.
[quote=RUSHV8]I am aware of 2 Rushes with iron block yank V8's , one is an LPG fueled Chevy , the other had an 8ltr Buick engine. /quote]
There should be an ls1 powered rush up and running by now and I'm building a darton 427/ls7 for a dax cobra. The rush is a very suitable chassis for a v8 imo, just wish I had one.
Boosted.
There should be an ls1 powered rush up and running by now and I'm building a darton 427/ls7 for a dax cobra. The rush is a very suitable chassis for a v8 imo, just wish I had one.
Boosted.
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