TVR S1 - fumes...looks like excessive blowby.

[Stwdv]

Oh forgot to say best of luck whatever you chose to do and the guys on here are great and will support you all the way A huge body of knowledge here :-)

[greymrj]

See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Capri-2-8i-Cologne-... perhaps

[DamianS3]

The Cosworth 24v is a tried and tested conversion and as mentioned could give maybe 240bhp with the correct mods. I nearly went this way myself. So assuming you have a BOA 24v ecu and engine loom the cheapest way is to retain your existing gearbox if it's in good condition. Take exhaust manifolds off and power steering pump + alternator and the engine should bolt in. Mick can confirm but iirc you need to move the anti roll bar and relocate the alternator.

Next up custom exhaust manifolds (£500) and cooling system mods. Then a lot of work stripping the loom and integrating (I have some diagrams)

If you have a BOB engine you will need either a BOA inlet, loom and ECU (£500) or an aftermarket ECU + loom this is a good option but will be £1500 or so + mapping. This is a good option IMHO as the loom will be easy to fit and is guaranteed to work.

Don't forget brakes and suspension LSD etc

Throttle bodies by jenvey and stronger gearboxes (mt75 hybrid or t5) are available but cost.

So it's very possible but can get expensive.

Now the warning *** make sure your engine loom etc are in very good condition. Parts for these engines are rare and expensive timing gear especially chain £300 rocker gasket £50 rebuilt engine £2000

Done well it will be awesome and keep up with a 4l v8 but I reccomend an engine inspection first if you want to use a propper gearbox T5 I have a mustang bellhousing to mate to the v6.

Mick please correct the above and add your own experiance re wiring etc

Good luck whatever you do.

Damian S3 (duratech v6)

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi All, There is also the good old Rover V8, I'm sure it fits into a S1 without to many mods.

Alan

[greymrj]

Not sure about the V8, will need someone else to come in on that but isnt there a chassis difference and wouldnt the bonnet need changing?
Anyway, anything Chris does other than a straight replacement of the 2.8 will be a good deal more expensive and time consuming.

[glenrobbo]

greymrj said:

Not sure about the V8, will need someone else to come in on that but isnt there a chassis difference and wouldnt the bonnet need changing?
Anyway, anything Chris does other than a straight replacement of the 2.8 will be a good deal more expensive and time consuming.

And also require a higher level of technical expertise.
I think in this instance, it would be best to keep things as simple & straightforward as possible.

Chris, have you had a mechanic look at your bores & give his opinion? It may be that your engine isn't as poorly as you think. It may just need the bores honing and possibly a new set of piston rings. If the bores are scored, then a rebore & new oversze pistons would be the way to go. I wouldn't give up on an otherwise good engine, unless you can scource a KNOWN GOOD ENGINE at a reasonable pricen
Also, you never said what condition each spark plug was in when you first removed them to do your compression tests.

[greymrj]

Another 2.8 engine, with lots of bits with it. Not the cheapest but compared to a rebore and new pistons it is cheap! If I lived closer and had a little more space I would buy it as a spare.......but I already have one!

[cnprior]

Hello Chaps,

Thanks for the posts...really appreciate your feedback, encouragement and also wise words of caution !!
Posts will be a bit slow due to young kids and a lot of travel with work....but this is meant to be a hobby for me - and as such family comes first and garage second !!

However progress so far:-

I've pulled out the 2.8 engine....would have liked to have rebuilt this with a replacement as MrGrey suggested...but simply could not get hold of one at the right money. Agree with everything that has been written about the Cosworth engine.......I know they are expensive - as I had a 2WD YBB Sierra a few years ago (when a young lad !).....sort of feel it is like the younger Cosworths big brother and hopefully will make the right noises to the now grown up 'Big Kid'.

So I pulled out the engine, few pics attached for interest.....one of the problems after layup last winter during garage construction was the clutch - could not engage gear...funnily enough it was as I thought rusted to the flywheel and it was 'badly rusted'...see pictures.

I will sell the 2.8 engine to a good home with all ancillaries and connections......if anyone is interested please contact me.....I would like it to go to a good home that can help another TVR enthusiast.

Enjoy the pictures......next update soon to follow.

[cnprior]

[greymrj]

Hi Chris, you are a brave man but at least you are seeing it as a long term restoration/development project. There is certainly the expertize on the forum to help you.

I am 'reasonably' close to you (Preston, Lancashire), if the engine was the right price I might be interested in stripping it and 'recycling' bits to other TVR owners as possible. I am not desperate to take it on however, if there is someone nearer, as I already have two in bits. I am however conscious that they are getting harder to come by and I wouldnt like to lose potential TVR bits.