Great project.
These guys might be able to give you a few pointers.........


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5cvVS6V_HQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiXJlaor6Ss&fea...

I would go with the LS motor rather than the old iron blocks due to weight
Ian

Really not worth the hasstle of converting for a cheap old iron block 5.7 IMHO. It'll cost you a fortune to get everything converted properly & the car will be almost undrivable. The weight distribution isn't great with the light RV8!!!!!

You'd be better with a decent 2nd hand good RV8 bottom end & slapping a supercharger on it. Been done a few times.

Chap with a Cerb got a 2nd hand LS1 or 2 from the US a few years ago for £3300. Came complete with engine loom and 6 speed gearbox. Price above included hire of van to pick up from Felixstowe customs IIRC.
Nick

Thats why i love thses forums.

Ok so I will put my hands up and say I am not good with the spanners and as such sometimes what I want is not practicle as stated above.

I presume the RV8 as mentioned refers to the original engine?

On the assumption that it would cost a fortune to repalce all the other bits to match the chevy, surely I can gey the RV8 tuned? Its a big lump and must be capable of more than 190hp. Where or who would do that?

It really is very simple to up the capacity! I looked into this when I had my BGT V8, basically all the anicilliaries and the heads will fit, for example, a 3.9 block. I believe the 4.6 heads flow better than the 3.9/4.0 heads. Typically all these parts can be had cheap off fleabay, and the bigger capacity short engine will bolt straight onto your existing bellhousing. you'd need to be wary over certain components though as not ALL bits are compatible.. Advice from a good RV8 builder would be advisable, PM me if you need pointing in the right direction...

Chilli

How much power are you actually after? The ballpark figures for maximum achievable power outputs on a sensible budget and maintaining road driveability from a Rover V8 are roughly;

3.5 litre - 220-230bhp
3.9/4.0 litre - 270bhp
5.0 litre - ??? help me out here guys

A chap on the v8forum got 230bhp out of a 3.9 with just a cam swap, i've got 250bhp out of the same capacity with a kent h214 & flowbench developed heads (on small/standard valves tho').

If you're after much more than 350bhp, forced induction is probably the best option.

Forced induction meaning a supercharger? Like that idea

I would like to achive 300-350 bhp, am I aiming to high retaing the original 3.5?. That said I dont want to compromise the handling of the car by changing the weight distribution.

Changing the direction slightly. Ther car heads over to Cambridge tomorrow for work to start getting it running, are there any "Must Do" jobs that I need to get done in the restoration. I dont want to get to a TVR gathering and someone say, "I assume you upgraded this" you know missing the obvious?

Cheers
Andy

IIRC the lt77 gearbox is only rated for 280lb-ft of torque, a supercharged engine of 300-350bhp would no doubt have 300+ lb-ft of torque. The wedge also has a rear suspension setup where the driveshaft acts as the top wishbone, and the UJ's take a hammering as standard.

You'd be wise asking the same question in the wedge forum. Someone has a supercharged 3.5 on there.

Why is this not in the wedge section?

Realistically I think either fit a tuned 4.6 RV8 at say 260bhp or do the work on another car, maybe a 420SE. I think that 260 is pushing it for a 350i, you'd want everything to be in tip top condition and maybe fit better front brakes.

For 350bhp I'd think that you be looking at nearer £15K for perhaps a tuned 5.0 RV8, stiffer springs, matching shocks, uprated suspension arms, rose jointing, half shafts, UJs, wheels, tyres, modified bodywork, brakes, etc.