Morris minor v8 project good idea?
Discussion
Usual complications:
Alterations of bulkhead, gearbox tunnel & prop tunnel
Engine mount locations
What gearbox? I'll presume Rover v8 and Rover SD1 box, so you'll have to work out how far forward/back it will all fit so you don't end up with a gearstick in the middle of the rear seats.
Rear Axle? Austin A30 I've heard can be quite strong, and then you've got to consider how to mount that.
ETA:
And you're going to have to think about the front suspension aswell, the standard torsion bar stuff will be terrible so maybe graft front end suspension on from something else??
Also, it might be worth trying to get hold of a morris minor pickup, as they have a ladder frame chassis so are easier to work with. Although these are rarer and will probably end up with the Moggy Owners Clube lynch mob on you...
Alterations of bulkhead, gearbox tunnel & prop tunnel
Engine mount locations
What gearbox? I'll presume Rover v8 and Rover SD1 box, so you'll have to work out how far forward/back it will all fit so you don't end up with a gearstick in the middle of the rear seats.
Rear Axle? Austin A30 I've heard can be quite strong, and then you've got to consider how to mount that.
ETA:
And you're going to have to think about the front suspension aswell, the standard torsion bar stuff will be terrible so maybe graft front end suspension on from something else??
Also, it might be worth trying to get hold of a morris minor pickup, as they have a ladder frame chassis so are easier to work with. Although these are rarer and will probably end up with the Moggy Owners Clube lynch mob on you...
Edited by wombat172a on Wednesday 24th June 10:49
Go for it. This has been done before, the most memorable MM V8 I ever saw was Nick Mann’s incredible version. He could drive it as well 
http://photo.livevideo.com/photo/nick-mann-s-v8-mi...
http://photo.livevideo.com/photo/nick-mann-s-v8-mi...
It will fit but there is a hell of a lot of work to do and you will end up with a very heavy front end, all power and no handling. There are far better engine choices for a Morris around (not dissing the RV8, just that the packaging will mean that you are driving the thing from the rear seats.)
Nissan 200sx engine will fit easily and will give good performance for not alot of weight. easily tunable too.
Subaru flat 4. Morris Minors were designed to have a flat four engine. I have measured this engine up before and it is (just) doable!
Cosworth V6 (scorpio) Very revvy, reliable and cheap.
S2000 engine and 'box. Nuff said.
MX5 engine and 'box. compact revvy, enough power to have fun but not overkill.
Personally I would think about trying to retain some of the handling by going with a lighter engine/'box combination. Out of those listed above the MX5 would be easiest, with the Subaru being the most difficult(but not impossible). Unless you want a drag racing special, in which case chevvy big block, 'charger and bottomless pockets. I tried to sell the idea of an MX5 powered one to my Dad and I came out with costings of just under a grand for everything including the donor vehicle. That was to do engine, 'box and rear suspension.
With reference to the torsion bar front end comments above, You could get a set of dampers with springs to put between the lower arm and the inner wing. The original damper will be useless by now and is only really there to be used as the top link. This is possible to do, My Dad designed all the series III kit when he worked at the Morris Minor Centre in Bath.
Nissan 200sx engine will fit easily and will give good performance for not alot of weight. easily tunable too.
Subaru flat 4. Morris Minors were designed to have a flat four engine. I have measured this engine up before and it is (just) doable!
Cosworth V6 (scorpio) Very revvy, reliable and cheap.
S2000 engine and 'box. Nuff said.
MX5 engine and 'box. compact revvy, enough power to have fun but not overkill.
Personally I would think about trying to retain some of the handling by going with a lighter engine/'box combination. Out of those listed above the MX5 would be easiest, with the Subaru being the most difficult(but not impossible). Unless you want a drag racing special, in which case chevvy big block, 'charger and bottomless pockets. I tried to sell the idea of an MX5 powered one to my Dad and I came out with costings of just under a grand for everything including the donor vehicle. That was to do engine, 'box and rear suspension.
With reference to the torsion bar front end comments above, You could get a set of dampers with springs to put between the lower arm and the inner wing. The original damper will be useless by now and is only really there to be used as the top link. This is possible to do, My Dad designed all the series III kit when he worked at the Morris Minor Centre in Bath.
ajprice said:
My dad saw one at a show a few weeks ago, the whole body was widened on it. I don't mean wide arches, I mean the whole body had an extra few inches down the middle from front to back. I'll try to get photos up.
They all had 4 inches added in from manufacture. The design looked distinctly odd before. that is the "stripe" in the bonnet.If you're serious, the man you want to speak to is PistonHeader John Beardmore.
Hell of an engineer; knows a thing or two about modified Minors and built his own, road-legal Reliant Kitten V8 at an age when many of us were still learning basic car maintenance.
Hell of an engineer; knows a thing or two about modified Minors and built his own, road-legal Reliant Kitten V8 at an age when many of us were still learning basic car maintenance.
XJR40 said:
I've heard of folks putting the 1.4 K-series in before, probably more sensible but less fun than the V8...
Yeah, hadn't even thought about them. That or the zetec route. Reliable, cheap and plentiful.There are so many easier options than the RV8.
Saab 2.3 turbo with an omega manual 'box. Would fit too. Reliable 450hp with the right mods.
Audi 5 cylinder engine. Very strong bottom end. Every engine mod has been done before so there should be plenty of knowledge around.
PPC magazine is doing a MKII escort with the saab engine. They are using a cut down volvo 240 axle. LSD as standard.
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