Is my 3.5 actually a 3.9?
Discussion
I was just reading on old thread on the 350se where it mentioned some engine numbers, as I have just got my log book I had the engine number to hand so with the aid of google I found this
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/content--name-Rover-V8...
my engine number is 37100939c, the only rover engines I can see on that list that the engine number starts 37 are chimera/discovery ones.
Its stated capacity is 3498 on the logbook (which is obviously wrong)
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/content--name-Rover-V8...
my engine number is 37100939c, the only rover engines I can see on that list that the engine number starts 37 are chimera/discovery ones.
Its stated capacity is 3498 on the logbook (which is obviously wrong)
Edited by gog440 on Wednesday 4th September 10:50
Bobby Shaftoe said:
Have a look here as well: http://www.v8forum.co.uk/engineno2.htm
It would seem to suggest the a 37 prefix engine number could be 3.5 3.9 or 5 litre
It would seem to suggest the a 37 prefix engine number could be 3.5 3.9 or 5 litre
I thought all the 350se cars were 3.9's..
There is a 350 se wiki..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVR_350SE
There is a 350 se wiki..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVR_350SE
Hi Andy..I didnt think yours was an SE?...Sounds like it might well have a 3.9..The power figure suggests it, A 350i will only give around 170-190bhp anything over is fairytale unless its had a change of cam and some head work!...Mind you if its come from MR T then it must be original... 
I once bought a 450SE but in the log book it stated 350. I took it to TVR Barnet when they were still around to find out why this happened. They said that TVR often put 350 even for 450's and showed me how to tell the difference.
Under the gear stick on the engine block there are a series of numbers and the centre figures indicate the cc. Also the plenum size is different. After verifying it was a 450 they gave me a letter and I sent it to DVLA and changed the cc on the V5.
Tony. TCB.
Under the gear stick on the engine block there are a series of numbers and the centre figures indicate the cc. Also the plenum size is different. After verifying it was a 450 they gave me a letter and I sent it to DVLA and changed the cc on the V5.
Tony. TCB.
gog440 said:
Oh well I think the answer is that only TVR know what they actually put in my car.
The dyno sheet suggests it might actually be a 3.9/4.0 with the power and torque it produced (228 bhp and 240lbft) but it is only a guess without stripping the engine and measuring the bore/stroke!
The standard 3.9 derivatives use the same stroke as the 3.5 so only the bore will tell you. Given the amount of frigging that these cars have endured over time it's entirely possible it's a 3.9 LandRover engine that someone has dropped in (they're cheap enough) and 'forgotten' to tell DVLA/ insurers...The dyno sheet suggests it might actually be a 3.9/4.0 with the power and torque it produced (228 bhp and 240lbft) but it is only a guess without stripping the engine and measuring the bore/stroke!
Yes I agree with zig, a 3.5 wont make over 200bhp unless its had serious work done on it and would be cheaper to stick a 3.9 in so not many would go to the trouble. I had a 3.5 on su carbs that had stage 2 heads fast cam lightened and balanced and got 195 out of it and the guy said it was one of the best 3.5 he had ever had on the rolling road!!
mrzigazaga said:
Hi Andy..I didnt think yours was an SE?...Sounds like it might well have a 3.9..The power figure suggests it, A 350i will only give around 170-190bhp anything over is fairytale unless its had a change of cam and some head work!...Mind you if its come from MR T then it must be original...
It definitely isnt an SE.I think
Even though it has an LSD and a spoiler and PAS
But it doesnt have the rear under bumper spoiler or the flared arches and sill extensions
mind you I suppose it is possible the original owner asked TVR to put the 3.9 and the diff in and keep the body standard 350
Bobby Shaftoe said:
228/240 would be a very good 3.5 or an average 3.9
What rpm did the engine make 228bhp at? If its close to 6k it's probably a 3.5, if its 5 to 5.5k its a 3.9
Oh and what did it make at the wheels, sometimes dyno operators are a little too eager to please and add on enormous transmission losses, best one i saw being a mates citroen AX GT which had 70 at the wheels but allegedly 150bhp at the fly, i'm surprised the gearbox didn't melt absorbing that 80bhp
The dyno run was at g force who I think are fairly reputable, I am away from home now so I cant check but from memory I think the max power was at around 6200rpmWhat rpm did the engine make 228bhp at? If its close to 6k it's probably a 3.5, if its 5 to 5.5k its a 3.9
Oh and what did it make at the wheels, sometimes dyno operators are a little too eager to please and add on enormous transmission losses, best one i saw being a mates citroen AX GT which had 70 at the wheels but allegedly 150bhp at the fly, i'm surprised the gearbox didn't melt absorbing that 80bhp
Mmmm...Power whispers...If you had a 3.9 then they produced 227bhp at new..A 4.0ltr around 275bhp..Whether these figures were acurrate or fluffed up a bit is agian another issue...However your wedge is what...26 years old?..Im pretty sure it would not of increased in power with age..Could a 4.0ltr loose as much as 40+BHP?...Possibly, Is there any history of engine work?...TBH i wouldnt be worrying if it is pulling like a train and making them kind of power figures...Just as long as you are not an original wedge only prude then just enjoy the fact that you have a V8... 
Edited by mrzigazaga on Wednesday 4th September 23:21
mrzigazaga said:
Mmmm...Power whispers...If you had a 3.9 then they produced 227bhp at new..A 4.0ltr around 275bhp..Whether these figures were acurrate or fluffed up a bit is agian another issue...However your wedge is what...26 years old?..Im pretty sure it would not of increased in power with age..Could a 4.0ltr loose as much as 40+BHP?...Possibly, Is there any history of engine work?...TBH i wouldnt be worrying if it is pulling like a train and making them kind of power figures...Just as long as you are not an original wedge only prude then just enjoy the fact that you have a V8...
I'm not fussed whether it is a 3.5,3.9 or a 4.0 I was just interested in finding out.Edited by mrzigazaga on Wednesday 4th September 23:21
I am just enjoying the speed and the noise
I cant see any evidence of engine work in the history.
gog440 said:
It definitely isnt an SE.
I think
Even though it has an LSD and a spoiler and PAS
But it doesnt have the rear under bumper spoiler or the flared arches and sill extensions
mind you I suppose it is possible the original owner asked TVR to put the 3.9 and the diff in and keep the body standard 350
I thought Mark was referring to a 350SE which was a 350i with a 3.9L engine... TVR did it to shift the last few 350-style bodyshells around 1990/91, allegedly. Most production was by that time moved over to the 'S' series cars, the Wedges were by and large the seriously-expensive and large-capacity ones like the 450SE.I think
Even though it has an LSD and a spoiler and PAS
But it doesnt have the rear under bumper spoiler or the flared arches and sill extensions
mind you I suppose it is possible the original owner asked TVR to put the 3.9 and the diff in and keep the body standard 350
If yours is an 'E'-plate then the 350i was still a current model alongside the 390SE so it's unlikely TVR offered, or that a buyer would ask for, a 350i-spec car with the 3.9L engine - at that time the 3.9L was a special, built to order (at a cost of several thousand) by NCK and would have one of their engine numbers.
LandRover had yet to introduce their version of the 3.9 which is what I suspect yours would be, if indeed it is one
Following on this post, to give you all an idea my 390 SE which has an excellent strong engine with the air/fuel ratio being spot on as confirmed by Austec Racing (stronlgy recommend them ) who recently dyno'd my wedge, produced 227bhp and 254 ft/lb torque.
So gog's figures of 227 would confirm that yes it is a 3.9
As Zig has said no 350i on earth could produce figures like that !!!
) who recently dyno'd my wedge, produced 227bhp and 254 ft/lb torque.So gog's figures of 227 would confirm that yes it is a 3.9
As Zig has said no 350i on earth could produce figures like that !!!
It is beginning to look as though someone in the last 20 odd years has swapped the 3.5 for a 3.9 or a 4.0 then. I only wanted to know partly out of interest and partly to make sure I bought the right bits in future.
When I get back on Saturday I will post up the dyno sheet and let those with more experience decide if it looks like a 3.5 or a 4 from that
When I get back on Saturday I will post up the dyno sheet and let those with more experience decide if it looks like a 3.5 or a 4 from that
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