mods to improve a 280i engine

[cfsah]

I live in near the middle of nowhere in British Columbia Canada where nobody has ever heard of TVR, let alone a 280i. Are there any websites in the UK that talk about mods to this engine. I just had a valve job done..The car is a driving car, definitely not a show car. By the way, I run it in the garage regularly but won't expose it to the road salt and snow.(We Canucks all live in igloos!) My daughter lives up in Newcastle so I can arrange to get some parts sent to me

thank you
Jim
(C-FSAH the aircraft that I soloed on)

[leorest]

Jim
Here is a selection from my I.E. favourites in no particular order.
www.actproducts.co.uk/
www.moore-racing.com/
www.austec.co.uk/
www.t-v-r-services.co.uk/
Had a vehicle inspection done by Tower View many years ago. Learnt a lot and bought my bible from them.
www.soi.city.ac.uk/~nick/
www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk/
Lots of useful info and technical articles.
www.rtracing.co.uk/
I've used RT a few times (when they were called Wedge Automotive) and can recommend them.
www.tvrbooks.co.uk/
Home of the Bible. Say no more! Except to say, GET ONE!!

Admittedly most are biased towards the rover V8 but some will no doubt be of use.
As I understand it the 280 engine is unmodified from that fitted to a 280 Ford Capri so you might try asking in the PH Ford forum…
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?f=129&h=0

Hope this helps and best of luck
Leo

[Graham]

The best mod we did to the race car was to junk the fuel injection and fit a carb.

the standard exhaust manifolds are also crap and there is some scope for opening out the ports to let the motor breath better..

if your after reliability then replace the fibre timing gears with steel...



G

[grady]

Welcome aboard

Generally speaking, there seem to be 4 stages of improvement. Assuming everything is working properly now

Stage 1 - revamp the exhaust into a true dual exhaust (yours may already be that way)
Stage 2 - find some rare non-Siamesed mustang heads and replace the FI with a carburetor set-up, balance everything, etc.
Stage 3 - replace the V-6 and put in a Ford V-8 and a T-5 transmission (although there are some turbo-alternative you can read about on this forum)
Stage 4 - buy one of the now only 2 Rover V-8 in Canada

The problem is the the existing engine has breathing problems and (other than the rare mustang heads) nothing can really be done about it. On the bright side, the engine was used in the Mustang II and Capri in the 70s (and the Ranger pick up truck in the 80s).

I have found that you can get parts at good auto supply stores if you tell them it's for a Mustang or Capri but Ford itself is not a good source. The 2.8 is no longer listed in their regular computer/inventory system. Troll eBay for the old Hayes manuals, there are also helpful and can prove your case with the counter guy.

A good and knowledgeable source of 2.8 engine parts over here is Norm at www.teamblitz.com and there is a 2.8L forum (based on the Ranger truck) at www.therangerstation.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=6

Of course the archive of this forum are great and as mentioned, Steve's bible is a must have. The US TVR club also has very useful parts and tip books. http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=tvr

More than you wanted to know... Grady

>> Edited by grady on Wednesday 15th December 16:27

[nads]

Stuff here about turbos and some other general mods...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=1&f=12&t=128295&h=0
Nads