PW should talk to Ford

[bruciebabe]

When Ford management commissioned the new Jag V8 they handed over the competing V8s from Mercedes, BMW and Lexus and told the Jag engineers they had to beat all three for lightness, power and economy. This task was accomplished. This engine is now mass produced for the Jaguar XK8/ XJ8/ S type, the Discovery and the Lincoln LS. It only needs servicing every 10,000 miles with no mechanical tappets, is designed to last several hundred thousand miles, spares are freely and cheaply available worldwide, because it is mass produced it is relatively inexpensive to make.
I would love to have the engine out of my Jag transplanted into my Cerbera with a manual box and a TVR exhaust. The 4 litre gives 370 real bhp and the 4.2 gives 400 real bhp, you can reliably get a lot more out. With it's pyramid crank it's characteristics are closer to the traditional Rover V8 in previous TVRs so my Cerb would be more like a Griffith on steroids, which would not be a bad thing.
I'm sure Ford would listen, they supply Lee Noble and in America they sell crated engines to all and sundry. Whilst shopping at Ford PW might want to put some of their ABS, traction and airbag technology in his basket.

On a similar though unrelated topic, when, oh when are Caterham cars going to see sense and put the amazing Duratec engine into the 7? The enormous improvement in torque and drivability would be a revelation to owners of K engined cars.

[swilly]

bruciebabe said:

Whilst shopping at Ford PW might want to put some of their ABS, traction and airbag technology in his basket.

As long as they stayed in his basket and not in his cars then great.


Just outta interest, why not just stick a TVR interior and exhaust on a jag XKR and you'll be happy by the sound of it.

[bruciebabe]

swilly said:

bruciebabe said: Whilst shopping at Ford PW might want to put some of their ABS, traction and airbag technology in his basket. As long as they stayed in his basket and not in his cars then great. Just outta interest, why not just stick a TVR interior and exhaust on a jag XKR and you'll be happy by the sound of it.

Don't be daft. The Jag is a saloon car, the Cerb is a sports/GT. They do different jobs, that is why I have them both.
As for traction/ABS etc, it is easy to make them all switchable so then it would be each to their own. I must say that the corner braking stabilty management on the Jag is not at all intrusive, you can get the back out but still have the safety net. The traction control,however, intervenes a lot, what the car really needs is a Torsen type diff so it can put it's power down better. Trouble with that is it would put more numpties in the ditch.
It is still a fact that in many real world situations the Jag is faster than the Cerb, largely because of the electronics.
And the Jag engine would be fabulous in a Cerb.

[jeremyc]

bruciebabe said:

On a similar though unrelated topic, when, oh when are Caterham cars going to see sense and put the amazing Duratec engine into the 7? The enormous improvement in torque and drivability would be a revelation to owners of K engined cars.

They'll have to wait for their agreement with MG Rover/X Power to expire first.

Plenty of owners are building Duratec powered Caterhams at the moment - lets wait and see how they perform in the medium to long term.

I have no problems with the performance and drivability provided by my K series as I'm sure many of those who have had passenger rides with me (or indeed have been passed by me) on track days will testify.