AM V8 Manual Gear Box Conversion And Engine Transplants

[neutral 3]

Anyone know what's involved I'n changing from Auto to Manual ? Ie Which Box , Diff Ratio change , Radiator etc etc .

I also seem to recall some years ago an AM V8 that had had a 350 Corvette Engine fitted I'n place of it's knackered And Horrifically costly to rebuild Aston Lump , anyone else remember it ?

[dinkel]

Aston V8 with a Chevy in? Ugh . . .

[roscobbc]

I remember that one - saw it down the Dick Turpin a few times.

[a8hex]

dinkel said:

Aston V8 with a Chevy in? Ugh . . .

Aren't their laws against things like that?

Surely the whole point of an V8 Aston, is to have that massive great lump of Newport Pagnell engineering with the plaque on the top detailing the engine builder. The rest is just a trolley designed to keep the engine off the floor.

[dinkel]

That engine is the whole point of the car . . .

[neutral 3]

Yes ROSCO, think that's the one !

And as for the Original 5.3 Lump Vs 5.7 Litres of Chevy Corvette 4 Bolt Main , Huge Aftermarket Back up , An easy reliable and Inexpensive 375 HP Plus , Via an Edelbrock Performer Cam , Inlet , Headers , Alloy Heads etc , know what I would rather have under the bonnet .

[medieval]

On the very edge of and possibly beyod my envelope of knowledge but isn't it the ZF five speed box that tends to be used in such conversions?

[Hooli]

a8hex said:

dinkel said:

Aston V8 with a Chevy in? Ugh . . .

Aren't their laws against things like that?

Surely the whole point of an V8 Aston, is to have that massive great lump of Newport Pagnell engineering with the plaque on the top detailing the engine builder. The rest is just a trolley designed to keep the engine off the floor.

It's not an Aston without an Aston lump in it.

[williamp]

neutral 3 said:

Yes ROSCO, think that's the one !

And as for the Original 5.3 Lump Vs 5.7 Litres of Chevy Corvette 4 Bolt Main , Huge Aftermarket Back up , An easy reliable and Inexpensive 375 HP Plus , Via an Edelbrock Performer Cam , Inlet , Headers , Alloy Heads etc , know what I would rather have under the bonnet .

dont forget the chrome engine parts too...

There are others with jaguar units in them- one a DBS with a V12, others with the inline six. Mins you, I have also seen a DBS with the later "twin headlihgt" front, oscar India trim, gearbox conversion and the V8 engine installed. Why he didnt just buy an original oscar india V8 I'll never know...

As for the conversion, the original ZF 5 speed is quite a rare find these days (like some other parts for the V8), so you may need to look for the gearbox used in the twin blower vantage (from a Corvette), or some other gearbox. The problem then, of course is manufacturing a bespoke bellhousing to fit. A more popular option is to uprate the auto box- G whitehouse in Birmingham do conversions to a 4 or 5 speed auto.

As for converting, of course you can: you only need money. And Aston themselves were always changing the axle ratios, so you could find one to suit your needs: a 2.88, 3.54 etc etc. or with a 6 speed box, something very tall for very relaxed commuting.

If I won the lottery, I would get a V8 and install the later engine from the V8 Coupe (mid 90s) and a modern 5/6 speed auto. Lots of underseal and sound proofing (the engine will still be loud enough for when I want it), modern aircon, modern seats trimmed by Aston. In short, a 21st century V8. And I'd use it every day. Perfect for the commute and the fun.

[LoudV8]

^^^ I know of a V600 engine complete with twin blowers and electronics sitting on a pallet.....

[dinkel]

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/52124449@N07/6118...

Yum!

[bigblock]

neutral 3 said:

And as for the Original 5.3 Lump Vs 5.7 Litres of Chevy Corvette 4 Bolt Main , Huge Aftermarket Back up , An easy reliable and Inexpensive 375 HP Plus , Via an Edelbrock Performer Cam , Inlet , Headers , Alloy Heads etc , know what I would rather have under the bonnet .

Then I think you should buy a Corvette.

[madmover]

Not for me im afraid, would take the 'Aston Martin' Away from it... all about quality british engineering, yes its expensive... for a reason. I cant imagine it would be much more expensive than getting an LS7 conversion although i dont know about that as i can only speak for the prices of an LS7 conversion and dont have much idea about the price of the aston engines. But at a glance to me it wouldnt sound like a worthwhile exercise.... not to mention the resale value.

[williamp]

Have a look at this for sale:

A DBS V8 with the twin screw 550 engine in it:

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...

See Martyn. It will fit!!!

[LoudV8]

Wow, just wow. I didn't realise someone had actually done it. Could do with some better pictures.

[a8hex]

LoudV8 said:

Wow, just wow. I didn't realise someone had actually done it. Could do with some better pictures.

Definitely need better pictures.

Now what was someone saying about a V600 lump?

[dinkel]

williamp said:

Have a look at this for sale:

A DBS V8 with the twin screw 550 engine in it:

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...

This one for me please:
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...