Beach buggy engine change.
Discussion
Hi everyone, just looking for a bit of input / advice as I can’t make up my mind.
I have a gp1 beach buggy on a1972 beetle chassis, with a 1983 rover V8 & 4 barrel Holley. The oil pump recently failed quickly producing a nasty tapping sound. I’ve been told it could be a pricey rebuild. My quandary is this:
Do I bother fixing fixing this engine? I’m told there are better engines to fit.
I’m not that fussed on putting a vw air cooled in due to the huge cost of a sporty one which I will need if I want it to be anywhere near as quick as the V8. Besides you’d expect a vw engine & I like to be different. (Crazy)
Some have said fit a Honda 2.0 vtec, then some say no way fit a Honda, introducing an ecu could be a future expensive problem.
“Go for an older engine” 2.5 v6 & so on.......
Your thoughts please.
I have a gp1 beach buggy on a1972 beetle chassis, with a 1983 rover V8 & 4 barrel Holley. The oil pump recently failed quickly producing a nasty tapping sound. I’ve been told it could be a pricey rebuild. My quandary is this:
Do I bother fixing fixing this engine? I’m told there are better engines to fit.
I’m not that fussed on putting a vw air cooled in due to the huge cost of a sporty one which I will need if I want it to be anywhere near as quick as the V8. Besides you’d expect a vw engine & I like to be different. (Crazy)
Some have said fit a Honda 2.0 vtec, then some say no way fit a Honda, introducing an ecu could be a future expensive problem.
“Go for an older engine” 2.5 v6 & so on.......
Your thoughts please.
The Rover V8 is plentiful & cheap.
Just buy & fit another complete used running engine.
Remove its existing fuel system - take the inlet manifold off - & swap your Holley & its inlet manifold onto it.
Swap over any other necessary bits from your old engine & fit.
No reason why you couldn't DIY it.
Just buy & fit another complete used running engine.
Remove its existing fuel system - take the inlet manifold off - & swap your Holley & its inlet manifold onto it.
Swap over any other necessary bits from your old engine & fit.
No reason why you couldn't DIY it.
Edited by paintman on Friday 14th December 00:06
paintman said:
The Rover V8 is plentiful & cheap.
Just buy & fit another complete used running engine.
Remove its existing fuel system - take the inlet manifold off - & swap your Holley & its inlet manifold onto it.
Swap over any other necessary bits from your old engine & fit.
^This......its a no brainer really.Just buy & fit another complete used running engine.
Remove its existing fuel system - take the inlet manifold off - & swap your Holley & its inlet manifold onto it.
Swap over any other necessary bits from your old engine & fit.
If it was mine, I'd stick with the V8.
Find a suitable used motor, and its a straight swap over for you, if you want an easy life !
If you want to keep the buggy for years to come, get your motor rebuilt ?
Transplanting another engine will mean time, money, and lots of hassle .......
Put a picture up for us ?
Find a suitable used motor, and its a straight swap over for you, if you want an easy life !
If you want to keep the buggy for years to come, get your motor rebuilt ?
Transplanting another engine will mean time, money, and lots of hassle .......
Put a picture up for us ?
sim16v said:
Buy a rotten/crashed Land Rover or Range Rover, bigger version of your V8, more torque, more power.
Sell parts you don't need, scrap the rest, could end up cost neutral.
Happy days.
Any v8 in a beach buggy is overpowered, the 90% / 10% weight distribution doesn’t help.Sell parts you don't need, scrap the rest, could end up cost neutral.
Happy days.
One for the brave
austinsmirk said:
you might find that putting a VW engine back, even low powered, might actually be nicer to have- it might handle better and be relatively as quick, due to the huge weight of the V8.
I guess the days of £200, running 1600cc lumps are long gone though !
The Rover V8 weighs much less than you think , only 25lbs heavier than a MGB lump .I guess the days of £200, running 1600cc lumps are long gone though !
As a rear engined set up it doesn’t need a pas or aircon pump so that helps to keep the weight down .
grumpy52 said:
The Rover V8 weighs much less than you think , only 25lbs heavier than a MGB lump .
As a rear engined set up it doesn’t need a pas or aircon pump so that helps to keep the weight down .
They are ludicrously tail heavy even with a standard engine. Adding the V8 and associate cooling and exhaust will just make it worse. But wheelies look good.As a rear engined set up it doesn’t need a pas or aircon pump so that helps to keep the weight down .
Suspension is tricky too, keeping the engine from hitting the ground while keeping the handling reasonably sane.
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