building a rover V8

[ceebmoj]

Hi all,

I have been thinking about building up a rover v8 to replace the existing v8 in my Marcos. I know that the sky is the limit with these things however I would like to attempt this on a modest budget how much will it cost and where should I be looking for advice tips And components?

Blake

[westyman]

Do a Google search for John Eales, RPI Engineering and Real Steel. As you say, the sky is the limit on budget, you should budget somewhere between expensive & astronomical.

[RushV8]

Check out V8 Developments , Spalding, Lincs (do a google search to find a link to their website). It is run by Ray Webb, who builds and races Rover V8s and is an expert engineer (his main engineering business helps to support the V8 Developments Ltd busness, which is his fun / hobby business). They did me a good deal on a brand new 4.6ltr V8 engine modified to give ~ 300BHP with Weber/Eddlebrock performer carb (if injected would be capable of > 300BHP). They are also "in to" kit cars / TVRs , and have a 1000BHP Dyno room - NICE.

[pitsnow]

Hi Blake

As you said, the sky is the limit.
How much could you / would you want to do yourself?
What engine size are you aiming for?
How much time have you got to convert the engine?
Do you want to keep it simple (carbs and dizzy) or do you want injection?

If you want a 3.9, you could always have a look at ebay for someone selling a engine that was already rebuilt. There are a lot of people out there that wanted to do the same as you and then lost interest somewhere down the line.
You should be able to pick-up a “good” 3.9 for about £750-1000
But there is always the risk of not knowing the state of the engine and quality of work done on it.
If you want a 4.6, make sure it is pressure tested before you commit to buy.
My estimate on a engine with Weber 500 carburettor, manifold, decent dizzy, new camshaft, new fuel pump, engine reconditioning and......allow for a minimum of £1800 if you do most of the work yourself.
To get a got second-hand short engine would be ~350-750 depending on size and state.

If you buy a turnkey engine, the scale starts at about £3500 for a 3.9 with everything in.
V8Tuner lists a 4.8 turnkey engine for £6350 (everything in)
DJE lists a fully rebuilt 3.5 tall motor (not complete) for £2575
J.E. Developments lists stripped engines (not complete) for £2850

Good luck with the rebuilt.
Cheers Peter

[ceebmoj]

hi,

to be honest I would like to do most of the rebuild my self to learn more about the engine and looking after it I have never worked on any thing bigger than a 4 pot before I assume it is the same + the same again and hence takes more time.

Been looking on eBay at blocks and bits there seams to be some bargains out there forgive my ignorance but with the larger capacity engines are the blocks bigger? I have a 3.5l at the moment from an SD1 does that make it a short block?

I do not want huge power (ok maybe I do) what sort of out put are you looking at with the different blocks capacities and what should I be looking out for in terms of stuff that can be wrong with them?

Thanks for all the info so far.

blake

[chrisx666]

'Short block' is normally the term given to a block that is sold without heads - nothing to do with it's size.

[ceebmoj]

hi,

thanks for the info.

blake