Has anyone put a non-Speed Six engine in a Tuscan?
Discussion
I'm thinking about keeping on my Tuscan and gradually turning it into a track car, after enjoying my first track day for ages yesterday in the Corvette.
If I do that, it would be prudent to consider the need to replace the Speed Six after a while, much as it has run very well indeed in normal road use. If I end up doing that, it might be worth considering other engines that might be less harmed by track use. Any thoughts? Has anyone replaced the S6 with a Chevy LS block, for instance?
If I do that, it would be prudent to consider the need to replace the Speed Six after a while, much as it has run very well indeed in normal road use. If I end up doing that, it might be worth considering other engines that might be less harmed by track use. Any thoughts? Has anyone replaced the S6 with a Chevy LS block, for instance?
Where is the can of worms smiley? 
This is the thread of the SBC engine into a Tuscan road car. He tried measuring for an aluminium V8, but would not fit (car designed for straight 6 obviously) and the iron engine is smaller. Not as bad as first impressions, as iron is stronger, less is required and after all the much loved BMW M3 engine is a straight 6 with an iron block anyway.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=1&f=155&t=252912&h=0
Not as simple a job as many thought though, esp if you go beyond the levels of what a T5 gearbox may handle.
This is the thread of the SBC engine into a Tuscan road car. He tried measuring for an aluminium V8, but would not fit (car designed for straight 6 obviously) and the iron engine is smaller. Not as bad as first impressions, as iron is stronger, less is required and after all the much loved BMW M3 engine is a straight 6 with an iron block anyway.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=1&f=155&t=252912&h=0
Not as simple a job as many thought though, esp if you go beyond the levels of what a T5 gearbox may handle.
cheeky said:
I'm thinking about keeping on my Tuscan and gradually turning it into a track car, after enjoying my first track day for ages yesterday in the Corvette.
If I do that, it would be prudent to consider the need to replace the Speed Six after a while, much as it has run very well indeed in normal road use. If I end up doing that, it might be worth considering other engines that might be less harmed by track use. Any thoughts? Has anyone replaced the S6 with a Chevy LS block, for instance?
If I do that, it would be prudent to consider the need to replace the Speed Six after a while, much as it has run very well indeed in normal road use. If I end up doing that, it might be worth considering other engines that might be less harmed by track use. Any thoughts? Has anyone replaced the S6 with a Chevy LS block, for instance?
Why replace the S6 when it can be properly sorted for around the same cost as a transplant? Unless of course you are going to do the transplant yourself, which would save you the labour charges...
yzf1070 said:
cheeky said:
I'm thinking about keeping on my Tuscan and gradually turning it into a track car, after enjoying my first track day for ages yesterday in the Corvette.
If I do that, it would be prudent to consider the need to replace the Speed Six after a while, much as it has run very well indeed in normal road use. If I end up doing that, it might be worth considering other engines that might be less harmed by track use. Any thoughts? Has anyone replaced the S6 with a Chevy LS block, for instance?
If I do that, it would be prudent to consider the need to replace the Speed Six after a while, much as it has run very well indeed in normal road use. If I end up doing that, it might be worth considering other engines that might be less harmed by track use. Any thoughts? Has anyone replaced the S6 with a Chevy LS block, for instance?
Why replace the S6 when it can be properly sorted for around the same cost as a transplant? Unless of course you are going to do the transplant yourself, which would save you the labour charges...
The longevity/reliability of these rebuilds has yet to be proven, surely?
Has no-one except me suggested the Toyota 1JZ 2.5TT or 2JZ 3.0TT series engines? 280bhp from the 2.5 & 330 from the 3.0L being Toyota they do not go wrong & both can see the far side of 600bhp with surprisingly cheap modifications (relative to a speed six rebuild that is)
They came in the Soarer/Supra cars & are readily available, I am sure these would be an excellent fit too.
They came in the Soarer/Supra cars & are readily available, I am sure these would be an excellent fit too.
GingerNinja said:
The longevity/reliability of these rebuilds has yet to be proven, surely?
Christ there's a scratch in this record.....
Have you ever seen inside your Kwaka engine? (I assume you have a Ninja?) Well I can tell you its a hell of a lot better designed and built than the S6 is. It is based around years of road and race proven technology. The TVRCraft solutions are based around the very same type testing. Pick up any good modern 4 Stroke tuning literature and you will read advice on how put together similar type modifications. Sure they have not been tested in the S6 to destruction, but the common sense is there....Otherwise I would not have invested my money in their solution. I am not akin to throwing away my hard earned wonga...
The Speed 8 is a superb example of what good engineers can achieve, they are certainly talented chaps. I would probably have gone this route had Craft not been around. I prefer my Tusc to remain S6, but properly sorted once and for all. At least thats the aim and the chaps at TVRCraft are certainly talented and capable engineers. I certainly intend to post truthfully on my cars performance over the next year. I have just delayed its completion by a couple weeks in order to have a steel billet crank installed.
My spec: Take one 2000 Mk 1 Tuscan 34000 miles - 17k.
Then add:
AutoCraft/Al Melling designed
Stage two cylinder head.
2 x Redesigned Cams.
24 x Redesigned finger followers.
New Oil feed system to head.
6 x JE Forged Pistons.
Piston Rings.
Copper head gasket and Ferraday Sealing Rings.
Carrillo H Beam Rods.
Rod Bearings.
Main bearings.
Engine rebalance.
Oil Pump.
Hone Block.
A R P Head Stud Kit.
Seals.
4 Bolt main Conversion includes line boring hi tensile cap screw.
Bolts for main caps.
Craft designed Super Clutch kit inc thrust and flywheel modified bellhousing.
TKO600 gearbox.
Heat Shields.
You're looking at around £16k inc VAT/labour and R&D.
How many years depreciation is that on a new one?
Al.
Then add:
AutoCraft/Al Melling designed
Stage two cylinder head.
2 x Redesigned Cams.
24 x Redesigned finger followers.
New Oil feed system to head.
6 x JE Forged Pistons.
Piston Rings.
Copper head gasket and Ferraday Sealing Rings.
Carrillo H Beam Rods.
Rod Bearings.
Main bearings.
Engine rebalance.
Oil Pump.
Hone Block.
A R P Head Stud Kit.
Seals.
4 Bolt main Conversion includes line boring hi tensile cap screw.
Bolts for main caps.
Craft designed Super Clutch kit inc thrust and flywheel modified bellhousing.
TKO600 gearbox.
Heat Shields.
You're looking at around £16k inc VAT/labour and R&D.
How many years depreciation is that on a new one?
Al.
cheeky said:
What has it cost you, if you don't mind me asking?
A hell of a lot more than this, but my application is for a completely different purpose. The work that has gone in to the supercharger installation has increased the number of components that needed to be replaced. The engine is basically all new except the major castings, everything has been replaced as has much of the running gear and engine ancillaries. Many folk are looking at buying a second hand Tuscan for what my project is costing. Its a passion thing for something thats different.
I think you can buy the individual redesigned/strengthened components now for whatever you need and get any mechanic you choose to fit them. If remember from the cost breakdown, the four bolt main caps were the most expensive mod aside from the head. Give Dave a call - he'll give you a breakdown of costs.
Edited by TUSC-AL on Wednesday 6th September 14:21
cheeky said:
I'm thinking about keeping on my Tuscan and gradually turning it into a track car, after enjoying my first track day for ages yesterday in the Corvette.
If I do that, it would be prudent to consider the need to replace the Speed Six after a while, much as it has run very well indeed in normal road use. If I end up doing that, it might be worth considering other engines that might be less harmed by track use. Any thoughts? Has anyone replaced the S6 with a Chevy LS block, for instance?
If I do that, it would be prudent to consider the need to replace the Speed Six after a while, much as it has run very well indeed in normal road use. If I end up doing that, it might be worth considering other engines that might be less harmed by track use. Any thoughts? Has anyone replaced the S6 with a Chevy LS block, for instance?
Have a chat to Speed Eight about the small block install. Estimated £10.5k for the 425bhp turnkey install which includes a new gearbox and clutch. It assumes an estimated 2.5k for selling a broken engine, but you might well do better since your engine isn't broken.
Steve.
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