OK ladies and gentlemen - your ultimate 4.3 spec please
Discussion
Well, I can always bargain my way down from that depending on cost and complexity... 
Longstoryshort: although I won't get the post mortem before the week after next, it became obvious that the engine needs to be opened up (lowish (but hitherto stable) oil pressure becoming an acute concern on a clandestine Sunday night run - low loader home - engine starts and runs normally afterwards with same 30-35 psi cold oil pressure on idling as before). Don't think I destroyed any big parts, but apart from oil pump, probably bearings, possibly rings and a re-hone I'd say at 106,000 miles, the cam will be (over)due for replacement anyway.
This being a case of 'if you have lemons, you make lemonade' I'd like to seize the opportunity to make it a fire spitting, head banging, rev-like-a-bastard hammer of an RV8. I want to keep it a 4.3 and build on its (relative) revviness rather than going for a 5 litre (far too lairy, more suited to a Rangie IMHO) or larger. Either would take the project far beyond its scope a well as a 'reasonable' budget anyway.
This is strictly a weekend car, but I'd like it to remain sort of driveable in traffic an suitable for cross continental touring. Is it feasible to get this thing into 'TVR Monster territory' (i.e. a genuine 300+ bhp) on the Lucas CU14 injection? Should I go straight for a 404 or similar with solid tappets and adjustable pushrods or rockers, or stick with a hydraulic profile? Re'mapping' (not strictly that, but anyway) the CU14 and mechincal ignition gubbins is not such a problem over here - incidentally it's the same set up as what late Saab 900 Turbo 16 valvers use (albeit with half the number of cyls...).
What about the 4.3 heads (allegedly the best that TVR Power built, with O-rings and metal head gaskets and stuff)? What about the notion that most of them had bigger valves even if they weren't BV's? How do I know without/before dismantling the bugger?
I remember the Westfield SEight demonstrator back in '94 or so having a John Eales-built version of the 4.3 with a claimed 330 bhp - of course I'm not going to revert to carbies, but it would be interesting to learn about its spec.
Over to you good folks...
Longstoryshort: although I won't get the post mortem before the week after next, it became obvious that the engine needs to be opened up (lowish (but hitherto stable) oil pressure becoming an acute concern on a clandestine Sunday night run - low loader home - engine starts and runs normally afterwards with same 30-35 psi cold oil pressure on idling as before). Don't think I destroyed any big parts, but apart from oil pump, probably bearings, possibly rings and a re-hone I'd say at 106,000 miles, the cam will be (over)due for replacement anyway.
This being a case of 'if you have lemons, you make lemonade' I'd like to seize the opportunity to make it a fire spitting, head banging, rev-like-a-bastard hammer of an RV8. I want to keep it a 4.3 and build on its (relative) revviness rather than going for a 5 litre (far too lairy, more suited to a Rangie IMHO) or larger. Either would take the project far beyond its scope a well as a 'reasonable' budget anyway.
This is strictly a weekend car, but I'd like it to remain sort of driveable in traffic an suitable for cross continental touring. Is it feasible to get this thing into 'TVR Monster territory' (i.e. a genuine 300+ bhp) on the Lucas CU14 injection? Should I go straight for a 404 or similar with solid tappets and adjustable pushrods or rockers, or stick with a hydraulic profile? Re'mapping' (not strictly that, but anyway) the CU14 and mechincal ignition gubbins is not such a problem over here - incidentally it's the same set up as what late Saab 900 Turbo 16 valvers use (albeit with half the number of cyls...).
What about the 4.3 heads (allegedly the best that TVR Power built, with O-rings and metal head gaskets and stuff)? What about the notion that most of them had bigger valves even if they weren't BV's? How do I know without/before dismantling the bugger?
I remember the Westfield SEight demonstrator back in '94 or so having a John Eales-built version of the 4.3 with a claimed 330 bhp - of course I'm not going to revert to carbies, but it would be interesting to learn about its spec.
Over to you good folks...
cloggy said:
Ahhrgg, I thought you just bought her.
Yep, it's not even imported yet (hence the clandestine run
). It's a bit inconvenient especially with regards to finances - but as I said, with over 106,000 miles and no evidence of internal work to the engine whatsoever and this being a pre-serpentine, oil pump, cam and probably bearings would be due some time down the line anyway. I do believe I didn't destroy anything else... Oh, and as luck would have it the seller of the car is a performance engine builder who's worked at some interesting places - it was not his car, but he's been really supportive this far and if the engine needs to come out, it's going to be sent his way.
Just want to make the most of a less than desirable situation, and have this thing sorted before summer comes...
It's not that I'm a stranger to this kind of malheur anyway - the Saab had her engine bay emptied three times before it held together. It was worth it in the end though, what with 291 bhp and smooth 7K revving...
I'm not going to say it wont be possible with the 14cux system,but it will be far easier and more driveable with a different ecu and fully mappable fuel and ignition,also removing the afm will help greatly.
What you really ought to be thinking about is how the mods you do will affect driveability?
It isn't all about outright bhp.
What you really ought to be thinking about is how the mods you do will affect driveability?
It isn't all about outright bhp
.Heads & mappable ignition IMO... You will find out what your top end is like when you open it up Cant see anything to stop you enhancing all of the 4.3 engine ~ as long as you keep the stroke ~ if your engine builder/balancer can get hands on any goodies.. If you are addicted to the revs it always seems to come back to dispensing with the hydraulics tho... -14cux -afm leaves plenty of interesting possibilities with multi throttles.
Dave
Cant see anything to stop you enhancing all of the 4.3 engine ~ as long as you keep the stroke ~ if your engine builder/balancer can get hands on any goodies.. If you are addicted to the revs it always seems to come back to dispensing with the hydraulics tho... -14cux -afm leaves plenty of interesting possibilities with multi throttles. Dave
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