Cerbera Blasphemy

[Storer]

Has anyone fitted an LS9 into a Cerbera or is it not possible?

I have no plans yet. Any work on my Cerbera is at least 12 months away due to other commitments but I am thinking during my (few) idle hours.....

I love the character of Cerbera 4.5V8 but the reliability and ease of use of the LS7 in my Ultima is making me wonder about fitting something similar when I rebuild the car.

I know this may be considered sacrilege to many but I want to be able to use the car without concerns or big bills.

[Jhonno]

Storer said:

I know this may be considered sacrilege to many but I want to be able to use the car without concerns or big bills.

But you want to spend 20-30k dropping an LS9 in?! Will take a rather long time for payback on that one..

[gruffalo]

My opinion is that while a good engine in a much heavier car it ruins the character of the Cerbera.

As for reliability the engine in my Cerb has never let me down in over 50k miles of owning it.

[Storer]

The AJP engine has a soul and character all of it's own and when working well it is a great engine. It suits the car well and mine still runs but needs work.

My whole car needs a refurb and (during my quiet moments) thinking about my alternatives moving forward.

The car would benefit from a full restoration, which is where my indecision comes in. The LS engine is a great powerhouse. Simple, plenty of torque, can sound great with the right exhaust, reliable - even if abused slightly, cheap to buy and fettle. An LS9 is overkill for a Cerbera TBH. An LS7 or tuned LS3 would be sufficient. The rest of the drivetrain would need upgrading due to the increased torque but you would end up with a car with no cooling, fueling or valve train issues.
It would be slightly heavier - maybe 100 to 150kgs at most - but with 25% more power and at least that much more torque.

We all know that TVR should not have built their own engines. It killed the company. The LS engine range was the logical choice for cost and grunt reasons. But pride can be a cruel thing in business.

My Ultima is far from standard so I am not a stranger to adopting this attitude. I know it may not be popular with TVR die hards, but I like to use my cars (the Ultima has been to Le Mans for the past 5 years). I want to be able to do the same with the TVR without the doubt I will make it back.

I am not decided yet, just thinking my options through.

[jamieduff1981]

Hmm. Whilst many consider the Chevy LS as the engine TVR should have used, I can confidently state that I would never have looked twice at a Cerbera if they were LS powered. I'm sure quite a few others have been attracted to later model TVRs specifically to get the charismatic and visceral TVR engines.

It's just an obscure car made poorly in a shed without the AJP8 or Speed Six.

[Wolvesboy]

Storer - you have the experience of an LS already and know how it works, sounds etc. There are some amazing conversions already - Brummie, LSCerb etc with one or two more on the go. I'm sure if you go down this route your experience will be the same.
When my 4.5 goes 'pop' in a big way I'm going to consider it too. There are some seriously grunty LS engined cars here in Australia that sound amazing.
Personally, I actually think it is a wise move when the LS is so easily modified, reliable and really not that much different when breathed on a little - it can be massively and safely made more powerful with easily added, bolt on, modifications such as a turbo(s) or supercharger. I actually like the idea of a supercharged LS in a Cerb - it will still be an amazing car as 100 kilos or so will not make any difference at this level of grunt!
Meanwhile I am going enjoy 'blatting' around, annoying the locals, with the AJP!