Corvette Engine into T350

[carsarecool]

Heard of an instance where this has been done and I'm interested in this as an option for my car.

Anyone on here explored this or had it done?

Met a chap at Le Mans this year in the process, waiting for parts, not sure if it is a finished project by now?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers,

Mart

[S5TVR]

What about dropping an AJP V8 in ? - keeps it a thoroughbred TVR, you'll get more torque and a relaible 400+ bhp. Also, the AJP V8 weigh's around 80kg less than the SP6 engine. From memory, I think the SP6 engine and the Chevy LS engines are similar in weight.

Another factor is would an LS engine suit the characteristics of the car ?. For me, the T350 is "waspish" in character - fast and agile with a high revving engine that screams at full tilt. Would a more ponderous V8 engine really suit the car ? - I don't think so. However, the AJP V8 is also a high revving engine and would be more in keeping with the car's current character.

Just my 2peneth.

[TVR_owner]

S5TVR said:

What about dropping an AJP V8 in ? - keeps it a thoroughbred TVR, you'll get more torque and a relaible 400+ bhp. Also, the AJP V8 weigh's around 80kg less than the SP6 engine. From memory, I think the SP6 engine and the Chevy LS engines are similar in weight.

Another factor is would an LS engine suit the characteristics of the car ?. For me, the T350 is "waspish" in character - fast and agile with a high revving engine that screams at full tilt. Would a more ponderous V8 engine really suit the car ? - I don't think so. However, the AJP V8 is also a high revving engine and would be more in keeping with the car's current character.

Just my 2peneth.

Just my 2peneth.

Drop anything in other than a S6 and it's still a mongrel (but then i'm a bit of a purist ).

[carsarecool]

S5TVR said:

What about dropping an AJP V8 in ? - keeps it a thoroughbred TVR, you'll get more torque and a relaible 400+ bhp. Also, the AJP V8 weigh's around 80kg less than the SP6 engine. From memory, I think the SP6 engine and the Chevy LS engines are similar in weight.

Another factor is would an LS engine suit the characteristics of the car ?. For me, the T350 is "waspish" in character - fast and agile with a high revving engine that screams at full tilt. Would a more ponderous V8 engine really suit the car ? - I don't think so. However, the AJP V8 is also a high revving engine and would be more in keeping with the car's current character.

Just my 2peneth.

Hmmmm, interesting

I take your point, anyone know how much this would cost and also, I presume this would this be a re-built engine? Would this be as reliable as an LS V8? This is one reason that I'm interested in the LS.

[S5TVR]

carsarecool said:

S5TVR said:

What about dropping an AJP V8 in ? - keeps it a thoroughbred TVR, you'll get more torque and a relaible 400+ bhp. Also, the AJP V8 weigh's around 80kg less than the SP6 engine. From memory, I think the SP6 engine and the Chevy LS engines are similar in weight.

Another factor is would an LS engine suit the characteristics of the car ?. For me, the T350 is "waspish" in character - fast and agile with a high revving engine that screams at full tilt. Would a more ponderous V8 engine really suit the car ? - I don't think so. However, the AJP V8 is also a high revving engine and would be more in keeping with the car's current character.

Just my 2peneth.

Hmmmm, interesting

I take your point, anyone know how much this would cost and also, I presume this would this be a re-built engine? Would this be as reliable as an LS V8? This is one reason that I'm interested in the LS.

I doubt any TVR engine is going to be as reliable as an LS engine. I would talk to Paul at Austec who I believe has done such a conversion (AJP V8 into a T350), though it might have been for R&D purposes only. Also, talk to Joolz (Trackcar here on PH) and Cliff Jobson (Ceejay here on PH) as they plan to race a T350 in the Tuscan Challenge series next year with an AJP V8. Also, have a word with Steve Heath as he's recently completed an LS conversion for a Cerbera.

The problem as I see it at the moment with the SP6 rebuild solutions being offered is that they don't appear to have the mileage under their belts to be able to say categorically that all of the SP6 issues have been addressed - let's hope the likes of Str8 6, Racing Green, Austec & TVR Power have, but maybe the AJP V8 conversion will prove to be a cost effective option ?.

[T40ORA]

I've heard that a the main problem with doing something like this is that it upsets the balance of a well sorted car.

This is only hearsay, but the LS (and AJP??) engines are heavier than the SP6 and I'me not sure that you can address this adequately by changing geo and suspension.

As I say, only hearsay....

[TVR_owner]

T40ORA said:

I've heard that a the main problem with doing something like this is that it upsets the balance of a well sorted car.

This is only hearsay, but the LS (and AJP??) engines are heavier than the SP6 and I'me not sure that you can address this adequately by changing geo and suspension.

As I say, only hearsay....

AJP V8 is much lighter than the S6 - it's a very light engine by most standards. (that's what I understand anyway... )

[Maxx-Waxx]

carsarecool said:

Hmmmm, interesting

I take your point, anyone know how much this would cost and also, I presume this would this be a re-built engine? Would this be as reliable as an LS V8? This is one reason that I'm interested in the LS.

I looked at this seriously a couple of years ago for the Sagaris, i think the price was around the 15 - 20k mark all in, this was for a 480 bhp LSx new crate engine but with the crap exchange rate it will probably 20k plus now

N

[KillerJim]

Maxx-Waxx said:

carsarecool said:

Hmmmm, interesting

I take your point, anyone know how much this would cost and also, I presume this would this be a re-built engine? Would this be as reliable as an LS V8? This is one reason that I'm interested in the LS.

I looked at this seriously a couple of years ago for the Sagaris, i think the price was around the 15 - 20k mark all in, this was for a 480 bhp LSx new crate engine but with the crap exchange rate it will probably 20k plus now

N

£20k!! Makes the suprcharged version of the FFF engine look very attractive (plus the warranty..)

J

[T40ORA]

TVR_owner said:

T40ORA said:

I've heard that a the main problem with doing something like this is that it upsets the balance of a well sorted car.

This is only hearsay, but the LS (and AJP??) engines are heavier than the SP6 and I'me not sure that you can address this adequately by changing geo and suspension.

As I say, only hearsay....

AJP V8 is much lighter than the S6 - it's a very light engine by most standards. (that's what I understand anyway... )

Sooooo.....would AJP improve set-up? Or make it too light at the front?

[S5TVR]

TVR_owner said:

T40ORA said:

I've heard that a the main problem with doing something like this is that it upsets the balance of a well sorted car.

This is only hearsay, but the LS (and AJP??) engines are heavier than the SP6 and I'me not sure that you can address this adequately by changing geo and suspension.

As I say, only hearsay....

AJP V8 is much lighter than the S6 - it's a very light engine by most standards. (that's what I understand anyway... )

The AJP V8 is around 115-120kg's I believe and the SP6 nearer 200kg.

[shpub]

S5TVR said:

Also, have a word with Steve Heath as he's recently completed an LS conversion for a Cerbera.

Yep. Currently have some Cerbera's booked in for LS conversion for 2009. Ballpark figure is around £7k + vat including engine but currency and engine spec do come into it. You do get to keep the old engine to defray costs if you sell it. My scrap AJPV8 netted around £1000. The LS engine is considerably lighter than the Speed 6 and a bit heavier than the AJPV8. It changed the Cerb weight distribution by around 0.5%. With a speed 6 conversion I suspect it might improve it a little. My prototype car has been running for over a year now and it has been a joy to drive. Pulls from 18mph in fifth and I've got 30 mpg on some runs. Service intervals are around 100k miles apart from oil changes.

We have done the basic measuring and can't see why a similar conversion to the Cerbera one would not be possible on a T Car. The same approach should be transferable.

Edited by shpub on Thursday 18th December 18:49

[grumbledoak]

This will be your friend:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Ok, it was a Tuscan, but the frame is the same. Yes, you can do it, and I think the author was looking at it as a business. Not sure if he still is! Lots of info and some great photos.

[Bodmin]

There is also a Tuscan running around the Hastings area with a 650bhp LS2...or maybe LS3 engine fitted...I know his name is Richard but cannot remember his PH handle.

The car sounds absolutely awesome & goes like st of a shovel. Richard carried out the conversion himself as he is an engineer by trade but reckons 650bhp is about the limit the chassis can handle without constantly wanting to visit ditches etc.

The weight distribution with the conversion was calculated at exactly 50:50 which is near enough what Steve H has acheived with the Cerb

Ahh....I see Grumbledoak has posted a link to the Tuscan conversion thread whilst I was writing this.

Bodders

Edited by Bodmin on Thursday 18th December 19:17

Edited by Bodmin on Thursday 18th December 19:18

[grumbledoak]

Bodmin said:

There is also a Tuscan running around the Hastings area with a 650bhp LS2...or maybe LS3 engine fitted...I know his name is Richard but cannot remember his PH handle.

Hello? Hello? Is this on?

That sounds very much like the one I linked to.

[Bodmin]

grumbledoak said:

Bodmin said:

There is also a Tuscan running around the Hastings area with a 650bhp LS2...or maybe LS3 engine fitted...I know his name is Richard but cannot remember his PH handle.

Hello? Hello? Is this on?

That sounds very much like the one I linked to.

You are absolutely correct & I was just editing my post...distortion in the space time continuum

Edited by Bodmin on Thursday 18th December 19:23

[S5TVR]

Bodmin said:

There is also a Tuscan running around the Hastings area with a 650bhp LS2...or maybe LS3 engine fitted. The car sounds absolutely awesome & goes like st of a shovel. Richard carried out the conversion himself as he is an engineer by trade but reckons 650bhp is about the limit the chassis can handle without constantly wanting to visit ditches etc.

Just my 2peneth, but i would have thought 650bhp in a Tuscan is way too much for it too handle. I am talking about for road use here and not track. My T350 puts its 370bhp down very well indeed and it could cope with a few more monies comfortably - say 50bhp more. Beyond that I think it might struggle to put the power down cleanly in its current state of setup (factory standard).

[flyingdutchie]

I've got my car booked for Steve's conversion early next year.

I cannot wait to see and drive the result!! Six liters.....wow. I am looking on the internet every day just to hear that wonderfull sound on youtube and to see if any of the other guys have already completed the conversion.

Power, better economy,, ease of maintenance, normal fuel and what I hope is that I can have a total feel of confidence in this engine. With the AJP I drove with one eye pointed at the watertemp and oilpressrue everytime. Trafficjams making me nervous.

I think many will follow going the LS route. Why even bother spending a lot of money rebuiling an AJP, when an oilpump can't even be bought new anymore and other parts are not that good in terms of quality? Can't see the point spending the money twice.

[Zippee]

shpub said:

Yep. Currently have some Cerbera's booked in for LS conversion for 2009. Ballpark figure is around £7k + vat including engine but currency and engine spec do come into it. You do get to keep the old engine to defray costs if you sell it. My scrap AJPV8 netted around £1000. The LS engine is considerably lighter than the Speed 6 and a bit heavier than the AJPV8. It changed the Cerb weight distribution by around 0.5%. With a speed 6 conversion I suspect it might improve it a little. My prototype car has been running for over a year now and it has been a joy to drive. Pulls from 18mph in fifth and I've got 30 mpg on some runs. Service intervals are around 100k miles apart from oil changes.

We have done the basic measuring and can't see why a similar conversion to the Cerbera one would not be possible on a T Car. The same approach should be transferable.

Edited by shpub on Thursday 18th December 18:49

If that circa 7k figure transferred over to any of the S6 cars then it'd make a very viable alternative to the possible/inevitable rebuild. Plus the 100k service intervals sound nice!

[Tangoed]

The LS conversion in my opinion is the best route, mongrel or not it makes sense.