Problem identified, now what?

[Henry Harris]

Thank you all for your assistance trying to identify my clatter - Camshaft wear. The engine has been dismantled and a probable root cause identified - number 3 big-end bearing shell had broken!!!. I understand this is most unusual and as to why is unknown - poor quality bearing?

Now what:

• Rebuild the engine on the basis that the crankshaft is still viable after a regrind, new shells and gaskets. Interestingly, I remember I had the car on a rolling road and it showed 240bhp at the wheels, which seems high when I look at a standard engine specification. I should now be able to measure the engine capacity - I have it down as a cross-bolted 4.6 litre cross-bolted RV8.
• Go a completely and bonkers different route - watch this space.

By the way, yes, there are those cars that are modified, mine was when I bought it and I respect those who want originality. I believe the Wedge can be regarded as a piece of automotive engineering. Providing its safe to drive, you can do anything with it. Some have and I have my own ideas.

[gog440]

I wouldnt claim to be an expert but if the crank etc is ok then why complicate things/increase your costs by changing the engine? The power output seems pretty healthy so personally I would be happy with it .

[Rockettvr]

If the crank is salvageable then a rebuild if not then possibly go for a Griff lump as jack Valliant has done. Swapping for anything non rover v8 means lots of fabrication and aggro to make it work which will take lots of time and money. 300 bhp and 300 lbs if torque is not to be sniffed at if you want more than that your
1 a little bit mad
2 probably better off looking for a decent yank v8

[Transmitter Man]

Henry,

As our respective vehicles share the same garage and you know I'm mad.

Best you join the club and go for the big 500, horsepower that is

Phil
420 SEAC

[ibroker]

Henry

You not selling now then?

Andy

[Henry Harris]

I would like to, but most enthusiasts want an original as from the factory. Mine never was when I bought it. I changed it somewhat since, to make it more like a Wedge. Now I can go the whole what do you want in a car route or put the RV8 back. Dunno

[GV]

Rockettvr said:

If the crank is salvageable then a rebuild if not then possibly go for a Griff lump as jack Valliant has done. Swapping for anything non rover v8 means lots of fabrication and aggro to make it work which will take lots of time and money. 300 bhp and 300 lbs if torque is not to be sniffed at if you want more than that your
1 a little bit mad
2 probably better off looking for a decent yank v8

I would do this.....

[Henry Harris]

One option I am looking at is a TVR retailer will take my car as is with the engine in bits as trade-in against a Griffith 500 SE. They are very expensive for a twelve year old car. I owned a Griffith 500. It was a wonderful car and I used it to commute from Southend to Stevenage, 125 miles every day with the hood down on most days.

Another option is to put the engine back after a rebuild. Having the engine bits, I have now discovered it has a fast road sports Kent Cams camshaft, which goes some way to explain the 240 bhp at the wheels.

The third option is to put in a LS3 - http://shop.partsworldperformance.com/ls376-525-v8..., with new gearbox and other ancillaries.

Edited by Henry Harris on Tuesday 1st October 19:51

[chapperssx]

Hi Henry with all the mods that your wedge has already I think you have the opportunity to create some thing very special !! With an LS3 at the heart of it I believe you have the potential of having one bad ass wedge !!

[adam quantrill]

Henry - why dick about with a poxy LS3, you will only get bored with it.

Best go straight to an LS7. You know it makes sense....

And/or:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Whipple-WK-10023B-2008-201...

Edited by adam quantrill on Tuesday 1st October 19:19

[GV]

adam quantrill said:

Henry - why dick about with a poxy LS3, you will only get bored with it.

Best go straight to an LS7. You know it makes sense....

And/or:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Whipple-WK-10023B-2008-201...

Edited by adam quantrill on Tuesday 1st October 19:19

Don't confuse the man. Isn't a single LS engine bad enough as it is lol! Anyway what's LS7 all about anyway lol?

[adam quantrill]

LS3 = 6.2l

LS7 = 7l ;^)

Mind you, LS7 is only a puny 500 bhp.

This looks better value:

http://shop.partsworldperformance.com/lsa-6-2l-sup...

Built-in blower included, 550 bhp! Off 92 RON.

Edited by adam quantrill on Tuesday 1st October 22:34

[jmccrary]

adam quantrill said:

LS3 = 6.2l

LS7 = 7l ;^)

Mind you, LS7 is only a puny 500 bhp.

This looks better value:

http://shop.partsworldperformance.com/lsa-6-2l-sup...

Built-in blower included, 550 bhp! Off 92 RON.

Edited by adam quantrill on Tuesday 1st October 22:34

Or...
http://shop.partsworldperformance.com/ls9-sc-v8-cr...

[Henry Harris]

How the am I going to keep that in a straight line when I put my foot down and then get it round corners?

[adam quantrill]

Henry I think it needs to be so powerful you'll even be scared to turn the ignition key!!!

[V8 Fettler]

Henry Harris said:

How the am I going to keep that in a straight line when I put my foot down and then get it round corners?

These are but minor details Henry.

[Henry Harris]

Change of ground rules.

I understand that the engine has a Kent Cams Camshaft H218K and the head has been ported. I do not know yet whether there have been any other modifications. This may go some way to explaining the 240 bhp at the wheels. If this is the case, then my desire to have more torque in the car will probably not be satisfied by further tuning of this engine.

Whatever happens, I will be having the engine rebuilt with compensating bearings after the crankshaft regrind. Whether I have put it back in the car or not is open for discussion.

Comments and ideas are welcome please.

[adam quantrill]

If you are going for a regrind, and there is sufficient meat on the crank, why not go for a "long throw" regrind (or a "long throw" crank)?

As I understand it, you have the big ends on the crank ground down to a smaller diameter - but the centres offset further out.

I guess you have to replace all the conrods to match. (So why not get forged ones?)

The longer throw on the crank has two effects. Firstly, a modest increase in capacity.

Secondly, and more important for you, the torque output goes up, because the levering effect of each piston on the crank is greater.

edit: Just had a look at your original thread and it's already the 4.6 lump, which as I understand it already has a long-throw crank, so your options here are rather limited.

For more torque, you'll need to change the cam and/or cam timing.

Edited by adam quantrill on Friday 4th October 08:10

[Number 7]

According to my reference book, the 218 is less radical (less max lift etc) than the 214 which TVR fitted as standard to the 4.3 engines (such as that in my Wedge). Without knowing what was standard on the 450se it's a bit tricky. Maybe that cam was fitted at the same time as the carb conversion?