LS3

[Henry Harris]

I am seriously researching putting a LS3376/5525 into my 450se. In various conversation, doubts have been expressed as to whether the chassis, differential, suspension, etc. could cope. In my car's case, the chassis has been strengthened when it was rebuilt - picture below. The race engineers who do the real work on my car are telling me that the chassis will cope. Now the decision time has arrived: whether to put my modified RV8 back after a crankshaft regrind or indulge in the LS3. Comments are welcome, even the frivolous ones.

[TA14]

If it were me I would put a tuned RV8 in there. However in your shoes I'd put the LS3 in becuase if you don't you'll always be wondering what if... esp. if a (V12?) Ferrari goes past on the Autobahn. Although TVR never used the LS they nearly did and got a quote for the T-chassis; the 660 has a GM V8 so you can say it's in the spirit of TVRs. And it should be quick, cheap and reliable. As for the chassis it's the joints that fail musually so I'd be tempted to weld in some triangular stiffeners - a pain and labour intensive but will give good results, say 50mm x 50mm. As for the suspension, try your best but it struggles to cope with the power of a 450SE.

For the LS3 spec I'd try having a chat with Brummie - he's tried a few in his Cerb.

Good luck!

[Jack Valiant]

Totally agree with TA re strengthening, as mentioned Henry its about he stresses being applied to a 20+ year old chassis design. Then there is the drive train, maybe you updated rear diff wil cope but the weak areas are the drive shaft U/J's and the rear end design etc. The fabrication, electrics, exhaust and plumbing alone are going to be serious money fella!

Chris

[Henry Harris]

I recognise seriously two key aspects. Thanks to all those especially Chris, with whom I have had previous conversations, will the chassis really take the strain even though aspects like the welding having been repaired? Extra triangular stiffeners have been installed, but look at the original quality of the welds themselves:



The other consideration is money. Well, I am not getting younger. If I never have a really quick car even on Essex roads and having run a Ferrari 360, then I might regret it. BTW, the kids ain't having my money.

[SEvans]

I know it's not all about the money (I should know) but have you thought about how much this is going to cost, especially if you are paying someone to do the work? I would have thought you are looking at 10 to 15K??? I know when I converted mine the fun (and cost) started after the engine was dropped in. If you plan to keep the car then I guess it may be worth it but I would have to think long and hard before spending that kind of money. Cheers Steve

[TA14]

As HH knows, £18K in this thread after chassis, brakes and suspension http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[pjac67]

Glad you've made the decision to keep the Wedge Henry and maintain its 'bad boy' status.

If money was no object then LS but I still prefer the noise of an RV8.

Having just ordered one of these myself you cold do worse than a 540SE :

http://www.v8developments.co.uk/products/engines/s...

Good luck in whatever you decide (and if its selling then you have my number....).

Paul.

[Walford]

pjac67 said:

Glad you've made the decision to keep the Wedge Henry and maintain its 'bad boy' status.

If money was no object then LS but I still prefer the noise of an RV8.

Having just ordered one of these myself you cold do worse than a 540SE :

http://www.v8developments.co.uk/products/engines/s...

Good luck in whatever you decide (and if its selling then you have my number....).

Paul.

Would,nt think this will be much cheaper than a LS

.

[V8 Fettler]

LS engine should have been the solution for TVR following the demise of the RV8; developing the TVR V8 (and S6) was a fantastic achievement, but at a significant cost. Benefits of hindsight.

Full steam ahead with the LS please Henry.

[smash]

Going LS you're just throwing money away trying to make the car into something that it in liklihood will never be able to be. The amount you're going to end up spending plus the huge amount you stand to lose on resale makes me think you'd be better off getting your kicks with an Ultima (possibly GD Cobra) - you'd have to thow so much at the wedge to get it to perform anything like an Ultima in terms of handling and roadholding it just isn't funny!

[chedder]

Do it! You know you want to!

Chedder

[adam quantrill]

Henry Harris said:

I recognise seriously two key aspects. Thanks to all those especially Chris, with whom I have had previous conversations, will the chassis really take the strain even though aspects like the welding having been repaired? Extra triangular stiffeners have been installed, but look at the original quality of the welds themselves:



The other consideration is money. Well, I am not getting younger. If I never have a really quick car even on Essex roads and having run a Ferrari 360, then I might regret it. BTW, the kids ain't having my money.

Henry - there is nothing wrong with that weld - it's intact! What it's welded to - well that's another matter.

Yes OK you'll get chassis cracks from time to time but you get these even with the 350i. Bear in mind that most of the time with the LS3 you'll be barely on tickover (I can't use my full power except on rare occasions) I don't see having massive power and torque will be a big deal, it's not like the chassis is going to wrap itself round the propshaft the first time you dump the clutch. Apart from anything else, the rear wheels are the limiting factor as they will spin up thus limiting the amount of torque being applied across the chassis.

The chat about throwing money away is somewhat spurious, keep hold of the rebuilt V8 and any bits you take off, and if the LS3 doesn't work out there's always the option of selling it and reinstalling the rover lump. Anyway - it's your money!

Anyhow I've spouted my opinion enough on this subject, just one thing to throw in, at the weekend I met a chap with an MGC with a rover 4.6l in there. Now I would say that's somewhat overpowered. Would I want one - hell yes!

[Henry Harris]

Thanks Adam as always. The issue with the many poor chassis welds, is that it was a contributory cause to the chassis flexing, leading to the suspension not doing its job properly and being unable to open a door when on a lateral slope. Mind you the more modern TVRs suffer from this latter characteristic. Now the poor welds have been put right and with the extra tubing inside and outside of the main chassis frame, everything is solid.

Money is always an issue. My belief is if you can pay for the basics, then enjoy the rest. It is no good to you under the mattress or even in the bank.

[smash]

Hey absolutely - it's your money and you should do whatever the hell you want with it! If the chassis will cope and you love the car that much then go for it. It should be highly entertaining

Can't agree that talk of money is spurious - it's always a consideration (as poor Mr Zs supercharger engine thread shows). Personally I wouldn't throw that kind of money at a wedge but that's me. I'd rebuild the rover, sell (which is what you were doing anyway) and buy something else

[Wedg1e]

adam quantrill said:

Henry Harris said:

Henry - there is nothing wrong with that weld - it's intact! What it's welded to - well that's another matter.

The tube has fractured through the HAZ (Heat Affected Zone), not really anything to do with either the weld or the material. TVR didn't perform stress relieving on their chassis' so its kind of inevitable depending on flexing and torsional stress, even ignoring any impacts the chassis may have had.
Still, if experts have said it's OK for more power then it must be...

[TA14]

Henry Harris said:

Extra triangular stiffeners have been installed

That's good to hear. Any chance of a 'photo since there don't seem to be any one the 'photo that you posted at the top of the thread. Are you sure that you're not getting joint stiffeners mixed up with triangular bracing?

[350zwelgje]

Have you taken the decision Henri? Seems you like the LS route
Myself have no preference, only to have an engine in the wedge as you then can drive it. So Rover V8 or LS will do. Probably Rover V8 means to have the TVR quicker back on the road, that would probably tip the scales for me towards that if I was in your position.

Rob

[Henry Harris]

TA14 said:

That's good to hear. Any chance of a 'photo since there don't seem to be any one the 'photo that you posted at the top of the thread. Are you sure that you're not getting joint stiffeners mixed up with triangular bracing?

You are correct Jonathan, I can only see what I believe are called joint stiffeners.

I have decided not to go ahead with the LS3. I really appreciate all the comments that fellow Wedgers have made, both constructive and cynical, funny and serious. My decision was based on a lack of a clear budget. I did not mind spending the money, but it was more about not being able to get my arms round the whole project. The cruncher came when I called LR Parts.dk based on the YouTube clip TVR350i with Corvette 6.2 liter V8 engine from LRParts.dk. The guy who answered, indicated that they had to modify the chassis to fit the engine, whereas I had been concerned about fitting the gearbox. I had actually obtained an Invoice pro-forma from Partsworld Performance, but had to back out after discovering the probable chassis modifications. A big shame.

Now I will have the RV8 rebuilt after the crankshaft has been reground, new big-end bearings and new gaskets. It should run a lot smoother and no more clatter. The engine has been ported previously and has been running a Kent Cams fast road cam H218K. I am looking forward to driving it unencumbered by doubts about the engine. Watch this space.

[superwedge]

i love to put a ls engine in wedge,this one in this griff on ph for sale looks sweet,

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Peeps..When we visited jennings the other day the guys there did say they would love someone to decide to want this conversion as they really want to do it..If i had a V8 chassis and around 30K spare then i might consider it..I just wish i had listened to Phil and Henry about taking mine there to do the blower conversion as they seem to run a professional op and know exactly what they are doing..You lives and learns...Cheers...Ziga