Rover V8 fitted in a Series 1 Tasmin Coupe
Discussion
Has any one in the past fitted, or tried to fit, a rover V8 engine into a series 1 Tasmin Coupe? I have tried to measure the chassis on the Tasmin at 3 different distances from the bulkhead (with a 2.8 cologne engine in place) and it seems to be about 2" narrower than the same points on a 450 SEAC.
Hi Mate..I think only the 200's had a chassis wide enough as the initial thought was around a Boss 5.0ltr small block..(I wish TVR had done it)..And maybe the early FHC 280i but in general the answer is "NO"..Although a small block ford 302 has been fitted by a guy in the states..I looked into it and unfortunately here in sunny ole blighty its just too dam expensive and you might as well stick a Griff engine into a V8 chassis or if you have the pennies there is one company i now know of that would love to do an LS3 conversion…There is the cosworth option or apparently an Aerostar V6 4.0ltr engine but I'm yet to see that done and wait patiently for it as i might consider it..Or there is a sprintex kit that will bolt straight to the cologne..It comes with all the parts and even a specially built FPR/WUR…. 
But no guarantee of longevity…Cheers..Ziga
But no guarantee of longevity…Cheers..Ziga tvrleigh did it to his race car, so yes it can be done. He seems to have disappeared now though. Here is the original build thread but all the photos have gone now.....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Can't confirm for the coupe's but it can be done to the drop tops, my old series one 280 had the has the V8 under the bonnet.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Chedder
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Chedder
Edited by chedder on Sunday 27th October 16:23
Yatesy350i said:
There was a 280 FHC fitted with a 4ltr V8 on eBay earlier in the week a white one. Just tried to find it but the listing has ended. Not sure what year it was though.
Did anyone else see it?
I assume it was this one? That was a 200 originally. I'd assume they have the same chassis as an early 280. A V8 Series 1 FHC is my ideal wedge but you have to build it if you want one...Did anyone else see it?
Tasmin200 said:
I assume it was this one? That was a 200 originally. I'd assume they have the same chassis as an early 280. A V8 Series 1 FHC is my ideal wedge but you have to build it if you want one...
Yep looked a lot like that but not as clean. Bare in mind I'm still a newby so don't know much so this may be incorrect. But I have an A frame 350i FHC. Wouldn't this be a series 1 being A frame? 1984 I think.
Wellyone - I opened a thread a while ago about possible engine swops for the early wedges.
From the info I was able to collect, it appears that the factory made the chassis wider at the back for the 350 onwards, and the Rover won't quite go in, as you said. The 2.8 rails are straight, but the V8 has curved rails for that extra clearance.
Further, from photos I have collected, it looks like the chassis is modified in other ways too - for example the second cross bar between the engine mounts (more or less) and under the 2.8 sump does not exist on the V8 models, which have a triangulated arrangement instead to clear the V8 sump.
After about 1985-ish, all chassis were made to the V8 pattern anyway, so the later 280 (and the US 2.8 ones apparently) WILL fit a V8 lump.
I was wondering what would go in instead.
There ARE early wedges with Rover V8 in them, but the engine is typically mounted higher to get space for the exhuast manifolds, and the chassis are cut and triangulated for the sump, so it's a pretty BIG job. Photo confirms that when you look at exhaust setup...
From the info I was able to collect, it appears that the factory made the chassis wider at the back for the 350 onwards, and the Rover won't quite go in, as you said. The 2.8 rails are straight, but the V8 has curved rails for that extra clearance.
Further, from photos I have collected, it looks like the chassis is modified in other ways too - for example the second cross bar between the engine mounts (more or less) and under the 2.8 sump does not exist on the V8 models, which have a triangulated arrangement instead to clear the V8 sump.
After about 1985-ish, all chassis were made to the V8 pattern anyway, so the later 280 (and the US 2.8 ones apparently) WILL fit a V8 lump.
I was wondering what would go in instead.
There ARE early wedges with Rover V8 in them, but the engine is typically mounted higher to get space for the exhuast manifolds, and the chassis are cut and triangulated for the sump, so it's a pretty BIG job. Photo confirms that when you look at exhaust setup...
Edited by RCK974X on Sunday 27th October 19:48
The smallest (common) V8 is the Ford 302 Windsor series, but I think even that won't quite go in the early chassis (? not sure).
I was looking here in NZ, and there isn't much, the narrow rear between the rails is a real problem.
Many of the Jap V6 are 90 degree, or are 24 valve with wide heads, so won't go in either, there is the L6 Ford 4.0 Falcon engine, but it's VERY long, and front sumped, although very powerful for its capacity, so very tempting, and has a 24 valve version which is amazing.
I was looking at the Holden Commodore V6 engine too (A Buick more or less, 90 degree 3.8 V6), but even that would be a tight squeeze...
Failing that there's lots of 4 cyl screamers, but I didn't want that....
On the other hand if someone here tells me a Rover will definitely go in without many chassis mods, then PLEASE TELL ME HOW !!
I was looking here in NZ, and there isn't much, the narrow rear between the rails is a real problem.
Many of the Jap V6 are 90 degree, or are 24 valve with wide heads, so won't go in either, there is the L6 Ford 4.0 Falcon engine, but it's VERY long, and front sumped, although very powerful for its capacity, so very tempting, and has a 24 valve version which is amazing.
I was looking at the Holden Commodore V6 engine too (A Buick more or less, 90 degree 3.8 V6), but even that would be a tight squeeze...
Failing that there's lots of 4 cyl screamers, but I didn't want that....
On the other hand if someone here tells me a Rover will definitely go in without many chassis mods, then PLEASE TELL ME HOW !!
Edited by RCK974X on Sunday 27th October 19:54
Yatesy350i said:
I have an A frame 350i FHC. Wouldn't this be a series 1 being A frame? 1984 I think.
The Series 1 chassis was trailing-arm and the shell looked like that white FHC above, i.e. with the vertical rear window above the number plate.The early 350i's were trailing-arm as well. An A-framed one should be Series 2.
I think
Wedg1e said:
Yatesy350i said:
I have an A frame 350i FHC. Wouldn't this be a series 1 being A frame? 1984 I think.
The Series 1 chassis was trailing-arm and the shell looked like that white FHC above, i.e. with the vertical rear window above the number plate.The early 350i's were trailing-arm as well. An A-framed one should be Series 2.
I think
I was getting my trailing arms and A frames mixed up. My 350i FHC is trailing arm.
Cheers Karl.
wellyone said:
Thanks everyone for the comments. I have decided to go ahead with the engine swop, even though mine is an early chassis with the cross member under the existing 2.8Litre sump.Chedder (Tony) lives nearby in Southport so I can see him becoming my best mate!
Thanks again
Dave Welton
Are you going to put an injected engine in there or go for a big holley carb?Thanks again
Dave Welton
PS You have to document this as there will always be people wanting to do this.
I am fitting a 5 litre engine and T5 Gearbox. Initially it will be on the standard fuel injection. I use the car for sprinting and hillclimbs and it currently has a 2.8V6 engine and Ford type 9 g/box. The car itself is really well sorted and the engine is modified about as much as possible for a siamese exhaust Cologne, Cam, pistons, heads and manifolds etc. BUT I NEED MORE POWER!
Work is due to commence in early December and I will document and photograph the build on PH.
Work is due to commence in early December and I will document and photograph the build on PH.
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff