Engine upgrade

[chimaera400tim]

Good evening everyone, have just removed the engine from my 400 chimaera to replace the clutch and also to give the engine a good clean. Checking the chassis for any loose or rusty paint which I shall take care of in the way of taking it back to bare metal and treating it. My question is has anyone replaced the boring 3.9 engine with something more powerful, i.e a chevy small block v8 or simular. I have my eye on a engine and 6 speed gearbox from the states, comes with all the ancillaries inc wiring loom. Any input would be much appreciated.

[carsy]

Speak to alexdaredevils on here. He is doing just that at the minute.

[chimaera400tim]

Many thanks Carsy.

[v8 racing]

lots of people have done engine swaps, I would suggest you mention your engine/box that you are considering as there are many options with many pitfalls and advantages

[Chuffmeister]

Chevvy upgrade looks great, however, put aside £7k+...

[pwd95]

Chuffmeister said:

Chevvy upgrade looks great, however, put aside £7k+...

& the rest..........

http://www.sportmotive.com/lsengine.html

[SILICONEKID343HP]

pwd95 said:

& the rest..........

http://www.sportmotive.com/lsengine.html

16 to 18k

[Chuffmeister]

... cheaper if you do it yourself.

[vaurien]

Chuffmeister said:

... cheaper if you do it yourself.

who can !!

[vaurien]

SILICONEKID343HP said:

16 to 18k

all times you make the same mistake........http://www.sportmotive.com/lsengine.html....


"Drive in, drive out full installation cost inc all parts varies from £16k to £18k depending on gearbox and other options.

All prices are plus VAT"


It´s different .....incl. or excl. VAT beween is a lot of money !

Edited by vaurien on Wednesday 30th October 03:23

[anonymous-user]

There are two turbo kits and one supercharger kit that are popular at present, all of which "should" be more cost effective than a full engine swap. A quick search on here will bring up many discussions about them.

Alternatively, sell the 400, and replace with a 450/500 or a Tamora, as the total cost won't be that much different to the engine swap.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 30th October 10:17

[Richard 858]

Welcome to the Madhouse Tim & good luck with working out what's best for you !!! Richard (OP of "Turbo v Supercharging")

Edited by Richard 858 on Wednesday 30th October 08:36

[chimaera400tim]

Hi guys thanks again for all of your inputs.Have looked at turbo and supercharging. Also looked a putting in a 5.0 litre lump so many options etc.Am still not sure of the exact route im going to take.I could go and buy a 500 or a Tamora but wont be the same as getting my hands very dirty and doing it my self...

[A900ss]

dod said:

Alternatively, sell the 400, and replace with a 450/500

I think your first idea of fit a turbo/supercharger is the one to go for.

Is changing for a 450/500 really worth the cash? I don't really think you are getting a huge power increase and on the road, is it really noticeable?

If (when) power upgrades are on my agenda, I'm just going to go the whole hog and go forced induction.

Best of luck.

[Chilliman]

chimaera400tim said:

Hi guys thanks again for all of your inputs.Have looked at turbo and supercharging. Also looked a putting in a 5.0 litre lump so many options etc.Am still not sure of the exact route im going to take.I could go and buy a 500 or a Tamora but wont be the same as getting my hands very dirty and doing it my self...

I'd suggest, the big question here is not which route you go down (in the first instance), but how much power/how quick do you want the car to go.... how big is your budget, and are you the sort of person that will get used to the power and then want more... Look also at stuff like suspension and brakes, this could easily add a couple of grand to the total cost if you want a boggo 400 car to cope with serious power increases... The most cost effective route to lots of power is obviously FI on the RV8, this should be cheaper than a (non RV8) engine and box transplant, but if you're looking for 400 horses plus you'll probably need a capacity increase over the 400. Once you hit the 400bhp/torque mark you've got a pretty hairy road car, and this isn't difficult to achieve with a FI RV8, and might cost alot less than a non RV8 transplant..... That said, if you're doing all the spannering youself who knows....

Just my personal opinion of course

Chilli

[Hoofa]

I'd buy a tamora, modding is a endless bottomless pit of money once you start, so either fit a smooth bore elbow, or go the full hog. But big number mean a lot of cash unless you like breaking things.

I am too thinking about a mk2 Tuscan convertible

[Chilliman]

Hoofa said:

I'd buy a tamora, modding is a endless bottomless pit of money once you start, so either fit a smooth bore elbow, or go the full hog. But big number mean a lot of cash unless you like breaking things.

I am too thinking about a mk2 Tuscan convertible

Really? Bagsy first refusal on your Chim mate I've got a spare 10k in the car fund

[SILICONEKID343HP]

d

Hoofa said:

I'd buy a tamora, modding is a endless bottomless pit of money once you start, so either fit a smooth bore elbow, or go the full hog. But big number mean a lot of cash unless you like breaking things.

I am too thinking about a mk2 Tuscan convertible

And pay for a rebuild every two years .. I would Have a Tamora with a LS conversion .

Edited by SILICONEKID343HP on Thursday 31st October 19:38

[Chuffmeister]

vaurien said:

who can !!

There are a few on here doing it themselves.

[chimaera400tim]

After thinking about it, im going to take the supercharger route, where can I get one for a pre serp engine.