Ford 2.9 V6 info

[scotty2]

Anyone got a link or info where I can look at options on rebuilding and tuning a Ford 2.9 V6?

I want to look at bhp vs cash spent to see what state of tune I should aim for. I would like to achieve about 180 - 200 bhp but keep it road friendly. Might even build one for LPG....

p.s. Have looked at Specialised Engines website but I am trying to decide whether to go carbed or inj e.t.c....

p.s. Its for a Scimitar.

[Boosted Ls1]

Best bank for buck is a low boost turbocharger and simple management. This assumes you have a decent engine in the first place.

Boosted.

[dern]

If this is the cologne engine then the tvr s forum is the place to look as it was used in the S2 and S3.

Regards,

Mark

[scotty2]

The block is similar if not the same, but the heads and cam drive are different.

I think it also has hydraulic tappets.

[dern]

scotty2 said:

The block is similar if not the same, but the heads and cam drive are different. I think it also has hydraulic tappets.

You've lost me. The cologne 2.8 used in the scimitar was used in the TVR S1 and then replaced for the TVR S2 with the cologne 2.9 which is, I thought, the engine you are refering to... was that a mistake?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Col

If not then much talk has been had on the S-series on how to get more power from both the 2.8 and the 2.9.

The 2.9 had hydraulic tappets later on (in the tvr s3c but I don't know how that equates to the ford timeline) but the 2.9 cologne in my old TVR s3 did not have hydraulic tappets.

A popular way forward is to replace with the cosworth version but not that much help if you want to tune an engine you already have.

Regards,

Mark

>> Edited by dern on Friday 17th March 13:11

[Mattyboy101]

Burton Power would be your best bet I think

[scotty2]

Unfortunately the Cosworth won't fit without bulkhead mods.

The 2.9 I will be using (easy to tell from 2.8 by no. of exhaust ports..) will be ex granada or scorpio and will be converted to carb. My Scimitar is one of the later models and has a 2.8 and not an Essex. I can use my carb on the 2.9 (I have been told).

[dern]

scotty2 said:

The 2.9 I will be using (easy to tell from 2.8 by no. of exhaust ports..) will be ex granada or scorpio and will be converted to carb. My Scimitar is one of the later models and has a 2.8 and not an Essex. I can use my carb on the 2.9 (I have been told).

Why carbs? In the S3 the 2.9 made 170bhp with the standard FI, a decent foam air filter and a free flowing exhaust. Personally I'd go with FI (probably bike throttle bodies) and a megasquirt system if I had time to play. Otherwise have you considered bike carbs?

Regards,

Mark

[scotty2]

I was using carbs to A) avoid having to wire up some ECU. B) Possible installation of LPG system. C) I can fit the one off my existing engine.

I hadn't considered bike carbs due to complexity/cost and it is for road use not a track car.

[dern]

scotty2 said:

I was using carbs to A) avoid having to wire up some ECU. B) Possible installation of LPG system. C) I can fit the one off my existing engine. I hadn't considered bike carbs due to complexity/cost and it is for road use not a track car.

Have a look at this months Practical Performance Car magazine (or possibly last months - I can find out if you're interested) as they did an article on using bike carbs for car engines. They said they were cheap as no one really wanted them because they just don't wear out on bikes because the bikes don't do the miles, not particularly complicated to set up and very useable if you can make your own manifold. I can dig the details out if you're interested.

If you've already got a carb then ignore all that

Regards,

Mark

[taz turbo]

180-200Bhp from a 2.9 V6 shouldn't pose to much of a problem. I would agree with boosted, these engines dont breath very well but the do respond well to turbocharging. Turbo Technics 2.8s and 2.9 do appear on Ebay from time to time). If you stick with 200Bhp it should also be very reliable, from my 2.8 experiances ~240Bhp and your picking bits of the CAST pistons out of the bores! If you call Burton Power ask to speak to Alan Stevens, he really knows his stuff on turbocharged 2.8s, I know there not the same animal, cam rotation - 3 port heads etc. but he has excellent knowledge I'm sure it would be good foundation, or you could try John Woods at JW Developments (one of Johns customers also runs a Scimitar, but with a twin turbo Essex = >300Bhp), again another great guy with alot of experiance.
Iv'e just finished my 2.8, running mild boost and sensible compression (ie NOT low) Iv'e been told to expect ~280Bhp, but it wasn't cheap as there are quite alot of tricky bits inside it. If you want to know more mail me off line.

regards,

Chris.

[Graham]

I'd Talk to JW developments or Toovey in cannock I've delt with both and had good results on the old 2.8's in the tasmin.


just make sure you've got a spare hour or two if you phone JW

G

[scotty2]

I have spoken to JW ;-) and had my reprimand for believing I would be better off with a 2.9 rather than a 2.8!

I am now in doubt about using a 2.9 and thinking of tuning the 2.8 as thats whats in already...DOH !

Anyone supercharged a 2.8, or it looks like turbos might be the answer...now, cooling....

[taz turbo]

Cooling.....

I replaced my rad many years only as it was leaking, instead of using a core that the fins push between the vertical tubes this one has a slit punched in the fins and the tubes fit through the slit with an amount of the fin pressing up the side of the tube, all for better heat disapation. Running the standard viscous fan, if I drive gently 88 degrees if I thrash it or get in heavy trafic on a hot day 92 degrees. I would of thought the air circulation wouldn't be so different TVR to Scimitar.

Regards,

Chris.