V8 Conversions
Discussion
Not something I'm planning currently, nor am I sure I like the idea of a non-S6 Tuscan, however there have been rumours of various ongoing projects to develop V8 conversions for the Tuscan (S6, not racer).
Speedeights is fairly well documented here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There are a few LSx Cerberas, and Jellision's Chim.
Without getting into a debate about the rights and wrongs of such engine swaps, perhaps we could use this thread to collate information about what other options there are?
What else is out there?
Speedeights is fairly well documented here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There are a few LSx Cerberas, and Jellision's Chim.
Without getting into a debate about the rights and wrongs of such engine swaps, perhaps we could use this thread to collate information about what other options there are?
What else is out there?
Hey guys. I know of a project to put a Ford (not chevvy) short block V8 into a Tuscan. Its an experiment by a well known TVR engine guy. It is, suposedly, a much more suitable sized engine (as in its physical dimensions). Also, i'm told that its economical to buy because of the production numbers in the states.
The plan is to possibly offer this as a kit. Its been a year in deveplopment, however, and may be a dead duck....
The plan is to possibly offer this as a kit. Its been a year in deveplopment, however, and may be a dead duck....
Surely a V8 will need a different bonnet shape?
Personally I think you'll be ruining the character and a lot of what's great about the tuscan. The amount it would cost to do a bespoke engineering job properly will far outweigh the cost of a several rebuilds. By all accounts the latest rebuilds are much more like it.
I'd have a word with the reputable engine builders and get their take on what the S6 needs.
I know there are a lot of V8 fans here and each to their own but after the drive I just had in my tuscan at the weekend I wouldn't dream of changing it.
I think gobs of low down torque at the expense of screaming top end power would make the tuscan very edgy so I think you'd want a complete suspension job done while you're at it. The list will go on and on and as for resale value, it's anyone's guess.
Personally I think you'll be ruining the character and a lot of what's great about the tuscan. The amount it would cost to do a bespoke engineering job properly will far outweigh the cost of a several rebuilds. By all accounts the latest rebuilds are much more like it.
I'd have a word with the reputable engine builders and get their take on what the S6 needs.
I know there are a lot of V8 fans here and each to their own but after the drive I just had in my tuscan at the weekend I wouldn't dream of changing it.
I think gobs of low down torque at the expense of screaming top end power would make the tuscan very edgy so I think you'd want a complete suspension job done while you're at it. The list will go on and on and as for resale value, it's anyone's guess.
The Tuscan should have had a V8 LSx from day one. Not only would customers like me have had a reliable engine with proper power, TVR would not have lost all the customers they did in droves due to the engine problems. etc etc
All IMHO.
cheers
Whitey
PS. If anyone thinks an LSx does not rev as quick as a S6 engine, then they should drive one in a lightweight car. like jellison's. After a ride in that car which shows how tractable, powerful and fast revving the Lsx engine is, you will be unbolting the S6 engine yourself!!
PPS. While yes the S6 is a nice engine to drive when it's on song, it's not a patch on an LSx.
All IMHO.
cheers
Whitey
PS. If anyone thinks an LSx does not rev as quick as a S6 engine, then they should drive one in a lightweight car. like jellison's. After a ride in that car which shows how tractable, powerful and fast revving the Lsx engine is, you will be unbolting the S6 engine yourself!!
PPS. While yes the S6 is a nice engine to drive when it's on song, it's not a patch on an LSx.
The Pits said:
Surely a V8 will need a different bonnet shape?
Personally I think you'll be ruining the character and a lot of what's great about the tuscan. The amount it would cost to do a bespoke engineering job properly will far outweigh the cost of a several rebuilds. By all accounts the latest rebuilds are much more like it.
I'd have a word with the reputable engine builders and get their take on what the S6 needs.
I know there are a lot of V8 fans here and each to their own but after the drive I just had in my tuscan at the weekend I wouldn't dream of changing it.
I think gobs of low down torque at the expense of screaming top end power would make the tuscan very edgy so I think you'd want a complete suspension job done while you're at it. The list will go on and on and as for resale value, it's anyone's guess.
Fair enough...maybe the title should have been "Engine Conversions". I prefer the S6 to a V8 too...what about a BMW S54?Personally I think you'll be ruining the character and a lot of what's great about the tuscan. The amount it would cost to do a bespoke engineering job properly will far outweigh the cost of a several rebuilds. By all accounts the latest rebuilds are much more like it.
I'd have a word with the reputable engine builders and get their take on what the S6 needs.
I know there are a lot of V8 fans here and each to their own but after the drive I just had in my tuscan at the weekend I wouldn't dream of changing it.
I think gobs of low down torque at the expense of screaming top end power would make the tuscan very edgy so I think you'd want a complete suspension job done while you're at it. The list will go on and on and as for resale value, it's anyone's guess.
The Pits said:
BMW? Perlease.
as shadow ninja mentioned the RB engine from the Nissan Skyline is one of the best straight sixes, if not the best of all time. RB stands for Race Bred. It's some unit. I used to have an R34 skyline and it sings like a beaut.
White hot turbo hotsides and manifolds in a fibreglass tub engine bay. Big balls there I reckon. (would agree though, some fantastic Japanese engines out there, maybe a compact Lexus all alloy V8)as shadow ninja mentioned the RB engine from the Nissan Skyline is one of the best straight sixes, if not the best of all time. RB stands for Race Bred. It's some unit. I used to have an R34 skyline and it sings like a beaut.
The Pits said:
Surely a V8 will need a different bonnet shape?
Personally I think you'll be ruining the character and a lot of what's great about the tuscan. The amount it would cost to do a bespoke engineering job properly will far outweigh the cost of a several rebuilds. By all accounts the latest rebuilds are much more like it.
I'd have a word with the reputable engine builders and get their take on what the S6 needs.
I know there are a lot of V8 fans here and each to their own but after the drive I just had in my tuscan at the weekend I wouldn't dream of changing it.
I think gobs of low down torque at the expense of screaming top end power would make the tuscan very edgy so I think you'd want a complete suspension job done while you're at it. The list will go on and on and as for resale value, it's anyone's guess.
Isn't this the answer UpTheIron didn't want! Getting into a debate on why you should'nt change the engine.Personally I think you'll be ruining the character and a lot of what's great about the tuscan. The amount it would cost to do a bespoke engineering job properly will far outweigh the cost of a several rebuilds. By all accounts the latest rebuilds are much more like it.
I'd have a word with the reputable engine builders and get their take on what the S6 needs.
I know there are a lot of V8 fans here and each to their own but after the drive I just had in my tuscan at the weekend I wouldn't dream of changing it.
I think gobs of low down torque at the expense of screaming top end power would make the tuscan very edgy so I think you'd want a complete suspension job done while you're at it. The list will go on and on and as for resale value, it's anyone's guess.
I have a LS1 5.7 in a 1600kg car which will pull 5.2 secs from 0-100....stock std. In a lighter car it would be awesome, reliable, economical and most of all cheap....very cheap! 200,000 klm's with no rebuild and still going strong, please show me a Speed 6 that has done that. Unfortunantly they don't fit that well. Finding an engine which will fit & perform that 'Joe six pack' can work on and be able to purchase parts easily at an affordable cost makes sense.
Being in the market for a Tuscan and having the possible choice of potentially having an inexpensive V8 conversion is very exciting.
You have my attention UpTheIron!
Edited by Night Rider on Tuesday 25th September 23:23
Looking for something like this....
[quote=shpub]
The LS1 conversion for my Cerbera will retro fit the Tuscan based on initial measuring etc etc.
Tower View and myself will be offering this as a conversion option for Cerberas and certainly we think it will fit easily into a Tuscan. It reuses most of the car so the costs can be kept to a minimum. The target price is around the cost of a SP6 rebuild.
[quote=shpub]
The LS1 conversion for my Cerbera will retro fit the Tuscan based on initial measuring etc etc.
Tower View and myself will be offering this as a conversion option for Cerberas and certainly we think it will fit easily into a Tuscan. It reuses most of the car so the costs can be kept to a minimum. The target price is around the cost of a SP6 rebuild.
shpub said:
The LS1 conversion for my Cerbera will retro fit the Tuscan based on initial measuring etc etc.
Tower View and myself will be offering this as a conversion option for Cerberas and certainly we think it will fit easily into a Tuscan. It reuses most of the car so the costs can be kept to a minimum. The target price is around the cost of a SP6 rebuild.
Steve,Tower View and myself will be offering this as a conversion option for Cerberas and certainly we think it will fit easily into a Tuscan. It reuses most of the car so the costs can be kept to a minimum. The target price is around the cost of a SP6 rebuild.
Very interesting. I'm not so convinced about your use of the word "easily" though
. If I do go for a change (no need to currently - just over 31k on my S6 at the moment) then an LSx seems to be the way to go. I'd prefer to stay with a straight 6 set up but I'd also like more power (with reliability) than any of the obvious / sensible cost options offer.
Tuska said:
Hey guys. I know of a project to put a Ford (not chevvy) short block V8 into a Tuscan. Its an experiment by a well known TVR engine guy. It is, suposedly, a much more suitable sized engine (as in its physical dimensions). Also, i'm told that its economical to buy because of the production numbers in the states.
The plan is to possibly offer this as a kit. Its been a year in deveplopment, however, and may be a dead duck....
I think you may be referring to my Ford V8 Tuscan, in which case to be honest I wouldn't recommend it.....its just been a right ballache and fThe plan is to possibly offer this as a kit. Its been a year in deveplopment, however, and may be a dead duck....
k up!!! 
Stick with the Speed 6! At least you can get them fixed and back in a few months...not years!
FOT Fast said:
Tuska said:
Hey guys. I know of a project to put a Ford (not chevvy) short block V8 into a Tuscan. Its an experiment by a well known TVR engine guy. It is, suposedly, a much more suitable sized engine (as in its physical dimensions). Also, i'm told that its economical to buy because of the production numbers in the states.
The plan is to possibly offer this as a kit. Its been a year in deveplopment, however, and may be a dead duck....
I think you may be referring to my Ford V8 Tuscan, in which case to be honest I wouldn't recommend it.....its just been a right ballache and fThe plan is to possibly offer this as a kit. Its been a year in deveplopment, however, and may be a dead duck....
k up!!! Stick with the Speed 6! At least you can get them fixed and back in a few months...not years!
My mate Jes has been having a lot of work done there on his 4.2 Cerb. The AJP V8 has been giving him a huge amount of problems, people forget, its not just the Sp6 that break!
Sorry to hear that your conversion hasn't been a success..............
Tuska said:
Since your in Bucks, i'm guessing it is yours, a certain 'top gear' garage by chance?
My mate Jes has been having a lot of work done there on his 4.2 Cerb. The AJP V8 has been giving him a huge amount of problems, people forget, its not just the Sp6 that break!
Sorry to hear that your conversion hasn't been a success..............
Yep that was the one..........My mate Jes has been having a lot of work done there on his 4.2 Cerb. The AJP V8 has been giving him a huge amount of problems, people forget, its not just the Sp6 that break!
Sorry to hear that your conversion hasn't been a success..............
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