Thinking of entry to the V8 Club
Discussion
Hello all, my first post on this forum as I usually only check news and general gassing.
I am creeping up on 3 years of ownership on my TR7 and having rebuilt and blueprinted my existing 4-cyl engine and having had no troubles with it in 2.5 years I'm loathed to change it. I've had my heart set on a 16-valve Sprint engine conversion for some time although VERY limited availability over here (in NZ) and high rebuild costs (I'm after about 180bhp) and the probable lack of driveability and reliability in this tune I'm having second thoughts. I've just graduated university and am starting a new job soon so am going to put some aside for an engine conversion in the coming year.
My thoughts have now wandered a bit to my original plan of fitting a V8 (I mean hey, it's a TR7... it was destined to have a V8 from the start right?).
I'm looking at buying a 3.5L V8 and building/working it outside the car and plonking it in when it's all done along with a fairly complete restoration on the car (if yo're wondering where the money comes from I save lots through not drinking alcohol
)including a continuation of the brake and suspension upgrades I've already fitted.
I'm thinking around 300bhp would be nice and obviously will be doing this through an increase in capacity to 4.6, 4.9, 5.o or 5.2L depending on what the engine builders reccommend.
Would you reccomend a bigger initial outlay and purchasing a 4.6L injected unit from a later Range Rover to start with or is there no benefit with this and should I buy one out of a clapped-out 3.5L SD1 or something?
I'm also tossing up between Injection and Carbs and what modifications to do to achieve around 300bhp.
I know squat really about these engines and really would like to pick your brains. Anyone have any helpful suggestions that might help me in this planning stage?
Many Thanks,
George.
I am creeping up on 3 years of ownership on my TR7 and having rebuilt and blueprinted my existing 4-cyl engine and having had no troubles with it in 2.5 years I'm loathed to change it. I've had my heart set on a 16-valve Sprint engine conversion for some time although VERY limited availability over here (in NZ) and high rebuild costs (I'm after about 180bhp) and the probable lack of driveability and reliability in this tune I'm having second thoughts. I've just graduated university and am starting a new job soon so am going to put some aside for an engine conversion in the coming year.
My thoughts have now wandered a bit to my original plan of fitting a V8 (I mean hey, it's a TR7... it was destined to have a V8 from the start right?).
I'm looking at buying a 3.5L V8 and building/working it outside the car and plonking it in when it's all done along with a fairly complete restoration on the car (if yo're wondering where the money comes from I save lots through not drinking alcohol
)including a continuation of the brake and suspension upgrades I've already fitted. I'm thinking around 300bhp would be nice and obviously will be doing this through an increase in capacity to 4.6, 4.9, 5.o or 5.2L depending on what the engine builders reccommend.
Would you reccomend a bigger initial outlay and purchasing a 4.6L injected unit from a later Range Rover to start with or is there no benefit with this and should I buy one out of a clapped-out 3.5L SD1 or something?
I'm also tossing up between Injection and Carbs and what modifications to do to achieve around 300bhp.
I know squat really about these engines and really would like to pick your brains. Anyone have any helpful suggestions that might help me in this planning stage?
Many Thanks,
George.
Yeah I think you're right, that would probably be enough power.... keeping a good gob of torque helps things greatly in a small car. If I can get the same power and torque as a standard Griff 500 I'd be VERY happy.... I've even thought about a direct bolt-in on a G500 but kinda costly... and I'd have to ship it from england.... THere's plenty of local Rover V8 specialists and I'm sure they do engines up to 5.2L and 300+bhp so aiming for just under that in interest of retaining some driveability.
I should add that this is for a street-only car, not a competition car and don't trackday it (yet anyway)
>> Edited by Esprit on Wednesday 6th November 09:47
I should add that this is for a street-only car, not a competition car and don't trackday it (yet anyway)
>> Edited by Esprit on Wednesday 6th November 09:47
Yeah really a bit heavy, and probably a bit overkill..... the Rover V8 in NZ is much cheaper to get into and easier to get mild power out of..... if I was going for biger power then yes, the chevvy small block would be the way to go. The TR7 is designed to take the Rover V8 anyway..... so it's a pretty harmonious match.
Hehehe if you've ever seen a TR7 engine bay you'd know that you can fit anything smaller than a Jag V12 in ther without making too many mods..... the RV8 is light, that's the key.... it's only a small car andd it's already front-heavy as it is so I dont want to make the broblem worse..... I'd be happy with anything over 250bhp really.... which is about the limit my drivetrain could handle anyway.... Im not interested in getting it down the 1/4 mile that quick... I just want it to hav that much more punch through the corners..... I'm thinking a 4.6L Range rover with possibly a re-work to 5L with cams, forged pistons, rods, head work, manifolds and carbs should see this suit me fine..... hopefully
Soddy and Kevinday..... spot on and top info, thankyou 280 ponies would satisfy me greatly i think, especially as its a street car + SWB and all.
I'm thinking of buying a wrecked 4.6L Range Rover Injected engine and starting from scratch balancing and blueprinting plus cams, chip, ignition, head work etc... should be a flyer.
Any more info?
I'm thinking of buying a wrecked 4.6L Range Rover Injected engine and starting from scratch balancing and blueprinting plus cams, chip, ignition, head work etc... should be a flyer.
Any more info?
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