rover v8 conversion

[Vagrant No2]

No disrespect to Rover, but the Rover V8 was originally a Yank engine that Rover bought and slightly modified over the years.

Buick block . Nice and light so power to weight ratio ideal .

[da SLUG man]

why not stick in a 1600 cvh from an escort??...

(just a thought)
(mainly cos i got an old escort for sale cheap!!)

[BUSHWHACKER]

Interesting fact number 17235534 b sub section c.......The Rover 3.5 V8 engine is lighter than the 2.0 4 cylinder Ford cosworth engine.

[da SLUG man]

Interesting fact number 17235534 b sub section c.......The Rover 3.5 V8 engine is lighter than the 2.0 4 cylinder Ford cosworth engine.

that's cos there's more holes in it!

[BUSHWHACKER]

[TonyN]

Interesting fact number 17235534 b sub section c.......The Rover 3.5 V8 engine is lighter than the 2.0 4 cylinder Ford cosworth engine.

Its also very much lighter than the 2LT/E, I got about 1 1/2" free suspension lift after the fitting one in my pickup.

[Guest]

That's cos it's made out of Aluminium cooking foil.

[Chiko]

What sort of costs / timescale are involved in the RV8 conversion on an auto? I know the engines are anywhere from 150 upwards...I'm currently doing an engine conversion on my track car, but it's to a built version of an engine from the same range.

I presume the RV8 would only deliver circa 12mpg?

comments and codgitations invited

damnit...the reason I bought a surf in the first place was because it would be something I wouldn't want to modify

which turned into...wouldn't want to modify very much...

which turned into...sod it, lets see what i can do.

Just as long as the civic doesn't get neglected!

[TonyN]

I used to get nearly 20 out of my V8 pickup, not found a bellhousing adapter to join the auto to the V8, so you'd have to make one yourself.

[Vagrant No2]

I used to get nearly 20 out of my V8 pickup, not found a bellhousing adapter to join the auto to the V8, so you'd have to make one yourself.

I thought an Australian company made the bellhousing conversion for Surfs ?

[da SLUG man]

my mate made his own adaptor to fit his diesel onto the rover box.. just made a template out of tin and got a metal shop to cut out a proper one.

[TonyN]

I thought an Australian company made the bellhousing conversion for Surfs ?

Only seen it for the manual gearboxes, but if they do I'll have one!

[Neil.a]

You could get yourself a Small block Chevy (my personal favourite Petrol motor) and get all the power, torque, reliability and cheap parts that you could ever want. You can also get adaptors for the standard Auto or manual box as well.

I agree
I built a GD427 Cobra, and I rued the day I put in the Rover. Save yourself a lot of grief and put in a small block 4 bolt main you wont regret it 350 bhp and 300ftlb torque as standard.
Also compare prices for parts on Rovers v Chevys I think you'l be in for a surprise

[wibblywobbly]

Has anyone done this and what are the benefits?

Ok, if you have a knackered Toyota mill then it's going to be an opportune time to switch blocks, but can anyone explain to the uninitiated what the advantages and disadvantages are?

What sort of mpg, total cost of a conversion, and if available the torque/bhp figures. There is a world of difference between a high revving thirsty petrol engine and a low revving diesel lump.

Also, is the V8 better than the 2.4 and the 3.0 or is it only better than the 2.4.

Soooo..... does anyone have any figures? I am not knocking anyone for wanting to do the swap, but for those that haven't got a clue on such things (and who might like a smoother Surf ?) we would love to know what the real reasons for the change might be.

Thanks guys

Rob G

[BUSHWHACKER]

This seems to be a more straightforward engine swap.........

http://www4.ncsu.edu/~jmgobien/html/supraswap.html


I gonna do it ......................one day.