Which engine for a V8 conversion?

I have done all the research and a lot of discussion with Aschroft and he told me that the gearbox can handle the power. As far as the TVR engines is concerned I am talking only for the Rover derived ones not the AJP (Cerbera engines). Chimaera & Griffith V8 engines are very very good and with no mechanical problems whatsoever. The M5 engines cost close to 5500 euros and then you want another 2200 euros to unlock the ecu, therefore those are out of the equation. A good low mileage TVR will cost you close to 3000 and its a almost a bolt on unit.

what I said still stands

Sorry mate but we have 2 cars down here with TVR engines. Never had any problems with those. On the other hand all the people that have used P38 engines even the later ones with the Bosch ECU, all of them had problems with overheating, etc. As far as power is concerned, they do not even come close to the MONSTERS.

Anyway, no worries.

Lots of people recommending the BM engines but I am worried about the cost.

What do the bowlers run? They have big petrol engines don't they?

I know a very well known engine builder who highly recommends the rover based v8s even of they are a bit rough / basic (part of the appeal)!

I should stress that this is for a bit of fun, a daily drive and a the occasional bit of donkey work - so I am not looking for a 10 year engine.

Tsaf read this thread, its not worth repeating. 2 cars isnt really a good cross section.

Northern git if you want a bmw engine the m60 is cheaper simpler version which will give you about 330-350 hp with a re-map. its the toughest of the bmw v8's but was only made from about 92-96 so finding one with a resonable milage on it might be hard.but it doesnt have vanos to worry about like the v8s after that. also the wiring and gearbox connection are what put me off anythin outside the rover family.

How much money are you looking to spend and what skills and facilities do you have at your disposal? are you going to do the work your self because if you dont then it will cost you even more obviously. these are really key questions to see if any of these pipe dreams are actually fesable. I hope they are fesable as v8s cant be bad

they used rover V8's but now they use jag V8s

NorthernGit said:

Lots of people recommending the BM engines but I am worried about the cost.

What do the bowlers run? They have big petrol engines don't they?

I know a very well known engine builder who highly recommends the rover based v8s even of they are a bit rough / basic (part of the appeal)!

I should stress that this is for a bit of fun, a daily drive and a the occasional bit of donkey work - so I am not looking for a 10 year engine.

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Hi there, I run a TVR 500 on my 90. Very potent. When I acquired the engine (from Andy Race of the TVR tuscan series) I inspected it in the dark, and bought the short block for 1100GBP - thinking 300 BHP drop in. But after a crack test and on inspection it had slipped a liner (TVR engines are the same!). But now top hat linered by Wards its rock steady. With custom top hats the big bore blocks rarely fail, very rarely. It is a good option 800 quid is the price, the TVR blocks carry a premium because the rotating assembly is lighter and custom - but it is also quite poorly balanced (exept the pistons which are well balanced), a full individual balance is also very helpfull. Go for it if you want power, for torque a P38 setup and flywheel with 14 bolt heads and a toruque max cam is the way to go.

DaviesDJ said:

Hi there, I run a TVR 500 on my 90. Very potent. When I acquired the engine (from Andy Race of the TVR tuscan series) I inspected it in the dark, and bought the short block for 1100GBP - thinking 300 BHP drop in. But after a crack test and on inspection it had slipped a liner (TVR engines are the same!). But now top hat linered by Wards its rock steady. With custom top hats the big bore blocks rarely fail, very rarely. It is a good option 800 quid is the price, the TVR blocks carry a premium because the rotating assembly is lighter and custom - but it is also quite poorly balanced (exept the pistons which are well balanced), a full individual balance is also very helpfull. Go for it if you want power, for torque a P38 setup and flywheel with 14 bolt heads and a toruque max cam is the way to go.

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Thats what we were saying. but if you read back on thread top hat linering, while the best fix is still a fix and is by no means certain. is it your daily drive?

14 bolt heads are the worst mod ever lol you want to get a blown head gasket

DaviesDJ said:

Hi there, I run a TVR 500 on my 90. Very potent. When I acquired the engine (from Andy Race of the TVR tuscan series) I inspected it in the dark, and bought the short block for 1100GBP - thinking 300 BHP drop in. But after a crack test and on inspection it had slipped a liner (TVR engines are the same!). But now top hat linered by Wards its rock steady. With custom top hats the big bore blocks rarely fail, very rarely. It is a good option 800 quid is the price, the TVR blocks carry a premium because the rotating assembly is lighter and custom - but it is also quite poorly balanced (exept the pistons which are well balanced), a full individual balance is also very helpfull. Go for it if you want power, for torque a P38 setup and flywheel with 14 bolt heads and a toruque max cam is the way to go.

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here's my advice

don't go with the boat anchor rover V8...

Get a well built modern engine such as a Chevrolet LS1 or a Toyota 1UZ-FE

Both are far far superior to the Rover V8, being better built, more reliable and more powerful.

Jus' plonk a 3.5 in it, 14 bolts anorl, and be happy

I say again.. this thread is brilliant.

Even a latecomer recommending the US blocks - it seems it is all down to choice. I am after a project, fun, noisy, very grunty, daily drive. WHilst I am not interested in tuning the engine other than intak, exhaust and remap - I am keen that it far outperforms the 300TDi.

So based on the number of 3.5 recommendations - what sort of performance gains are there:
More BHP, less Torque, feels a bit quicker OR is it Chalk and cheese - the 3.5 petrol will far out perform the 2.5 diesel?

Is the 3.5 compared to the 3.9 indistinguishable?

To answer the budget question - Ideally about 5k, I have a local Landy specialist, I can do some myself - and the bit I should have come clean about - is that I know a very very good and well known engine builder that can help if I need it. I can spend more - but that would defeat the point of this project.

for 5k a well sorted 3.5 producing over 200 bhp and 200 plus ftlbs of torque would be possible I would think and you could have it all done for you and some change. wouldnt need to get your hands dirty mind you that only if your 5k budget is for the engine and install alone.

the sd1 engine was 190 bhp with 10:5.1 compression and efi I believe, and thats as standard and they are cheap as chips to buy used

i have got a 3.9 for sale with electronic ignition, just takien it out of a land rover sweet runner

read the thread before spamming

and heavier, harder to install and the strain on the diffs, gearbox etc.

its a land rover - big heavy box on wheels.

why do I have a rover V8 in my 110 - purely for the noise nothing else.

nesponge said:

here's my advice

don't go with the boat anchor rover V8...

Get a well built modern engine such as a Chevrolet LS1 or a Toyota 1UZ-FE

Both are far far superior to the Rover V8, being better built, more reliable and more powerful.

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