mrjenrst

wow!

tabetha

I think the main point is being missed here, ie torque of the V8.
My dads 4i we did some years back(7-9) was easy enough, but with "only" around 245bhp it doesn't drive anything like it, it's closer to 300lbft at around 2200rpm, so in real world driving it's very quick, it uses the rover V8 LT77 gearbox, which are far from rubbish, a very strong box, but the change is so slow, it's quicker 0-60 in 2nd gear than bothering with 1st gear, all about laziness driving.
Problems included a magnum leaking sump, which I had to completely re weld, rubbish manifolds from same, the exhaust hits the steering link unless you ding it in a bit, on the magnum ones, but doing again I'd just make some up from scratch, the water pump on some rover can be very long, so space can be tight.
I find it makes a really nice conversion using a RV8, if you like the V8 power delivery style, imo you can't beat the soundtrack of any V8, well only with a straight 8 anyway!!
Even if I launch hard with my 300bhp sapphy, my dads rv8 4i beats me easily 0-40 or so, but it does it all without any noise or fuss, sound track is ace, it uses a rover sd1 stainless steel system cut and shut to fit a 4i.
The other problem we had was the gearing, we now run a 3.14:1 diff, as the rv8 isn't a high revver, only engine mods are piper 270 cam 3 angle seats, and uses later cross bolt bmw block, when bmw had control of rover they made the 3950 and 4600 blocks cross bolt, though some 3950 didn't have the cross bolts in all machining was there so drill holes put in bolts if wanted/needed.
It does around 32-34 on a run.
It did chew up a prop, twisted it like a chew and then snapped it clean in two, when me dad lost his rag one day, so budget for a decent prop cause the 4i one snapped on ours.
tabetha

JonnyBravo

I'm not a V8 sort of person but for the money its quite ridiculous the power they can make.

A mate of mine is well into his drag racing, has gone from a road car to a race car now but the old Chevvy 383 was a serious bit of kit putting out approx 800hp on nitrous, never had one fault either which isn't bad for a 800ho motor !



His new engine though you may struggle to fit in a Sierra



Ford lump has to be a easier option if the T5 bolts straight up but I wouldn't fancy a T5's chances on such a big torquey motor

chaffe

i personnaly wouldnt use a rover 3.5 v8 if i was going to go to all the hassle of bolting a v8 in i would find the one they use in the lexus is400 (cant remember its name) or as said a bmw one, then low boost twin turbo it lol

chaffe

lol tabetha, twisting props

JonnyBravo

1UZ I think it is.

AMAZING engine

chaffe

thats the fucker

R4N SS

iTrader: (6)

if going V8 use the lexus v8 - can get the whole car for 400 quid

chaffe

there is no replacement for displacement

Shonky

The 1uz is a massive engine! We found this when looking for v8 engines for our Ka:





Another good engine is the 300zx twin turbo v6 VG30DETT

We settled for a BMW 740 motor, bought the complete engine ready to run for £150 without a gearbox, they're built immensly well by the looks of it, cam chains are like motorbike drive chains and duplexed!

tabetha

RV8 weighs 318lbs, cleveland weighs 550 for example.
Totally depends what you want, I'd suggest driving one first as power delivery is so different, if you like say type r's, or duratecs you may hate v8's.
Rv8 so much more plentiful, but if wanting over around 280 bhp I'd be looking elsewhere, I still like the old sbc myself, but the sbf is a nicer revving engine imo.
The prop was a custom built one by a now dead company, used the oe shaft as far as can remember but was along time ago by Brooke Engineering, near Norwich, didn't balance it properly either.
tabetha

JonnyBravo

Here is the dyno graph for the SBC in the picture :



Off gas results obviously.

merkur

My friend is sticking a 5.7/LT1 in at the moment.
He had a 4.8/LS1 in but it was from a Chevy Express van and in California you cant swap a van engine into a car!
Most inconvenient!

kev 3dr

iTrader: (1)

Ford 5.0 with alloy heads and manifold is about 400lbs

Chaz888

rover sd1 engine is a fine animal ran one for over 6 years in a mgb convertion with a sd1 gearbox not massive power only about 200 bhp on mine but that was all i needed and dont be fooled that they dont rev cos they do ! and being all alum its light

Mark V8

iTrader: (2)

Buy one get one free....

Chaz888

feking a !!!!! the charger almost the same size as the engine

JohnnyB

FUCK ME!!!!!

BON_300

You should post some pics of the project

chaffe

That brings us to my next point, of course it should be force inducted also! no point having all those cc's and not boosting them!

scoooby slayer

iTrader: (4)

i wouldnt bother with a rover v8, why do you think buick binned it and rover bought it ! ive had one and been in many they are all shit, not enough power for far to much fuel. just an expensive soundtrack imo.
small block chevy oh yes

chaffe

all american 16v v8's are underpowered imo, what does a good one make bhp/litre wise? For example most 2 litre turbos will do 270 bhp with factory turbo and a re-map, so thats 135bhp/litre. I bet you be luck to find a v8 to beat 70

focusv8

You're trying to compare chalk and cheese.

A 5ltr v8 is over there is equivalent in status to a 1.8ltr non turbo here.
Bog standard engine for an average (full size) family saloon built to last at least 200,000 miles and run on low grade fuel.

Try running your 2ltr 270 bhp in the same circumstances.

.

Supercharge6

Bumping this very old post because:

1. On the look out for a 3 door Sierra

2. I want a v8 soundtrack for it

Sounds like the 302 v8 is the way to go. Conversion kits available, 300hp plus easily supercharged - no brainer?

Loads of info available on XR4Ti engine conversions too!