Cosworth Conversion
Discussion
I'm thinking about putting a 24v Cosworth engine into my S1. I figure the best way to start is to buy a complete Granada Cosworth, but the question i have is, will it bolt straight to the type9 gearbox in my S1 and is there any other pitfalls in doing the job that i should know about?

graham kay said:
I'm thinking about putting a 24v Cosworth engine into my S1. I figure the best way to start is to buy a complete Granada Cosworth, but the question i have is, will it bolt straight to the type9 gearbox in my S1 and is there any other pitfalls in doing the job that i should know about?
All I can say is that it looks a fairly hefty job. I seem to recall reading something about the manifolds being a bit of a pig to sort out? 
From what I have read the T9 Gearbox is at its limit with this conversion.. although that said a few do run this set up succesfully.. I think an uprated gearbox cover plate helps. Its probably to do with driving style.
If you swap the T9 out the options are 2WD MT75 (hybrid conversion using 2WD DOHC and 4x4 V6) or the V6 mustang spec T5. I think you can get adaptor plates for the 2WD Coswoth T5 nut have read good and bad accounts of these.
Boosted's manifolds look great and he even does them with provision for a pair of Turbo's in the future..
I am awaiting parts and funds to get my own 24V conversion fitted in 2010.. got the engine so far need to sort a gearbox but have been tempted to attach to my T9 and take the suck it and see approach.
Got rear disks going on first though.
Cheers
Damian S3
If you swap the T9 out the options are 2WD MT75 (hybrid conversion using 2WD DOHC and 4x4 V6) or the V6 mustang spec T5. I think you can get adaptor plates for the 2WD Coswoth T5 nut have read good and bad accounts of these.
Boosted's manifolds look great and he even does them with provision for a pair of Turbo's in the future..

I am awaiting parts and funds to get my own 24V conversion fitted in 2010.. got the engine so far need to sort a gearbox but have been tempted to attach to my T9 and take the suck it and see approach.
Got rear disks going on first though.
Cheers
Damian S3
^ See half way down this page on the right hand side.
http://www.chevroletls1.com/ford_cosworth.html
These link into the system under the car and stay behind the alternator.
http://www.chevroletls1.com/ford_cosworth.html
These link into the system under the car and stay behind the alternator.
Edited by Boosted LS1 on Tuesday 29th December 23:25
I have been running my standard Type 9 gearbox with my BOA V6 for 3 years now without any issues. I also had an uprated clutch which came with the car and has proven to be reliable. I guess at the end of the day the cars are reasonably light, and unless you gun it all the time, the gearbox is relatively understressed. I also do several trackdays a year and certainly do not hold back, and am usually one of the quicker cars, and certainly quicker than most TVR`s that I come accross (which is rare unfortunately)....but I guess I do have a smooth driving style (usually anyhow!) and warm the car properly before giving it the beans.
There is a bit of a drive train whine now at 40mph in 4th, but this seemed to coincide with me fitting near solid diff mounts, and I do not have the rubber boot fitted to the gearbox tunnel, which would insulate most of the common noises so its hard to tell really.
A company called BGH do uprated Type 9 gearboxes.
There is a bit of a drive train whine now at 40mph in 4th, but this seemed to coincide with me fitting near solid diff mounts, and I do not have the rubber boot fitted to the gearbox tunnel, which would insulate most of the common noises so its hard to tell really.
A company called BGH do uprated Type 9 gearboxes.
CTE said:
I also do several trackdays a year and certainly do not hold back, and am usually one of the quicker cars, and certainly quicker than most TVR`s that I come accross (which is rare unfortunately)...
Cool as I intend to do this conversion myself I am curious how it would stand up against the V8's.. what have you gone up against an how did the little S fair..?I remember many an afternoon Drag Racing whooping 928's and M3 with my old cossie..
a certain modified Maestro Turbo was always a issue though.. 
Cheers
D
Damien,
Its certainly quicker than the 4.5 ltr cars...I have never come up against a 5 ltr car with this engine set up, also my experience against other TVR`s has mostly been on an airfield trackday at Marham, which involves some very long straights, aswell as some good twisties. The event is held over 2 days and last year most of the TVR`s went on the Saturday, whereas I went on the Sunday.
The S would probably fair even better on a twisty circuit....
The Rover based engines are not up to all they are cracked up to be though....a good V8 s probably makes around 220-240bhp, with loads of low down torque, but pretty much all over with by 4-4500rpm. I do not think the 4.5 ltr engines are much better, and I once drove a 4.3 big valve Griffith which did not appear to be any better either. A mate of mine once went in a 5ltr Griffith which went well, although whether it was 320bhp well is another matter. My guess is the 5ltr cars are a bit quicker, but probably not by too much. I also had a bit of a hoon against a Tuscan....up to high 2 figure speeds there was nothing in it, but undoubtedly if there were more safe room, then he would have gone by...as you`d expect.
Anyhow, I am very happy with the whole set up, its now got the power the chassis always needed and its a good powerful sports car, without being silly fast, or uneconomical for that matter....although I do fancy fitting a supercharger (but then the gearbox etc would need changing).....
Its certainly quicker than the 4.5 ltr cars...I have never come up against a 5 ltr car with this engine set up, also my experience against other TVR`s has mostly been on an airfield trackday at Marham, which involves some very long straights, aswell as some good twisties. The event is held over 2 days and last year most of the TVR`s went on the Saturday, whereas I went on the Sunday.
The S would probably fair even better on a twisty circuit....
The Rover based engines are not up to all they are cracked up to be though....a good V8 s probably makes around 220-240bhp, with loads of low down torque, but pretty much all over with by 4-4500rpm. I do not think the 4.5 ltr engines are much better, and I once drove a 4.3 big valve Griffith which did not appear to be any better either. A mate of mine once went in a 5ltr Griffith which went well, although whether it was 320bhp well is another matter. My guess is the 5ltr cars are a bit quicker, but probably not by too much. I also had a bit of a hoon against a Tuscan....up to high 2 figure speeds there was nothing in it, but undoubtedly if there were more safe room, then he would have gone by...as you`d expect.
Anyhow, I am very happy with the whole set up, its now got the power the chassis always needed and its a good powerful sports car, without being silly fast, or uneconomical for that matter....although I do fancy fitting a supercharger (but then the gearbox etc would need changing).....
Did any of you that are running cosworth conversions have any problems fitting the engine then, did the engine mounts match up to the originals and how did you come on with mating up the electrics such as rev counter and power and sensors for the ecu and are you running them with lambda sensors.
graham kay said:
Did any of you that are running cosworth conversions have any problems fitting the engine then, did the engine mounts match up to the originals and how did you come on with mating up the electrics such as rev counter and power and sensors for the ecu and are you running them with lambda sensors.
The engine drops onto the existing chassis mounts and bolts onto the gearbox without issue. Then it's normal to use the cosworth ecu and modify the cosworth harness. Or, buy an emerald ecu and use that.As for engines, most people use the earlier BOA engine because it hasn't got VIS. It's also got the really nice cosworth plenum and an ecu which doesn't have VATS. You can buy good used engines so long as you check them properly. These engines wear very little if they'be been given regular oil changes.
Boosted LS1 said:
graham kay said:
Did any of you that are running cosworth conversions have any problems fitting the engine then, did the engine mounts match up to the originals and how did you come on with mating up the electrics such as rev counter and power and sensors for the ecu and are you running them with lambda sensors.
The engine drops onto the existing chassis mounts and bolts onto the gearbox without issue. Then it's normal to use the cosworth ecu and modify the cosworth harness. Or, buy an emerald ecu and use that.As for engines, most people use the earlier BOA engine because it hasn't got VIS. It's also got the really nice cosworth plenum and an ecu which doesn't have VATS. You can buy good used engines so long as you check them properly. These engines wear very little if they'be been given regular oil changes.
I have followed this thread because my December 88 S has got chassis rot so the body is coming off. I already bought a Sierrs Cosworth LSD last year so I'm going to fit it and while I am at it was thinking of dropping a BOA/BOB in it. Can anyone tell me of their experiences in doing something similar? I intend to strengthen the chassis and fit the relevant discs at the back but intend on keeping the standard wheels. As I am going to probably have to replace both trailing arms I was thinking of perhaps fitting V8 ones along with wishbones and therefore get the wider track by doing so although I have seen in the thread that there may be body clearance issues. Any advice gratefully received.
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