Compression Ratio - Help advice needed
Discussion
I'm looking at a motor for the TVR
I have just had the compression ratio professionally measured at 11.1 (Ford Essex V6).
I am interested in peoples thoughts as to the ability for this engine / compression ratio to tolerate pump gas as it will primarily be used on the road.
Also can anyone recommend someone who is familar with tweaking these old lumps?
I must be slighty crazy as the current engine runs sweeter than a nut.
I have just had the compression ratio professionally measured at 11.1 (Ford Essex V6).
I am interested in peoples thoughts as to the ability for this engine / compression ratio to tolerate pump gas as it will primarily be used on the road.
Also can anyone recommend someone who is familar with tweaking these old lumps?
I must be slighty crazy as the current engine runs sweeter than a nut.
CRM said:
I'm looking at a motor for the TVR
I have just had the compression ratio professionally measured at 11.1 (Ford Essex V6).
I am interested in peoples thoughts as to the ability for this engine / compression ratio to tolerate pump gas as it will primarily be used on the road.
Also can anyone recommend someone who is familar with tweaking these old lumps?
I must be slighty crazy as the current engine runs sweeter than a nut.
BP Ultima ~98 will be no problem at 11.1 . . . unless it needs leadI have just had the compression ratio professionally measured at 11.1 (Ford Essex V6).
I am interested in peoples thoughts as to the ability for this engine / compression ratio to tolerate pump gas as it will primarily be used on the road.
Also can anyone recommend someone who is familar with tweaking these old lumps?
I must be slighty crazy as the current engine runs sweeter than a nut.
I imagine it'll all very much depend on how it's been set up and what sort ignition and fuelling it has. After all, superbike engines have a higher compression ratio and run on 95 or even 91.
If your current engine is running well and it's of the same variety why would you want this one?
If it's just for some more power I'd look at a spot of forced induction on the existing unit - a nice little supercharger on the Essex lump would work well. Then again turbocharging has already been done on this model hasn't it?
I've always hankered after a nice tidy Taimar to which i'd fit an APJ8. Pure TVR and it'd be scarey as hell! (You could probably pick up a 4.2 AJP8 cheaper than a tuned Essex these days too!).
Goodness how I ramble on......
If your current engine is running well and it's of the same variety why would you want this one?
If it's just for some more power I'd look at a spot of forced induction on the existing unit - a nice little supercharger on the Essex lump would work well. Then again turbocharging has already been done on this model hasn't it?

I've always hankered after a nice tidy Taimar to which i'd fit an APJ8. Pure TVR and it'd be scarey as hell! (You could probably pick up a 4.2 AJP8 cheaper than a tuned Essex these days too!).
Goodness how I ramble on......
jamieheasman said:
I imagine it'll all very much depend on how it's been set up and what sort ignition and fuelling it has. After all, superbike engines have a higher compression ratio and run on 95 or even 91.
If your current engine is running well and it's of the same variety why would you want this one?
If it's just for some more power I'd look at a spot of forced induction on the existing unit - a nice little supercharger on the Essex lump would work well. Then again turbocharging has already been done on this model hasn't it?
I've always hankered after a nice tidy Taimar to which i'd fit an APJ8. Pure TVR and it'd be scarey as hell! (You could probably pick up a 4.2 AJP8 cheaper than a tuned Essex these days too!).
Goodness how I ramble on......
SHHHH! That's my idea..... AJP-8 powered TR7, or even a Vixen If your current engine is running well and it's of the same variety why would you want this one?
If it's just for some more power I'd look at a spot of forced induction on the existing unit - a nice little supercharger on the Essex lump would work well. Then again turbocharging has already been done on this model hasn't it?

I've always hankered after a nice tidy Taimar to which i'd fit an APJ8. Pure TVR and it'd be scarey as hell! (You could probably pick up a 4.2 AJP8 cheaper than a tuned Essex these days too!).
Goodness how I ramble on......

You can't put it into a TR7 that just wouldn't be right and Vixens are just too valuable now - very sought after by the classic racing boys.
That's why I've picked the Taimar - more practical than the 3000M, strong chassis (when it hasn't rusted away!) with plenty of suspension and brake upgrades already available off the shelf. The earlier 4-pot cars handled better (hence the Vixen being in big demand) so getting rid of the boat-anchor V6 and replacing it with a lightweight, compact and powerful V8 that just happens to have been made by the same company seems the most logical conclusion.
That AJP8 is one of the most impressive engines I've ever had the pleasure to experience and I can't think of a more fitting use for it (apart from in the glorious Cerbera of course).
With good Taimars available from 5000GBP and complete AJP8s available from 2000GBP you could put this together very cheaply. If only I had the money and the time!
That's why I've picked the Taimar - more practical than the 3000M, strong chassis (when it hasn't rusted away!) with plenty of suspension and brake upgrades already available off the shelf. The earlier 4-pot cars handled better (hence the Vixen being in big demand) so getting rid of the boat-anchor V6 and replacing it with a lightweight, compact and powerful V8 that just happens to have been made by the same company seems the most logical conclusion.
That AJP8 is one of the most impressive engines I've ever had the pleasure to experience and I can't think of a more fitting use for it (apart from in the glorious Cerbera of course).
With good Taimars available from 5000GBP and complete AJP8s available from 2000GBP you could put this together very cheaply. If only I had the money and the time!
Thanks for all your replies, suggestions and questions.
For those interested in a quick update....After a recent spending frenzy (push bike and race alfa sud) I have purchased the Essex anchor. Essentially I want my car to be original, period, accurate etc and although it already goes brilliantly I have the suspicion that at some point I'll simply want more acceleration (I spend too much time behind a certain Griff)
Having a gut feeling that if I don't buy this lump then I'll regret it (if half of the legends, rumours and lies are true). Essentially being the same lump I already have only on steroids I prefer the option of keeping the original motor unmolested (who knows maybe the new donk will power a future track Tamair / 3000M). I'm also curious to find out how it will stack up against Jim's turbo (eventually - on both counts).
Anyway as I have long run out of money (after recent toy number 1) it won't see the inside of my car until at least winter 2008 possibly even the winter after that! I need to learn more about mechanicals but am under the impression that a higher compression can be run with a lower advance. Although current thinking is to de-tune slightly and lower the compression ratio back to around 9:5:1. Still no hurry to make any decisions in the short term.
Obviously I'll have to wait and see but I am expecting the BHP to increase from around 150 to 250
On a side note if anyone stumbles across a nice set of triple carbs that will fit the Essex I would appreciate you drawing my attention to it.
For those interested in a quick update....After a recent spending frenzy (push bike and race alfa sud) I have purchased the Essex anchor. Essentially I want my car to be original, period, accurate etc and although it already goes brilliantly I have the suspicion that at some point I'll simply want more acceleration (I spend too much time behind a certain Griff)
Having a gut feeling that if I don't buy this lump then I'll regret it (if half of the legends, rumours and lies are true). Essentially being the same lump I already have only on steroids I prefer the option of keeping the original motor unmolested (who knows maybe the new donk will power a future track Tamair / 3000M). I'm also curious to find out how it will stack up against Jim's turbo (eventually - on both counts).
Anyway as I have long run out of money (after recent toy number 1) it won't see the inside of my car until at least winter 2008 possibly even the winter after that! I need to learn more about mechanicals but am under the impression that a higher compression can be run with a lower advance. Although current thinking is to de-tune slightly and lower the compression ratio back to around 9:5:1. Still no hurry to make any decisions in the short term.
Obviously I'll have to wait and see but I am expecting the BHP to increase from around 150 to 250
On a side note if anyone stumbles across a nice set of triple carbs that will fit the Essex I would appreciate you drawing my attention to it.
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