Rover V8 Which one for my TVR?

[Artracing]

I picked up 74 TVR with missing engine and transmission. It had a Rover V8.
I’m clueless about the engine.
What am I looking for to replace it , including the transmission?

Rob

[Colin RedGriff]

What model?
Picture?

I can't think of a 74 model TVR that came with a Rover V8.

They weren't really used until the Wedges in the 80s a few odd M series were built with Rovers I think, but not in 74.

[Artracing]

It’s 2500m
I’m sure this was a mod and not original.
TM chassis
I have a complete machine shop so I can
Take this on. Need to pick the right V8 and trans.
I’m not a guy that wants high HP. Just nice running V8.
I have thought about the Ford 289-302.

Thanks for reply

Rob

[Artracing]

Oh, it’s a 73 2600 series TM and has a Model 268 on title?

[phillpot]

Are you it's a TVR?


Photo might help

[Artracing]

I don’t have image small enough. If you must see a image, here is one.
Temp restoration. On my 2nd TVR with TR6

Rob

[GAjon]

Well I wouldn’t put a million year old engine on it.

Go for a modern unit.

[350Matt]

I think they were mostly triumph straight sixes in this period then moved to the Ford V6 so compared to either of them a RV8 is an upgrade

[Artracing]

Well, I’m planning Rover or Ford
As for Rover, I don’t know what year might be best carburated one to use.
There doesn’t seem much on this upgrade with rover so I’m leaning to 302 Ford.
Thanks

[GTRene]

Artracing said:

It’s 2500m
I’m sure this was a mod and not original.
TM chassis
I have a complete machine shop so I can
Take this on. Need to pick the right V8 and trans.
I’m not a guy that wants high HP. Just nice running V8.
I have thought about the Ford 289-302.

Thanks for reply

Rob

Cool, you could make a sort 5000M series of it with a corvette rear diff.
you could use such, made as new 302 engine, or drop in a more modern engine, a bit dressed up like a old school look.

[300bhp/ton]

Artracing said:

It’s 2500m
I’m sure this was a mod and not original.
TM chassis
I have a complete machine shop so I can
Take this on. Need to pick the right V8 and trans.
I’m not a guy that wants high HP. Just nice running V8.
I have thought about the Ford 289-302.

Thanks for reply

Rob

The Ford unit is a good engine for its period. Think they are more narrow than a Rover V8. But being cast iron they weigh quite a lot more. In a super lightweight car this is going to impact handling and balance a lot more.

The old Ford engine will also offer only marginally better bhp/litre than the Rover. The main advantage is you are starting with more litres.

Remember the highest regular output of the 302 was 225bhp. And as low as about 120hp in the low CR variants. I would also suspect they are a pricey option to get in the U.K.

The Rover V8 is a good engine if you want a genuine 250-280bhp. And it is pretty lightweight, even by modern standards. They are also plentiful and still pretty affordable in the U.K. A 4.6 from a p38 Range Rover. With a good cam, some heads and some nice breathing (intake/exhaust). I’d have thought in such a car as this, it would be plenty.

If you want modern. Chevy LS is the only answer really. But they still weigh more than a Rover unit.

If you want a challenge. Then the Jag AJV8 is a lovely compact DOHC unit. But you’d need to do a lot of R&D.

Of course the ultimate V8 in such a car would be TVR’s own AJP unit!

[Artracing]

Good points. That’s what I’m looking for.
Do you know what years are P38?

Rob

[300bhp/ton]

Artracing said:

Good points. That’s what I’m looking for.
Do you know what years are P38?

Rob

P38 was 1994 thru 2001.

The 4.6 has cross bolted mains, same as the same era 4.0 litre. I believe it is essentially the same engine as the TVR 4.5 in the Chimera. Same displacement, bore and stroke.

Pre 99 use GEMS Efi. Post 99 use Bosch EFI commonly known as Thor engines. They have a different intake manifold. However there are lots of options such as running Megasquirt if you want a programmable stand alone EFI setup. Or these will run great with a 4 barrel carb from Weber/Edelbrock/Holly if you want to keep more period. Plus some form of electronic ignition.

V8Developments and Realsteel offer cams and heads. Depends how much £££ you want to throw into the build.

Don’t get me wrong, the Ford motor is nice and in the US has loads of aftermarket support. And will outperform the Rover in the power department. If I remember correctly Dart make an alloy block for them and lots of alloy head options too these days. But I’d guess building the Ford up would cost maybe 50-100% more than a sensible Rover build could.

Now if your goal is 300-400hp na. The Rover is probably not a good choice and will cost way to much to get up to that power level and would probably disappoint. But it will quite happily do a very solid 250-280hp for little money and a bit more with some good heads.

[Artracing]

Wow. This is exactly what I came here for. I thank you greatly. You hit the nail on the head.
I’m resold on Rover. I’m not a horse power guy, at least not in this car. A nice little V8 is all I need.
The search is now on.

Thanks again
Rob

[N7GTX]

Lots of good reading on the various upgrades/power choices here for Rover V8s:

http://www.v8developments.co.uk/products/index.sht...

[300bhp/ton]

Artracing said:

Wow. This is exactly what I came here for. I thank you greatly. You hit the nail on the head.
I’m resold on Rover. I’m not a horse power guy, at least not in this car. A nice little V8 is all I need.
The search is now on.

Thanks again
Rob

In terms of gearboxes. You have a bit of choice. The Rover LT-77 or R380 are cheap and easy to get in the UK. And also very affordable to rebuild. Not the smoothest gearbox nor the strongest. But usually fine in lightweight cars. TVR used them for quite a long time with the RV8.

In latter RV8 TVR’s I believe they switched to the Borg Warner/Tremac T5 box. Which would work well too.

[Artracing]

N7GTX said:

Lots of good reading on the various upgrades/power choices here for Rover V8s:

http://www.v8developments.co.uk/products/index.sht...

Good link

[Artracing]

300bhp/ton said:

In terms of gearboxes. You have a bit of choice. The Rover LT-77 or R380 are cheap and easy to get in the UK. And also very affordable to rebuild. Not the smoothest gearbox nor the strongest. But usually fine in lightweight cars. TVR used them for quite a long time with the RV8.

In latter RV8 TVR’s I believe they switched to the Borg Warner/Tremac T5 box. Which would work well too.

Cool, that was my next question,thanks

[Steve_D]

Earlier you mentioned carbs. EFI would be the better choice but if you really wanted carbs then there were earlier engines with carbs and I think the manifold would be a straight swap onto a later engine but you will need to research that.
Had forgotten about the carbs but just the other day I spotted one under my bench. Has twin strombergs or zeniths not sure which.

Steve

[Artracing]

Another thing to consider. I was thinking carb to be little period correct.