Discussion
Has any one out there had a look at fitting an american V8 in the cerbera or anything else. I know there is a weight penalty, I was thinking more of phisical problems like height & width. The yank engine would have a sump & being a 90 degree vee as apposed to 75 degree would take up more width in the already tight engine bay. I was thinking on the lines of a tuned fuel injected 350/380 small block chevy.
Boosted LS1, you about?? 
Plus - I've had countless talks with my engineers - and the upshot is - dumping in an american lump in there is not easy feat - (costly chassis mods) - dont even bother thinking about the clearance requirements for the headers and then fitting the trannie in line too... whoever is thinking about this - you got more money than sense! (Chassis mods are not cheap - if you want them done right on a tubular spaceframe setup which is designed in line to handle stress and fatigue at certain points more than others and acts like a backup system all round, cutting anything in there will seriously screw the whole setup!)... oh and its not that cheap - my engineers can do the rebuild for a lot less than the factory, and for those who want to spend a little more, can even knock the capacity up a little.... Like I said before, if you need a rebuild - mail me... 
The trouble with changing engines is the hidden costs apart from the lump itself. You could spend quite a few thousand installing and sorting out tething problems. The AJP seems pretty reliable (always a few exceptions...) and you can get one rebuilt for about £1800+vat if I have understood correctly from TVR power.
It does provide an awful lot of character of the car. I know when I got mine, I thought about other engines, but I'm pretty sure when mine lets go, I'll just get it rebuilt
It does provide an awful lot of character of the car. I know when I got mine, I thought about other engines, but I'm pretty sure when mine lets go, I'll just get it rebuilt
The LS1/X will fit nicely and there are some nice compact headers which I supply as well. The chassis doesn't need modding. I've measured cerbs at Julians gaff and I've re-checked the measurements. I need a donar car/chassis minus engine to test the theory. I'm really confident this will work. All I need to do is drop in a dummy block to prove it can be done.
As for power, well 800 odd hp can come from bolt on boost using replaceable parts 'off the shelf'. Or 400 odd/hp and similar torque n/a is more common. Thing is, you get a nice fat torque curve, 300 odd lbs/ft at a tad over 2000 rpm. As for costs, under £10k should see it done depending on final specs.
For the gearbox you can beef up a t5, use a 3550 or maybe a t56. The 6 speed will let you cruise at 90 mph for about 2000 rpm, maybe less
This conversion will happen sooner or later when somebody stuffs an engine
and I've re-checked the measurements. I need a donar car/chassis minus engine to test the theory. I'm really confident this will work. All I need to do is drop in a dummy block to prove it can be done. As for power, well 800 odd hp can come from bolt on boost using replaceable parts 'off the shelf'. Or 400 odd/hp and similar torque n/a is more common. Thing is, you get a nice fat torque curve, 300 odd lbs/ft at a tad over 2000 rpm. As for costs, under £10k should see it done depending on final specs.
For the gearbox you can beef up a t5, use a 3550 or maybe a t56. The 6 speed will let you cruise at 90 mph for about 2000 rpm, maybe less
This conversion will happen sooner or later when somebody stuffs an engine
Well, it looks to have the overall width but it's close. Mind you with tiffs isn't that usually the case It has the length for an lsx and height has never been an issue with this engine, having no huge plenum as such. Oh, the cerb hasn't got anything under the engine either, just loads of space
Boosted.
It has the length for an lsx and height has never been an issue with this engine, having no huge plenum as such. Oh, the cerb hasn't got anything under the engine either, just loads of space Boosted.
los angeles said:
Boosted, would it take the new 'Vette engine without too much serious fettling?
Do you mean ls6 or 6.0 ls2? I haven't had an ls2 yet and the 300 extra cc isn't to important to me so it will be a while. The 02 vette 'big wing' sump may foul as may the front end accessories (alternator), so change them all for 'F' body parts. Don't forget you need a cable throttle assembly unless you wish to use the vette ecu which could be a lot of hard work! Personally, I'd wouldn't go near the GM ecu for a retrofit instalation
Boosted.
Boosted LS1 said:
The LS1/X will fit nicely and
As for power, well 800 odd hp can come from bolt on boost using replaceable parts 'off the shelf'. Or 400 odd/hp and similar torque n/a is more common. Thing is, you get a nice fat torque curve, 300 odd lbs/ft at a tad over 2000 rpm. As for costs, under £10k should see it done depending on final specs.
I think its a viable option, but it will cost more than getting the AJP V8 rebuilt. As I said, I was thinking that a chev V8 would be the way to go before I actually owned a Cerbera, but now I've had one, I wouldn't want it without the AJP V8. Its such a cool engine
How are those M3 engined Cerberas going, does anyone know?
Well if anybody wants to check their engine bay measurements here are the lsx dimensions and I can make them 3" shorter in length
Its 25" wide across the widest point (exhaust headers), 24-25" high from pan bottom to top of intake (way less then a rover) and only 25.5" long (2.5" shorter then a rover). As said I can knock off another 3". If you mated it to the t5 you can measure forwards from the gearbox in your car.
I agree that the cerb engine is in keeping with the car and some people will always want to keep it that way. However, the lsx is another very potent option and to some it has to be the 'way to go' powerplant for the future.
Boosted.
Its 25" wide across the widest point (exhaust headers), 24-25" high from pan bottom to top of intake (way less then a rover) and only 25.5" long (2.5" shorter then a rover). As said I can knock off another 3". If you mated it to the t5 you can measure forwards from the gearbox in your car.
I agree that the cerb engine is in keeping with the car and some people will always want to keep it that way. However, the lsx is another very potent option and to some it has to be the 'way to go' powerplant for the future.
Boosted.
los angeles said:
However, the lsx is another very potent option and to some it has to be the 'way to go' powerplant for the future. Boosted.
Just boned up on your web site, and the LSX in particular - very impressive. You don't mention the Tuscan specifically, only TVRs in general, but I wonder if the LSX is a safe way to go for a busted Tuscan Sp6. This is a serious enquiry. You're welcome to e-mail your reply. Thanks, boosted. LA.
Hello LA, it's a very good way to go (I'm absolutely convinced about this, ever since I stripped my first LSX but aren't you rather a long way from here)
and with stock on your own doorstep? Shoot me mail and I'll be happy to make suggestions to help you. You can fit a Pro-charger as well My sites a bit behind but it shows the direction I'm taking. Boosted.
Hmmm, you can send your car to Bennett Racing - and get them to bang in their 1000bhp ford V8 in there - reliable as feck and brilliant pricing! Even get a hoodscoop and go for that pro look... but then you'll need a whole a new drivetrain - and this is where the costs just shoot up... until you get to a point, and decide its cheaper to go with the furry dice...
gazzab said:
£1800 for a rebuild for an AJP ? No way - really?! they used to cost that just to take the engine out at the dealers!
Other engine option = BMW M3.
The thought of putting an M3 engine in a Cerb is just so so wrong to me!
The AJP8 is a great engine and an integral part of the Cerbera experience imo
. Duncan
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