Will V8 fit in Tuscan

[Baldy67]

Will a Rover V8, or any other V8 engine, fit into a Tuscan.
I think the Tuscan is one of, if not the most gorgeous Tiv BUT the best sounding are the V8 Griffs and Chims and just wondered what everyone else thought or if anyone had managed to squeeze a V8 into a Tussie.

[johno]

Chassis is designed around the S6 ... maybe even as a stressed memeber, although I don;t know.

The top rail are too narrow to accomodate a V8 power plant, so I'm led to believe.

[luddite]

Do a quick search for discussions concerning the LS1 engine (Chevy 400bhp V8) on this site and you will find a number of threads which discuss transplanting engines into a Tuscan. A specialist engine mechanic measured the available space at Joospeeds and believes that this engine would fit. Other changes would need to be made (esp in relation to the transmission) but it would appear to be possible. Last year there were certainly a number of owners aho were lined up to take the plunge.

>> Edited by luddite on Thursday 19th May 13:48

>> Edited by luddite on Monday 23 May 09:26

[tvrgaas]

Baldy67 said:

Will a Rover V8, or any other V8 engine, fit into a Tuscan.

Yes www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/147/

Or do you mean the Speed-6 ?

[jellison]

LS would go in but tight - and would not be cheap! Unfortunately I am finding this out.

[Baldy67]

jellison said:

LS would go in but tight - and would not be cheap! Unfortunately I am finding this out.

Cool. I'm hoping to swap the Griff to a Tuscan in a couple of years but that was one of the things that was putting me off.
P.s. Sorry Tvrgaas i didn't mean the old Tuscan, meant the speed six.

[19560]

jellison said:

LS would go in but tight - and would not be cheap! Unfortunately I am finding this out.

Can you clarify this please. I know that you have dropped the LS1 into the Chimp but did not know that you were now putting one into a T-chassis.

[19560]

luddite said:

Concerning the LS1 engine (Chevy 400bhp V8) a specialist engine mechanic measured the available space at Joospeeds and believes that this engine would fit. Other changes would need to be made (esp in relation to the transmission) but it would appear to be possible. Last year there were certainly a number of owners who were lined up to take the plunge.

What changes would need to be made to the transmission? Don't the Griff/C people find that the gearbox fits so is a new bell housing/conversion plate required? Do you know if anyone is currently doing this?

[nztrev]

I've never looked underneath the bonnet of a Tuscan,but I'm sure the tubular rails could'nt of changed that much.
Once youve seen the LS6 UK and 2 NZ Chims fired up,there's no going back.
Sorry SP6 purrists but we fired up the first yesterday,and they are truly awesome animals.

>> Edited by nztrev on Friday 20th May 09:05

[19560]

nztrev said:

I've never looked underneath the bonnet of a Tuscan,but I'm sure the tubular rails could'nt of changed that much.

Yes it looks like it ought to fit - the S6 is cranked over at an enormous angle and is a lot longer than a V8...

[Boosted LS1]

luddite said:

Do a quick search for discussions concerning the LS1 engine (Chevy 400bhp V8) on this site and you will find a number of threads which discuss transplanting engines into a Tuscan. A specialist engine mechanic measured the available space at Joospeeds and believes that this engine would fit. Other changes would need to be made (esp in relation to the transmission) but it would appear to be possible. Last year there werer certainly a number of owners aho were lined up to take the plunge. >> Edited by luddite on Thursday 19th May 13:48

That was me. I stock lsx parts here so took measurements and then looked at the cars at Joos place (thanks J). Given the right parts package and some changes I'm sure the lsx will fit. Thing is, I also knew it wouldn't be cheap. You could use the stock gearbox and see if it lasts or go for a tko 500 or 600 which seems to be a common option. As for the engines, they come in a number of guises and shapes. There are at least 3 front end assemblies and 5 sump assemblies not to mention other changes. So whatever you buy will have to be modified to suit the application. That said, once you have got over the initial investment the potential for further development is massive, lsx 427 anybody?

Boosted.

[nztrev]

Off memory the box section bottom rail is 440/450 mm,(Chim/Griff)all SBC will fit,except the winged sump,that will require mods,no biggie though.

[Terminator]

Yep, it will, like a glove. Not sure how much a Tuscan Race chassis differs from a Tuscan S one though

[nztrev]

Boosted LS1 said:

luddite said: Do a quick search for discussions concerning the LS1 engine (Chevy 400bhp V8) on this site and you will find a number of threads which discuss transplanting engines into a Tuscan. A specialist engine mechanic measured the available space at Joospeeds and believes that this engine would fit. Other changes would need to be made (esp in relation to the transmission) but it would appear to be possible. Last year there werer certainly a number of owners aho were lined up to take the plunge. >> Edited by luddite on Thursday 19th May 13:48 That was me. I stock lsx parts here so took measurements and then looked at the cars at Joos place (thanks J). Given the right parts package and some changes I'm sure the lsx will fit. Thing is, I also knew it wouldn't be cheap. You could use the stock gearbox and see if it lasts or go for a tko 500 or 600 which seems to be a common option. As for the engines, they come in a number of guises and shapes. There are at least 3 front end assemblies and 5 sump assemblies not to mention other changes. So whatever you buy will have to be modified to suit the application. That said, once you have got over the initial investment the potential for further development is massive, lsx 427 anybody? Boosted.

The TKO or T56 with centre bearing clutch +360 degree bellhousing is the only way to go.
Old SBC bellhousing and adaptors will require major mods to bell and chassis.
Plus you can also drop the LS alot lower,which will require custom headers,however Boosted knows a way round this.

[nztrev]

Are you runnig old iorn there Terminator,nice headers!!

[Terminator]

nztrev said:

Are you runnig old iorn there Terminator,nice headers!!

A friend who happens to work in Detroit for an American company called GM, found some 'new old stock' bits'n'pieces for me The engine fitted without problem but getting the T56 in meant some serious chassis re-working.

Exhaust is a custom-made unit from stainless steel. Should be on the road/track sometime in 2008, at present rate of progress

[shpub]

I seem to remember that the AJP V8 would not fit in the Tuscan chassis because of width problems so a LS1 is a non starter if that is correct.

I doubt it. The fit in a Cerbera is tight and I mean tight. You can gain in some areas and loose in others. Just started yesterday doing the next level of fettling and while the engine is OK the transmission side is a real challenge Nothing that can't be solved at the moment though. The clutch bell housing in particular is proving to be a real problem.

Having said that nothing is impossible given a big enough budget and time. ...

[rev-erend]

Why would you want to remove one of the best engines around (S6) and fit an old push rod V8

[nztrev]

rev-erend said:

Why would you want to remove one of the best engines around (S6) and fit an old push rod V8

Well your defenitely not into endururance racing then.
Don't get me wrong,the SP6 is a great kit,but in this part of the world 400hp is a starting point,we can push a lazy 500hp chev all day hard on the track without a worry.
If you can put your money where your mouth is, with a SP6 running its nuts off race after race,then i'll change.

>> Edited by nztrev on Friday 20th May 10:35

[19560]

shpub said:

I seem to remember that the AJP V8 would not fit in the Tuscan chassis because of width problems.

Width of what or is this just another old wives tale? Boosted seems to think that it's OK and the S6 appears to be at an angle about the same as the V8.