This is what the yoof of today should be doing...

This is what the yoof of today should be doing...

Author
Discussion

davidd

Original Poster:

6,526 posts

291 months

Friday 26th April 2002
quotequote all
Instead of bolting old tat onto a saxo or nova they should do this...

http://freespace.virgin.net/bob.carter/Mazda_mx5_V8.htm

andytk

1,553 posts

273 months

Friday 26th April 2002
quotequote all

Holly shit. I've always wondered if it could be done as I've always liked MX 5's. People were forever laughing at me for suggesting it(sticking a V8 in a MX-5 that is). They said a V8 would never fit. Guess they were wrong, hmmm now I wonder what would happen if you could wedge in a AJP 8......
Talk about the unltimate sleeper car,hahaha

Andy

gnomesmith

2,458 posts

283 months

Friday 26th April 2002
quotequote all
Well a Ford 302 will fit so no doubt the AJP8 would be a reasonably easy fit.

If you tune the 302 you need to think very carefully about the rear end.

There is a kit available in the States to fit the 302, I'm not sure but a small block Chevvy, an engine I really like, would probably fit.

HarryW

15,277 posts

276 months

Friday 26th April 2002
quotequote all
I suppose it had to be done at some point the opening paragraph amused me though:

"The engine and associated drivetrain mods fit nicely in the standard bodyshell. There’s plenty of work required but it’s mostly within the scope of an amateur with a garage with a pit & a hoist who has reasonable general metalworking and welding skills. And access to lathe miller etc (model room at work?..)"

Yeah, like we all have that in the garage at home don't we!!

Harry

Roadrunner

2,690 posts

274 months

Friday 26th April 2002
quotequote all
Bloody hell. Is this guy retired? Just a bit of spare time on his hands then! I do find myself asking: WHY?!! A griff just has to be infinately better. Oi - nutter!!!

JMorgan

36,010 posts

291 months

Friday 26th April 2002
quotequote all
I'am all for a bit of shoe horning and axle grease. Whats the smallest a V8 has been thumped in?

filmidget

682 posts

289 months

Saturday 27th April 2002
quotequote all
ERRRR actually...

If I counted mine and next doors garage the only thing missing is the pit - and I have this very afternoon received the info for a GRP pit

695 quid for the ready formed pit that you drop into a hole in the garage floor! I thought that a little pricey. Anybody got one?

JMorgan: There is a site detailing the fitting of a Rover V8 into an MG Midget - can't be many smaller (narrower anyway) cars than that. I assume you mean V8 of a decent size... I am sure some anorak will come out with some 50 year old design/car fitted with a 2 litre V8 or something (Alfa!?!)

Cheers, Phil

>> Edited by filmidget on Saturday 27th April 00:08

gnomesmith

2,458 posts

283 months

Saturday 27th April 2002
quotequote all
quote:

I'am all for a bit of shoe horning and axle grease. Whats the smallest a V8 has been thumped in?


Any advance (or should that be retreat) on a Fiat 126, I've seen two at North Weald Sprint. The Yanks used to be pretty keen on V8 Topolinos (original Fiat 500). Used to be a V8 2CV on the road near here. Remember a V8 engined Meserschmidt but not sure if it was ever finished. There is a V8 Reliant Robin for sale in Motorsport this month. I've previously posted about the V8 Mini (ex Harry Radcliff). V8 Daf Daffodil used to race but that was a spaceframe clone. Did anybody ever see the Robin Hood 7 fitted with a Jaguar V12.

nmlowe

1,666 posts

274 months

Saturday 27th April 2002
quotequote all
How about a 450 BHP Ford KA? 350BHP 2000cc zetec (touring car spec engine tune) + 100BHP nitrous.
Oh yes! it can be done. Just imagine the ultimate wolf in sheeps clothing for the missus.
Its the yellow one with the nasty bodykit and 19" wheels (to house bigger brakes) go to:
www.severnvalleymotorsport.com for more info.
What about a 400BHP 'M5 powered' 5.0 V8 Z3?
Try www.hartge.de.
Or, maybe sir would like a 6.5 litre 450BHP V8 SLK or a 7.3 litre V12 582BHP Mercedes E-class (electronically limited to 202MPH) try www.brabus.de.
Or, a 450BHP 3.6 litre Twin-turbo Boxter try www.gemballa.com

Sorry, I got a bit carried away there for a minute.

nmlowe

1,666 posts

274 months

Saturday 27th April 2002
quotequote all
Or, one for the grandparents out there.
A 1.8i 16v VVC Rover K-series engine in a Morris Minor?
the 1.4 version does 60 in 8.4 sec and 125 MPH.
See:
www.jlhmorrisminors.co.uk/
go to the 'Car' link at the top of the page.
The 1.8 in standard tune will do 0-60 in 5.5 sec

Imagine a Morris Minor Traveler (woody) with an engine tuned up to Lotus Exige spec?

Death trap, I rekon!

>> Edited by nmlowe on Saturday 27th April 01:42

JMGS4

8,770 posts

277 months

Saturday 27th April 2002
quotequote all
V8 in a Japlotuselan? A firm in California did it when they first came out and it went like the proverbial S*** off a shovel. Drove it but I'm damned if I can remember the company name......

gnomesmith

2,458 posts

283 months

Sunday 28th April 2002
quotequote all
If we've moved off the question of V8s a K series VVC fits into a Metro.

I've driven a 180 bhp version which went rather well.

reardrive

2,135 posts

275 months

Monday 29th April 2002
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There was a V8 Bond Bug called 'Metronome' at Santa Pod - though the (two) front wheels were in front of the bodywork.

Saw a V8 powered Fiat 500 at Enfield Pageant - not sure what the power unit was.

Also a Jag V12 powered MGB GT at an Olympia show - and no bulges in the bonnet.

GregE240

10,857 posts

274 months

Monday 29th April 2002
quotequote all
I've met this guy and he's a really nice guy, so lay off him, you lot

The install is a work of art. Bob's done a terrific job of it, and hey, don't knock people's hobbies - far more interesting than plane spotting, or something (and less likely to get you into jail, apparently)

My claim to fame is that I've bump started this car!! The first time we tried Bob lifted the clutch too soon, and sent us pushers all flying

The current lump is a good old 3.5. He has either a 4.5 or a 5 litre planned though.......

Greg

Fatboy

8,084 posts

279 months

Monday 29th April 2002
quotequote all
Why not swap it for a lotus twin turbo V8? Even more power plus IIRC it's a bit lighter & smaller?

Love the idea, just imagine the look on BMW mans face when he gets trounced by an MX5

roop

6,012 posts

291 months

Monday 29th April 2002
quotequote all
For V8 powered MX-5's try the following... :

www.monstermiata.com

Roop

Cotty

40,287 posts

291 months

Monday 29th April 2002
quotequote all
quote:

I'am all for a bit of shoe horning and axle grease. Whats the smallest a V8 has been thumped in?



The beardmore brothers managed to get a rover V8 in a reliant kitten and ran it as their only car see www.beardmorebros.co.uk/website%20pages/reliant_kitten_specifcation.htm

There is another kitten with a 350ci in it and there was a robin with a rover V8.

I always thought the reliant kitten would be a good project as its small enough to work on in a single garage, fiberglass so no rot, rear wheel drive, and a little different than a mini. How about slinging in one of these motocycle engines in like a 1000cc fireblade. should be fun.
Paul

stuntmonkey

55 posts

271 months

Tuesday 30th April 2002
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quote:

Did anybody ever see the Robin Hood 7 fitted with a Jaguar V12.




I remember seeing an advert for it in the Kit Car press once. Stainless steel monocoque and red GRP wings. It was perched on top of a pile of bricks - I think they were trying to advertise the fact that it was perfectly balanced because the engine sat so far back! - I wonder if it's still around?

MattC

266 posts

282 months

Tuesday 30th April 2002
quotequote all
quote:

I've met this guy and he's a really nice guy, so lay off him, you lot

My claim to fame is that I've bump started this car!!
...



Small world - I've got his original wheels.