Engine swap & rear end question for 2500M

Engine swap & rear end question for 2500M

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questel

Original Poster:

3 posts

270 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
I own a TVR 2500M and am replacing the Triumph engine with a 2.3 liter ford turbo with an upgraded T03-04 garrett, and large front mounted intercooler. Other upgrades include custom intake in order to fit the hood, & new radiator. I will be using the ford T5 tranny. At any rate the engine should develope between 275 to 300 Hp. Anybody know if the Triumph rear end will take it or simply blow up?

What rear did the 3000 Turbo have? It appears that the torque and Hp are about the same as my project.

thanks
JCQ

Terminator

2,421 posts

292 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
All late M-series, including Turbos, had the Salisbury (Jaguar) Powrlok diff. Turbos had a 3.07:1 ratio and others were 3.37:1. This is what TVR said, but there are always exceptions.

Several US members have uprated 2500Ms with various engines, most of them 302 V8s. Try the www.TVRNA.com site to get some links that may give you leads to tracing people who have done what you are attempting.

davidy

4,475 posts

292 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
The TR6 diff internals are reasonably strong, the main weak points are the TVR carrier (which you could beef up) and the front mounting plate on the diff (I broke mine twice). You need to consider what you are going to use the car for, but if its already in pieces I would recommend the Salisbury option, you are unlikely to break it!!!

Not all Salisburys (4HU) were Powrloks, the normal TVR ration was 3.31:1 however diffs are available in 2.88, 3.07, 3.54 and others. Also the XJS diff (4HA) can be made to fit with the 4HU fitting kit.

I suggest that you work out the approximate ratio of the diff that you require given your choice of engine/gearbox and intended use and source a diff to suit. You will need a Salisbury fitting kit (ExactlyTVR) and depending on the amount of abuse that you are going to give the car you may also need to look at the driveshafts and the hubs. Some people have upgraded these to Ford Cosworth items (or accept that you may eat more UJs and bearings).

If you intend to do hard standing starts and are going to put sticky rubber on the car, then unless you uprate the whole of the drivetrain you will brake things (don't forget the propshaft, I have seen a twisted one of those)

davidy

SimonSparrow

1,528 posts

270 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
Is the Rover V8 a popular choice for putting in a 3000 M? I saw a factory built 3000 M with a Rover V8 for sale once.

davidy

4,475 posts

292 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
Also the Salisbury is considerably heavier than the TR6 diff, so don't forget to budget for new rear springs!!!

davidy

Terminator

2,421 posts

292 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
Rover V8 was popular only because of availabilty, but the chassis needs to be 'bulged' at the front to make it fit (I've never tried it myself, just going on what I've heard). The Ford 289/302 goes in without chassis modification (except for the mounts, obviously).

I've just aquired a new engine/gearbox combination for my car. Not saying what it is yet, should be on the road for next year...

davidy

4,475 posts

292 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
Rover V8 is not a popular choice as the V-angle is quite wide meaning that the exhaust manifold is a nightmare (exhaust ports on head at same height as the upper chassis rail!!). It has been done (there is even one car in Germany with a Tuscan Challenge spec Rover Engine, but the chassis was altered), but better to use a narrower angle V such as the Ford302 engine.

Having said that you can get a reasonable about of reliable power out of an Essex V6. I got 27,000 miles out of my modified engine aprrox 3,000 of those miles were on a track or sprinting. I reckon I had just over 200bhp (my car would out accelerate my Impreza Turbo (235bhp) between 30mph and 90mph, given the weight differential I think that around 200bhp would be fair).

I did however have a very trick exhaust system and this certainly boosted mid-range power.

If you really want power then put a Cosworth Turbo motor in it and if you want loads of tarmac pulling torque then put a trick 302 in it.

However I reckon that the Honda S2000 engine would be interesting 240bhp and low weight, another project.....

davidy

davidy

4,475 posts

292 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
Well Terminator a Trabant engine would burn less oil than one of your last V6 Essex efforts!!!

davidy

SimonSparrow

1,528 posts

270 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
Terminator,

Ah, that makes sense. I knew it had been done, but the space around the V6 looked tight. I couldn't see how a Rover V8 would fit in.

Will your (newly engined) car be used for road or track?

davidy

4,475 posts

292 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
Also the Factory built Rover V8 was built (converted) at the factory by TVR technicans, not built and endorsed by TVR

davidy

Terminator

2,421 posts

292 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Well Terminator a Trabant engine would burn less oil than one of your last V6 Essex efforts!!!

davidy

I guess one litre of Duckhams per 25 miles is a small price to pay for 240bhp! Were you at Brands that year when it finally blew?

davidy

4,475 posts

292 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
Think I missed the final end, as the last Brands that I did was Golden Mania, when I think you had the Vixen/Griff/Tuscan thing, correct me if I'm wrong.

davidy

Terminator

2,421 posts

292 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
Yes, I was at the Brands Hatch Golden Mania in the Tuscan V8 (and went lawn-mowing at Surtees).

The oil-burner V6 in the 3000S blew up at Brands back in 1993 (holding second gear into Graham Hill bend isn't recommended). I think that was the year after I gave you a lift in it to Back Home?

davidy

4,475 posts

292 months

Wednesday 19th June 2002
quotequote all
I was at Brands in 93, don't remember your mishap but do remember Dave Smith visiting the gravel at Druids with the 302 engined 3000S, nice link on this thread!!!!

I also remember the trip to Back Home in your 3000S and the assortment of fan belts you carried in the back, just as well one fitted!!!
davidy