Rover V8 Questions

[Arnold Cunningham]

The camshaft on my Rover V8 has started to get a little noisy - but as the car is a keeper, I'm debating whether to just replace the cam (and lifters etc), or rebuild the whole engine. It's in my 1989 defender 90 - and is a factory V8, so I definately want to keep it a Rover V8 rather than swap to a LS or similar - but decided to research some options.

Current engine is a 4.0 EFI with a serpentine belt and distributor. Still looks nice and clean under the rocker covers, oil pressure is fine and generally in all good nick.

1. What's a really good cam for them these days on a stock engine (albeit with headers instead of the old cast manifolds). I can see the piper torqemax from RPI, but on some forums it's not well liked.
2. Does anyone make a roller lifter setup for these engines?
3. Who's the "best" rebuilder. To qualify - I am not looking for "race engine" - I am looking for someone with good attention to detail who will build a high quality engine to the spec that we agree with nice tight tolerances that'll last me a long time
4. What sort of price ranges are we talking:
a. To rebuild my 4.0 to be "factory fresh"
b. To rebuild my 4.0 into a 4.6
c. To rebuild my 4.0 into a 4.6 with some mile work (ie nothing massively hogged out, just blending and radiusing) on the heads.
5. Finally, while sticking with a Rover V8, are there any other options I should consider? Such as Merlin or Wildcat heads, maybe?

Many thanks

[baconsarney]

V8 owners forum is a good source of info, lots of knowledge on the TVR forum here too… I have a bespoke cam in mine but the stump puller from real steel seems to be favourite for many… obviously depends a lot on what kind of power you are looking for.. I’d imagine in a Defender you’d be after plenty of low down torque rather than lots of horses top end?

[Arnold Cunningham]

baconsarney said:

V8 owners forum is a good source of info, lots of knowledge on the TVR forum here too… I have a bespoke cam in mine but the stump puller from real steel seems to be favourite for many… obviously depends a lot on what kind of power you are looking for.. I’d imagine in a Defender you’d be after plenty of low down torque rather than lots of horses top end?

Yes, absolutely. Obviously a bit more top end too is nice, but definately don't want to compromise torque lower down the rev range either.

[Belle427]

Real Steel do some nice cams so that's where I'd head.(excuse the pun).
Depends how deep you want to get into it.
A 4.6 transplant would make more sense really rather than fancy heads, you may be able to find a good used one.
The Rover V8 enthusiasts group on Facebook is very good even if your not a Facebook fan.
Money not really important then visit V8 Developments website!

[stevieturbo]

Do no harm to call the likes of V8 Developments

[Arnold Cunningham]

Thanks - I will start with them.

[tr7v8]

When I rebuilt the V8 in my TR7 I was using RoverCraft/Progress Engineering in Maidstone, now no longer going. I asked their advice & they suggested their manual gearbox 4 x 4 cam which I am pretty sure was made for them by Piper. My engine was a late low compression Defender engine with 1mm skimmed heads to get the compression ratio up. Balanced, lightened SD1 flywheel. With a Webber/Edelbrock 500 on an Offy 500 carb and the conversion headers it was awesome. It pulled 5 on SD1 gearing from tickover to well north of 5000RPM with no issues.

[HealeyV8]

It may depend on where you are geographically but RPI Engineering and Turner Engineering I've heard good things about.

[baconsarney]

Mine was rebuilt by Rob Robertson at V8Dev, with new block and a whole raft of upgrades..... stonking engine, no point in quoting prices it was about 12 years ago...

These guys come well recommended too......

https://johnealesroverv8.co.uk/

[100SRV]

Automotive Component Remanufacturing near Chester. Roland is very knowledgeable and the 3.9 they built for my Bowler is excellent.