Rover 3.5Litre V8 Specs

[Yoof]

Hello,

Please could someone provide me with the sizes of valves (both inlet and exhaust) on the rover v8 and the max rpm the engine revs to.

Also what are common place modification done to this powerplant to get more bhp, and brief reasons on why.

Many thanks

[chassis 33]

Yoof said:

Hello, Please could someone provide me with the sizes of valves (both inlet and exhaust) on the rover v8 and the max rpm the engine revs to. Also what are common place modification done to this powerplant to get more bhp, and brief reasons on why. Many thanks

Valve sizes vary depending on the origin of the head.

To quote the Rimmer brothers site
"Various different valves have been used since the Rover V8's introduction; most having the standard 'Rover SD1' head diameter: inlet - 40mm, exhaust - 34mm. However, early engines (pre 1976) were fitted with smaller diameter valves - 38mm inlet, 33mm exhaust - which are less efficient. In order to benefit from the larger valve sizes, it would be more practical to fit a pair of later cylinder heads than to attempt to fit the larger valves to early heads.
Vitesse specification valves are of standard SD1 head diameter, with waisted stems just behind the valve head.
The largest valves that can be fitted to the existing valve seats (later heads only), without the need for extensive machining, are our Big Valves (Inlet - 41.4 mm, exhaust - 35.5 mm, with waisted stems). These valves are particularly suited to large capacity engines. (Note: some machining is required to the valve guide and seat).
Finally, the latest factory valves, as fitted to 3.9 & 4.2 engines since 1993, as well as the Series 2 Range Rover (4.0 & 4.6 engines), feature the same head diameter as SD1-type valves."

Where do you want to start in terms of tuning, what is the basic/original spec of the engine. You can rev them to 7500 if you really want, but most try and keep the rever to below 6500.
Regards
Iain

[GreenV8S]

I think for most people the most cost effective modification is to replace it with a bigger capacity engine.

[chassis 33]

GreenV8S said:

I think for most people the most cost effective modification is to replace it with a bigger capacity engine.

...or rebuild it as a 3.9l. The rebuild kits from Rimmers are about £120 extra for the 3.9 conversion than the basic 3.5. Having said that, known good 4litres can be had for half the cost of the 3.9 rebuild.

Whats the budget, what is the engine for? A 4x4 build will be significantly different to a race build which in turn is different to a fast road build which is again different to a drag racer built etc etc etc

The only advice i can offer no matter what the build is build it for reliability and worry about getting the power afterwards. A non runner offers no power at all.

Regards
Iain