5.0L Engine Help?

5.0L Engine Help?

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Esprit

Original Poster:

6,370 posts

290 months

Tuesday 27th May 2003
quotequote all
Okay guys, here's the deal.
I've a TR7 I'm saving up for a rebuild and I'm going to do a V8 conversion while it's back at bare metal and build it up as a bit of a fire-breather (well for a TR7 anyway).
The engine I'm after is a Rover V8, about 5L displacement with a goal of around 300bhp or so and a reasonable donk of torque to go along with it. I want the engine to be reasonably reliable (hence building a 5.0L V8 in reasonable tune rather than going crazy with a 3.5L) and have the performance optimised for B-road driving and the occasional track-day.
At the planning stage presently and I'm weighing up the options between buying a late Rover (cross-bolted) block, getting a stroker crank, rods/pistons and headwork etc etc to get that sort of power or just flagging it and buying a Griff 500 engine secondhand. At the moment I'm in favour of going the TVR route as it's likely to be cheaper (from what I can gather). There's one for sale here on the classifieds with 17k miles on it for 3750. I'm in New Zealand and a Rover V8 from a wrecked Disco is going to cost about 1100UKP then add crank (600UKP), Rods (800UKP), Pistons(800UKP) plus bearings etc.... then I've got a fair bit of headwork to doincluding bigger valves, cam, rockers, lifters etc, then modifying the fuel/air delivery system and an appropriate computer (500UKP) etc and things start adding up to well more than 3750. Provided I could find a reasonable Griff engine, crate it back here, open it up and inspect/reassemble the engine (performing maintenance where necessary depending on engine condition) I think this would be the better choice. Then in the end I've got a "production" engine rather than a one-off, with a forum such as this to help out with problems etc.

What are your views on this? What sort of price can I expect to get a reasonable condition Griff 500 lump for at the wreckers/used market? the one for sale on this site (www.pistonheads.com/ads/detail.asp?i=9872&sc=3WA9&s=7) is this a good deal?
GRRR so many questions!!! :P

Anyway, any help you can lend would be MUCH appreciated.... at the moment I've SO many questions, with so few answers... hopefully you guys can help.

Much obliged,

George

Paul V

4,489 posts

284 months

Tuesday 27th May 2003
quotequote all
I’d speak to TVR power and see how much they’d charge for a new engine, also speak to V8 developments, you should get a short engine for around £3000, would have thought that would be better than going for a second hand unit. Having my 500 rebuilt at present as the second hand engine would have cost more and won’t come with any guarantee.

Esprit

Original Poster:

6,370 posts

290 months

Tuesday 27th May 2003
quotequote all
If I start going for the brand new short block route I am getting into serious money!. Over here in NZ there are several competition RV8 engine builders who could build me the same engine from a rover block for cheaper. The only thing I'm having trouble finding info on is Top-Hat liners. I believe the TVR engines don't have these, 'm wondering if there's any real benefit in going for these? (Bear in mind I'm after 300, not 400+bhp here) and if so how hard is it to track down a set/ purchase a set?

Paul V

4,489 posts

284 months

Tuesday 27th May 2003
quotequote all
Would imagine somewhere like V8 developments could supply top hat liners.

simon.b

1,230 posts

289 months

Tuesday 27th May 2003
quotequote all
Pardon my ignorance, but what’s a top hat liner ?

Simon.

IPAddis

2,479 posts

291 months

Tuesday 27th May 2003
quotequote all
Is the rest of the TR7 ready for 300bhp? Have you considered the extra strain on the driveshafts, gearbox, differential, etc?

Just thought I should mention it as they all add to the cost.

Ian A.

Esprit

Original Poster:

6,370 posts

290 months

Tuesday 27th May 2003
quotequote all
Top hat liners have a shoulder on the OD that stops the liner sliding down the bore.... more precautionary than anything else I feel as I doubt this would be a prob on a road engine.

As for the rest of the TR7, I already have a 300+bhp capable drivetrain. Am rebuilding the bodyshell on a separate budget and stiffening it to suit, besides its still a light car so the drivetrain should be more than upto the task... traction will be the equaliser