CerberVette conversion ?
Discussion
Dear All,
I know that many os Us have a sharp intake of breath when we hear about Cerbs being converted to Chev LS motors
BUT
Everything dies.
While mentally preparing for the worst, I have recently become very interested in the new Corvette C8 VT-6 engine - a real gem.
Cost would be resrictive
BUT
I saw this Vid which described how current LS engines can be updated to LT spec.
I hope that you find it interesting too.
I know that many os Us have a sharp intake of breath when we hear about Cerbs being converted to Chev LS motors
BUT
Everything dies.
While mentally preparing for the worst, I have recently become very interested in the new Corvette C8 VT-6 engine - a real gem.
Cost would be resrictive
BUT
I saw this Vid which described how current LS engines can be updated to LT spec.
I hope that you find it interesting too.
TwinKam said:
I've not heard of the Merc transplant (what engine was used?), but I've seen & heard the Maserati one.
Hi Rik,I wrote the article for Sprint, some years ago. Here's the gist of it.....
"Time, for everyone except Dr. Who, is relentless and this truism is catching up with all Cerb owners. My own baby has just crossed 92K miles and I often find myself thinking “What the future holds ?”. Some die-hard owners have refused to release their unremitting grip on true Cerbera history and have rebuilt their engines from the motors from scratch giving a complete, new lease of life to a true TVR model. Some have taken an alternative route and have gone for reliability (and a whole lot of extra power) over pedigree and have transplanted various options of the Chevrolet LS motor.
News reached me, via Andrew Honey of the Cornwall Club, of someone who has taken an interestingly alternative step and installed an engine which was donated by a Mercedes E55 by way of a factory, established in 1967, and based in Grossaspach by Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher. One of the attractions to this option was the fact that the all-alloy motor is rated at 354 BHP and therefore would require little, if any, change in the drive chain.
Chris Kendall is the irrepressible owner and he started the whole project off when he bought a ’96 Cerb in a written-off state not knowing what its engine condition was. Chris is qualified in many levels of mechanical engineering from fabrication, through spraying to welding and, although his previous experience has largely been on commercial vehicles, he is trying to focus future projects on sports car conversions. As you will see, he is not feint-hearted when it comes to cutting a new path in vehicle development.
He knew that he would have to replace the motor so ‘simply’ made several enquiries over the Web to find out the dimensions of various options and eventually found that the E55 would fit.
He chose the sohc version, for which he had to make custom engine mounts, but, apart from that, and some alterations to the bellhousing, it was a drop-in.
Everything rearward of the flywheel is Cerbera.
He assembled the exhaust system himself by cutting and welding several pre-formed 2¼” piping sections. The assembly includes SIX Cherry Bomb silencers and a carbon Tuscan back box.
The 16-plug motor is powered by a VEMS ECU, which Chris programmed himself.
After squeezing the 2001 motor into the chassis, Chris had the choice of applying ’96 or ’01 Rules of Construction to the vehicle. Naturally he chose the former as the Transport Authorities had filled every spare hour they had with red-tape directives in those intervening five years. Obtaining insurance was “a nightmare” but was eventually successfully overcome.
You will see from the photos, the level of Chris’ skills displayed by this project and anyone wanting him to perform a similar, or related, function on their babies should contact him on 078 41 746 647.
The subtlety of the lone, extra badge on the rear of the car further emphasizes, to me, another TVR’s owner for understated class."
Edited by Mr Cerbera on Saturday 1st February 12:31
Edited by Mr Cerbera on Saturday 1st February 12:36
Because an LS based engine is easily modified and there are parts galore for them; that's why it's a popular choice for builders.
Here in the States, it's commonplace for an LS engine to make 500+hp, or even a 1,000+hp if you're so inclined, and still be very streetable. Try as you might, no chance of an AJP8 getting anywhere near the HP #'s of an LS based engine. £ for £, $ for $, there's no other platform that can compete if you're going for horsepower, reliability, and ease of parts.
It's not my thing for my Cerbera, but I can appreciate it.
Here in the States, it's commonplace for an LS engine to make 500+hp, or even a 1,000+hp if you're so inclined, and still be very streetable. Try as you might, no chance of an AJP8 getting anywhere near the HP #'s of an LS based engine. £ for £, $ for $, there's no other platform that can compete if you're going for horsepower, reliability, and ease of parts.
It's not my thing for my Cerbera, but I can appreciate it.
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