[old_timbo]

I've recently seen a TR6 which someone has gone to great cost and effort to fit a Rover V8. I'm trying to work out what the benefits of this might be. What are peoples thoughts? My intitial one were: -
Rover about the same power as TR engine.
Rover revs lower but has more torque so higher ratio diff. required (is such a thing available?) and diff. etc will need beefing up.
Rover engine is probably lighter so revised front suspension will be required.

Has anyone any experience of driving such a conversion? ???

[smudgeh]

Would that be the one I saw for sale on Autotrader?  I personally would rather have the standard 150 6 engine - I would imagine adding a lump like that is bound to bring up numerous problems.

My manager used to have a Stag with a V8 conversion in it.  It was a bodged job and the only way to change the car battery on it was to lift the engine.

*claps* for the person who did that

[jonlar]

This is the one on Ebay at the moment

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws....74&rd=1

[smudgeh]

Ahhh yes, that's the one, not Autotrader *doh*

"I have no history of when or where the V8 mods were done"

uh oh

[malcolm]

I'm slightly surprised by the original comments.  The Rover V8 (as fitted to numerous Tr7 conversions) is usually producing at least 180bhp and, as is clearly proven, capable of rather more than that with only minor changes.  I'd have thought that a light torqey V8 would be really interesting in a TR6.  Not that the 150bhp 6 pots aren't quick.  I've been impressed with them in action at the TRR Mallory Park and Red Rose Anglesey trackdays.  Beware of ALL conversions though.  A bodged  engine transplant of any sort should have you walking (running?) away!

Malcolm.

[old_timbo]

Light and torquey the Rover V8 is, and my concern is that it is so different than the original TR engine that it would be difficult to get the balance and gearing of a TR6 right with one in. Certainly you can do lots of mods to them but in their standard SD1 form don't think the V8 produces much more 150 bhp and less in earlier and Range Rover versions.
Bet they are great in a TR7 though.

[P Cobbold]

It's much simpler to fit a supercharger to a moreorless standard TR6 engine than to swap it for a V8. The end result in power, torque and smoothness is much the same. Cost probably about the same too.

[Cinnobar]

Must disagree, straight 6 lump very heavy and very expensive to do anything with. My V8 self build for the 7 is not far off of concours and cost around £ 1,500. And that will have 220ish BHP if I'd have gone 3.9 then a bit more. Try getting 220BHP from the 6 pot and see how much it costs, I suspect the reliability would be an issue. Ends & mains bearings for RV8 are £ 35! Pistons £ 200 for 8!
Also compare like for like I doubt if a STANDARD 150BHP engine puts out anything like that whereas my 3.5 in standard LR Defender tune with K & Ns did 136BHP at the wheels with Diesel type torque. 189Lb/ft @1,089RPM, 219 @ 2,400RPM.
One of the guys in the Kent group has done a 350 Chevy & Auto box conversion and his rebuild was even cheaper and BHP higher!
Once the 6 pot is tuned the standard O/D box struggles to cope so some people look to 5 speed Toyota Supra or similar where as RV8 comes with a 1/2 decent 5 speeder straight away.
Adjusting spring rates etc for lighter engine isn't going to be difficult and would improve car balance hugely.  

Jim

[jemgee]

My eurobox is a V6 Omega 2.6 - Creamy smooth power delivery. Always wondered if anyone had done a transplant into a 6 as there are lots of them available at low cost. The 3 litre version has served the lads in blue well for many a year

[Graham Salmons]

Yeah I've got one.

The engine drops on to the standard engine mounts, and has an adaptor plate (from the Stag Rover V8 conversion) to the 'A' type gearbox.

Mines got a Hurricane fast road cam, and stage 1 heads. It's also got a sports exhaust, although aesthetically I don't like it and will probably switch to a more standard twin sports at some stage.

The engine is a very tight fit, but aside from vents in the bonnet you can't tell (when it's not running). The rad has extra cores to assist with cooling, and I've got an electric fan, but to be honest unless you're very stuck in traffic on a hot day it doesn't need it.

It goes very nicely although at the moment I think I need a little bit of tune: it feels like a little down on the 190bhp it ought to put out. That said it is enthusiastically fast - more than I would trust my ability to manage with the handling. The handling is normal TR, and despite SPAX adjustables on the front you feel the extra weight a little.

The chassis had a fair amount of strengthening, especially around the dif areas, quite a lot of extra metal in the so called t-shirt section at the back.

I bought it cos it was unusual, and I LOVED the noise. It creates an unbelievable spine tingling V8 wail, AWESOME.

I loved the sound and go of a TVR, but wanted something classic. I got both in one car.

I'm busy working over the winter to improve some cosmetics and make it truly spangly so I can enjoy the summer in it.

I know some will think that it's a bastard child and the wrong thing to do to a TR and I respect their commitment to the purity of the breed. But let me tell you, mine is called 'Mo' she has just as much character as any other TR, she's just as cherished, and if I hadn't have told you what is underneath at the front you'd never have quessed anyway. The engine is easy going, powerful, cheap to work on and bits are readily available. Your car should be an expression of you, however that is, shouldn't it?

[Mike Collins]

Jemgee,

My everyday car too and I often wonder if the whole drive train would transplant, back end configuration is similar, even end up with disc brakes.

The 2.5 is something like 170HP, changing the cams for those from the 3 litre gives a bit more, be nice to have a spare chassis to see.

If TR6 parts became too rare it's a thought.

Mike

[dykins]

Simon Beresford of Shropshire group bought a TR6 with a V8, and I can tell you from the time he came around to my house, it makes a fantastic noise;)

Here's a film of it frollicking in the snow..

TR6 V8

Regards

Peter