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Is it worth doing a V8 conversion anymore?

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letstorque
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Postby letstorque » 31 May 2008 23:50

I would say Yes and if I had the chance to do it again then I would.
My V8 is the car I miss most because I built it myself. Its 4 years this October since I sold it and it still makes me ask why.


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Orophin
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Postby Orophin » 01 Jun 2008 13:13

Mmm, I would like a modern v8 or v6 conversion. Or even...you can probably get a Toyota Supra engine in them can't you? Straight 6 3L turbo! But you wouldn't get the classic sound, but maybe originality is important when considering these things. I think a modern fuel injected v6 or v8 possibly turbo or supercharged to get amazing performance out of it.

I have no experience with LPG. I'm interested though. [^]

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Postby FI Spyder » 01 Jun 2008 16:35

A friend of mine is putting in a Buick V6 from a Camaro. High horsepower, small size (2/3 size of same displacement Chevy), only 35 lbs. heavier than slant 4. He had no problem keeping up with an E type on a club run to Portland (on twisty road) but it would take him on the staights. I guess he wants to be able to kick his butt.[:)]

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Clay
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Postby Clay » 02 Jun 2008 18:54

FI Spyder,

Was that no trouble with the 4 installed or the v6?

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Postby FI Spyder » 02 Jun 2008 19:35

That was with standard 4 installed on a narrow twisty road taking it close to the limit (chirping tires at times.) Although the Jag would pull away on the short staights the 7 would catch up on the curves. The Jag driver couldn't believe he couldn't shake him. (The treasurer had made a comment at the next meeting about the Jags taking off and leaving the rest of the club behind (except for the lone TR7). I've got his slant 4 and 5 speed for a rebuild project for free.

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samco
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Postby samco » 02 Jun 2008 20:10

There is one point I think everyone has missed. If the V8 TR7 was the only car you owned and it was nothing more than a mode of transport then you could question driving a v8 in the days of expensive fuel. However if like all of us the car is a hobby and you gain pleasure from driving it even if its to work every day then does it give you value for money. By that I mean if it costs you an extra £5 a day to run on fuel than a modern car could you spend that £5 on something else that brought you as much joy and made you grin for the entire time it took you to complete your journey. I think the answer to that question will be a resounding no. I can't think of one thing I could buy for £5 that would make me as happy as driving a V8 TR7. Therefore the answer to the question is, it has to be worth doing a V8 conversion.

If it doesn't fit you obviously need a bigger hammer.

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Wayne S
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Postby Wayne S » 02 Jun 2008 22:19

Good point Samco, that applies to the majority but not all.

I know we are a minority here, us young dudes but too us, the only way many of us can own TRs is to have them as everyday transport as mine are. I dont own any other cars im afraid.

That aside, when your in the age range of 18 - 30 ish, then it tends to be (in my case at least) that every penny counts in order to keep these cars. Not withstanding the extra insurance you incur after fitting a V8.

Just a fw things that I guess would only occur to us I guess.




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Hasbeen
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Postby Hasbeen » 03 Jun 2008 01:19

Wayne, you'll probably find quite a few of us old farts are in the
same position as you. Diminished income, after retirement or illness
leaves many with less than excess cash flow.

Fortunately, at my age, I get a discount on my government charges, &
my insurance rate is good, but I could not afford to run the 8 as a
daily driver. Both fuel & maintenance would kill me, but the 7 is
cheeper than a modern, with its depreciation.

The ones I feel sorry for, are the ones who can not afford to keep
the 2 seater, when life's little happenings demand a back seat for
the baby capsule.

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Postby emwmarine » 03 Jun 2008 09:42

I looked briefly at doing a v8 conversion on my FHC I am currently restoring. I guessed on the cost being about 3k possibly more which put it out of reach.

Instead I am sticking with the 2.0L. I have a full suspension upgrade package from S&S (polybushes, 200 lb springs, gas dampers) and spiroslot brakes with EBC pads.

I am planning on very lightly breathing on the engine K&N filters, S&S stainless manifold and exhaust, some sort of electronic ignition (will take advice on which one) and electric fan. My guess is that should take the power up to around 110 - 115 hp, maybe a touch more.

I have never driven a tr7 though, so I don't know whether the original engine is nice or a bit of a nail. I am hoping that with that sort of power and the suspension/ brake upgrades it should feel fairly lively and a bit of fun on track days.

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Postby gslittle » 03 Jun 2008 12:16

Hi

If an owner was doing a lot of miles then this solution might pay for itself over time... They say they can cater for most rear-drive cars and with a big V8...

Cheers

Graham

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paul w
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Postby paul w » 03 Jun 2008 13:06

I use my 2 litre auto as an every day car for the last 5 years.It
Costs money to keep it running - rebuilt head last year,back axle
and diff this year.It helps if,like me you can do it yourself to
save a bit.I contemplated putting an 8 in this a long time ago,but
having done the math i realized it would cost far too much to do it
to a high standard.Then i saw the 'Green monster' for sale for far
less than the cost of it's new 4.6 lump!Adding up the receipts for
this wedge is frightening and i paid a quarter of it's build total!
So i'd recommend searching for a pre done v8,be it a project or a
finished car.
Oh,and once you've sampled the v8,there is no turning back,you will
be hooked!It's like a drug,you just want more - bigger,faster,better.
But,beware.Like all fixes,it'll cost ya more than you thought!!
...now,can i afford a super charger?!
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See ya. Paul


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Postby FI Spyder » 03 Jun 2008 20:08

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by emwmarine</i>

I looked briefly at doing a v8 conversion on my FHC I am currently restoring. I guessed on the cost being about 3k possibly more which put it out of reach.

Instead I am sticking with the 2.0L. I have a full suspension upgrade package from S&S (polybushes, 200 lb springs, gas dampers) and spiroslot brakes with EBC pads.

I am planning on very lightly breathing on the engine K&N filters, S&S stainless manifold and exhaust, some sort of electronic ignition (will take advice on which one) and electric fan. My guess is that should take the power up to around 110 - 115 hp, maybe a touch more.

I have never driven a tr7 though, so I don't know whether the original engine is nice or a bit of a nail. I am hoping that with that sort of power and the suspension/ brake upgrades it should feel fairly lively and a bit of fun on track days.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

A friend of mine did this upgrade to his (cost of shipping from UK to Canada was $500 alone.) He said it transformed his engine. Whereas he felt previously it started to run out of steam at 3,000 rpm it now revs freely to 5,000. And that's with North America's 8 to 1 pistons that you don't have to contend with and a stock cam. While the stock engine is not a barn burner to paraphrase one forum member, "it's still a lot of fun trying to make a low powered car to go fast and throw it around the corners." That being said more power is fun too although more expensive. It depends what you want to drive: a piece of history, something a lttle zippier (maximum go with minimum cost), something retro to take on the moderns on the block, a track machine.

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