engine conversion

[asam_x]

Can anyone give me some info on which other engines I could fit into my 2.5s on a s plate. How much work is involved and what other mechanical/electrical works I would need to do. I am removing engine and box before it goes in for sand blasting anyway so I thought I would go for a V8 grunt. It is a manual OD. This engine would probably cost around £1800 to rebuild to a reasonable standard so I may as well review any options I may have. At the moment the tappets are a little noisy on start up but then settle in. Mileage is 102k. Thanx

[69vitesse]

Sex on a stick

http://www.britishv8.org/triumph/mikepuke.htm

[Nick Jones]

Funny noises on start-up is usually the bottom end getting tired.  They'll go on for quite a while like that and a spin-on oil filter kit might shut it up if not already fitted.  You could freshen up your existing lump with crank grind, balance, bore hone + rings with a slightly hotter cam (Early PI, TR5) and head skim, which will make it much more lively.

Rover V8 + LT77 5 speed goes in without huge aggro.  Has been done a quite a few times now.  Worth doing with a decent Rover V8 (ex TVR versions for example).  Less sure that a cooking RV8 is worth the aggro compared to a good 2.5.

Lexus V8 has been shoe-horned into a Stag so should also a fit a big saloon.  If you want a manual TX things get a bit pricey though as you'll need a W58 or R154 5 speed to go with it plus adaptor bell housing/flywheel/clutch.  Std Triumph rear end definitely marginal!

BMW 2.8 will go in
http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=readersrides&action=display&thread=118875
Not especially easy but could be quite cheap.

Small block Chevy or Ford have been fitted before in Oz.  They are also known to transplant the Holden 6s quite often - probably only much use if you happen to be in Oz though.

Wondered about Omega/Vectra 2.5 V6 (3.0 also available but rare with a manual box).  Not been done as far as I know - will require some creativity with the sump!

If you don't mind 4 cylinder (seems wrong to me) then many other options open up.

Cheers

Nick

[Nick Jones]

Funny noises on start-up is usually the bottom end getting tired.  They'll go on for quite a while like that and a spin-on oil filter kit might shut it up if not already fitted.  You could freshen up your existing lump with crank grind, balance, bore hone + rings with a slightly hotter cam (Early PI, TR5) and head skim, which will make it much more lively.

Rover V8 + LT77 5 speed goes in without huge aggro.  Has been done a quite a few times now.  Worth doing with a decent Rover V8 (ex TVR versions for example).  Less sure that a cooking RV8 is worth the aggro compared to a good 2.5.

Lexus V8 has been shoe-horned into a Stag so should also a fit a big saloon.  If you want a manual TX things get a bit pricey though as you'll need a W58 or R154 5 speed to go with it plus adaptor bell housing/flywheel/clutch.  Std Triumph rear end definitely marginal!

BMW 2.8 will go in
http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=readersrides&action=display&thread=118875
Not especially easy but could be quite cheap.

Small block Chevy or Ford have been fitted before in Oz.  They are also known to transplant the Holden 6s quite often - probably only much use if you happen to be in Oz though.

Wondered about Omega/Vectra 2.5 V6 (3.0 also available but rare with a manual box).  Not been done as far as I know - will require some creativity with the sump!

If you don't mind 4 cylinder (seems wrong to me) then many other options open up.

Cheers

Nick

[Spider]

How about a BMW straight six?

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=readersrides&action=display&thread=118875&page=1



Spoke to Andy at great length at Stoneleigh, not an intrusive build, just six extra holes in the bodyshell (for the gearbox mounting) and a modified crossmember. Also cost under a �1000 to convert and that includes the engine and gearbox.

Probably as cheap as megasquirt conversion of a Triumph motor and possibly easier for those more mechanically minded as opposed to electronics gurus.

[TedTaylor]

Andy's BMW (Boris Motor Works) conversion is very nice and sensibly done.

Then there is Rover V8 engine and the Chevvy 5.7 both of which have been fitted as already stated - Chevvy report in a last year edition of Triumph World but may have been in a Stag though same principles involved.

Strangely I have a 3.9 and 4.2 Rover and a 5.7 Chevvy here under covers waiting for someone brave enough to make a sensible offer on them, though someone has expressed a possible interest in the 3.9, and the 4.2 Rover is the spare for my LSE softdash!

[Andy Borris]

Although a small block Chevy would be fun, for me the limiting factors are the amount of power the rear diff can cope with and finding a manual gearbox that'll fit both the tunnel and the engine.

I think you might struggle with both on a small block!

Andy

[asam_x]

Thanx for taking the time out for your replies guys. I have a mate in Southampton who restores Stags and he did offer to fit a Stag engine for me. I think either a Rover 3.5, or Essex V6 if I dont refit the 2.5 as I dont have too much experience on engine changes. Although I would love to have an American 5.0 and LPG it.

[CRAJ]

Having driven Andy's car, I think the default option of a Rover v8 install is very last century.

The standard P6 V8 output is what 155bhp? Andy has 170bhp even with the emission stuff and cat when installed in the BMW. It is an all alloy lump like the RV8 so benefits of weight loss are there just the same. Manual boxes are freely available for the engine and at 2.5litres it will return similar if not better mpg to the original Triumph engine.
It's still a straight six too so sounds very similar, but with a touch of D type about it on the over-run. It's also VERY quick.
I loved it!

Colin

[Nick Jones]

Essex V6 is NOT an improvement on the original 2.5!!  Don't downgrade!

Nick

[69vitesse]

7335 wrote:

Thanx for taking the time out for your replies guys. I have a mate in Southampton who restores Stags and he did offer to fit a Stag engine for me. I think either a Rover 3.5, or Essex V6 if I dont refit the 2.5 as I dont have too much experience on engine changes. Although I would love to have an American 5.0 and LPG it.

No Ford!

Rover is painless, reliable and fairly pukka, Stag, nice engine, fitted to some saloons as tests beds, but enjoy the pain potential.

[asam_x]

Thanx guys. Stag engine it is then. Would I need to modify anything and before fitting is there anything I should improve such as cooling, brakes and suspension?

[mikew]

7335 wrote:

Thanx guys. Stag engine it is then. Would I need to modify anything and before fitting is there anything I should improve such as cooling, brakes and suspension?

Needs Stag gearbox, stag brakes - and thus Stag 14" wheels. Cooling probably OK, suspension OK, although Witor uprated springs will help

[Roger Keys]

Never bothered with the brakes on mine. With a big chunk of weight missing, ive never had a problem them.

[asam_x]

Stag engine box prop and diff it is then. How would I go round the exhaust problem. After spending over 5K on restoration I dont fancy bashing in the floor for the sake of the exhaust. Would I have to fit twin exhaust all the way or single exhaust. I will be getting a hand made one in stainless steel.

[Roger Keys]

There is enough rom for a twin system under there, but it makes it rather complicated to make keeping it tucked close to the body. I eventually reverted to a single system as it was much easier.