general RV8 confusion

[pugwash]

can someone point me in the right direction please. I am looking for an RV8 for my kit. Want to build engine first and then get kit- I am building the engine for the experience really as i realise it might cost more that buying a tuned RV8.

The problem i have is what RV8 to go for, there have just been so many of them- my dad has a RV8 from a very early Range Rover- my question is can i just take that block and put on new heads and carbs? it is of course a 3.5. Am i better off buying from an SD1 or later crappy range rover? does it matter? I am hoping for an engine that might give me 190bhp fairly cheaply- is this unrealistic from a 3.5? Is Efi better for Carb for a road car? have no probs using a megasquirt system if that will help with EFi. If anyone has any experience of the best place to buy RV8 for rebuild or can provide any help then i would be very grateful to hear from them.

Many Thanks

Jim

p.s. have looked at rpi and V8 developments but they don't seem to give any advice on what is the best engine to originally buy before rebuild.

[kdavies3]

If you are going to do a total rebuild then most RV8s could be used.
Try to get a 3.9 as there's no substitute for cc's or even a 4.6l.
As has been said many times before getting serious horse power from the RV8 isn't cheap.
190 bhp from a 3.5l is sure possible but is going to need new heads and cam and carburation at the very least.

http://www.woodoouk.eclipse.co.uk/Wales.gif

Kev Davies
Dax, 383ci Chevy Stroker, Tremec TKO
South Wales

[maxGD059]

Morning Jim

If my memory serves me right then the stock vitesse RV8 with efi put out 190 bhp so that would seem you cheapest/easiest route. Otherwise go for a 3.9 block & with correctly jetted SU's/mild cam change, you're power aim should be within reach

Cheers

Richard
(Hillclimb convert)

[DrFelch]

Hi there Jim, I bought a second hand rebuilt Vitesse 3.5 (with sporty cam etc). I took off the old flapper Efi and flogged it on ebay and replaced with the Weber 500 setup + MSD ignition. I had it dynod (before the MSD ignition) at 210Bhp which was pretty good I think. Mind you, if you think of the money I spent on the MSD + the carb/intake etc, it was only worth 20Bhp. Probably not worth it in the long run. I didnt fancy the Efi route as I had to mod the tank and change the fuel pump etc etc. I hear that Efi is great when it works, but a bugger to diagnose when it goes wrong...

Performance wise (with a 3.54 diff for acceleration) the 3.5 isnt too bad. Great in 1st + 2nd, but when cruising at about 50-60 there isnt too much pull to get you to 100mph (for me anyway). As with everything, you soon get used to the power.

I think the Vitesse block was the one to go for (out of the 3.5's) as it had higher compression or something..

Check ebay as there are usually loads on there. Mind you, if you are prepared to wait for your engine, then hang around the CRC for sale forums and grab a used Rover (or even better a Ford or Chevy).

Marcus

[Philip]

HI Jim,
go for the Vitesse as has been said, but don't throw away the EFI, keep it, its very reliable, only problem with them can be flapper, but that can be fixed and the coolant temp can play up, but that's £20. Mine was 20 years old and still going strong till I went over to Megasquirt. If you want to go the MS route then I would suggest getting it running with the Lucas then transfer over to MS. Mind you, if you want more than 300 bhp then forget the RV8 route as it is expensive, as has been said many times.
Ive just supercharged my 3.5 Vitesse EFI up to 275ish bhp, next step is over 300, all for around £1500 on top of the engine cost. But then that will be its limit without some expensive mods to pistons, etc.
Phil :tu

[markn]

Jim

As I recall having owned SD1s for 10 years (3 vitesses and one Twin Plenum) and tuned them, all Vitesse blocks have additional webs cast into the valley making them stronger. Other blocks (this is before the new RR 4.6 block) did not have this. This did not make them weak at all, it was just that the racers who were getting 300 bhp wanted the best. You will be more than fine with a standard V8 block.

The vitesse ones also had a higher compression ratio 9.75 : 1 I think, which obviously will help the horses. Lastly, twin plenum engines came with tougher adjustable rockers (albeit there was a blob of weld on the adjuster nut put there by the factory).

The reality is, a tip top 3.5 vitesse (EFI) left the factory with 195bhp at the flywheel. The carburated versions made 150. Depends on what parts you are using to rebuild, but I got 300 out a 4.6 with a webber 500.

I recall, all the heads are interchangable, I had landrover ones on my 4.6.

Mark

[Miket]

Jim

Just dug out a Dyno sheet from my 3.5 SD1 in a Pilgrim.

Standard 3.5 SD1 engine with a webber 500cfm

160bhp at wheels 186 at flywheel, 167.33 ft lbs Torque @ 5000 rpm

[r0lex]

just had mine on a rolling road rover 4.6, holly carb, lightened flywheel, stage 3 heads and warm cams. 233bhp at wheels, 300 at flywheel and if i remember right cause i have not got the print out with me 275 ft lbs torque at 4950 rpm.

and that will do me :tu

paul