v8 versus v12

[andybearne]

Hi everyone,

I am a new member, still looking around for a built car. As my budget is up to £12k I was assuming that the Rover v8 would be the engine of choice (the comments on my previous posting have convinced me not to look at v6 cars). However, a few of v12 engined cars both in auto (which I am not that keen on), and manual have popped up in my range. I dont know much about running a cobra with this set up, so any thoughts on differences in performance, running costs, buying values, etc etc etc, compared to the Rover lump would be very appreciated!!

Andy

[VinceGledhill]

The sound of the V8 is really distinctive and probably why most people fit the V8 into the cobra. It was origonally a V8. The V12 will sound right in an e-type jaguar. I'm sure the engine and running gear on the cobras that you are looking at are from a single jaguar donor. My betting is that the cars are Dax's.

They are a great kit and I'm sure the performance would be good. If you wanted to upgrade later to a large V8 lump or a roverV8 then you could do so. The one's with V8's are more money because these are the desirable engines. It's like anything else. Customers perspective is everything.

Regards
Vince@gledhill.info

[PeteV]

Just to add that the Jag V12 is a heavy old lump too. Also, could be a DIY maintenance nightmare ! - ever looked at a V12 injection motor installed in a Cobra ! - Frightening !!

Pete.

[andybearne]

Vince, thank you for the comments, I think my best plan is to go along with an open mind, the cars have both been Dax, which I getting the feeling from what you say and from looking at the forum and reading the kit car press are a well respected kit if they have been put together well. I would guess that the less desireable lump is the reason why they are in my budget range. I heard somebody say that the v12 isnt too nice too drive with a manual box, but I couldnt see the logic in that, what do you think?? Cheers, Andy

[andybearne]

Cheers Pete, I will bear this in mind as well. I guess my thinking following from what Vince said was that it might be a way of getting a kit as well thought of of the Dax within my current budget, with the option of a v8 swap several paychecks into the future...!!

[TR Mike]

You also have the option of a 5.0 or 5.4 litre Rover engine with or without twin turbos or for the ultimate, no nonsense engine you could use a high-tech Gen 3 Chevrolet LS1 all aluminium engine unit which will fit where a Rover will fit in most instances, plus it takes a 6 speed box or electronic or manual auto. Check out www.boostperformance.co.uk or chevroletls1.com for info. Mike.

[VinceGledhill]

mmm... Dax's with that engine within your price range.... Sounds like it's a good bet to me. I believe that the engines are the reason why they are within your budget.

Just to add a little flame to your fire, I have just built a Rover V8 for my AK. And it stands me at about a grand with the gearbox. You may want to go the Chevvy 5.7 or Ford V8 route later, when you have scared yourself enough with the engine you have fitted.

My example above makes me think that I too could have one of these lumps for not so much if I re-build it myself as some winter project in the future.

This would not be wasted money because a home built engine and box would be a nice addition to your car during the winter monts some time in the future, and you could sell the good running Jaguar V12 to some e-type building bloke.

I can't believe we've not had Wilf, Robert, and Mikey jumping in on this thread.... come on guys help this bloke out.... he's just about to shell out 12 grand of his hard earned on a cob.

Regards
Vince@gledhill.info

[StuartH]

Surely you'd only really want a 4.2 straight 6 in an E-type (much nicer than the V12 cars).....
The upgrade path is all very well but as someone who has just upgraded, I found that whilst I could have changed my 3.5 Rover for a chevy or a BMW or a Ford or a... I ended up going for a rover 4.6 because the engine and gearbox mountings would otherwise have needed changing, new propshaft, change the loom, etc, etc, and in the end it all seemed a lot of money and effort - as it happens my Rover 4.6 is great anyway and it was a good (if rather expensive) decision

Stuart

[andybearne]

Cheers Vince, sounds like it could be a good option for me to consider, and the option to change/upgrade if I wanted doesnt sound quite as hard on the wallet as I had expected, especially as the existing lump can bre moved on too (had forgotten about that!). Andy

[ian]

Andy, be very careful about your choice of engine. Years ago I built a RAM SC with a Rover 3.5 engine with my brother. We then built a DAX, but wanted to do something a bit 'different.' We chose the Jag V12, and to keep costs down kept the standard autobox. Oh if only I could turn back the clock. Using a V12 was a big mistake. The ladder chassis just couldn't cope with the sheer weight and size of the engine. And working on that engine is a nightmare, even if it is a work of art. After a year or so of ******* around (including a replacement engie 'cos I blew one up ) I took it off the road. It sat in my garage for 9 years gathering dust, every time I looked at it my heart sank, wondering why the **** I put a V12 in it. And each time my mates asked when I was going to get it on the road again I inwardly thought 'never.' To cut a long story short about a year ago I decided to convert it into a V8. I bought a Chevy 350 V8 and I'm just about to get the chassis mods done to allow me to fit it. BUT it is not a cheap and easy conversion by any stretch of the imagination. I reckon I will have spent around 7k by the time I get it on the road again. And that's being really careful. The chassis mods I'm doing will cost a grand once I've trailered the car to Harlow and back. Once it's on the road and legal (I may have to take it through SVA due to it being registered as the donor Jag V12) I'll be spending another two large tuning the mother****** up. The long and the short of it is that the Cobra is a V8 musclecar, and to my mind no other configuration makes sense. And if I was going to build another from scratch it would have a Ford V8, just for authenticity. If you know anyone who wants a Jag V12+autobox, let me know Good luck with your choice, be careful out there.
Ian 0118-946-3263