v6-v8 upgrade

[andybearne]

Hello everyone. does anybody have any thougths on the hassle/feasibility/expense on converting from a 2.8 v6 to a v8 in a Sumo? I am looking for a v8, but have come across a few v6 cars for quite a lot less, so I was wondering about how it added up!!??....

Andy

[robert]

Andy

Lots of hassle, limited feasibility, and lots of expense!!!

Firstly, you will need to find and engine and block.

Engine mounts will have to be changed, radiator will probably have to be bigger and relocated, ancilliaries like heater and brake servo will need looked at, chassis bracing might be needed to cope with the torque of a V8.

With the cost and time factor, you are probably better off going straight for a V8.

I can think of more, but breakfast beckons!!!

Robert
Forum Admin

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[VinceGledhill]

What about speaking to Pilgrim themselves. They may produce a "kit" to change it all.

Regards
Vince@gledhill.info

I know what you mean about cheaper V6 cars and the upgarde path, I asked this question to Pilgram a couple of weeks ago myself, bottom line is their website indicates it can be done and their response to my "can I upgrade a V6 car to a RV8?" was simply ""impossible without removing the body"" nothing more indepth that that Im afraid so your guess is as good as mine!

After thinking it through I decided to hold out till finances allow me to buy a V8 car and not have to muck about undoing someone elses engineering to get what I want.

Hope that helps.

Andy

[andybearne]

Thanks for all the comments from everybody, as somebody new to the cobra game it is really helpful, I am getting the feeling that the upgrade route is a bit too daunting for me.....!!

[TR Mike]

Have you thought about using a 24 valve Cosworth. I can build a performance blueprinted engine using a special lightweight eutectic piston kit with moly rings and taper wall pins. It would be a 3.1 litre engine. Or I can do a big rover with turbos up to 5.4 litres.Mike.

[domenico]

It can be done even without removing the body.

Just check the radiator size, in many cases the radiator is fine for v8.
Usually radiators used by pilgim for v8 are Sierra 2.3 Liter Diesel ones.

ciao
Domenico

[Dan]

I'm sure that the job can be done without removing the body - But it would take ages and be an absolute pain in the neck having to work through such a restrictive space - The worst Item to fit would be the Radiator - add to that the fear of damaging the body work and you have a pretty unpleasant job. I'm sure other Cobra Replicas are more accomodating in the removal of the body for an engine change but the Sumo isn't one of them.

Unless your looking for a long winter job I would adivse go for a car with the engine you desire in the first place...


Dan 'Were all these nuts used before' Man
www.cobra.kitcar.btinternet.co.uk

[graham]

I have done this conversion before on a MK2 Pilgrim and all the other guys comments are correct, in addition I had to change the pedal box to the M2 V8 system which was to utilise the Marina pedal box so the whole thing is a heck of a job, but not impossible, I,ve done it.

Graham

[domenico]

agree with you that to remove the body from a sumo is definetly a pain....
consider the fact that for a decent sumo v8 you are looking at 12k whereas
for a v6 or a 4 cylinder sumo you can get away with 7k.
This leaves a braket of 5k to paly with.
1.5k for good Rover v8 3.9 or 4.6 an extra 500 pounds to service the car get better brakes etc. etc.
...and easly you have saved 3k just for a couple of weeks of work in removing and fitting a new engine.
I know it is not a pleasent job you may scratch the body etc.etc.
it could be worthy.
ciao
Domenico