Rover V8 versus Chevy

[hfbradley01]

I'd be interested to know how many GD owners have Rover V8 engines and how many have Chevy engines.

Rob is this worth having a poll ?

Howard (not looking good for a Cobra) Bradley

[Happy Jim]

Rover for me
(is the definitive source of the word WOOFfle when used to describe the noise )

Jim

[hfbradley01]

Hi Jim

I take it you're happy with it then.

Howard

[maxGD059]

Howard
It depends on how you intend to use your car. If you intend to do track days then go for the SBC. If, like most of us its mainly a road car then the RV8 is fine. What decided it for me was some motoring bod sometime ago saying that 'you can go 10 tenths on the road with an RV8, but woe be tide you if you do that with an SBC'. Now there are bound to be people that disagree but thats simply my view too

Cheers

Richard
(Hillclimb convert)

[robert]

All depends on the state of tune.

A detuned chevy which is laid back and economical will have the same output as a tuned Rover V8.

It all depends on as Richard said, what you want to do to it and what the ultimate end goal is.

Hope this helps, but probably not. :tu :tu

[Happy Jim]

Howard,

I'm happy with the Rover, it gives me enough of a scare when I need one and sounds the part. I wouldn't say never to a larger engine, however at the moment the Rover is enough for me. It's worth taking a long hard look at how you drive currently/what you are used to (as well as your intended use is of course), I'm now 30 something, 2 kids, drive a Volvo (guide may be a better word!) so the step change is enough to keep me more than happy. I would hazard a guess that there are those who have a sufficiently sporty daily driver to need/want more in the grunt stakes - but I doubt if 10% of Small Block drivers really tax their cars {-}

Cheers

Jim

[maxGD059]

Howard
I agree with Jim. BTW have you ever been out in a cob, be it Rover/SBC or otherwise. If not you would be surprised at what 250bhp/ton is really like. I took Tony Merrick out in mine for his first ever ride last week, (he's building a Sumo round the corner from me). I'm sure he'll give you his first impressions if you mail him}(

Cheers

Richard
(Hillclimb convert)

[StuartH]

Sorry for sneaking into the GD section {-} {-} but...
I have a tuned up Rover 4.6 in mine (AK) and it is definitely quicker than AK's demonstrator with a relaxed Ford 351, however it costs quite a bit to get it to that state, and it costs a sh*t load more to get a lot more out of it!!
I'm very happy with my Rover; sounds good, goes nicely, and can even be sort of economic (in a relative kind of way!!)
Would prefer it to a standard(ish) ford/chevy but not to a nice all aluminium chevy (but I'm sure they're not cheap either!!)

Stuart

[Craig Baker]

Howard,
I did think about a Rover, but I have been put off by what I have been told is the cost of getting over 200bhp+ I am intending to start with a Ford 302 and build the power as I get used to it. I must admit the lightness of the Rover does appeal in such a good chassis.


:tu :tu :tu

[StuartH]

Just as a guide for you on the cost of a Rover - my new stage 3 Rover 4.6 (280BHP) cost about 4.5K (full engine not including anciliaries and timing cover)
On top of this you need a timing cover 100 to 150 I think, Mallory dual-point distributor 200ish + Crane-Cams multi-spark ignition 200 (this bit optional!!) -300ish starter and alternator 100ish + set of decent leads 75 + new oil pump and gears 100ish + weber 500 carb 500ish.
So not cheap - on the plus side a friend and I lifted it out of the dleivery lorry (because they brought a huge truck which was too high for the crane!!) so not heavy either

Obviously if you don't buy a brand new one you can do much better - my 3.5 lump cost me 40 notes (plus a couple of hundred to rebuild) and wasn't too slugish!! But second hand 4.6's (if they are ex Range-Rover ones) should be treated with great suspicion (why are they not still in a range-rover?) as the early ones had a problem with the liners.

Stuart