Having nearly got my 1972 TVR back on the road I am planning the next phase...

I want to include in that, an engine and gearbox swap for something a bit more modern and a bit more powerful...

The standard 2.5L straight six sounds fantastic and has a bit of torque... but it is a HEAVY engine and is not hugley "exciting"


So, what engine could I pop in there instead?

I guess I want something thats fairly common(ish) so its cheap(ish) to buy and fix...

I dont think a 4 pot would sound quite right somehow...

width of the engine bay is an issue so an shallow angle Vs are out...

So what engine should I look at?


Similar car:


My car:

BMW ?

volvo straight 6 but you'd better have good brakes

not much width in there at all really

[Edited on 18/2/09 by Mr Whippy]

Hmm... I hadnt realised that BMW made straight 6s.... that would be nice......


Any suggestions as to which one?


Likewise... which volvo engines/gearboxes would be the logical choice?

[Edited on 18/2/09 by tegwin]

ovloV, BMW and Lexus have to be the obvious candidates really.

If you've money to throw at it then fitting something like a VAG V5 motor (as fitted to mk4 Golfs) would be an interesting option - unrestricted they would probably sound good too.

I agree that a mere 4 pot does seem somehow wrong, bu then a Zetec or Duratec would be a cinch to fit and would give good reliable power too.

quote:

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Originally posted by tegwin
Hmm... I hadnt realised that BMW made straight 6s.... that would be nice......


Any suggestions as to which one?


Likewise... which volvo engines/gearboxes would be the logical choice?

[Edited on 18/2/09 by tegwin]

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I'd have said beemer six - if you can stretch to it, then the obvious choice would be the E36 M3 or M3 Evo - either 3 or 3.2 litres - the 3.2 is 320 bhp, and the manual box was a six-speeder. Sounds brilliant when you let it rev (it redlines at about 8000 or so), and loads of shove. You might want some big brakes tho

failing that, they made plenty of 6-cyl engines, as a general rule anything out of a 323 upwards would be a 6.

HTH


Vince

325tdi? tons of push, woosh...

quote:

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Originally posted by coozer
325tdi? tons of push, woosh...

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straight six from an M3 would be awesome!! They sound like they are about to bite your head off!!! Shame you could't fit a V8 out of an M5

Here you go
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-m3-engine-2004_W0QQitemZ270345549760

Volvo straight 5 or 6.
Is there nothing you could do to improve the current engine?

with a box http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-M3-engine-motor-s54-e46-e36-e30-M5_W0QQitemZ180329776954

Hmmm.... tidy...

Dont think I would want more than 250-300hp in that car anyway..... thats plenty quick!


What gearbox would work with that engine? (and I assume a different diff might be an idea... the old school triumph one might not like it)

And could I use Megasquirt to run the engine? Including the VANOS system?

[Edited on 18/2/09 by tegwin]

BMW S5232. 3.2l. 320bhp, individual throttle bodies, 24 valves, 8000rpm redline, chain cam, equal length tubular headers. Or an S54B32 if your budget will stretch, I suppose, but will probably be a more complicated installation from the electronics point of view - probably not worth it just for an extra 20bhp.

Ok, its heavy but its a hell of an engine.

BTW, all proper BMWs are straight-6* - it virtually synonymous with the marque.

Nick

* The E30 M3 is a I4 of course, but counts as an honorary straight-6

i think youll find teh BMW engine does cant over a lot more than you think .

measure up the engine bay !!.

The current engine is very heavy... and, I could spend around 500 getting the head done and fit new cams... but for that money I could buy another more modern engine... spend a little more on engine management etc and have a LOT more power for the cash...

Could you stand the BMW motor upright a little bit if needed? or would I start to get oil starvation problems etc?

2.9 24V Ford Granada Cosworth engine with an Mt75 Gearbox and Granada LSD diff has been done on your model.

How about the two wheel drive single turbo older Nissan skyline engine, easy 300bhp, sounds great, nice and light and will never go wrong?

quote:

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Originally posted by MK9R
with a box http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-M3-engine-motor-s54-e46-e36-e30-M5_W0QQitemZ180329776954

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I've got the BMW three litre straight six in my 5 series and have to say if looks pretty massive even in that engine compartnment.

I could try and and get some dims it if it helps.

Lovely engine btw!

David

It's a TVR, they used to stick 289 Ford Hi-Po engines in them here. Makes them very hairy with about 350 HP with Shelby Mustang specs.