My Audi RS4 V8 engine adventure was a lot of fun, but it was a money-drainer as I was taking a path less-travelled and everything was bespoke.

I quite fancy dong another engine, but this time an old-school (pre-94) V8.

The core engine must be a cheapie and the engine-type must have a healthy aftermarket parts supply and knowledge-base.

So what's the best choices? The two that immediately spring to mind are the Small Block Chevy and the Rover V8.

RV8 is lighter, but it has less power-potential than the SBC. Also, SBC tuning parts are plentiful and probably a bit cheaper than the RV8. Is that a good enough reason to go SBC, or does the RV8 offer anything else that I've missed?

Any other V8 suggestions?

Cheers!

What about pre 64?

Daimler Hemi

Lexus LS400 engine? something like 250 hp as standard? All alloy engine, I think there were pre 94 cars anyway? Cheap as chips on ebay too

[Edited on 10/8/11 by sdh2903]

Suppose it depends what you want to do with it, and what power output you want etc, other than the two you've already mentioned what about a 302 Ford.? Quite compact for a yank V8 and very tuneable, IIRC you can use a 351 crank to make a stroker engine.

Or maybe the AJP V8 as used in the TVR Cerbera, flat plane crank, so sound lovely (might be deep pockets time again with this one!)

Al.


]Originally posted by scootz
My Audi RS4 V8 engine adventure was a lot of fun, but it was a money-drainer as I was taking a path less-travelled and everything was bespoke.

I quite fancy dong another engine, but this time an old-school (pre-94) V8.

The core engine must be a cheapie and the engine-type must have a healthy aftermarket parts supply and knowledge-base.

So what's the best choices? The two that immediately spring to mind are the Small Block Chevy and the Rover V8.

RV8 is lighter, but it has less power-potential than the SBC. Also, SBC tuning parts are plentiful and probably a bit cheaper than the RV8. Is that a good enough reason to go SBC, or does the RV8 offer anything else that I've missed?

Any other V8 suggestions?

Cheers!

Is that a Daimler 2.5 Hemi ? used to be a favourite to go in ford pops.....Very


Originally posted by stevec
What about pre 64?

Daimler Hemi

quote:

---

Originally posted by stevec
What about pre 64?

Daimler Hemi

---

Merc M119 ??

I am half way through a rebuild on it at the moment, nice engine and not huge.
Theres a few more pics in my archive of the block etc. And my type 9 conversion to Daimler V8.
It would look cool with throttle bodies.
Steve.

[Edited on 10/8/11 by stevec]

SBC is the way to go. Cheap as chips, and most of them are pre 94 as well. I am currently building one up

The biggest small block was a 400cu (6.6litre) but there was also a BB made in that capacity too. The 350 has the most tuning parts available, but many are interchangeable to the 305 as the engines are identical other than bore and combustion chamber volumes.

David

Cheers fella's!

sbc for me too if i had to choose again.
cheaper bits, easier stock hp and gains

Chevy.

Power for those starts around where it costs a fortune to get a Rover V8 to.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wadders
Or maybe the AJP V8 as used in the TVR Cerbera, flat plane crank, so sound lovely (might be deep pockets time again with this one!)

---

This is gonna be some trike!

Nooooooooooooo!

Fair point, think the cerbie misses your deadline by a year or two why the cut off of 94 btw ?




Originally posted by scootz

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wadders
Or maybe the AJP V8 as used in the TVR Cerbera, flat plane crank, so sound lovely (might be deep pockets time again with this one!)

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wadders
... why the cut off of 94 btw ?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by scootz

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wadders
... why the cut off of 94 btw ?

---

Emissions regs.

---

Forgot about that!

The Ford small blocks (260,289,302) are physically smaller engines than the Chev, or even the Rover. The 351 Ford is 1/2" taller on the block. Above 351, they're monsters, same with Chev.

As with the Chevs, there's plenty of cheap tuning parts available, and then there's the carbon inlets if you want to spend the money.

Cheers,
Nev.

Ah.... interesting, dunno why but i always thought it was post 92 cars that had tighter emissions regs..... you live and learn






Originally posted by scootz

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wadders
... why the cut off of 94 btw ?

---

It could be... I always get confused as it appears both the 92 and 94 dates are somehow important!

^^ most cars were supposed to cats from the start Aug. 92 for production cars (but the actuall cut off dates can vary a bit, depending on the approvals the car had, build dates etc... (e.g. my 106 had a carb and was regestered in Sept. 92)

its august 95 for the engine at SVA/IVA though


although I was just reading the MOT manual to check and it seems to suggest that fitting an older engine means you can ues the older emissions test (as long as you can prove the engine age... linky

i see in that document its up to the presenter to prove age. i've never had to prove anything for mine. tester has generally just said, "what years the engine mate?" to which i reply 79 and he does the probe test at tick over rather than whatever revs they are suppoosed to do to a later engine.

out of curiosity we tested it at revs thisn year and it passed that too.
paul

Something from BMW?