Amazon: Amazon v8 conversion options..

[Burdekin]

The vids on youtube are good fun and great to see guys who have done it.

I had a look into the Toyota and Volvo V8s, they look like good engines but aren't plentiful and you don't have the same aftermarket support like the GM Chevy engines.

David, have a good look into the Chevy LS engines, if you can pick up a good low mileage one from the US you should be able to get it over for about $500US. With the likes of the Rover and small block engine they can be expensive to extract good power out of them. For example the Rover is only about 200hp I think so a lot of work putting in a V8 with only that amount of power and to get more power from it is expensive. The LS engines are much more powerful and you won't need to touch them or spend any extra cash trying to get extra power. Saying all this it's your build and cash so you need to do what you want so am only giving ideas. You can also buy a ECU, controller and wiring hareness for the LS engines which takes some pain out of the conversion and then a GM garage would be able to diagnose engine faults for you. This is the kind of support that GM give the LS engines: http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/
http://partsworldperformance.com/

I think you'll need to do a lot of cutting and fabricating; gearbox tunnel, inner wings and crossmember at the least I would say. If you could fit a V8 in under 6 months (while working fulltime) I would say you have done very well. But you've done an engine conversion before so you know what you're in for.

Regarding your supsension question, after you finish the build you'll need to weigh the car, then weigh the front and then weigh the back. You could do this on a weigh bridge at a quarry for example. Then take this to a spring manufacturer or a reputable suspension supplier and then they will be able to see the weight and weight disrtibution and make you a set of springs to your specified ride height and stiffness etc. Springs aren't that expensive and if you look around a good set of bespoke springs shouldn't be too expensive I think.

[DQ81]

Originally Posted by mitch1971

The vids on youtube are good fun and great to see guys who have done it.

I had a look into the Toyota and Volvo V8s, they look like good engines but aren't plentiful and you don't have the same aftermarket support like the GM Chevy engines.

David, have a good look into the Chevy LS engines, if you can pick up a good low mileage one from the US you should be able to get it over for about $500US. With the likes of the Rover and small block engine they can be expensive to extract good power out of them. For example the Rover is only about 200hp I think so a lot of work putting in a V8 with only that amount of power and to get more power from it is expensive. The LS engines are much more powerful and you won't need to touch them or spend any extra cash trying to get extra power. Saying all this it's your build and cash so you need to do what you want so am only giving ideas. You can also buy a ECU, controller and wiring hareness for the LS engines which takes some pain out of the conversion and then a GM garage would be able to diagnose engine faults for you. This is the kind of support that GM give the LS engines: http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/
http://partsworldperformance.com/

I think you'll need to do a lot of cutting and fabricating; gearbox tunnel, inner wings and crossmember at the least I would say. If you could fit a V8 in under 6 months (while working fulltime) I would say you have done very well. But you've done an engine conversion before so you know what you're in for.

Regarding your supsension question, after you finish the build you'll need to weigh the car, then weigh the front and then weigh the back. You could do this on a weigh bridge at a quarry for example. Then take this to a spring manufacturer or a reputable suspension supplier and then they will be able to see the weight and weight disrtibution and make you a set of springs to your specified ride height and stiffness etc. Springs aren't that expensive and if you look around a good set of bespoke springs shouldn't be too expensive I think.

I was just showing a few examples on youtube. I'm actually a bit of a Rover v8 hater to be honest. It's just a Buick engine that was never very good imho, having owned a few I've done my best they just don't hold up well under long term use and it takes so much for them to make decent power.

There are a lot of options, and for a Gen 1 SBC you can get it in without cutting the crossmember or wings...

I'm going to investigate the LS series but I don't want overkill either as that means that much more work to the rear end but a strong contender now thanks .

I'm still doing recon but the Gen 1 Chevy smallblock is my favorite because of aftermarket support and the fact that I'm well versed with them...

As far as springs go, I think a new set of lowered 1.5 or 2" springs will be just fine. The weight of an SBC is about 150kg more than the B20 and add another 50kg for the transmission.
I'm gonna get three friends to sit on the hood carefully and see how much that drops the front end and go from there. I might have heavy duty springs made to spec up front and just use aftermarket rear lowering springs. We'll see.

Once I start, I'll see if takes 6 months: challenge accepted! lol



Also, they are cheap!

[Tail]

perhaps the easiest v8 conversion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9XAC...eature=related

[asneddon]

Well, I just placed an order of one of those for my Audi A3 diesel! Fantastic

[Tail]

Originally Posted by asneddon

Well, I just placed an order of one of those for my Audi A3 diesel! Fantastic

LOL me too

[redcar]

lol, very good

[winneehillbilly]

I was considering a Chevy V8 for my Amazon but hav decided to go for a stroked 302 Ford. Mainly because the distributor is at the front and they are really light with aluminium heads and manifold. Also im going to use a C4 auto as it will fit in the tunnel with out having to widen it to much like a 700r4. 5.0 Mustang headers should fit providing the engine isnt too low in the bay and I dont think you will get a blower in on a Ford engine as the crank pulley will hit the front crossmember under the rad unless the engine is set right back in the bulkhead. If you want I can email you some photos of my car if send me your address. Hope this helps Tom.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by mitch1971

I like your thinking. A V8 does sound great and they are lovely to drive.

Good luck and if I think of any other ideas will post them...

can you find a volvo 4400cc V8 ? it has a very narrow V angle so taller than it is wide .

[Burdekin]

Hi Clan,
Thanks. I did consider a Volvo 4400cc V8 and would still consider one if size wise it would be a good option. I asked the XC90 guys on the forum a while back and they said they are very rare in the UK. So didn't look into it any further. Would you know of a good website with the details of the engine and gearbox options?

Cheers,

Mitch

[Clan]

Yes they were pretty rare and now discontinued in UK , But most will have gone to USA , might source a crashed one there .. The Noble sports car company here in uk use this engine with 650 bhp ... Not sure of a web site with the info , but all are auto ..