Buick/Rover V8's (+ question)

[JohnnySomersett]

Any good resource sites about for these much used gems?

Need a bit of info

[Mr S]

www.v-8.org.uk - there's a whole lot of Rover V8 info there!

[JohnnySomersett]

Excellent

[JohnnySomersett]

*EDIT*

Are they all rear sump?

[Seth]

I just use some original source material



One of the first "Rover" V8 swaps I reckon

[Dez]

no. you can get some that are kinda the same depth all the way along, about 2.5". ive never seen a front sump version though. no idea what they're off, i just know i have one

[JohnnySomersett]

Oh well, they're small enough so i can just move it further back. Can only help with the weight distribution anyhow

[Dez]

rover v8s arent small. a small block chevy is, erm, smaller!!

[celicaV8]

Yep, all rear/mid sump.
Damned sure they never did a front sump - and I looked hard.
Unless you include dry sumping it

I've seen some 'ghetto' front sump conversions though.

[JohnnySomersett]

May 20, 2008 19:28:24 GMT Dez said:

rover v8s arent small. a small block chevy is, erm, smaller!!

Really?!!

Now I havent had one of each side by side but from seeing them both seperately I remember the Rover seeming smaller in my mind...meh, balls's up that idea then

Back to the ford 302 idea then

*EDIT*

The Rover/Buick is lighter though, no? space isnt really the major issue...its the weight distribution

[celicaV8]

Rover V8 dims

[Dez]

from memory, a rv8 is at least 3" longer than a sbc. width/height is more of less the same.

[JohnnySomersett]

*EDIT*

The Rover/Buick is lighter though, no? space isnt really the major issue...its the weight distribution

[celicaV8]

RV8 about 230kg all in from memory

[Dez]

yeah, considerably lighter. a rv8 only weighs about the same as a pinto, cos it has the ally heads/intake/block, plus an ally bellhousing and tailshaft on the box too.

[JohnnySomersett]

May 20, 2008 19:40:53 GMT Dez said:

yeah, considerably lighter. a rv8 only weighs about the same as a pinto, cos it has the ally heads/intake/block, plus an ally bellhousing and tailshaft on the box too.

thats the selling point (plus they're cheap and everywhere)

Plus tuning bits are prolific.

I'm sure i can get a pretty sweet one sorted for the cost of a skanky 302.

[Lewis]

You'd be suprised. Decent RV8 bits, including just the kit for a general rebuild, will probably work out more expensive than doing a 302 or 350, depending on where, how and what you're shopping with and for.

Then at the end of the day the RV8 will probably still cough out 100BHP less than the equivalent SBF/SBC built to the same standards.

[dave21478]

this site is pretty handy for size / weight info...
www.bacomatic.org/~dw/library/library.htm
click on "engine weights list" and it gives the weight tables, and scroll down for size tables.
mostly yank stuff, but a few euro / J engines there too.

[popuptoaster]

rover V8's were only cheap when there were loads in scrappies, they are out of date and expensive to tune these days, only early ones were light as a pinto, the later they get, the heavier they get, they do sound lovely though, but much better engines around these days.

[nobody]

i have a rv8 here in a mini if you want any measurements.
they are bigger than a 302 f or a 350 chevy.
there not that pokey either.
arnt they around 150/160 hp compared to say 260hp for a stock crate 350 which has the benefit of dirt cheap performance parts (and plenty of choice)compared to the rover and ford.
got both here as well if you need to compare