2000TC V8 Conversion

[Dominic Yates]

Hi all, Just a quick question. I have a 3500 V8 sat in dry storage and want to know what would it take to swap the 2000TC with the V8.

Thanks,
Dom

 

[sdibbers]

Hi Dominic,

Unfortunately under the external panels there are a number of changes between the 4 and 8 cylinder base units.

The inner wings, lower suspension arms, cross member, rear suspension and final drive, gearbox, and radiator are entirely different. You may be better off trying to find a 3500 car with a bad engine.

There was another camp asking the same question here a while back iirc

 

[sdibbers]

Found it: p6 2000 v8 conversion

 

[Dominic Yates]

Hi Sdibbers, thank you for the fast reply and your help is much appreciated although that is certainly not the news I was hoping for :'{

I've got the engine and gearbox which are both in good working order. I'll read up on the other thread and see what was said, see if it is in any way a viable option.

Thanks once again mate,
Dom

 

[rockdemon]

if you want a v8 in a 2000 a non-rover v8 of smaller dimensions may be a better idea... there is no easy conversion!

 

[Dominic Yates]

Thanks for the advice rockdemon. I do not mean to disregard the advice given by you all, however, easy isn't what I'm looking for. I have a V8 with gearbox in full working order and the gentlemen that want to see this done are the guys that put a V8 in a 1986 Austin Mini. They then proceeded to make a "quad" out of a written off xj40 and the V8 engine in question. I don't doubt it will be a challenge and I expect it to be a pain in the arse to say the least! However, I don't doubt they are capable of doing it.

I was just wondering what new parts the conversion would take in your opinions. What parts, that are currently on the 2000, would need replacing to be able to hold and run the V8 safely?

I am the guy worried about safety in all of this, they just want to see it done!

Thanks once again, and again I apologise if I come across as anything but sincere and inquisitive.
Dom

 

[The Rovering Member]

It obviously can be done as Rover did it so if it is a challenge that is desired then go for it. It's just that a V8 shell would be more convenient. The three-pot front brakes are a straight-swap, shocks are easily changeable and IIRC, the larger wheels of the V8 will fit the rear without fitting the angled drop links (?) though that's an easy job too.
Diff's can be changed if necessary.

You just have to squeeze the ancillaries under the bonnet without benefit of cut-outs in the bodywork or make them yourself. A full list of jobs could be supplied by more knowledgable members but your guys sound more than competent.

 

[colnerov]

Hi, You obviously have skills for doing this, so go ahead. The only obvious things I can think of that may cause problems is the the 4 pot mounts will have to be cut off the rails, strictly speaking this puts you in IVA territory, if that concerns you. Others are the exhaust may be tight getting it out of the engine bay, I would think block huggers would be the solution there. Front crossmember interfering with the oil filter, remote filter will help. Starter motor will be very close to the suspension bottom rear link, a geared motor will be smaller but have a cost implication. All the rest is just 'hot and colds' connections.

Colin

 

[sowen]

Thanks for the advice rockdemon. I do not mean to disregard the advice given by you all, however, easy isn't what I'm looking for. I have a V8 with gearbox in full working order and the gentlemen that want to see this done are the guys that put a V8 in a 1986 Austin Mini. They then proceeded to make a "quad" out of a written off xj40 and the V8 engine in question. I don't doubt it will be a challenge and I expect it to be a pain in the arse to say the least! However, I don't doubt they are capable of doing it.

I was just wondering what new parts the conversion would take in your opinions. What parts, that are currently on the 2000, would need replacing to be able to hold and run the V8 safely?

I am the guy worried about safety in all of this, they just want to see it done!

Thanks once again, and again I apologise if I come across as anything but sincere and inquisitive.
Dom

I think yours is a series 2 so should be part way there. Series 1 P6's I believe have much less in common with their V8 counterparts.

There should be a few mysterious indents in the crossmember that will match up with the V8's oil filter position. The 2000 engine mounts can be drilled and hacked off with a spot weld drill leaving the chassis rails clear. On the V8 models the front inner wings have a separate pressed panel welded into a large cutout behind the headlights to house the brake servo, this may not be entirely necessary to you? Going further back into the engine bay the lower rearward-ish pointing tie rod sits too far into the engine compartment. Depending on how well the shell was manufactured, or not, you may be able to trim some excess off that to clear the starter motor, but I think it's unlikely that would be sufficient. The V8 models have a much shorter tie rod, and the vertical reinforcing channel that extends upwards is also much shallower to give clearance for the exhaust manifolds. The V8 manual has a specific pedal box which allows the clutch master cylinder to be relocated to beside the steering box in a vertical position on a special bracket behind the engine. The V8 engine also sits further forward, so the larger radiator is located further forward too.

I think those are the main relevant differences that will allow a P6 specification V8 to drop into a 2000 shell, there may be some more modifications required that I haven't thought of? One thing I'll say is the present UK requirements regarding such substantial modifications to the bodyshell could result in the car losing it's registration and identity and require re-registering as a modified car to modern standards at your cost, which it will not pass.

The V8 models have a different brake disc and caliper, the differential is beefed up and has a different ratio. The V8 shell has a different pinion mounting setup which is probably not worth thinking about? The wheels are a touch wider for wider tyres so the rear upper arms are bent to clear the tyre unlike the straight 2000 type arms. Springs and dampers are probably different too, not sure on how much by?

 

[Dominic Yates]

Thank you! I've showed the mechanics your advice and information and after quite a few "hmmmmm"s, I've got my shopping list. The to do list is still in the making though. I'm firstly going to try and fix the 2000 to put me on until we have a clear plan of attack. At the moment I think it is a timing and fuel issue both contributing to one sick Betty. The V8 is going to have a full check over and quite possibly a complete rebuild before it goes in due to it standing for a few years and as a just in case sort of situation. I've been checking the stock on a couple of websites and they seem to have everything I will need, aside from the odd bit which I'm sure I'll be able to find at some point. Now all I have to do is wait for the go ahead (and fix up the 2000).

I will continue this thread as soon as the conversion starts, if it isn't too far in the future. Fingers crossed!

Once again, thank you and I wish a good evening to you all.
Dom