Chris, your almost bang on with the soft top, I've been looking at a number of modern options, from 3 series Bm's to Audi A4's or even the old 80 coupe convertible. I agree it has to be bang on otherwise it will be a waste. Any other suggestions ? ( Diesel.... are you mad ??? )
Rovermat, I sort of agree about the engine BUT, I don't want anything running carbs for starters, I'm heavily into fuel injection etc and find it so much easier to understand and work with. The base unit I have is 4 pot, so the v8 isn't quite so easy an install. I also have a couple of honda 2.7's in a container at work but having measured up they would be a very tight fit, leaving about 1inch either side. Shame really because the 2.7's are fantastic engines, and could be turboed later for extra go.
I'm not a huge fan of the rover v8 (sacrilidge I know), its just too expensive to get proper power from it, I could get a 200bhp 820 turbo motor for free which wouldn't need a lot of tweaking to produce 220bhp roughly the same as a 4.6 rangie motor, and a heck of a lot cheaper to build / repair. Plus it would easily return 30+mpg. Modern engines are definately the way to go, you could spend a fortune tuning an old engine only to achieve the same power you get from a stock modern lump pulled from a scrappers for £100
I intend to make this a daily driver, as the old one was, and the ability to just jump in and drive is a very high priority. Weird and wonderfull engine setups are great for shows and drag runs but they just don't cut it in the real world. One of my aims for the car is to tour the continent, so basic reliability and mpg are pretty key.
The standard T16 is about 140bhp which although a bit thrashy I agree, is more power than any of the standard 4 pot p6's not too far from the stock v8, and with a 5 speed box fitted would be very efficient.
Ultimately I'd use one of the modern all ally chevy small blocks with 6 speed box attached, but I'd have to sell the kids.....
It will be interesting to see the results, I did some accurate 0-60 timings on my old 2.2tc as a benchmark so we'll see how it goes. At the end of the day I see it as a continuous project, so what starts out as a 4 pot economy machine could end up as a fire breathing monster as funds allow !
Its probably most important at this stage to get the bodywork and soft top right.
Richard