I was wondering what have you seen/done to a rover p6 3.5 v8 engine, i am interested in what kind of bhp people have been able to get out of it. i know my p6 was an ex police car so the engine has been tuned to some extent and i don't mind saying its the fastest thing i have driven (scared me when first purchased). i certainly haven't got the nerve to take a 39 year old vehicle over 70 but getting there in less than 9 seconds is unnerving
p6 v8 engine mods
- Thread starter falcons
- Start date
thought all pursuit cars (was a pursuit car from Scotland) were tuned to a higher spec? will have to get her on a rolling road at some point there is no way she is running at less than 150 bhp and I am sure the last owner didn't do anything think he would of mentioned it. or id have receipts
v8guy
Active Member
falcons said:
You'll get used to it and once you have confidence in the car I'm sure you will take it over 70
(whispering......) I usually cruse at 80mph on any distant motorway drive and it feels no differant to a modern car. of couse not saying that's what you should do, but I do enjoy making moderns move over. I even overtook a Bently a few months ago at 115mph :twisted: and she felt like she wanted to go some more :!: but I controlled my self and slowed down then watched an upset Bently driver Fly past me
No go faster mods on mine by the way.... Just as well me thinks
falcons said:
Hi,
I think what most are confused about, is the word 'tuned'. When it is said that police cars are tuned, it means that they're serviced and tuned to run at optimum power, but generally no more power than a standard production V8 would be.
As for power, I think a naturally aspirated 3.5 RV8 can be made to crack 200bhp with suitable modifications. A higher compression ratio; cyl' head porting; high-lift cam'; free-flow exhaust/air filter; different fuelling etc.
ewokracing
Active Member
falcons said:
you need some brave pills!
1396midget
Well-Known Member
ewokracing said:
Snigger
I've got to admit that my V8 is surprisingly fast, but not scary at all.
Hard acceleration from a standing start is to my understanding far more stressful on components than cruising at high speed, be it well over 70mph if you wish to.
Maybe your engine falcons has been rebuilt at some point, especially having been a police car it may well have been thrashed.
Ron.
Maybe your engine falcons has been rebuilt at some point, especially having been a police car it may well have been thrashed.
Ron.
webmaster
New Member
From my experience, putting a car on a rolling road to get a power figure almost always ends in dissappointment. Rover V8's also notoriously under perform.
Of course they produce so much torque that they still feel fast.
In terms of power, I was going to say the sky is the limit, but realistically it's your wallet that's the limit.
Of course they produce so much torque that they still feel fast.
In terms of power, I was going to say the sky is the limit, but realistically it's your wallet that's the limit.
Dave3066
Well-Known Member
There's a thread running over on the V8 forum on power versus money spent
How much power for how much money spent
Dave
How much power for how much money spent
Dave
I won't go into Sparky's engine as the previous owner spent just too much money on it :shock:
But my old Monza 3500S was a very quick machine.
I changed the heads for some SD1 ones as they were, IIRC, 12% more efficient than the P6 ones (Stage 1 P6 ones were 9%),
replaced the old worm out cam and followers with a standard set up (the 3.9 is better but they didn't have them in those days)
Fitted 4:2:1 tubular manifolds (the only expensive bit)
Had the flywheel lightened by 30%
Fitted an SD1 electronic dizzy
Had is set up on a s rolling road with AAA needles and K8N filters
Took off lie greased weasel poo
But my old Monza 3500S was a very quick machine.
I changed the heads for some SD1 ones as they were, IIRC, 12% more efficient than the P6 ones (Stage 1 P6 ones were 9%),
replaced the old worm out cam and followers with a standard set up (the 3.9 is better but they didn't have them in those days)
Fitted 4:2:1 tubular manifolds (the only expensive bit)
Had the flywheel lightened by 30%
Fitted an SD1 electronic dizzy
Had is set up on a s rolling road with AAA needles and K8N filters
Took off lie greased weasel poo
The 'all Police cars are not tuned' is not strictly true. Back in the day some manufacturers would send out cars for assessment which would be different to normal (although they wouldn't admit it ), also some would loan out cars under development to Police Forces, working on the assumption that if we couldn't break them, the public definately wouldn't. One I remember that we didn't get, but our neighbours did, was the Cosworth MK3 Granada. We once got a Montego turbo which lasted 4k then left on a trailer....
), also some would loan out cars under development to Police Forces, working on the assumption that if we couldn't break them, the public definately wouldn't. One I remember that we didn't get, but our neighbours did, was the Cosworth MK3 Granada. We once got a Montego turbo which lasted 4k then left on a trailer....webmaster said:
Yep, I think torque is very important on the RV8. As I've an automatic car I seldom go over 4000rpm anyway. I think people are going for more mid-range nowdays(3.9 cam' etc) - certainly in our humble saloon cars - as that's where we are most of the time. I think outright power is a very interesting goal, but more importantly, to get a superb mid-range would be more of a challenge.
I remember when LR first introduced the 3.9 into the Range Rover, and quoted that:
"The power is matched by an equally impressive torque fique of 235 Ib.ft., originating from a smooth torque curve which makes 90% of the useable torque available between 1,600 and 4000rpm." When I tried one I was very impressed indeed by that mid-range torque which would obviously suit a big automatic car - though I believe MG used this specced engine in their 'RV8 car.
IMOHO I think we all want a happy medium. A nice sound with a fair bit of effortless grunt. I think that screaming around at high revs is fun, but the novelty wears off quite quckly. I think it's most impressive when you get to that happy medium and have an RV8 engine that performs all the time instead of just at 6500rpm 8)
Or am I biased because I'm a porper :?: :wink:
Completely with you Lee... Mid range and off the line oomph is where its at.
Mine might get a 3.9 cam when I finally have the timing cover off.
So far we just have vitesse heads exhaust with stainless boxes and different air filters.
I think the 4 speed zf box is going to make the biggest difference when I get round to it.
Rich.
Mine might get a 3.9 cam when I finally have the timing cover off.
So far we just have vitesse heads exhaust with stainless boxes and different air filters.
I think the 4 speed zf box is going to make the biggest difference when I get round to it.
Rich.
rockdemon said:
Hi Rich,
I did actually try your prospective set-up before fitting a 3.9 into my SD1. I can say that it worked very well in my original 3.5. I found the 3.9 cam' suited the Vitesse heads really well, giving an effortless mid-range grunt. I found that once past 2000rpm the engine/exhaust sound changed to a deep purposeful note, and the engine just pulled and pulled. They seem to complement each other very well - and that was with a standard factory set of SU's without K&N's or a needle change.
BTW, the stock 3.9 is even more of a wonder. When I first fitted one to my SD1, at first there wasn't any real difference to the 3.5, until I tried a few hill climbs :shock: I just couldn't believe how easy it went up the hills. I've sort of compromised now in the fitting of Vitesse heads and hurricane cam' to my 3.9, which is said to give an improved mid to top end. I think this set-up on the 3.5 would be a bit too top endy, but with the 3.9 it works well.