what can be done to the V8

Benlaro

Benlaro

Member
We have an Original 1970 LHD P6b 3500.
I'm already replacing the gearbox for a LT77 of an SD1.
But as we wan't to enter some classic car events, we want some more power from the V8 as wel.
I have some experience with the Rover V8 engine, because i have a few in some of my Landrovers.

But can i do the same to the old Rover V8 or is there a diference?
Normaly i just buy a camshaft of a 3,9 and put that in instead off the Original.
I als have a 4 barrel carb set from edelbrock, that can provide some extra power.
Also thinking of putting in a electronic icnitionsystem, still trying to find out wich way to go with that.

Can this al be done to the V8 of the P6?

I will also overhaul the engine completly, new bearings, new timing gear new lifters and so on.

The brakes will be done, a new torsionbarr and so on.


I hope i can get some advice from you al?
 
yes - exactly the same for the p6 v8. You'll get some extra power just by changing your needles in the su carbs ... not so much need for 4 barrel carbs...

Welcome to the forum :)
 
Hi, Yes everything you said with the addition of post '77 heads (they have casting number ERC 2016) found on SD1, Range Rover and Discovery. They have bigger valves for better breathing. The only limiting factor will be the diff, so no revving it and dumping the clutch or you will break one of the three shafts. A little circumspection will help,feed the power in to get it rolling then floor it to use the torque of the engine.

Have a read of this for an idea of what's possible:

(Budget) Historic Rally Car Project

Colin
 
Hi Ben,
I had a 390 offy 4 barrel on my first 3500s in the 80s, not as good as the webber i know,but it lost some low down torque,great for rpm over 3500 RPM.
There are some more flexi cams about now but i found the standard cam took some beating if correctly timed in on standard engine.
If staying with the standard 3500 engine a 10,5.1 engine with SDI vitesse heads / mild/standard cam / SU s rejetted on rolling road
would be a good start or you will loose the torque.
Other options are more CC ,better exhaust /manifolds /injection.
Clive.
 
The heads won't be a problem, i have a spare rangerover engine 3,5 EFI, so that should be one off the things.
But i don't know if i can put in the efi, then i need a few other things done.
MSD has a nice EFI for a four barrel,
 
I am not sure if the 3500 EFI range rover heads had waisted stem inlet/exhaust valves like the vitesse.?
never looked:)
I know its old hat now but when i had my vitesse ( first P6 was wriiten so bought one) I fitted new standard cam / home ported/cleaned up heads/ racing exhaust manifolds/system, Jag 4.2 airflow meter and a remapped standard ECU , made 220 BHP on rolling road,not bad for 3500 engine with much improved torque.
 
Later head plus Crower 53229 plus rolling road session = 40-50 bhp.

To tell the truth replacing the timing gear and cam (even if standard) on almost any engine will give you back a lot as this wears quickly.
 
[QUOTE="PeterZRH, post: 354281, member: 4938"

To tell the truth replacing the timing gear and cam (even if standard) on almost any engine will give you back a lot as this wears quickly.[/QUOTE]

Too true and a cheap easy DIY option
 
I'd do this as a matter of course on any V8 I didn't know. £200 well spent and more than likely 20bhp+

Not only that, without this being correct, none of the other tuning you do at probably more expense will ever give its full potential anyway, so you could be simply wasting your money.
 
Thats very true peter, long before the cam/lifters are worn to the extent of tapping and a slack chain the good old trusty v8 will
still seem to drive ok for many owners, its a slow loss of performance thats happens over many years.
Once you have done cam/lifters and chain assembly the difference is amazing.
A upgrade to the standard chain assembly i did many moons was to fit a steel cam gear instead of nylon one,
think it came from Real Steel.
Regards,
Clive.
 
It never ceases to shock me getting into a P6 the power difference they can have, despite seemingly running well. The average at the wheels for the auto is barely 100bhp, but some have as little as 75bhp. A good 3500S with lower losses in the manual box will give 120bhp or so.

The suggestion above of the Crower cam, new timing/lifters, the SD1 or later heads and a rolling road session will give you around 140bhp give or take if you are fortunate on the auto. Now that's night and day performance wise and about as much as you want without better tyres and some minor suspension work.

If you think about the cost, the next thing you'll likely to look at is stage 1 heads or perhaps a Holley type carb. This starts at £500 ish. So it really makes sense to look here first. My Range Rover heads were £50 and pretty much perfect.
 
clive P62 said:
Thats very true peter, long before the cam/lifters are worn to the extent of tapping and a slack chain the good old trusty v8 will
still seem to drive ok for many owners, its a slow loss of performance thats happens over many years.
Once you have done cam/lifters and chain assembly the difference is amazing.
A upgrade to the standard chain assembly i did many moons was to fit a steel cam gear instead of nylon one,
think it came from Real Steel.
Regards,
Clive.
Click to expand...
I too got my timing chain through Real Steel.
I only did the replacment as I had the front open looking at upgrading the oil pump and was talked into doing the "chain" from members on this forum .
As I wasn't expecting any change in performance I was pleasantly surprised when I took her out for her first return to the road .
Huge oil pressure improvement , but >>>
She really lifted her skirts and started to boogie.
All for a few pennies [cents].
 
Hello!

I can strongly recommend "How to Power Tune Rover V8 Engines" by Des Hammill. Contains almost everyting you need to know about getting the most out of your
Rover V8. Cost around 50-60 USD.

/Stefan
 
I remember back in the late 80's when my V8 wouldn't start one morning, dealer diagnosis confirmed cam lobe wear to the point of the valves not opening, upon replacement of the camshaft, rocker shaft, cam followers and timing gear the restored car did not feel too much different to me in terms of power. It wasn't until I replaced the SU's with the Weber 500 that the engine came alive and was a real pleasure to use and abuse.


Graeme
 
On my 4.4 i have a holley 500 2bbl done out for methanol and a chev 307 dissy, really good combo. Makes her really lift at the lights. Chev dist is twin points.
 
PeterZRH said:
It never ceases to shock me getting into a P6 the power difference they can have, despite seemingly running well. The average at the wheels for the auto is barely 100bhp, but some have as little as 75bhp. A good 3500S with lower losses in the manual box will give 120bhp or so.

The suggestion above of the Crower cam, new timing/lifters, the SD1 or later heads and a rolling road session will give you around 140bhp give or take if you are fortunate on the auto. Now that's night and day performance wise and about as much as you want without better tyres and some minor suspension work.

If you think about the cost, the next thing you'll likely to look at is stage 1 heads or perhaps a Holley type carb. This starts at £500 ish. So it really makes sense to look here first. My Range Rover heads were £50 and pretty much perfect.
Click to expand...
 
clive P62 said:
Hi Ben,
I had a 390 offy 4 barrel on my first 3500s in the 80s, not as good as the webber i know,but it lost some low down torque,great for rpm over 3500 RPM.
There are some more flexi cams about now but i found the standard cam took some beating if correctly timed in on standard engine.
If staying with the standard 3500 engine a 10,5.1 engine with SDI vitesse heads / mild/standard cam / SU s rejetted on rolling road
would be a good start or you will loose the torque.
Other options are more CC ,better exhaust /manifolds /injection.
Clive.
Click to expand...
Hi all .
Has anyone tried fitting twin Dellorto 40 or 45 carbs appropriately jetted, to 3500 engine.

I did this to another car I own that was running twin strombergs. There was a remarkable increase in rpm response, acceleration. Fitting a set of sports header had to be done as well to get the exhaust gases out quicker though. Is there room to fit headers onto P6.
Stewart
 
No, but I found a very interesting site : mez.co.uk
Beside many many informations you will find, go to "Megasquirt" chapter and the last choice here will present you the largest album with informations for Rover V8 manifolds I´ve ever seen (in my short Rover ownership....).
 
Kiwi Stew. said:
Hi all .
Has anyone tried fitting twin Dellorto 40 or 45 carbs appropriately jetted, to 3500 engine.

I did this to another car I own that was running twin strombergs. There was a remarkable increase in rpm response, acceleration. Fitting a set of sports header had to be done as well to get the exhaust gases out quicker though. Is there room to fit headers onto P6.
Stewart
Click to expand...
A friend of mine raced a P6 in the local Classics Class and at one time, he had 4 Weber 40mm carbs on his car and a self built 4-2-1 each side manifold that he somehow managed to thread through the standard hole in the chassis. It can be made to work. He also had an Alfa transaxle on a 4 link suspension stuck in the rear which later got replaced by a BMW LSD and a "regular" gearbox.
 
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