Hello, I'm about to resume the long delayed build of my Marcos Mantula. When I say delayed, the car has been unfinished in storage for the last 14 years! It's even longer since I did any work on it.
There's a lot of work ahead including the dreaded IVA test. The engine was rebuilt but is a slightly modified unit from an old Rover P6. It's got a Holley carburettor on a JWR manifold. Maybe I need something a bit better?
I'll be looking for advice on what V8 would be best on a small to medium budget.
Ian
Marcos Mantula on the Isle of Wight
Moderator: phpBB2 - Administrators
-
Ian Mantula
- Newbie
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:01 am
- Location: Isle of Wight, UK
- Contact:
Hello Ian
welcome to the forum. . .as to engine in a moderate car in the isle of white, is there any part that does not have a 30mph speed limit?. . I think you will want above all else reasonable torque and very good throttle response. If it is to be a rover then a 4.2 with aftermarket pistons to up the compression to 9.75:1 ish stage 1 heads, a slightly uprated cam, viper cyclone or stump puller from real steel would be the right sort of thing and tubular headers and stock injection manifold and an aftermarket ECU. If you can get a set of group 1/ volvo rockers then fit them to the exhaust valves only if using either of these cams.
If you are not wedded to a rover then a chevy 5.3 LS with a factory ls6 cam and a set of uprated valve springs will give you about twice the power for the same money.
Otherwise, a ford mod motor off ebay represents very good value for money and would give very good throttle response.
Best regards
Mike
welcome to the forum. . .as to engine in a moderate car in the isle of white, is there any part that does not have a 30mph speed limit?. . I think you will want above all else reasonable torque and very good throttle response. If it is to be a rover then a 4.2 with aftermarket pistons to up the compression to 9.75:1 ish stage 1 heads, a slightly uprated cam, viper cyclone or stump puller from real steel would be the right sort of thing and tubular headers and stock injection manifold and an aftermarket ECU. If you can get a set of group 1/ volvo rockers then fit them to the exhaust valves only if using either of these cams.
If you are not wedded to a rover then a chevy 5.3 LS with a factory ls6 cam and a set of uprated valve springs will give you about twice the power for the same money.
Otherwise, a ford mod motor off ebay represents very good value for money and would give very good throttle response.
Best regards
Mike
poppet valves rule!
-
Ian Mantula
- Newbie
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:01 am
- Location: Isle of Wight, UK
- Contact:
Thanks for the advice Mike. Yes the roads here are rather slow, but we can legally get up to 60, or 70 on our half mile of dual carriageway! But I'll be taking the Marcos over to the mainland whenever I get the chance. then a few track days too.
I think I'll be staying with the Rover, so let's see what happens next.
Ian
I think I'll be staying with the Rover, so let's see what happens next.
Ian
Welcome Ian 
The Mantula body has so many good aspects to it. Which ever way I look at one, I like it !!
As Mike say's, the engine choice is yours. If you already have the Rover engine and the budget is tight then why not keep it to go through IVA with?
Mike and I both went to IVA with my mates Cobra Replica this year and it was an eye opener for all of us. It was well worth a day off work to see it all happen
Hopefully you will get on with the stalled project now ?
Regards
Perry
The Mantula body has so many good aspects to it. Which ever way I look at one, I like it !!
As Mike say's, the engine choice is yours. If you already have the Rover engine and the budget is tight then why not keep it to go through IVA with?
Mike and I both went to IVA with my mates Cobra Replica this year and it was an eye opener for all of us. It was well worth a day off work to see it all happen
Hopefully you will get on with the stalled project now ?
Regards
Perry
Perry Stephenson
MGB GT + Rover V8
9.62 @ 137.37mph
Now looking for 8 seconds with a SBC engine
-
Ian Mantula
- Newbie
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:01 am
- Location: Isle of Wight, UK
- Contact:
Thanks for the encouraging words!
The Mantula now has a nice, low mileage, 4.6 litre Thor V8 from a 2001 Range Rover. I may need to change the inlet manifold a little but it should be a worthwhile upgrade. I'm not after the most powerful V8 but I do like the idea of having plenty of torque.
I'm thinking of using the Canems kit from Lloyd Specialist Developments for engine management. Any thoughts?
The Mantula now has a nice, low mileage, 4.6 litre Thor V8 from a 2001 Range Rover. I may need to change the inlet manifold a little but it should be a worthwhile upgrade. I'm not after the most powerful V8 but I do like the idea of having plenty of torque.
I'm thinking of using the Canems kit from Lloyd Specialist Developments for engine management. Any thoughts?
