V8 EFi or Carbs??

stuartl · Post by **stuartl** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:01 pm

Good Evening All!

I have today collected my 3500 V8 which was taken from a 1989 Range Rover. It comes complete with 5 speed Manual box and I am delighted with it although how I am going to get it out of the back of my van is still causing me some headaches! The engine and gearbox will be fitted to my Robin Hood S7 (Seven style) Kit Car.

A couple of weeks ago I bought another 3500 V8 completely dismantled and with the twin SU's still bolted to the manifold. I am planning to do the following and wanted peoples thoughts and suggestions and invaluable advice!!!.......

I plan to refurb the SU's and remove the EFi system and manifold and fit the SU's in it's place. I understand that the EFi system may run slightly better and return better MPG but I have enough to do on the car without the extra wiring associated with the fuel injection system for now.

Is there any resale value in the EFi setup (I have the ecu)??

Any help and tips would be very welcome.

Thanks,

Stuart

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:29 pm

Have a search on the forum, as quite a few people have asked similar questions.

But...

Carbs are simpler, if you don't understand EFi, then stick with carbs. The system is 20 years old now, so it may need some work to get it running reliably.

The electrical interface between the car and the EFi system is actually very simple. The engine is pretty much stand-alone, and just needs power, a cranking signal, and it provides back a fuel pump supply. (this is for the Flapper type system, the Hotwire one may be slightly more complex, but not much!)

There is resale value in the bits you have.

Fault finding the EFi system can take a bit of doing, but Ramon Alban (& others) have some very good guides to working through the problems.

Chris.

bodger · Post by **bodger** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:54 pm

Hi Stuart , where abouts are you ?
i have someone who may very well be interested in the EFI setup complete if you decide to stick with carbs
no rush let me have first dibs when ever ??
keith

Ian Anderson · Post by **Ian Anderson** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:03 pm

OK time to get serious now

The engine is a 1989 unit so if you have a copy of the V5 you can prove that for getting yours on the road.

BUT

If you are still building you will need to go through IVA (SVA is now defunct and you cannot make a booking even though they stop doing SVA something like end of April!)

The emissoions numbers for IVA are a lot more strict and I would imadine that you would need the fuel injection to meet the requirements (Do some reading around the web and about the oly easier engine under IVA is a rotary!

Also beter start saving as the charges for IVA have grown incredably

Needless to say if you are already registered please ignore my ramblings

Ian

bodger · Post by **bodger** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:23 pm

http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/v ... anuals.htm

what a load of crap , £500 for what !

stuartl · Post by **stuartl** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:17 am

Hi Ian.

I am DELIGHTED

to say that the car is already registered.

It was built in 1996 using a 2.0 Sierra Donor and stipped down in the early 2000's when he cooked the engine and I think the minor refurb got more and more until it was all back in pieces. The main reason for buying this car is just that. It is correctly registered as a Robin Hood S7 1995 and has several MOT's under its belt although it is currently SORN'd.

I really didnt like the sound of the SVA or IVA as it is now and I know there are a lot of people out there buying old kits that have never been on the road who are going to find there is no way their kit could ever pass so it will never be allowed on the road.

There is another 3.9 Rover V8 powered car the same as mine in the owners register so I know it will go in and sound just gorgeous !!

stuartl · Post by **stuartl** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:33 pm

The EFi system from the 3500 Range Rover Engine that I bought last week is going on ebay tomorrow.

It will include everything from the manifold upwards plus the ECU and MAF. The idle control will need replacing as it was u/s, other than than the car ran and drove fine by just devoured by tin-worm.

Also available will be a 5 speed manual Rangey gearbox (not the transfer box) plus Rangey flywheel and complete clutch.

My ebay user name is Judenl

BudgieV8 · Post by **BudgieV8** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:03 pm

Interested in others comments on this as I have a similar dilemma.
Understand the EFi vs Carbs argument (as above) but want to run carbs & hate wiring/electrics (hence me running a Holley/Offenhauser combo). (BTW: Car is a Mk1 Capri with a 3.5 SD1 fitted)

Obviously I can I buy an EFi engine, remove the EFi stuff & fit the Offenhauser/Holley combo.
Question: Is there any gremlins I need to know about doing this procedure? - or am I assuming the job is as simple as 'remove one lot of bits & drop the other lot on'?
Cheers

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:29 pm

BudgieV8 wrote: Obviously I can I buy an EFi engine, remove the EFi stuff & fit the Offenhauser/Holley combo.
Question: Is there any gremlins I need to know about doing this procedure? - or am I assuming the job is as simple as 'remove one lot of bits & drop the other lot on'?
Cheers

Straightforward swap. Just got to sort out throttle linkages and get the water plumbing right.

Chris.

BudgieV8 · Post by **BudgieV8** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:47 pm

Thanks Chris,
I was always lead to believe that its one of the 'ooh, you dont want to do that as there are sooo many problems to sort out' type swaps.

I always try to take the minimal hassle route, so, having paid out for a brand new Holley, Offenhauser, & associated gaskets/linkages etc (to replace the knackered ones on the engine), & electrical side stuff, I found (as usual) hindsight is a wonderful thing. The engine itself is possibly 'sub-standard'

Therefore my ask for info.

So, further confirmation needed - I can buy ANY RV8 & drop my new top end stuff on & move forward?

Pocket rocket · Post by **Pocket rocket** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:12 pm

BudgieV8 wrote: So, further confirmation needed - I can buy ANY RV8 & drop my new top end stuff on & move forward?

Yes - the blocks all have the same dimensions.

You would be advised to ensure you have a camshaft that is suitable for carbs (injection cams have different profiles)

Post 1994 engines have front covers that were not designed to use distributors. However the earlier timing covers will fit - you may need to fit a crank spacer .

The V8 Owners Forum -

V8 EFi or Carbs??

V8 EFi or Carbs??

Rover V8 EFi system going on ebay