£1000.00 What would you do ?

[wilson31]

Ok I have a bog standard Rover 3.5 Out of a p5 (i think ) running Su carbs and a 4 branch manifold.I was assured the engine was rebuilt 1000 miles ago.
If you were given £1000.00 to spend on the engine . what would you spend it on to make it that bit better.....

[kiwicar]

Hi
If it is all p6 then I would get a set of SD1 or later RR heads heads, £100 in good nick, get them ported to basic stage 1 level £150-£200,
real steel "blower" cam £167 set of high rev lifters £105 set of valve springs £65 and £50 for machining retainers and locks £103 timing chain set £52 that has spent £842 so far, gaskets, overall the carbs and a set needles and a set of springs for the carbs another £150 and a bit of filing on the front of the piston in the carb radius the inside of the inlet manifold behind the carb you are left with £10 to buy yourself some 20/50 to run the cam in with. it will go noticably better and rev like a stomping good engine.
Best regards
Mike

[DaviesDJ]

If you just want all out power- and smile factor- a nice WON NOS kit with bottle heater. And with the change buy a 3.9 cam and vernier pulley and advance the cam 2 degrees.

If you want an all round improvement IMHO then I would take the heads off, keep those castings, 3 angle cut the seats and blend the throats, (150 quid inc gaskets) - bulleted valve guides and fit them (150) heavier valve springs (100 quid Ish) - skim head 40-60 thou (35) to bring CR up- standard but OEM lifters (cheap) - 218 or similar cam - 120 quid - vernier timing chain (120) this will really bring the engine up all round - but carbs will then be a limiting factor. The rise in CR is if its a low comp engine - and bringing it up above 10 gives a good all round gain and takes the hotter cam. Then creep the timing forwards as far advanced as you can push it without pinking under load. he pannies left over can go on cooler plugs and decent leads. Still should be ok on unleaded but a shot of lead replacement or a drop of toluene could be arranged.

[mgbv8]

What do you want to use the engine for Wilson?
And what car is it going into ??

[j.johnson23]

Why bother,save more money and buy a recon.
Its what most do on here anyway.

[mgbv8]

WINE,WOMEN AND,sorry,I didnt realise you wanted to spend it on an engine
Seriously though,get a 4.6 warranted motor,it shouldn`t have liner issues.
Then fit an older style front cover(SD1,RANGE ROVER)with the better oil pump,decent cam and lifters,2nd hand edelbrock 4 barrel and performer manifold.
If there`s any money left do a pocket port on the heads.
The more you do yourself the more you will get from it,its not rocket science,if I can do it ,ANYONE can.

Where will you find a 4.6 engine with a guarantee for a grand??

Having said that my Sons just won a 4.0 litre Rover block on ebay for £80 and its in good nick. just the block mind. No heads or other parts. But it will be a cheap way to do a 4.6 conversion by using parts from his knacked 4.6 lump.

Back to the plot!!

We need to know what the 3500 is going to be used for and what car its going into really. And also what type of transmission will be used with it.?

Then we can make some real world suggestions for spending the budget

[kiwicar]

I think Mr Johnson miss read the number of "0"s after the 1 in the budget
Nest regards
Mike

[wilson31]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions, plenty food for thought..
the Engine is in a Stag with a BW 35 auto box , which I intend to change for a zf4h22 over winter. It kinda runs ok but I know it should run better

[Blown v8]

Agree with the SDi heads,maybe a offy manifold with a Holley !

[mgbv8]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions, plenty food for thought..
the Engine is in a Stag with a BW 35 auto box , which I intend to change for a zf4h22 over winter. It kinda runs ok but I know it should run better

OK!
Now we have some idea for the budget

If you are happy with the 3500 and intend to stay with that engine size, and assuming its not got any problems with pressurising the cooling system and bad oil pressure. I would suggest the following as a list to work from.

1. A quick freshen up of the engine with new bearings and rings after doing a quick re hone with a glazebuster at home and a stock cam.

Rough prices:
Main bearings £52.00
Big ends £35.00
Rings £40-50
Cloyes timing gear set £120.00
Head gaskets £40
Timing cover gasket £5.00
Sump gasket £5.00
rocker gaskets £7.00
Valley gasket £15.00
Standard cam £75.00
Exhaust gaskets £15.00
Oil seals and front cover seal upgrade allow £40.00
Glazebuster tool £30.00
Head bolts £25.00
Oil £25.00
sealants and antifreeze £50.00

Rough total so far is about £550.00 for a freshen up if done at home.
The small parts soon add up eh?

That leaves you about £500 to look at upgrading the carb and inlet manifold should you choose to?

[kiwicar]

Hi
I would still change the heads from P5/6 to SD1 or RR heads before I changed carbs and inlet manifold.
best regards
Mike

[mgbv8]

Yes!!
Deffo find a new pair of heads to tart up and fit

[Stina]

Hi Wilson .
I don't usually post on here other than to ask questions , i leave the advising to the regulars . Seeing what your putting the motor into and with a BW auto behind it you might be interested in my P6 spec ( i've recently got it where i want it )
From the inside out .
3.9 cam
new standard lifters
high volume oil pump
neoprene front seal
jle engineering timing gears/chain
SD1 heads
new rockers/shafts
power spark ignition
power spark leads
3500s exhaust manifolds ( bigger than auto originals )
jetted up with BCA needles
Electric fan with revoteck controller , but getting close to your "grand" budget now .
It goes well , and you need to keep the torque nice and low with the auto .

[wilson31]

Thanks for all the replies , looks like the heads are coming off soon and a bit of the kids inheritance is been put to good use.