The V8 Owners Forum -

TVR BHP measured on a dyno, for one pull,bouncing over 6k rpm, with no alternator or water pump...

What's the 'real bhp' of my 22 year old 3.9?

If it aint smoking much I would expect 150hp from that engine.

Mike

I would still advocate the 4.6. Once relinered, it is the best of the bunch (Rover's that is). It will fit everything in the buggy as-is, you could even keep the timing cover from the 3.9 (i.e. distributor, water pump, cooling system etc etc).

Your only change would be to improve the fuel injection to deal with the larger engine, so something like a MegaSquirt would solve that. I believe they are available 'plug in' to the hotwire loom you already have.

Chris.

mgbv8 wrote:If it aint smoking much I would expect 150hp from that engine.

Haven't noticed any smoke coming out of it. Would be nice to double the 150bhp, so a Rover lump is out.

A fun road car with 33x12.5 offroad tyres and 300bhp?

What about a Ford 302 5L V8? £2800 new or very cheap second hand with upwards of 300bhp easy to get.

Hi
302 Windsor is a nice light cheep simple unit, more modern in design than the chevy Gen1 but less developed, agricultural compared to the Gen III (LS) but a good solid unit @ 300 to 350 bhp. The 302 Cleveland is a different beast, will make lots of oomph, especially with aftermarket 3V heads and you would be unlikley ever to blow it up but is is seriously heavy.
best regards
Mike

paul c wrote:A fun road car with 33x12.5 offroad tyres and 300bhp?

Try 400 on 35's

paul c wrote:A fun road car with 33x12.5 offroad tyres and 300bhp?

Im on with building a landrover v8 with 35" fedimas on. (which measure 37")
V8Dev 4.6 tophat linered, stealth cam stage 3 heads.
This is supposed to put out 300+ bhp
Im also in the process of Megasquirting it

Bingy_bong wrote:

paul c wrote:A fun road car with 33x12.5 offroad tyres and 300bhp?

Im on with building a landrover v8 with 35" fedimas on. (which measure 37")
V8Dev 4.6 tophat linered, stealth cam stage 3 heads.
This is supposed to put out 300+ bhp
Im also in the process of Megasquirting it

Got any pics? - in fact, why not start a new thread in the Your Cars section.

Chris.

ChrisJC wrote: Got any pics? - in fact, why not start a new thread in the Your Cars section.

Chris.

Hi Chris, im doing a full build thread on a landrover forum, but ill try and start a new thread on here too.

whats the best way for photos?

Sorry for the slight thread hijack

Bing

As a landy man - with a 90 5.0 RV* on gas - I have also been on the big comedy tyres - 37 to 35 to 33 and now plain old 265/75 16s - can say with all honesty that big tyres KILL the car. The rotating mass is just such a dampner - and the inertia is crippling. Not to mention that your rear diff will literally last 5 minutes (as mine did) - big tyres put big strain on the drive train. The R380 is at its limits with what we are talking about - the LT230 will be fine, but its the diffs that are vulnerable with big tyres. Changing to smaller tyres is the best thing i ever did - my off road performance is identical and if anything I am more manuverable - unless you are doing challenge events IMHO big tyres are a waste of time, bowler, british army, camel trophy - all modest diameter tyres. My suggestion for your engine would be to source an early 5.0 crank (2 bolt) + rods and I think you can use the 3.9 pistons with that (or maybee 4.2??) - All the best - Dave (my landy was the cover car for LRM Feb 13 if you want a look)

It's been a few days since I have been able to get on here. I am updating this on my phone, so it will probably be short posts in no particular order.

I've got so many engines and gearboxes in my head it feels like its going to explode.
Exploring the cheapest way to a bit more bhp. How much roughly would the parts to convert my 3.9 into a 4.2 cost?

I have found these on eBay and are local to me
http://bit.ly/18cBy4E
http://bit.ly/18cBIsK
Hope the links work. As these should bolt straight up to my gearbox. What other parts would I need to get them running with a rough cost?