Practical Performance Car

Darkspeed · Post by **Darkspeed** » Fri May 01, 2009 12:51 pm

Not the only one from these parts to be featured in the current issue of PPC's feature article on the RV8

Mines the Ginetta G27 with the war paint

(not my doing) and I was one of the few to be quite pleased with the power the engine is developing.

It can't be a bad issue there are 8 V8's on the cover alone

Andrew

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Fri May 01, 2009 6:18 pm

It was a shame the TR7 didn't post better figs. On paper the spec is clearly capable of better, the 256 solid cam should've built power above the 6000rpm that they stopped at, even in a 5.2. It's possible that too much stroke is holding that engine back. RV8's can make decent power when stroked but they become very difficult to rev. Those 256 cams were designed 25 odd years ago to work with the shorter stroke of the 3.5 and build power at 7000+ rpm. The only way to get really big numbers out of a n/a Rover V8 is to rev it hard but that becomes more and more difficult the longer the stroke gets. We know the Rover heads are crap but with a lot of modding they can flow enough air to either feed a larger engine or feed a smaller engine at higher revs. To feed a larger engine at higher revs is next to impossible with the stock castings. Will Holman could barely contain his glee when one or two of his least favourite engines underperformed on the day, It's a pity Steve Green didn't show up with his 'tina, Will might have had to change his views on the old rover lump then!

Darkspeed · Post by **Darkspeed** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:26 pm

The TR7 was never going to make those figures - it was running a Opus ignition with a coil lead covered in electrical insulating tape! and had 1.25 block hugger headers !!

The Escort was running an Opus with a 12V Lucas sport coil and it unfortunately packed up half way home - Ignore the text it was running a 390 not SU's

I have also dropped Will a reply to his conclusion pointing out that litre for litre my 3.9 out performed his SBF with stock valve sizes, and a Vitesse 3.5 is only 7% off his figures litre for litre.

As you may be aware it was all organised a bit last minute - I had only done 25miles in my car previously so no surprise that the preparations of the cars was hit and miss.

Oh and here's a scoop - the PPC Roller Turbo - it made 25BHP/L

- yep for all that work they would have been better off fitting an RV8

willip · Post by **willip** » Sat May 02, 2009 9:08 pm

I read the article and was to be frank annoyed at the biased way it was written. Personally the small block ford i know is a good engine but it needs money spent on it to be similar weight to an all alloy rv8. It is more powerful but as its all steel it needs to be. Just my 2 pence really.

All my feelings aside though it was good to see some real nice cars that i can relate too in a magazine. I thought that the low figures from the stock 3.5's were actually very respectable figures, judging by the age of the engines and the fact that they hadnt been touched. Goes to show how reliable a rv8 is!
It was also good to see what power they can produce, i have a 3.9 with stage 2 heads so i know roughly what to expect from it.

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:34 pm

I met Tricky with the TR7 at the Pod recently. He has put a load of effort into the engine. But it does need to breath a bit better on the exhausts. It sounds amazing too.

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Sun May 17, 2009 2:22 pm

Hi i own the TR7 thats in PPC this month,Let me tell you my story.
My car had been off the road for over 4 years sitting in my workshop with no engine, gearbox, exhaust or brakes,i bought a stripped 5.2 short engine for her and just rang PPC to see if they would like to do an article on her when she was back together,only problem was there shot out was only three weeks away

I rebuilt the sort engine and fitted my old race heads with out checking them( no time if i wanted to make the shot out)
Moted and taxed her and made it to Mallory Park by the skin of my teeth,Yes i wasnt pleased with 241 Bhp.
Once back home i checked my compresion and found no 5 cyl down to 50lbs and dissy base plate shorting out. I have removed the heads and found the exhaust seat on no 5 had moved(they are now at Chesman Motorsport Having a £1400 rebuild inc new valves and springs and o ringing)
What PPC didnt say was that my engine is built to be charged it only runs 7.1CR so with all things said and done is 241 that bad? Will be at Santa Pod 12th July come and have a chat or race Regards Tricky

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Sun May 17, 2009 2:55 pm

Hi Tricky, 7.1 eh? with the 248 cam i'm suprised it even started let alone made 241hp! Your spec is clearly up to making well over 300 n/a. You gonna Turbo or supercharge it? Be sure to send Will @ PPC a copy of the dyno sheet when it is done coz i'm sure it'll be posting some big numbers.

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Sun May 17, 2009 3:20 pm

Hi Hairbear She is a beast in the making the dyno shot out just came to soon for me never mind. I am sure that Will dont like Rover V8s he hasnt seen anything yet,would like to Procharge her but at 3k turbos will be the way to go i think am selling my 360 bhp Bi Turbo S4 at mo cant afford to have two throughbreads and want to spend more on the Tr

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Mon May 18, 2009 4:32 pm

That sounds more like it Tricky!
Did the PPC guys know that your engine was detuned for being blown?
I hope you get it sorted for the Retro show mate. Then your car will leave folk open mouthed at the start line for sure. It flipping revs really quick doesnt it

Will be good to see you again. I might even give you a spare tyre gauge that I found

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:15 pm

I told Will it was built to be charged, i know my Rovers you dont come by this sort of engine spec every day its revs so quick with alloy rods i will be at Retro day my lady is paying for time on rolling road for birthday Might take you up on offer of pressure gauge done all my money on heads
and msd Tricky

Post by **Coops** » Tue May 19, 2009 5:34 am

Tricky,
where abouts in oxfordshire are you?
as im in berkshire

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:52 am

Hi my workshop is in a place called Fritwell about 3 miles from junction 10 M40 Tricky

Post by **Coops** » Tue May 19, 2009 3:39 pm

Cool.
once the car is back together i'll pop over

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Thu May 21, 2009 8:13 pm

Be good to meet you, What axle ratio you running in your Capri ?

Post by **Coops** » Thu May 21, 2009 8:16 pm

3.09:1 but changing to a 3.44:1 for next year mate

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Tricky"s TR7 V8