V8 escorts

[Paul brex]

Hi guys....anybody on here got one/had one/building one?! I'm supposed to be building an Essex v6 superspeed type of project but I've got a healthy, built rover v8 tucked away in the back of my garage....and the voices in my head won't go away!!

I know there are many ways to do this kind of conversion but I've seen one on here with the pedal box moved over a few inches and a Capri steering column used with two steering uj's.

Could really do with some pics of pedalbox/bulkheads etc if anyone can help?!

 

Cheers.

[2512pf]

Dont take this the wrong way

This is just my opinion

But i can not work out why any body would want to put a rover v8 in anything

They are 50 odd year old engines that weigh the same as the car

And produce minute amounts of bhp

 

So is it just the noise?

[Paul brex]

I knew this would ruffle a few feathers!!

[Vista]

Dont take this the wrong way

This is just my opinion

But i can not work out why any body would want to put a rover v8 in anything

They are 50 odd year old engines that weigh the same as the car

And produce minute amounts of bhp

 

So is it just the noise?

 

 

Actually that's not true, the Buick based Rover V8 is an all alloy engine and isn't that heavy at all. It has a dry weight of about 170Kg. On par with a cast iron 4 cylinder some say.

[Vista]

Hi guys....anybody on here got one/had one/building one?! I'm supposed to be building an Essex v6 superspeed type of project but I've got a healthy, built rover v8 tucked away in the back of my garage....and the voices in my head won't go away!!

I know there are many ways to do this kind of conversion but I've seen one on here with the pedal box moved over a few inches and a Capri steering column used with two steering uj's.

Could really do with some pics of pedalbox/bulkheads etc if anyone can help?!

 

Cheers.

 

Popeye on here has a very nice Rover V8 powered mk1 Escort

[2512pf]

Actually that's not true, the Buick based Rover V8 is an all alloy engine and isn't that heavy at all. It has a dry weight of about 170Kg. On par with a cast iron 4 cylinder some say.

So its lighter than a modern 4 cylinder ford engine that produces more bhp?

[Paul brex]

But the main reasons I would like to use a rover is torque, weight....and sound!!

[2512pf]

But the main reasons I would like to use a rover is torque, weight....and sound!!

Like i said the sound thats fair enough

[Vista]

So its lighter thsn a modern 4 cylinder fird engine that produces more bhp?

 

I'm just quoting the facts.

 

And as to a modern 4 cylinder producing more BHP, you are comparing different eras. If we compare a "modern" Rover V8 it was essentially a Rover V8 that TVR fitted to the Chimera and Griffith in 4.0, 4.2 & 5.0 litre formats (probably others too) reaching up to 340bhp in NA format. Now name me a "modern" 4 cylinder Ford unit that can do that without a turbo bolted on...........AND give the soundtrack that only comes with a V8?

[2512pf]

So like in my first post

Its about the noise

[smudger666]

As they say.. There's No substitute for cubic inches

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Paul brex]

So....anyone out there with some detailed info or pics?!

[Paul brex]

MR CHEESE!! ARE YOU OUT THERE?!!!

 

I need your help!! Pretty please!!!

[Paul brex]

Rather than move the whole bulkhead and pedal box back in the car, I would rather move the pedal box to the right 2 or 3 inches then use a Capri steering column that comes out of the bulkhead just above the chassis rail....2 steering uj's into the rack. I have seen this done on an escort on here. Anyone know how to get in touch with him?!

 

My main concern was tyre to bulkhead clearance if I move the pedal box over....I would need to reshape the bulkhead curve behind the wheel when it's on full lock to the right!

[chinkamon]

rather u than me!! sounds like a right pig to do! I'd like one in my mk1 tina but can't bear to alter it!

on the subject of rover v8s tho...

my 1929 model A ford truck had one an yes it was super light an using cortina running gear it easily thrashed the ass off most bmw/Audi nob heads wanting to embarrass themselves! loved it!

[Paul brex]

My friend had a well built rover in his model A delivery van and ran some very respectable 1/4 mile times! He even managed to get the front wheels 2 ft in the air leaving the start line at Shakespeare raceway!!

[JP.]

Nothing wrong with the good ol RV8

This is my 3.5 in a Capri mk1.

 

 

Rover V8 is a full alloy engine, same weight as a 2.0 OHC Pinto engine. Perfect for road and circuit handling.

In race talk, 100kg equals 50bhp. So compare the light weight Rover V8 to a boat ancor US V8 unles your talking about Chevrolet aloy LS engines.

Meaning, compare an Essex V6 to the Rover V8, the Essex is a boat ancor.

 

In practical terms, I was as fast at Silverstone trackdays with only 204bhp ( thats without the blower & Merlin heads) as all the guys running 350bhp Ford 302 V8 engines. Cause I was lighter and better in cornering meaning I came out of the corners much faster.

 

All the regular V8's are dynosaurs unless your talking about Fords Coyote V8 or Chevy LS engines or German BMW & Merc & Audi engines.

 

For the Essex lovers, I do love Essex engines and prefer them over the Cologne V6. I also own two Essex powered Capri's.

[Vista]

 

All the regular V8's are dynosaurs unless your talking about Fords Coyote V8 or Chevy LS engines or German BMW & Merc & Audi engines.

 

Cough Alfa Romeo cough cough.

 

All alloy v8 with quad OHC, dry sump lubrication, fuel injection and electronic ignition all out the box as long ago as 1970.

[colr6]

Cough Alfa Romeo cough cough.

 

All alloy v8 with quad OHC, dry sump lubrication, fuel injection and electronic ignition all out the box as long ago as 1970.

No doubt have a hefty rebuild bill to go along with them, that might be what's causing your cough Vista....lol

[Vista]

No doubt have a hefty rebuild bill to go along with them, that might be what's causing your cough Vista....lol

They did.....but as the cars are getting rediscovered the availability of parts has improved and the costs have dropped. The difficult but is the injection pump and it's set up as there are few experts around.

[Paul brex]

I'm torn between two choices....and have been for some time now!! Do I build the Essex v6 escort with the superspeed touches i.e....clever and simple crossmember mods like they did back in the day, an unbutchered bulkhead with an engine sat in place looking like Henry ford put it there?!!

 

Or do I put the rover in and sacrifice the lovely'ish bulkhead....for the sake of an extra 50 lbft of torque and 60kg lighter!!

And the noise....probably the best noise any engine could make....a v8!!

 

Like I said....I need to see some bulkhead pics to help make my mind up!!

[Vista]

Personally I think escorts warrant a 4 pot and there are plenty of options that give great results. The Rover V8 is plenty tunable but is very big to fit and the Essex v6 is pretty heavy

[John escort mk1V6]

If you take a allloy 4 cil , than you have a better balanced car , than with a V6 or V8.

I did put a 2,8i V6 in mine escort mk1 becourse the cosworth 4 cil were and are again  [very] expensive and the 2,8i did have in a standard set-up 150 hp and a 2 ltr 100/110 hp and in those days i didn`t have the knowledge what i know now.

And i did want something different , and i have a 4 ltr ohv to put in mine mk1 one day.

If you want a essex V6 than you can also look for a mustang 3,8 ltr that should be based on the English version.

[JP.]

I would say, the Essex Superspeed is a much easyer build as the Rover V8 engine is pretty wide. The Rover V8 has the same dimensions as a bigblock V8.

Essex V6 engines can be easely tuned to produce lots of grunt.

[Paul brex]

My Essex is standard....and my rover is built and I have everything to do both!

I think I'll have to bolt my running gear on the front this weekend and drop it on it's wheels....see how much clearance I've got again with the wheels on full lock.

I don't mind doing a new bulkhead and tunnel etc....I've already worked that out in my head.

I just don't want to move the pedal box over and realise it's going to catch the wheel on full lock!!