Sorry to be such an argumentitive bastard, but let me remind all my listeners that when Repco tried to develop their 720 Oldsmobile-Rover based) V8 engine for Frank Matich, anything over about 400bhp blew the crank straight out the bottom of the engine.
Yet in formula 5000, small block Chevs gave 550 to 580BHP day in and day out.
Another thing is that Rover V8's are as dear as poison to work on---go to your nearest auto machine shop and get a price to remove and refit the liners. I promise it will make the sphincter twitch.
I say aagain give me a small block chev every time

lol are they really that bad to work on . i think i will go with something that i am familar with and my old man as has built many cars with holden/chev v8s. what would be best for a datto, 253, 308, 350 or whats that other chev v8, 317?

Karl

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Skidmk. Thats a pretty legendary car. Not only does it have the performance hes a great driver so it makes spectacular viewing

is there a video or dvd of the targa tasmania

and also does anyone know th weight comparison between the a14 and the rover v8

hey it suprised me greatly when this thing made the sound of a loud pressure release at gear changes, i was thinking no-way thats turbo so i didnt say anything (didnt want to look stupid) but then me and my mate were talking and he said he reckoned it was turbo too, so i have a second opion and wasnt game to say anything until i did either

Anybody read 'the history of the rover v8'? Doesn't say anything about cranks or bottom end failures. They usually drop dissy drives at high rpm or have trouble with oil not draining quick enough back to the sump.

A dry sump - cast alloy girdle on the bottom keeps them rock solid if you want to bore them and stroke them to close to 5L capacity.

The later ones were cross-bolt mains with web strengthening in the crank case.

I agree 5-800 HP is lots but I reckon that would have been a bigger capacity than the rover even in small block form - don't forget that most of the rovers out there are 3.5 or 3.9 Lt. and a lighter car doesn't need as much HP to get it moving so things even out a bit.

I wouldn't want a heavy chev lump of iron in the front of my car. I'd rather a lighter lower powered car with neutral handling.

Each to their own though.

The Rover V8 weighs 318pounds - but I'm not sure how many things are bolted on at that weight.

Try this link : team net

Re: loud gear change noise....

My triumph 6cyl has a separate air intake line for idle / off throttle running.

When pulling high revs and shifting gears the brief period of off throttle results in air rushing through the idle lines and a turbo-ish kind of noise - although not loud like a blow off.

I doubt that it would be anything similar but thought it worth mentioning.


ALSO - Targa Tas is on video and is in plenty of shops down here in Hobart - try the targa website - or ring the abc shop in hobart.

I think it's www.targa.org.au

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Hey no probs saying P76 or whatever - but they're the same thing just a wider block. For the sake of converstation I didn't want to confuse some of these people who don't know enough appreciate the Rover v8 - let alone the altered Australian version.

Mine has extractors and holley on it and with everything else totally standard in the block it is good for 220. It also has the front bits from a standard (non p76) block as it is apparently shorter.

Seems like I've got so much to say I'm dominating the list. Please excuse all the posts.

The principle reason that Poms lurv their Rover V8s is that they don't have the readily available supply of really good GM and Ford Engines as they must be imported from the US of A .
You can probably get a Rover to produce near respectable BHP, but the cost is horrendous. 220BHP--that's standard just about for Yankee iron without girdles (to hold the crank in). Or even a bra and panties.
318lb would not have too many accessories on it, and its still about 145 Kg. ( more than 50% heavier than an A Series, and the gearbox is still to come).
Sorry, BCF,the main reason that you are not able to convince me is there has been no compelling argument put foward. Before I go home for a beer, I'll make two points---(1) The Poms traditionally make an engine design for far too long after the World has moved on. If you dont believe me have a look at the Jag XK engine and nearly every thing that Austin, Morris, BMC, BLMC, Leyland and Uncle Tom Cobbley ever made.
(2) When they had a really good V8,---the Daimler Majestic Major, they canned it.
Its pretty clear why they don't own a proper motor car industry any more.
To Be continued (if necessary)