Building a V8 minor

[youngun]

This is a little idea ive had in the back of my mind for a while, and i would one day like to do it.

What do you need to do to fit a 3.5 or maybe a 3.9 Rover V8 into a mog, i know its been done a number of times so theres bound to be a number of do's and donts!! Are there specific engines/gearboxes to use? What axel should be used, does the chassis need strengthening, Does the prop shaft need to be beefed up and balanced??? etc etc etc!!!


cheers,
YG

[ptitterington]

I am pretty sure there are a few threads here that I have read. All I can say is unless you are a really competant mechanic dont even try!! From what I remember, you end up almost totally rebuilding the whole car around the engine and many patys need to be custom made.
Hats off the brave folk who do it.
Personally I would get one that has been done professionally, and there are a couple of guys here that do just that.

I would really love to have a standard looking moggy that pulls off from the lights leaving all the shocked boy racers for dust....

[MoggyTech]

It's a complete rebuild of chassis/suspension/brakes and the bulkhead has to get chopped. Get plenty advice from those that have done it, and preferably from those who got it right.

[jonathon]

Unless you really want a dated/ thirsty, dinosaur of an engine, I'd go for a modern 4 cylinder. Even the 2L Zetec in standard form is more powerfull and will do twice as many to the gallon, does not require a total new chassis and front suspension/steering re think.
Pro companies the like of Webster Engineering will want a minimum of £12 K just for the chassis. Add to this headers, system etc etc and the project soon adds up.
Mind they do sound unique, but for value for money they are easy to better.

[chickenjohn]

Dated dinosaur?? No, simple and reliable. Classic! I've seen some really nice V8 minors- you have to build a seperate box chassis to mount the engine and body on. The V8 sounds great and looks fabulous. You do need to replace all the running gear, so its a massive re-engineering job.

Personally though, I would just stick with the A series engine- tune it or use a 1275 or a turbo.

[plastic_orange]

Or go for a modern fuel injected V8 . For grunt per pound you won't beat a V8.
My Rover (3.9 - around 200bhp - cost £100) engined Minor does on average 20 mpg, but puts a smile on your face when you hit the loud pedal which I don't think a zetec would - It's not so much BHP as torque.
Of course there is a fair bit of work involved, but it all depends what you want to spend. if you can do it yourself, then go for it, but there are plenty finished cars out there to purchase - a big block chevy convertible for £6500 on Ebay recently?
My friend sold a superb V8 saloon for under £5k 2 years ago - possibly the nicest one around, so they are out there.
Check out www.minormania.com for some V8 threads.


Pete

[jonathon]

Hey, thought that comment would get you back on here Pete
I agree V8's sound great and are torquey, but its everything else that goes with the package that makes them expensive to build, chassis,economy bodywork etc. They tend not to be too agile either.
Despite the initial cost of the Zetec motors(if brand new) this will be your only major expence, as you can utilise the rest of the standard shell, and to be honest, a 195bhp Zetec with 180ftlbs or torque in a sub 800 kilo car is going to be pretty quick.
Please do build V8 minors as they do sound and as you say look special, but if building a car from scratch just cost the whole package very carefully. Hope to see you on the strip soon Pete

[dunketh]

Theres just 'something' about a V8. I guess its some kind of childhood corruption through watching Smokey and the Bandit films and growing up with Mad Max.
I'd love one but would never have the skills to do it and somehow buying one pre-done doesn't have the same appeal.

At the risk of straying off topic what strengthening (if any) is done to the Minor chassis to accomodate the Zetec?

[plastic_orange]

Jonathon, I've got to agree with you that a V8 is impractical if you need to keep the shell in it's original form (mind you, my Rover engined Minor still has 4 useable seats).
As you are possibly aware, I've changed direction with my MM project and am awaiting delivery of a complete Chevy LS1 package.
This engine is an all alloy, fuel injected V8 as fitted to Corvettes, Camaros etc and produces as standard 350 bhp with bags of torque. Only thing is I'll have to sort out the electrics to make it work.
I just decided to build the car how I really wanted rather than compromise, and the Ford engine I had was a bit heavy (despite being almost mid engined). It's only money?
A standard LS1 engined car does mid 13 second quarters, so in a minor weighing around a ton fully dressed it should be quite lively.
I'm not building this car for cornering abilities, so your comments hold true for this one, but my other one being pretty wide corners very flat, and surprises a lot of our hot hatched folk out there (different story in the wet though).

Pete

[jonathon]

Sounds an exciting motor Pete. I was offered the Mustang motor 260bhp fully dressed for £2K a few months back.
Dunketh, Pm me for Zetec details please

[scotb]

how much bulkhead do you lose for a v8 lump?

[motherofgod]

Not much, as the bay is quite large, there are conversions that have kept moggy suspension, not that I would recommend it! and most of the bulkhead I Also think a V8 moggy can be very agile, 5th in my class(first ever run on track) on a sprint with 'only' a C220, M3, ferrari, Monza ahead ;) in that order(fast monza)

James

[Kevin]

And none of them look as cool as yours

[motherofgod]

Would also add that there was less than a second between me, the merc and M3! Just in case you thought there was only 5 in the class

James

[jonathon]

Fancy a track day next year then James

[youngun]

Christ, looks like a hell of a lot of work to fit a V8

Ill go for a Fiat twin cam or something similar to that. i dont think im quite up to the level of skill required to start making my own chassis!!

[motherofgod]

It may be a lot of work but the benefits are rewarding

Track day yes please, Brands hatch would be nice, Mallory park although good was quite far away

Build it youngun, when finished you'll be called oldun!

James

[jonathon]

James ,Goodwood, Snetterton and Oulton Park are the main events we are invited too. They are charity days and only interesting cars are invited, no max power loonies or Caterham pilots. Usually between £120-240 for a full day of maybe 5x20 laps, more than enough. I'll keep you posted on dates.
Look forward to seeing the car in the flesh.

[Innovator]

How to fit a V8 in a few sentences............

You need a new chassis made from somethiing like 50mm x 100mm x 3mm steel. This is basically square with a kick up at the back.

You need new front suspension. In the past Cortina was popular or you can look at the kit cars. MX5 is another possibilty.

A new axle is required. Most will require narrowing unless you choose carefully. Volvos are tough and reasonably light. Ford offer you a good choice of after market parts.

Engine. The Rover V8 is easy to source, cheap unless you want big power and light. However as has been mentioned the LS1 motor is the one to use.....

The prop is easy. Tell a prop firm your gearbox and axle and let them do the rest.

Then you have to design pedals, braking system, steering, cooling, new floor, inner wings, bulkheads, seat mounts, rewire etc etc.

Extensive welding and fabrication plus problem solving skills are required. Allow at least 18 months to do the job (and that is a short time commiting a lot of time) and expect at least £10K if you budget well.

By the sounds of your questions you havent done this kind of thing before but dont let that put you off as with the internet research is so easy these days. Start here www.beardmorebros.co.uk and see how I built a V8 Reliant Kitten in 18 months at the age of 19 as my first car with only basic tools.

[Robins]

Oh the sound of a V8 gurgaling away under your bonnet is just out of this world
Theres more to a V8 than just power. I've always wanted something V8, after converting my van to diesel, and not having the heart to cut great chunks out of my traveller, last year I bought a dream. Owning a Mustang at the age of 25 has ment a lot of sacrifices and hard work in the rebuild but the joy of cruising around is just amazing.
If you want a V8 minor bad enough, learn welding or get help from someone who can weld. The internet is a brilliant peice of kit for getting advice and info and inspriration. Do your research and put in the hours, build the car and the rewards are there to be had.