Group 44 TR7 V8 pics anyone

Hi, I've been seeking advice for years...I'm just having a hard time deciding what to do. You like the rover, some like the buick v6 and others say to put a 350 in it. There are different modifications to different applications, and i'm not a mechanic or anywhere close. I'm just trying to make it clear in my head by talking to people who know these cars. I just want to make the right decision. I've had this car for 18 years and the head has been warped several times now the block is cracked..so I give up on repairing it. It lacks horsepower. My minivan can take it. LOL I figured with the group 44 body kit, it would be silly to have a small motor in it with such a beefy looking car. It doesn't have to be a racing machine, but some pep would be great.

Honestly, before I did any major changes I'd drive it around as it is. I'd want to get acquainted with the car, with the good local mechanics, and with the local club members. After I had done that, and figured out what about the car I wanted to improve (and how far I wanted to go), THEN I'd start planning my changes.

The very simplest level and cheapest level would probably be to just find a TR8 engine and gearbox. Drop 'em in, upgrade the brakes, and you're pretty much done. Beyond that, it quickly becomes a question of how far do you (and your pocketbook) want to go?

Note that you also aren't necessarily looking for a "rover" v8. It could be a triumph V8, or a Buick V8. It could be listed as a 215, or a 3.5, 3.9, 4.2 or 4.6 liter.

If you haven't already, definitely head over to the clubs section and look for a club in your area.

What year of the buick v6's fit????

Tammy, did you look at the wikipedia link I posted earlier? Buick V6's have been made in LOTS of versions. You're basically looking for a REAR WHEEL DRIVE version of the engine. That means pretty much any pre-1984 Buick V6 will work. Additionally, from 1984 to 1989 rear wheel drive versions were used in certain specific car models including the Regal (to 1987) and also the Pontiac Trans Am Turbo (1989).

If you strip it down to its most fundamental part - the engine block - all Buick V6s look remarkably similar to a Rover V8s because they're both derived from the old Buick 215. The V6 is obviously cut off shorter, with two fewer cylinders.

Does that mean it's an easy fit? Maybe or maybe not. Any non-standard engine will present unique challenges. The Buick V6 in the old "Grand National" edition of the Regal was a particularly fierce beast. As I recall, it was fierce because it had a great big turbo and an intercooler. To maintain full potency, some installers would want to keep the intercooler and turbocharger... and those components would have their own installation issues.

Ease of installation is highly dependent on the skill and experience of the mechanic, and on what compromises they're willing to accept. (Toss the intercooler? Cut into the car's original sheetmetal to make extra room? Etc.)

I can't spend any more time here. Good luck with it!

If I buy a used engine how do I know that it is what someone says it is?

Tammy,

The parts are available for whatever you want to do and it's a great little engine. Parts are more expensive than Chevy or Ford parts, but the engine is light and the aluminum heads is great for resisting detonation.

Later Rovers, up to 4.6 liters, can donate engines very easily, as the bellhousing and engine mounts remained the same. Once you get above 4.0 (???) the induction system, timing chest and oil pan will need some swapping.

Up to and including a warmed up 4.0 liter engine, the rear end is fine. Once you go over 4 and ~250 HP, start looking at rear end (diff and link mounts) as well as brakes, etc.

Keep in mind that a TR8 weights about 2,600 pound. Add 250HP and you have a fun ride.

Jack TR3 TR8

ps - my TR8 has a mid-80's Rover FI intake (the Three piece intake with the internal air horns) This i a much better flowing intake than the TR8's FI intake and it clears the double bubble hood with almost an inch to spare. I have not lowered the engine yet, but there is some room there too.

I bought another tr7 today. It has a 3.8 buick, 5 speed tranny and an 8" rear end. The brakes appear to be upgraded, clutch and wiring are done... I would like something with more horsepower, but it's a start..The guy I bought it from put all the effort into it so I'm just going to have it all put in my car. The motor rebuild guys said they can do some stuff to the motor to make it faster...but i think i'll wait a bit for the upgrades. The other tr7 I bought I might put a bigger motor in next year after this one is done.Or I might just part it out. It seems it will be alot of work to put a 350 in and the rovers just don't seem to be available here in Ontario.

I bet these guys could find you a buick/rover engine in no time at all:

Toronto Triumph Club
Morgan Sports Car Club of Canada
Bluewater British Car Club
Boot 'n Bonnet Car Club
MG Car Club of Toronto
Ottawa Valley Triumph Club
Victoria British Car Club

Those are all in Ontario. Contact info is on the clubs page. They made these engines for more than 45 years now, and there's probably a million of them out there. Maybe more.

If they can't, these guys probably can: Rogue Rovers Touring Club
Rover Saloon Touring Club of America
The Solihull Society-Land Rover Car Club

On the other hand, a 3.8 buick engine is capable of producing ridiculous amounts of power. More power than most people would know what to do with in a short-wheelbase car like a TR7.

Hi, I found this car with everything done so I just thought it would make everything easier, and much more economical. All this researching is giving me a headache..and I have no knowledge of mechanics. My tr7 motor has been a headache for 18 years so it's time for some reliability and more horsepower, I hope. Do you know what is most important to do to the 3.8 buick that will increase horsepower? As for the rover v8 I'm still going to keep looking for one for the other car I bought. Thanks for the info. Tammy

I just happened to be scanning old pictures recently and did this one. I took this picture around 1980 at Lime Rock. This is the Bob Tullius car. The injection system on this car may be different than the street system.

Cool photo!

quote: The injection system on this car may be different than the street system.

Here's a photo I took of the stock TR8 fuel injection system. (More photos and information can be found on the British V8 site.)

The stock TR8 FI intake is a dog. If you want power, look at the Rover three piece intake on the 3.5 through 4.0. These will all fit under a double bubble TR7/8 hood (bonnet).

They do take out the Fresh Air Plenum though. It that part surrounding the hood latch in the picuture above.

Jack

The 5 speed TR7 axle is the same as the TR8 except for the ratio and is very strong. If you use a Buick 215 or aftermarket bellhousing coupled to a T5 from a 305 Firebird/Camaro with a 2.95 1st and .73 or, better yet, a .63 5th you do not need to change the axle. The .63 5th/3.9 final drive nets almost the exact same speed/RPM at cruise as the stock TR8.

Steve-

I am lucky (maybe skilled enough) to be on the crew of Bill Warner's Group 44 TR-8 and TR-6. I have lots of pictures of both cars. Drop me a line.

-Rick

Areonca65t-

"I just happened to be scanning old pictures recently and did this one. I took this picture around 1980 at Lime Rock. This is the Bob Tullius car. The injection system on this car may be different than the street system."

The fuel injection of the Group 44 TR-8 is nothing like the stock system. It's a combination of Work's pieces and Lucas/Kinsler parts. It's a cross ram manifold, similar to the cross ram Weber manifold for Buick 215s and Small Blcok Chevys. The injector pump is a high pressure Lucas mechanical unit similar to those used on Can-Am cars. The system works well though, for a full race engine the car usually starts on the first try. To the best of my knowledge there are only two complete systems like this in the States, the one on our car and the one on Tullius' TR-8 down in Sebring.

-Rick

I dont blame you for being confused Tammy . What you have just been witness to is confusing even to me and ive been building cars for over 40 years. Your mechanic is right rover v8s are over priced and unreliable. I work for the largest parts recycler in north america and when Rover parts come in they go high. Yes they are much more reliable then they were in 61. They started life in a nightmare that GM eventually gave up on and sold to the english. There are many engines that will fit in your Tr and make more horsepower for a lot less money if thats what you are after. If you enter TR7 engine swaps into your computer you will find them. You will even find 900 hp small block chevies if that is your goal. You can talk to these owners and get their advice. Nothing beats the practical hands on experience that comes with actually building a car. By the way that Ford rear might not have the same bolt pattern as your tr. I imagine either the front or rear has been modified to fit, either Ford or tr. You might want to check on that. Good luck

Some more good pictures cheers.

A picture of the Rover 5.0 V8 in my TR7V8

Steve

[IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c314/leylandracer/trrampipe.jpg[/IMG]

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c314/leylandracer/trrampipe.jpg

Rick, It sounds like there's no luck involved if your on the crew of Bill Warners TR's. Not sure how to drop you a line???? Steve

Dam---------------Just noticed this months mag with the war of the wedges But they wont send one to the UK

Suppose im pushing my luck to ask if somone would scan the article? PLEASE___

Steve

Just out of interest for you guys talking Rover engines, They can make good power with the correct mods, Take a look on this link

http://www.roverv8engine.co.uk/index3.htm

I've been on the wrong forum. I belong over here. I have two TR8s and a TR-7 and they are amoung my newest cars.
Love this thread because my one TR8 has a bad block. The other is 100% original (including the paint) with about 60k miles on it.
The 100% stock one is going to stay that way, but not the second one.

Where do you live? There are tons of Rover engines available used in Canada from all the Range Rovers, Discoveries etc.

Don't expect to wander down to the local wrecking yard and have them jump out at you - you'll have to do the work of asking a national that will put it out on the intenet. Get the whole package - or buy a whole car and take what you need off it.

Engine swaps are not for those not wanting to spend a bit of money or because they think it will cost less than servicing the original engine - you will be sadly disabused of any such notion when only part way through.

I am often a fan of the various GM V6 swaps, but in this case I completely agree with Curtis - Triumph already did the work on this swap and the Rover is the most logical engine to use.

A couple of good vids of a TR8 Gr44 rep, Turbo power Hope the link's work?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2Mw4mHrGBv0

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lIdp9P79cKU

Anyone out there put a 4-71 blower on a 3.8 pontiac? I think it was around a 75 sunbird if I remember correctly. Anyway its now in a tr7 and I was wondering that since this engine responds so well to turbos,(ALA Buick GN} and I got this left over 4-71 and smooth running 3.8 why not slap the two together? I could sure use advice as to what manifolds work and what pulleys to get the proper boost. thanx