jobsagooden
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 09:27 AM |
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2.0 Zetec or V8
Hi all
Now at the final planing stages of my locost which is based on the Haynes Roadster book and need to make an engine choice.
I've got the opportunity for a Brand new 2.0 zetec or a slightly used V8.
I think I'd feel more confident with the zetec installation however the appeal of the V8 is very strong.
What do people reckon regarding the choice and the problems with fitting either.
Cheers
PJ
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flak monkey
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 09:30 AM |
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The bigger question is will the V8 fit in the roadster?
Also depends what you want to use the car for and what sort of driving characteristics you want as well.
David
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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jobsagooden
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 09:33 AM |
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The car will be a road car and I like the idea of the extra power.
The V8 should fit without too much modification but it might be too much hassle for the extra power gained.
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ecosse
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 09:39 AM |
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It probably depends on how much money you have available to spend on each engine, as power wise there may not be much difference between the two.
And as David says how easy will it be to get the V8 into the roadster 
Cheers
Alex
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alanr
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 09:43 AM |
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I had a 3.9 V8 powered Robin Hood for 4 years - purely from the driving point of view and the fun the noise the power and the torque -- V8 100%
A
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AdamR
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 09:53 AM |
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V8s have been fitted into book locosts, so the 2" wider (IIRC) Haynes Roadster shouldn't cause too much of a problem.
Other than the size difference, I don't think the V8 should be any more complex to install than a Zetec. They are quite simple engines when it
comes down to it.
Some say that the V8 torque and weight don't align with the Seven philosophy, but screw that - my philosophy is that I wanted a V8 so
that's what I'm building. 
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vinny1275
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 09:56 AM |
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Scutter is building a Haynes book car with a Rover V8 lump....
V8 noise is always good I think....
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jobsagooden
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 09:59 AM |
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cheers guys always looking for that bit mor power and noise!
How about matching the V8 up to the Type 9 box? Will this work or will I have to find a totally different box?
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alanr
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 10:00 AM |
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my Hood was mated to a type 9 - had a purpose made bell housing
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flak monkey
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 10:05 AM |
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One major thing to remember is cost with the V8
Remember you need 2 exhaust systems, which could be very expensive (best part of £800-1000) unless you can make them yourself of course, then theres
no issue.
Why not use the proper box for the job, the T9 wont last all that long if you are a sprited driver, not with the torque from the V8. I think the LT77
box is the one to go for.
Also bear in mind the added cost of fitting something like a 7.5" cossie diff at the back, rather than the std 7" one again to deal with
the torque and power.
Just my opinion.
David
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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drlloyd
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 10:06 AM |
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I would check the dimensions of the V8 and work out how/if it will fit. Ive built a chassis that is 4 inches wider than the standard Locost for mine
and the V8 only just fits properly. You have to take into account both the vertical and horizontal position as it is obviously desirable to get the
engine as low and far back as poss.
Saying that, if it will fit ok I would definitely go for fitting the Rover V8!
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DIY Si
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 10:09 AM |
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The 7" diff should be up to the job, i thought they were capable of something like 250lb ft, but not nessecarily for years and years.
“Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
My new blog: http://spritecave.blogspot.co.uk/
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drlloyd
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 10:09 AM |
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Oh, and for your info I have fitted mine to an LT77 gearbox from a Rover SD1 Vitesse (Twin Plenum) and also used the rear axle from the Rover SD1. It
has not been expensive at all (sofar!).
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02GF74
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 10:19 AM |
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rover v8 is all alloy, zetec is cast iron - the weight difference is not that huge.
rover v8 parts are cheaper than zetec.
how will you fuel v8 - carbs or efi?
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smart51
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 10:21 AM |
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a 2.0 zetec with a good EFI system can make as much power as a basic RV8. It will be lighter too. It will be a cheaper install (only 1 exhaust) and
will leave plenty of room for the steering column.
Because the zetec's power will be delivered at a higher engine speed, the torque will be spread over a wider rev range, making the car more
drivable and the power more tractable. I'd guess that it would use a lot less fuel too.
The lighter weight will improve the handling and the braking.
The V8 makes the V8 noise that some people like. If tuned, it can make more power than the zetec; look at TVRs with the RV8.
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jobsagooden
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 10:31 AM |
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for fuel I was thinking Carbs.....
At the moment it seems like 6 of one and half a dozen of the other...
Zetec looks cheaper to start with but the V8 runs close.....
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alanr
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 10:45 AM |
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mine used a 4 barrel Holley and with Mallory electrics, lightened and balanced and well set up produced 248bhp at the wheels
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coozer
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 11:24 AM |
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V8.... go for it.. Chevy 5.7 or an old Ford big block.
No substitute for cubes
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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jobsagooden
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 11:31 AM |
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what weight does the chevy come in at?
Isn't this taking it just a bit too far?
Sounds great if it'll work though!
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flak monkey
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 11:53 AM |
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There's no way, even a small block chevy, will fit in a book or roadster chassis.
You would need at least a +442 chassis, or something a similar size to the dax rush.
What engine YOU choose depends soley on your budget, what YOU want to use the car for, and what driving style YOU prefer. Simple as that. Anything can
be done.
[Edited on 18/5/07 by flak monkey]
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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jobsagooden
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 11:57 AM |
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Thanks flakmonkey!
Started to spiral out of reality there!
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drlloyd
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 12:07 PM |
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The dry weight of a 3.5litre Rover V8 is only 170kgs. I believe (but stand to be corrected?!) that this is lighter than a 2.0 Pinto, I do not know how
this compares to a 2.0 Zetec.
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razza987
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 12:14 PM |
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Well if you need convincing...
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flak monkey
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 12:16 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by drlloyd
The dry weight of a 3.5litre Rover V8 is only 170kgs. I believe (but stand to be corrected?!) that this is lighter than a 2.0 Pinto, I do not know how
this compares to a 2.0 Zetec.
A complete pinto engine weighs about 120kg plus another 30ish kg for a type 9 box.
A zetec isnt very much lighter as its still a cast iron block, just has an ally head on. IIRC they weigh in at just over 100kg for a 2 litre. Again
plus a gearbox.
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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AdamR
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| posted on 18/5/07 at 01:39 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by flak monkey
There's no way, even a small block chevy, will fit in a book or roadster chassis.
Not so. The chevy is about the same size as the Rover, just lots heavier. See here.
I'd still go Rover though. More than enough power and torque for me!
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