craig1410
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 posted on 4/3/03 at 11:25 PM |
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Which RWD gearbox fits Rover T-Series Engine?
Hi folks,
Does anyone know of a Rear Wheel Drive gearbox which will fit a Rover T-Series engine. Specifically the 20T4 fitted to the Vitesse and Vitesse Sport
(180BHP and 200 BHP turbo 2 litre 16V)
Has anyone considered fitting one of these beast to a Locost. I understand they are a heavy engine but does anyone know how heavy? Heavier than a
Pinto? Heavier than a Rover V8?
Cheers,
Craig.
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Browser
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| posted on 5/3/03 at 02:17 PM |
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If you go here http://austinrover.mg-rover.org/index.htm there is all sorts of information about Austin Rover products. I have met the chap who
compiled this site, nice bloke and have also spent many idle hours reading the history of BL products (no, really, it's a good read). The T series
engine is basically an O series with an alloy 16 valve cylinder head so it should be lighter than a Pinto and probably about the same as
the Rover V8. As for gearboxes, maybe one of the Sherpa/LDV vans used this motor (anybody know), in which case you'd be able to get a bellhousing &
tranny. I think that the 2 litre Rover SD1 used the O series, meaning it would be an LT77 transmission, but that model Rover was never popular and so
they are like hens teeth now. The only other route is the Ford T9/adaptor plate one.
Good choice of engine though! If I hadn't gone the 16v Citroen route I was seriously considering this one as there are loads of units about (all of
the 2 litre Rover 200/400/600/800's used it) and as you state there is a turbo version (maybe a bit heavy for a 7 though?) Good luck & let us know
how you get on.
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Simon
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| posted on 5/3/03 at 03:16 PM |
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Craig,
I thought I'd seen this combo somewhere before.
Robin Hood are doing a Superspec kit complete with Rover Turbo engine/Ford MT75 box for £7000.
They will probably be able to sort you out with an adaptor.
I still think you should go with the V8.
Then we can have a club to compete with the MK Roll Bar Owners club
ATB
Simon
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craig1410
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| posted on 5/3/03 at 11:15 PM |
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Thanks Simon, I took a look on the Robin Hood website and sure enough there it was! I have sent them an email to ask if they can supply the necessary
parts just to get an idea what my options are.
If I could get a nice low-mileage V8 or one which was reconditioned recently and has a good solid history along with a manual gearbox and all the
other bits then I'd go V8 today no problem. My attraction to the T-Series is that I know the engine well having replaced the Cylinder Head Gasket on
my own Vitesse Turbo a little while back. The engine is also a very nice revvy unit with bags of torque and power and is easily tuneable with the help
of a turbo bleed kit. I think I could get one from Barrem Motors up in Aberdeenshire quite easily and Rab of Barrem is quite reasonable price-wise
too.
How do you compare the two engines?
V8 - Noise, smoothness and V8 "feel", lazy, fairly reliable, no catalyst required, very torquey, limited power, carb (unless Vitesse/VDPEFI), simple
electronics/wiring.
T - Quite nice noise too, turbo "feel", highly stressed cf. V8, better MPG, unleaded fuel, catalyst required, torquey, higher power, complex
wiring/electronics, head gasket leaks oil on almost all of them.
Hmmm!
Cheers,
Confused - I mean Craig!
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DEAN C.
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| posted on 11/3/03 at 01:29 AM |
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WEIGHT! I've never weighed these engines but I've built and raced a few V8 lumps,and also chopped and sold a lot of T series engines .Take it from
me the T series are bloody heavy.
I love these engines to bits,and run one every day as transport, but dont think they are as light as a pinto for one minute.
I can just about pick a pinto off the floor, but a t series forget it!
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craig1410
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| posted on 11/3/03 at 01:02 PM |
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Thanks Dean, I think I get the picture...
I think I've settled on a Rover V8 anyway.
Do you happen to know if the P6 era Rover V8 engine has any weaknesses compared with the SD1 era engine? I can get a P6 with 14,000 miles since
rebuild and a low-mileage manual LT77 gearbox for just over £300 which seems fair to me. I'm just worried that the older engine might be problematic
in some way compared to later engines. I don't plan to tune it much (maybe better carbs, better ignition, K&N's etc so perhaps 180 BHP compared with
standard 164BHP for this engine.
Should I bite the guys hand off or walk away? I'm going to post a new thread for this question so either answer here or in the new thread.
Cheers,
Craig.
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DEAN C.
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| posted on 11/3/03 at 11:55 PM |
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Most V8 parts are interchangeable so you can mess about as much as you want to.
The only problem with the older engine is the rope seals on the crank.
Just look for excessive oil around the front and rear seals.
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craig1410
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| posted on 11/3/03 at 11:59 PM |
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Thanks Dean, those rope seals seem to be a common gripe! Apparently you can get the block machined to accept SD1 type neoprene seals although I think
a later crossbolted block would be the best way forward ultimately.
Cheers,
Craig.
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