Has anyone converted from Rover V8 to SBF?

[Ryan]

Hello all,

Firstly thanks to all for the immense help this forum has been already! I have owned my GT40 for about 3 months now and many questions have been answered. I am looking to start building a new motor over the NZ winter. Currently my car has a Rover V8 and Renault UN1.
It came with a spare gearbox so I plan to purchase the TSC bellhousing conversion for the UN1 and build a SBF for her.
This car was built in NZ by GT40 Replication Ltd in the 90s/2000s. I believe largely came from KVA type C chassis and body.
My question in, how much pain am I in for modifying to SBF, and has anyone done similar here?
Likely will be a 302W block. I am hoping the Chassis is designed with a common engine mount point and the mounting location between SBF and RV8 is not too far askew?
Thanks and regards,
Ryan.

 

[Andy Green]

Hi Ryan,
mine was orginally supplied with a Rover engine and I converted it to a SBF. You need to keep the position of the driveshaft and then fabricate new engine mounts to suit. Covered in my build log from a few years ago:

Thread 'Norfolk Tornado'

Jan 18, 2008

Well it’s time to formally start my build log for my Tornado. I’ve had a great deal of information & inspiration out of these builds logs, so it’s time I started mine.

The car was purchased as a part built kit, which effectively is little more than a rolling chassis, but has a 4.6Ltr Range Rover V8 engine installed and is mated to a Renault 21 turbo transmission. However, I prefer the idea of having the correct 'small block' 302 engine. I could swap it later, but it would mean re-doing most of the engine installation, manifolds etc, so I’ve now purchased a stripped...

• saxoncross
• Replies: 452
• Forum: GT40 Build Logs

Rgds,
Andy

 

[Ryan]

Thanks very much Andy, will have a read through your log.

 

[max]

I did the conversion from Rover V8 to 302 SBF in a A Type KVA Chassis.
And switched from Lotus Gearbox to Audi.
It fit pretty nice but had to add some new Engine and Gearbox Mounts.
Complete different Car now! Was worth all the Effort!