In a message dated 6/10/2001 11:55:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
pethier@isd.net writes:
> V8 engines, with the exception of the Buick-Olds-Rover aluminum unit, would
> take too much away from proper mass distribution for proper sports-car
>
Phil,
According to the info I've been able to gather, the Ford 302, with aluminum
heads, complete and ready to run, weighs about 65 pounds more than the Rover
V8 in comparable ready to run condition (the oft quoted figure of 320 pounds
does not include everything required to run). According to the folks at MG,
the Rover weighs about 40 pounds less than the MGB engine. Assuming that the
MGB engine weighs no less than the TR3 engine, that means the Ford 302 weighs
about 25 pounds more than the TR3 engine - not enough to be cause for
concern. (The recent post by Rich Rock Re: TR2/3/4 engine weight supports
this data)
Car Craft magazine did a dyno test this month on a Ford 302 configured
IDENTICAL to mine. The results? 360 HP at 6000 rpm, and 339 lb-ft at 4200
rpm. The torque never dropped below 290 lb-ft from 2500 to 6100 rpm (think
about that for a minute). That kind of power - and especially torque - is
unabtainable in a 2000cc 4-cylinder that can be driven on the street.
Yeah, I know, nobody *needs" that kind of power, but, dangit, I *want* it ;-)
I took a look at the 2.2L SOHC engine (120 hp) in my Toyota PU, and it's a
bit bigger than the MGB engine (and I would guess also bigger than the TR3
engine), but I think it would fit ok. Anything much bigger than that, though,
would probably be at least as difficult to put in a TR3 as a 302. I believe a
3L DOHC six cylinder would be much more difficult than a 302, would weigh
more, and would still not produce as much power.
Sound preference is a matter or personal opinion, of course, but I have to
admit to being partial to the throaty rumble of a V8. In fact, that's what
finally convinced me to do the V8 conversion - a friend pulled up in a 302
powered TVR, running Flowmaster mufflers, and I was seduced by the sound.
Dan Masters
Alcoa, Tennessee
Triumph TR 250 - TR6 Electrical Maintenance Handbook:
http://members.aol.com/danmas6/
Stuffing a V8 into a small British sports car:
http://members.aol.com/danmas/
British V8 Newsletter:
http://members.aol.com/danmas4/mgv8.htm
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