V8 Dolomites

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2F45T4U · #1 Post by **2F45T4U** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 4:39 pm

Why aren't there that many? <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT=":("> 
 
I want to make mine a V8, not sure why I'd start off with a dolly so tatty but I think I owe it to it! 
 
This is a project that won't be started for about 20 years <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> But I'll deffinatly do it, 100%! Well unless I die or something.... 
 
 
It would be a bare metal rebuild for the shell, toughening it up and modifying it to take a huge engine <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"> The engine bay is pretty big, would you need to lengthen the nose? The way the Dolly looks all short and stubby would just add to the WTF factor when it comes ripping past you <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"> 
The primer grey and Inca yellow look would make me fall about laughing every time I over took a boy racer, (it just makes me smile with an 8 valve 2 litre) But really I'd like it to be fully resprayed Inca yellow with big arches and quite deep dish alloys, maybe them Escort wheels, 5 spoke revolutions, but deeper. 
 
 
Then get some sort of Yank V8 (bigger than 4 litres and a minimum of 200hp) with a 5 speed gear box and an LSD back axle. Not to sure about the exhaust, but heres a picture I've drawn here... 
 
 
 
Only kidding <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"> It would probably have to be a side pipe exiting beneath one of the rear passenger doors and slighlty upswept <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"> It would also have to be very loud <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"> 
 
 
 
There you go, thats my dream car, a V8 Dolomite <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D">

george · #2 Post by **george** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:00 pm

depends on the size of the lump you could fit a rover eng and go to 5lt nice light alloy and will go in easy probably cost a bit to get it to 5lt though but the 4.9 is out there but suffers from porous blocks so i've been told 
or go chevy small block loads of cheap bits for these about and very tuneable 350/5.7 vettes etc.. get a super smooth gm 400 (got tools to rebuild it for you here) on the back a jag axle all but indestructable

SprintV8 · #3 Post by **SprintV8** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:13 pm

Simple there not a easy option, 
Sure there are some around but it's just as easy to fit something like a Vauxhall or Ford twin cam engine's or a Rover K series, 
Part's are easy to come by even tunning goodies. 
Mate has a Caterham with a Red top that has 230Bhp 
Another Mate has a Escort MK1 with a Zetec 200+Bhp. 
Check the size of the Chevy LS1 that isn't much bigger than a Rover. 
Hat's off to any one that Built or own's a V8 Dolomite in my book. 
Most yank's are heavy cast block's and too big. 
Lexus is too wide and long (27x27x27) without major surgery to the front end of the Dolomite. 
Mate bought a BMW M3 Engine/Gearbox yesterday engine is 32"long and the gearbox is very short may be worth condsidering. 
 
You know where the Stag engine went after I took it out don't you in case you wish to measure it up. 
Biggest problem would be the Sump in any conversion. 
 
Best of British. 
 
Edit, 
The nose of mine was extended because thare was no room for the cooling fan easyest option was to move the engine further back and have new engine/gearbox mount's and a prop made but as the front panels where Rusty the front was rebuilt adding the extra inche's for the fan. 

1980 Dolomite SprintV8 (In the process of modifying the Alloy sump) 
2002 Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi Estate.... Part's delivery Vehicle. 
They laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at them because they are all the same!) 
 
Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... printV8</A> at: 28/8/06 6:22 pm

1300dolly · #4 Post by **1300dolly** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:21 pm

ther is a guy near me wiyh a stag v8 powered dolly , the only body mods wre the 'box tunell. the rad has been custom made as has the zorst , engine mounts and a few other bits. but with the lid shut it looks like a real shed of a car. i posted pics a while back under the title 'hiding in a hedge' 
 
J.

SprintV8 · #5 Post by **SprintV8** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:22 pm

That's the one in Southampton yes?.

1980 Dolomite SprintV8 (In the process of modifying the Alloy sump) 
2002 Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi Estate.... Part's delivery Vehicle. 
They laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at them because they are all the same!)

LewisK · #6 Post by **LewisK** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:55 pm

Sounds like the one I 'know' of (in the sense that it exists) too, I'd like a shot of the radiator as apparently it is quite intriguing.......I remember your photo of it <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> 
 
It is very difficult to get a decent install of another manufacturer's engine correct. Hell, even doing one using manufacturers parts can get convoluted, difficult and expensive <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> 
 
Ford Small block is the way forward.....with alloy heads, alloy intake it is lighter and smaller than the Rover V8 and will produce 250BHP easily, 350BHP for a little more and then anything else is down to money. Get it as far back as possible as not to ruin the already slightly nose-heavy handling. 
 
Chevy is heavier but similar outputs. Most big blocks - I haven't really looked but I'm just assuming - are physically too big I would have thought. Plus I'm not sure how the subframe would stand up to it. 
 
Get a world class T5 box and adaptor plate for a decent 5 speed installation but autobox would be "simpler" - no pedal box hassles, clutch setups to worry about, just physically fitting and mounting it correctly. 
 
And you can stick with the Sprint axle, a decent one anyway, till around 300lb/ft from Darren's experiences, if I recollect correctly. 
 
Then spend a pile on brakes and suspension too! 
 
To get an Over V8 to 250 is a whole lot of money and the ceiling for maximum output is pretty low. 
 
There is one with a Ford 302 (5.0) about, I'm pretty certain - I remember (I think) Jigsaw racing mentioning one and that it wasn't very well done........I'm pretty certain it'd physically fit, anyway, seeing as Adam's Rover fits. 
 
Steering might get in the way of the manifolds though but I'm sure a set of blockhuggers might cure that. 
 
Despite the size issues a Lexus V8 and autobox would be a great motor in a Dolly, one in my grandad's (hehe) LS400 can shift! They can make the 'right' noise too and are ripe for supercharging and are very cheap too - compared to say, a decent Rover V8. As Phil mentions, they're big buggers - I think the width is the real issue as they're wide and they probably wouldn't even fit between the turrets <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":"> 
 
Also bloody expensive to tune <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> 
 
Something like a 1.8K series would be an ace motor in a lightish car like a Dolomite, build it up well. Or similarly, XE engine. Lots of work though. Or an SR20DET engine but I think with most turbo installs you can have issues locating the turbos, they can clash with the bulkhead/turret/inner wing or so on. Worth checking the manifolds. 
 
If you've got enough money, time, effort and enthusiasm though (in equal shares <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> ) you could just about make anything fit. 
 
Make it worthwhile and well thought out if you are going to do it though, otherwise it's not worth doing! Proper job and all that <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> 
 
 
Oh! Last random option - the old, yet bonkers, Toyota 4AGE. This is a good choice as it's light, rapid and comes with a selection of RWD boxes making it "simpler" to adapt to fit in. On throttle bodies, or even carbs, you can build up one of these things to rev phenomenally up to 8, 9000RPM. Competition ones rev even higher. 
 
<img src="http://www.users.bigpond.com/vidore/4AG ...  
 
 
Then again, Keith Black used to build hemi's that ran past 10,000RPM. Apparently they sounded "a bit odd" at that rate.....not streetable in any way though. Damn shame <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smokin.gif ALT=":smokin">

<img src="http://www.antchip.com/sig2.jpg"/> 
Crazy! I mean like so many positive waves, we can't lose! You're on!Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... >LewisK</A> at: 28/8/06 7:29 pm

tinweevil · #7 Post by **tinweevil** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:56 pm

Just for a larf and for the sake of chucking fuel on the fire I'll ask.... What are the PRV V6s like? Apart from the famously strangled one of course. 
 
Tin

1978 <a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/704">Dolomite Sprint</a> Blue, a bit tetley. - Current daily drive. 
1972 <a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/754">Spitfire IV</a> No name, in bits. 
1968 <a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/705">GT6 II</a> Little blue, nice! 
1973 <a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/755">Dolomite Sprint</a> VA41, seriously tetley. 
1980 <a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/864">Dolomite 1500HL</a> Orange, really quite tidy.

1300dolly · #8 Post by **1300dolly** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 8:29 pm

yes scott its in southampton, i belive you have spoken to the owner in the past as he knows of your car.. 
the rad is a total built from scatch unit and no mods done to the body to fit it except for mounting the backets. 
 
J.

LewisK · #9 Post by **LewisK** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 8:50 pm

I would run, not walk, from the idea of doing an engine conversion with one of those Douvrin V6's <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> 
 
If you're going to go to the trouble, it's got to be worthwhile! 
 
Saying that, Venturi did make one for their Atlantique that made 280BHP (or nearabouts) and I think in full race trim it was 600BHP, twin turbo and 24 valve. Hardly an engine you can pick up these days though <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> 
 
But standard it makes a whopping 130BHP~. Oh yes. 
 
The duratec V6 is also a nice motor but there are issues and costs involved getting it setup for a RWD installation.

<img src="http://www.antchip.com/sig2.jpg"/> 
Crazy! I mean like so many positive waves, we can't lose! You're on!Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... >LewisK</A> at: 28/8/06 9:06 pm

SprintV8 · #10 Post by **SprintV8** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:10 pm

I have spoken to a fellow at Sandown who came from Southampton who had a V8 Dolomite althought I was lead to believe it was a Rover engined one. 
Could there be 2 V8 Dolomite's in Sunny Southampton. 
 
Think I should start a Modified Dolomite List. 
 
Phil (Not Scott)

1980 Dolomite SprintV8 (In the process of modifying the Alloy sump) 
2002 Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi Estate.... Part's delivery Vehicle. 
They laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at them because they are all the same!)

Leeroy ORG 27R · #11 Post by **Leeroy ORG 27R** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:13 pm

This is a 3 litre V6 that came up on triumph owners a few weeks ago, in Sheffield..... 
<img src="http://www.triumphowners.com/uploaded/3 ... 6dolly.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

tinweevil · #12 Post by **tinweevil** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:25 pm

Oh blimey, tell me it's not a Blue Awful, sorry Oval, all iron essex? 
 
If it is I hope he's beefed the suspension turrets. Looks OK tho.

1300dolly · #13 Post by **1300dolly** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:31 pm

sorry phill i was having a blond moment there. is it you ,sorry your car that has the extended nose??? if so that s the one he was on about. 
 
J.

LewisK · #14 Post by **LewisK** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:33 pm

And there's this one with an SR20DET 
 
<img src="http://www.mybarina.com/albums/1976-Tri ...  
 
<img src="http://www.mybarina.com/albums/1976-Tri ...  
 
<img src="http://www.mybarina.com/albums/1976-Tri ...  
 
<img src="http://www.mybarina.com/albums/1976-Tri ...  
 
Bit OTT, but still. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smokin.gif ALT=":smokin"> 
 
Saw the Essex one on Triumphowners too, looks like a nice car but can't be good to drive and Essex lump is a bit of a boat anchor. I'd have stuck with the Sprint <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol">

<img src="http://www.antchip.com/sig2.jpg"/> 
Crazy! I mean like so many positive waves, we can't lose! You're on!Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... >LewisK</A> at: 28/8/06 9:39 pm

alun n · #15 Post by **alun n** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:36 pm

If that's an essex no wonder it sits so low! I helped a mate lift one off the floor onto a bench earlier this morning...bloomin heavy! 
 
 
I have a sweet rear drive V8 in mind but I'll keep shtum beings as two folk have tried my prototype plans for an el camino sprint before me...

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