I've got the utmost respect for anyone who carries out a V8 conversion, but unless you've got a seriously tuned lump (like the AJP unit) you really need to work hard to justify using one instead of a modern 4-pot.<br>
<br>
A bog standard Rover V8 is no more powerful than a lightly breathed on Sprint engine, and to get a worthwhile increase in power can cost you megabucks.<br>
<br>
As for american V8's, yeah great but in stock form they are generally desparately inefficient, usually producing about 50bhp/litre.<br>
<br>
And all that weight hanging over the front wheels isnt going to help make an already nose heavy car handle any better.<br>
<br>
I think Phils pitched it about right, being British the AJP produces a good power output but I dare say its coming at a price.<br>
<br>
Of course no 4-pot can ever make a sound as glorious as a V8 and engines like the Toyota 4AGE, Cossie YB and Vauxhall C20XE/LET can give you an equal pain in the overdraft if you go to extremes, but a good 4-pot is pound for pound better value to both buy and maintain. <br>
<br>
The V8 conversion though probably doesnt give many more headaches than my XE conversion as most 4 pots are vertically mounted oposed to a sprints slant 4 arrangement, although the engine is much much shorter I still had issues with subframe and sump and the bulkhead and tunnel has required some serious fettling. It looks unlikely that I'll get away without any bonnet bulges too.<br>
<br>
I still reckon one of the best potential conversions is the honda S2000 running gear, lightweight all alloy, 240bhp (350bhp potential), slick 6-speed gearbox and a 9000 reliable rpm redline.<br>
<br>
Trouble is, Mart refuese to stick his S in a ditch for me so I'll have to stick to the Vauxhall plans.
<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="
http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
Scary XE powered 1974 Dolomite Sprint Trackday Experiment. Maybe someday soon<br>
<br>
2002 Octavia VRS - 20 valves, leather, a turbo and 146mph - Czech it out!! </p><i></i>