V8
Roadster Conversion in New Zealand Kim Walker was recently over in the UK from Aukland in New Zealand and has sent in a report on his V8 Roadster Conversion, Tahiti Blue 4477. (24.12.09) Four years ago I began to build a V8 Roadster from GHN5UH430498, an unloved rubber bumper LHD US import. I did not want an RV8 as I would have kept that standard. This car has been built up to a personal specification that has proven very satisfactory on the road and has now done about 8,000 miles of great cruising over the last 2 years. Engine: 1993 3.9 Vogue hot wire EFI with Tornado computer, and 280bhp. Reduced height manifold, trumpet housing and plenum cover to fit under the standard bonnet. Grant pistons and Kent H214 ‘Sports’ camshaft, lifters and springs. Balanced crank-damper-clutch assembly. Large inlet valves, gas flowed head and matched manifolds 10.5:1 compression ratio. Gearbox: Borg-Warner T5 from a Chev Camaro Z28, 0.75:1 5th with a Buick bell housing. |
Rear
axle: Borg-Warner LSD 3.23:1 from an Australian V8 Ford with
MG half shafts, bearing housings and hubs. The side gears have the
same spline!
Brakes: Front - Princess 4 pot callipers with Mazda MX5 Turbo ventilated rotors. Rear – Nissan Skyline callipers & rotors with cable handbrake cranks. Suspension: Front – Coil over adjustable telescopic dampers, with 7/8” anti roll bar and 380lb/in springs, adjustable camber & caster. Rear – RV8 body strengthening, single leaf springs, torque rods, and adjustable telescopic dampers, no anti roll bar. It is fairly standard other than an RV8 fuel system and exhaust manifolds, high back seats, electric fans, MGF electronic power steering, XJS interior door handles, Nissan Skyline space saver spare, geared starter motor, chrome bumpers and 15 x 205 x 55 tyres on Minator wheels. It’s painted in metallic Tahitian Blue, with grey soft-top and upholstery. I think of it as “Sid’s Revenge”. He would have beaten the GT Porsches with this engine in a GTS. I had great help from the V8 Register website, other MG Car Club members, Roger William’s excellent book, Roger Parker’s great notes, RPI Engineering, Clive Wheatley, Paul Walbran Motors, MG Centre of Sydney, Lyn Roger’s Engineering and Brown & Gammons. Kim Walker Photo: Tahiti Blue 4477 during final engine adjustments at the Land Rover tuning shop, hence the towering Discoverys alongside. (Kim Walker) |
V8
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