Ive got a 2dr Rangerover sat at home at the moment, the original plan was to restore it, but i think its going to need a fair bit of work to get it MOTable.

Ive been thinking about doing a V8 MK2 Escort as it seems to be quite a popular conversion. I would prefer a MK1 but dont think i could afford a decent one.
Obviously Mk2s are getting scarce now as well, but what sort of money should i pay for one? Ive looked on ebay but there is only a couple on there, and only one 3 door which has been crashed.

Is there any good websites documenting the conversion? Have done a brief search but havent come up with much.
Is it a case of making all the parts myself or is there a company that sell things like engine mounts off the shelf?

The engine from the range rover is 130bhp is standard, i think the rover (SD1) one is 150bhp standard does anyone know the main difference and is it easy to get the rover power?

Any other projects i can use the engine for? I fancy a rolling shell i can easily fit the engine in.

Cheers

Have a look/search over at www.turbosport.co.uk

Should be some info on the forums somewhere


Cheers


G

There was once a car called "Strange Rover" which was a TR7 body mounted on the chassis and engine of a V8 Range Rover.

Not sure what it was like to drive, but I seem to recall that it got quiet hot inside the cabin!

Mike

Mk 2 escorts are only going to increase in value so i would do an Escort conversion rather than waist money on the Range Rover.

V8 Mk2 Escort....YUMMY!!

What about using a Capri. Probably easier to get hold of and there are conversion kits available. Some useful info on here http://www.capriracing.co.uk/

Failing that, maybe an MGB conversion using RR chassis??? Cheap MGB donor and wider fibreglass arches....

Smaller wheel offsets might be better for looks, but as an idea.........
Rescued attachment mgoc92_2.jpg

I sold a complete V8 engine and Box to a guy who was going to put it in a Mk2 escort, should be a good project.

Dave

you want to stick it in an old manta/ascona/rwd cav - cracking old bus just gagging for a v8....
Bob

Main difference between the P6 engine and the lower powered RR mill is the compression ratio I think. P6's have domed pistons, RR's flat tops.

(all the above is hearsay, gossip and propaganda, wait until someone who has a clue posts before taking it as gospel )

P6 rover engine, small valves, weaker block 10.5:1 compression rope oil seals best avoided.

Rangerover a few variants so look by the dipstick, there is a flat machined on the block where the head bolts, you want 9.35:1, some are 8.1 this refers to compression ratio (all pistons are dished, low comp bigger dish !) so do not bother with them. If its a late two door carb, early 4 door carb model it will (or would of had) have had emmision rails on it, a pipe/tube affair that feeds air into the exhaust ports from the sides of the air filter. This is a good one to pick as the valves will be same as SD1. You throw the emmison rubbish away and block the holes.

The cam on an SD1 is the best one, I believe that the last carb models as above had a very similar cam, 3.5 injection is milder. Either way it will be knackered, if you fit a 3,9 cam this will be a reasonable choice. cam and followers + gaskets are around £125. The simple rule to follow is the later the engine the better the spec.

Personally I,d look for a rotten 3.9 efi RR for £750, scrap it and salvage money on the bits. You can modify the injection plenumn ala westfield if you get two plenumn tops and cut an shut. Saw them down the centre, join the two 'clean' halves together then weld one of the throttle bodies on the front. Add a distibution plate to ensure the rear trumpets get a decent amount of air. Cut them yourself and get someone to tig up.

Regards Mark

2 Door Rangies are getting rare please consider restoration! There are now a lot of difficult bits available from heritage parts and working on them is pretty easy. I toitally rebuilt the fronto f mine last year re sprayed it and it gets lots of good comments. All the interior is original and the only major mechanical work has been a new cam (get one for a 3.9 it makes it go better) and new shocks.

The Rangie version of the V-8 is a high torque engine and you can end up spending an awful lot of money trying to get top end performance from it,l much better if you start with one from a Rover SD1. Remember you still need a gearbox, the escort one is probably a bit weak and remember the Rangie is 4WD because the back axel blows up halfshafts if you put all that torque into a single rover type axle!

Nah forget the escort the rangie is way cooler and with an LPG conversion cheap to run. It is also big enough to collect all the parts for your next project that you don't neeed to make road legal as the rangie can tow it to track days! You know it makes sense:-)

Caber