Poll: What to do with TVR Vixen

that's a fairly rare car now, so it depends on what you have as priority, as fun car for yourself, or some intention of restoration/selling it as original in future?

 

Keep it stock... and post pictures!

 

A common conversion in Europe was to install a Rover V8. Sure, you won't get the high power of a later 289 but the Rover engine is all aluminum and makes great torque. So, it's a useable/tractable motor with plenty of power for the street.

In addition, I'd keep all of the orginal parts, etc for a possible full restoration later on.

From the linked document below:

http://tvr.at/grafiken/Rover_V8_to_1600M.doc

 

Find yourself a good used AJP v8, as fitted to the tvr Cerbera. Very light, compact, and powerful. A good used 4.2 sells for around £2000, an aftermarket ecu is around £500. You can get over 400 hp out of one. PM me if you need help tracing parts. I work on a good few TVR's so know of some good suppliers....

 

My inclination, would be to build the TR6 engine. Have someone good flow the head, get 3 Webers, HC pistons, Kent TH7-6 cam, a good header/exhaust and you should be well on your way to 200+.

The Good cams, GP2 or GP3 don't seem to me, to have enough meat on the lobes.

If the TR6 doesn't do it for ya, do a further warmed Boss 302 and hold on.

Have fun,
Bill

 

Oh, baby.

Would anything Cosworth fit?

 

I am sure you'd have plenty or room to spare with any BD series Cossie, all the way to the BDT turbo motor.

But then you're really fighting with the vintage racers for the Cosworth lumps and parts $$$.

However, I do like the sound of a tuned straight 6, next best sound to a V12.

 

The cosworth motor has been fitted to these before. Very good option actually!
If you can't find a good cosworth engine you can build one using the 2.0 pinto block and mating the cosworth head; the crank needs machining to fit the cossie crank pulley, and you will need different pistons if you want to run the turbo setup.You can run ITB's or a nice set of '45's for the retro look if you didn't want the hassle of the turbo etc.

 

I almost put a cosworth BDA in my 1969 Vixen S2 back in late 1990s. It would have been $9K to build; spin at 9K and produce 190HP. It was going to replace the Ford Kent 1.6 liter which came in the car.

I wound up with a 2.0 liter Ford SOHC which was built for a person who was unable to use it and was on the shelf of an engine builder - same folks with Cosworth motor. The 2.0 liter was dynoed at 170 HP, spins to 7K and provides loads of fun in a car which weighs 1680 lbs and keeps the original balance and light feel in the steering.

I have a friend who's brother has an original Tuscan V8 and it is nose heavy and can't stay with my friend (he has an early Elan lotus twincam built to140HP in early 80s) and I in the twisties.

I have had my car for over 30 years and don't worry about selling it. If do sell it, there are several people who want me to give them first dibs.

I'm not a fan of the conversions to heavy Ford, big HP V8s as it really changes the balance of the car. The Rover V8 is a viable motor, but why not a 4 banger which has been tweaked.

 

Here is a pic of my Vixen.
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That is stunning...

 

Thanks. The annual meeting of the TVRCCNA was last weekend. I could not attend, but 3 friends went and said there were over 40 cars a far cry from the days of over 100 back in the late 80s.

Hardly anyone knows what these cars are, even on Long Island where they were imported to Halesite. As kids, we would ride to the dealership on our bicycles and drool. I was first introduced to TVRs when a friends older brother bought one after returning from Viet Nam; a Vixen, bright orange - Flame Red was the official TVR color. Saw it on his driveway had to have one. Bought mine in 1981.

 

Agree about the American v8 ruining the car due to its weight. It would be awful with an American boat-anchor v8 up there. Mind you, that sohc ford is not the lightest, in standard form it makes a puny 80hp and 106 ft.lbs of torque at 2600 rpm, but weighs in at 286 lbs; yet the AJP v8 (tvr designed and built engine) I mentioned earlier makes 420hp and 380lbs of torque yet weighs less at Only 260 lbs. so you would end up with a very very powerful v8 which weighs less than a 2.0, and have a tvr made engine up front. Your car looks fabulous and I love the wheels. Have a real soft spot for the older TVR's, would like to add one to the stable at some point...

 

Agreed on AJP. Buddy with Lotus TC in his Vixen has one he bought in England. Very small motor 60 or 45 degree block I believe paid like 6K 5 years ago still in the packing crate. Was originally going into a project lotus of his, but he may now put it in his Vixen.

 

Eddie,
I do not feel the Griffith was a ruined Grantura.

IIRC, the 302 isn't in a much different weight class, than the MGB (Grantura) or TR6 motors.

The only thing about the 302 plan, is that I could be easily convinced to use a beefier 5 or 6 speed trans and a Salisbury (Jag) rear end.

I favor the TR6 motor, for reasonable costs and originality, but if you're going for power, the 302 is also a reasonably cost efficient package and sort of in line with TVRs lineage.

 

Perhaps I came across harshly, but that's still a heavy motor. You are right, in it's 270 hi-po option form it was great in a straight line; my comments were more related to other engine choices! Of course if it's originality you are after then it's a good choice. Whatever, I hope this thread is updated with pictures as itprogresses,be great to see another old classic tvr returned to former glory or better still....

 

Yeah, that's what I had in mind - give him a call, mention Columbus a few times, being sure to throw in Belushi's "When the Germans attacked Pearl Harbor" speech & your buddy will say "Let's do it!"

 

Look that cute little car in the face and see if you're able to tell it there'll be no V8.

I think you should order that 302.

All the best,
Andrew.