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Thread: V8 Cortina.

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    V8 Cortina.

    Hello all

    First post so go easy on me.

    I'm looking into putting a V8 into a MK1 cortina. I'm new to having a V8 and i've always like the sound of the V8.

    I was looking at putting in a chevy V8 but i've heard it would be difficult to put in.

    What other V8 engines would be a fit?

    Thanks Adam.

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    Spanner Monkey

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    If youre feeling brave...theres always the lotus TT V8
    http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthread.php?t=128932

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    no expert but, they have a big engine bay so i would say pretty much any would fit . I would be more considering steering and will the sump fit with the steering setup you choose to use. also consider gearbox and axle. An english axle won't last long when you get giddy with V8.
    Not sure what you want to spend but i am sure cost's can run a way quite easily with this.

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    Beware the upgrade spiral !

    Big engine with lots of power/torque (compared to the original) = stronger gearbox (may need new tunnel) + new prop + stronger axle (maybe lsd) + better brakes (at least on the front) + better suspension. The alternative is a very quick one way ticket into a hedge.

    As for alternative engines -

    Rover v8
    Lexus ls400 v8
    Both fairly cheap to buy and install, if you want manual on the Lexus there are a number of them using the supra box but plenty of other choices
    BMW 4.4 would be interesting but a bit more expensive to get going as it uses vanos valve timing.
    Jag xjr 4.0 supercharged would probably be my choice, cheap but will need manual gearbox sorting which may be more difficult.

    Gearbox wise the rx8/is200/mx5 mk3/200sx/brz/gt86 6 speed box is a good bet, pretty strong (250hp and 250ltlb) and a number of adaptors to make it fit.
    1968 Ford Anglia 1.7 Puma engine/Escort front/5 Link rear/RX8 box
    http://www.Anglia1968.weebly.com

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    Starting point....

    Budget ?

    Power goals ? How much drivetrain are you willing to change to accommodate power changes ? ie is it largely for looks/sound you want the V8 ?

    Carb or EFI ? Does engine brand matter ?

    Is it a DIY, how much can you fabricate etc ? Or are you trying to buy as much as possible that will just bolt together easily ?

    Manual or auto ?

    Ultimately if you can find a complete engine/box from a single donor vehicle, that will always make life easier.
    Last edited by stevieturbo; 05-03-2017 at 11:29.
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    old school rover v8 is probably one of the easiest, its fairly compact, and light so you dont have to worry about moving the bulkhead back a couple of feet to avoid a really nose heavy car, but the days when scrap yards had loads of good cheap ones are gone, and in std form barley make any more power than a lot of modern 2.0 16v engines in std form

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    I'm not really looking for power it's more the sound of the V8, i know it sounds strange doing all this work for the sound and not the power output.

    Not fussed with the transmission, would be doing all the work myself but i don't want to do alot of cutting into the bulkhead if i can help it.

    Rob i bet it's not a cheap engine and it looks massive.

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    TBH, if you could pick up a Lexus LS400 complete car, then that would be a full engine/auto box. And they're supposed to be fairly easy to wire up.

    You should easily get a complete car for under £1k

    Rover engines....in reality they're not great and they're also getting expensive.

    BMW etc...again, best option is buy a complete car, but to find a manual V8 will put the price up substantially. There is no silly VANOS etc on older engines so never worry about that. V8 Autos, more common. No idea on wiring for them though

    TBH the Lexus probably makes the most sense, unless you can track down an old iron Ford V8 or something.
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    Rover engines....in reality they're not great and they're also getting expensive.
    id agree they are not great, but expensive to buy not really ive got a couple here, £150 would buy one!

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    Quote Originally Posted by Graham View Post
    id agree they are not great, but expensive to buy not really ive got a couple here, £150 would buy one!
    I guess if you find really old 3.5's they can be cheap. But most will need a full rebuild..so the cost goes back up again.

    And then there's the transmission choices. Manuals end up expensive, not sure about autos for them.

    The LS400 Lexus is probably the best value all round, as long as you're happy with auto. They can do manual too, but conversions are expensive.

    Quick google finds this old Capri build in NZ

    http://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/to...ford-capri-v8/
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    double post
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    The Lexus sounds nice but its the wiring that i don't fancy. Transmission i'm not really bothered about if i'm honest.

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    thats where the old rover v8 can really score, you can run one on points if you want

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    The rover v8's don't seem to be too expensive either so that's a plus. Any idea if they come with an automatic box on?

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    Quote Originally Posted by ProDaviez View Post
    The rover v8's don't seem to be too expensive either so that's a plus. Any idea if they come with an automatic box on?
    unless your talking late TVR versions most were fitted to auto cars so your more likely to find one with a slush box attached than a manual

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    Quote Originally Posted by ProDaviez View Post
    The Lexus sounds nice but its the wiring that i don't fancy. Transmission i'm not really bothered about if i'm honest.
    Anything I've read about the earlier engine, wiring is a doddle. It's a very popular engine to use for swaps, for so many reasons. obviously helped by the fact there will be loads of info out there from those who have done the conversion.

    As Graham says, auto RV8's are probably more common than manuals, although no idea how good or nice those old autos are. Or indeed what sort of gearing it might offer you.
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    It's the whole ECU thing i wanted to avoid. But i'll take a look at the lexus engine.

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    First, I would never put a Chevy into a Cortina. It has no real power compared to the weight, unless you put a lot of money into it. Lexus and BMW may have the right power but not so light and not so compact. And wiring can be a disaster. Rover V8, for sure a nice option. It's is hardly more heavy as a Pinto and give double the torque. Original Rover SU or Holley / Edelbrock carb to make it look "real". Specially if you have and injection version I would go for the Holley / Edelbrock option.
    Last edited by Dyno; 07-03-2017 at 21:32.

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    I built a Rover V8 powered Mk1 back in the 90's. I used an SD1 sump with the rear bowl and fitted an Escort Mk2 front chassis X-Member (with rack + pinion) I still needed to move the bulkhead back a couple of inches and cut a complete new trans tunnel. I've seen a RV8 fitted in a Mk1 without cutting the bulkhead, but the engine sat higher up and further forward. I didn't want that - my way meant the bonnet did not need a bulge.

    Here's some pics - maybe it'll help...














    post images

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    Re: V8 Cortina.

    Wow Bee that is really helpful thank you. And to everyone else thank you i'm going to look at the rv8 engine.

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