Hi All,

just wondering if anyone knows of anyone adapting a range rover 3.5 or 3.9L V8 or any V8 into a vitara/sidekick.

reason is that I am looking for some good torque low reving motor. Any other ideas would be considered..

seeya
James

small buick v-8 i don't remember the size but it was small and aluminum. a 302 is pretty light compaired to chevy motors.

The Buick V8 from 1961 to 1963 was aluminum and 215 CID.  Very small and light.  They also had a 198 CID V6 at the time.   These would probably be hard to find, and impossible to pass emissions tests if that is a concern in your area (if you intend to drive it on the street).

My first car was a '63 Buick Special 2 dr with a V6 and two speed automatic...

the rover V8 is the old Buick alum v8! Buick sold the molds/rights to rover apparently the share the same bellhousing bolt pattern. Would be a cool motor to drop in if they weren't soo $$$!

Maybe a J$$P 4.0?  

Am I Banned?

the rover V8 is the old Buick alum v8! Buick sold the molds/rights to rover apparently the share the same bellhousing bolt pattern. Would be a cool motor to drop in if they weren't soo $$$!

Its quite a compact engine but the gearbox is a fair size. Maybe an MGB V8 box would be the best fit if you could find one (probably hugely expensive though!). Some of the TVR engines are Rover based but loads of power (even more $$$ too). Suzuki V6 is probably the best bet for more torque and 4wd.

mmmmmm rover v8 mmmmmm

must find one with an auto box and use a SJ transfer box mmmmm v8 noises

Its quite a compact engine but the gearbox is a fair size. Maybe an MGB V8 box would be the best fit if you could find one (probably hugely expensive though!). Some of the TVR engines are Rover based but loads of power (even more $$$ too). Suzuki V6 is probably the best bet for more torque and 4wd.

A Dolomite Sprint 4-speed box fits to a Rover V8 quite well (I did it in the past), they're tough, not too big or heavy, and there's an overdrive version too giving more ratios (more common that non-o/d in fact). They'll still be knocking around at cheap-ish money I'd imagine.

Don't know how much help this would be to anyone in Oz, but I think the Sprint did go there (under another name)...

Just a suggestion but. Just drop a Suzuki V6 in it with all the tranmission and electrics. Then you will have reliable, economical power. It is also a pretty straight forward transplant - mine goes really well. I am very happy with the package. The beauty of this is that you can drop a rocklobster gear kit in it too with relative ease and benefit from this addition as well. Your choice - good luck, hope it all works out.
ZeusZuki.

wasnt a trimph tr8 a alminium v8 also?

Triumph v8 was ali and badly assembled so most melted on hot days!!!

how about a honda/rover v6 transplant??

Triumph v8 was ali and badly assembled so most melted on hot days!!!

how about a honda/rover v6 transplant??

TR8 was a standard Rover engine, are you thinking about the Stag engine? It wasn't really a bad engine but being one of the first it suffered from people not realising that if you don't use antifreeze in an ally engine your water galleries will soon corrode. Honda V6 transplant would be very entertaining as they rotate in the opposite direction! Would give many more options for reversing though, lol.

glad you mentioned the honda engine rotation snag! i'll keep looking for a crashed v6 zuk

i have a buick v-8 and my friend also hase one sitting under his carport the only reason it hasn't been used is 185hp with a 650cfm carb and stock everything else. i think ur best bet will be a 3.4 liter chevy or ford v-8 with aluminum heads on the ford motor and vortec heads on the chevy. the wieght is only 35lbs different the ford being heavier. and the ford will turn 400hp with AFR heads eshaust and a 800cfm card it is actually said to be 450 hp. i was being modest. my brother runs this exact 302 on his dune buggie on 35" irocs and can smoke a stock corvette. his problem is keeping the front tires on the ground.