TV8 or Rover V8 - opinions please

[billywhizz]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the responses on my previous question re tappet noise, this is still unresolved as is the running on 7 cylinders so still looking! I have gleaned its no 6 cylinder making the racket, so probably worn cam followers etc, not sure I want the hassle of sorting out. Should have specified this is on a car I am thinking of buying (sorry!)

I am now considering whether I buy a Stag with an original TV8 or whether Rover V8 is the way to go. I realise that RV8 not original and will be worth less than an original as time goes on, but on a fairly limited budget, which is best to go for?

Thanks all in advance. Nigel

[73stagman]

I think this topic is called "an old chestnut" so I wont try to say which is best or which way is best for you to go. thats your decision to make and the opinions anywhere amongst the classic car fraternity will be split pretty much 50/50 so you will never get an answer.

I will say that you will not swap a TV8 out and put an RV8 in cheaply. You have to think of things like (in no particular order) engine mounts, radiator, drive shafts, gearbox, Shift mechanism, suspension, steering...... need i go on You could add, induction exhaust electrics......

My car had a non running RV8 in it when i bought it and I am happy to stick to it for now but if it gives me too much grief once it is up and running it will get swapped back to the TV8 just for value sake if nothing else.

[Andy Rundell]

I have considered this question before...... i came to the conclusion that, to do a good job of an RV8 conversion would cost much the same as doing a decent job on a TV8 - so i stuck with the Triumph lump.

...... Andy

[73stagman]

On the up side... an RV8 is much cheaper to buy as a non runner so you can buy a couple to have a go at!

Spares are readily available and are of reasonable quality as the engines are in use in various guises in loads of vehicles.

I dont know if they are any more reliable though

[ChasR]

Indeed, do not underestimate correctly fitting another engine. They do take quite a bit of time and money to do correctly. There is a chap selling an RV8 conversion in the classifieds but even he says it will need some work before being fitted.

I do prefer the TV8 despite its woes although the appeal of the RV8 is easy to see, but no engine is bulletproof. To save discussing old ground here are some threads discussing it in the past.

The V8 Debate

In your shoes I would be looking to why your car is running on 7 (I bought my car running on 7 believe it or not! (broken valve spring, worn follower, vacuum leaks etc.)) and then go from there.

RV8s may have been cheap to pickup years ago, but when I was looking give my MGB V8 power finding a good engine to start off with was not so easy to come across cheaply. A bit like Princess 4 pot brake callipers...

[V Mad]

I would say that if you are still looking for a stag, and you are on a limited budget, then if you come across a nicely converted RV8 car it should be the lowest cost risk. The TV8 is a very sweet engine but if you get a troublesome one, fixing it can be a tricky business.

[staginhiding]

Hand on heart and if I had an empty engine bay looking at me with a TV8 and the comparable RV8(with conversion kit) sitting on the floor,
I would fit the RV8 if it was for me..

Have I just opened the trap door to Hell cos its getting mighty hot in here..

[Jeff]

Hand on heart and if I had an empty engine bay looking at me with a TV8 and the comparable RV8(with conversion kit) sitting on the floor,
I would fit the RV8 if it was for me..

Have I just opened the trap door to Hell cos its getting mighty hot in here..

No you haven't because I have to be honest and agree with you but...........it would have to be a bit more than just the basic RV8 3.5 which I still have in my garage, but chose to have the TV8 re built instead. No regrets but.......

I have said it before and I still mean it, why the Triumph engine is defended so much I will never know.

How many kit cars have the Triumph engine fitted compared to the RV8, I know that many will say there were more built and available, but there were plenty of TV8s available when they were 'dumped' sorry, swapped for a different more reliable engine.

And the saga goes on.......

And for the purists, if the RV8 had been factory fitted, then that would have been the 'best engine'.

Now as the saying goes, running for the proverbial cover.

As Martin says regularly,

Anon.

[ChasR]

Many kit car owners went for RV8s (and Jag V12s at one point) in addition to the Princess 4 Pot callipers for one main reason; They were cheap, or rather the cars that had them were very cheap .

Still, horses for courses, regardless of engines, keeping the cars on the road IMO is of more importance than what engine they 'should' have .

[Guest]

The two reasons why you would swap to a TV8 is that it makes a better noise and is "original".

The reason why you wouldn't, is you say are on a budget - sticking with the RV8 is a no brainer really beacuse the guys are right in the endless costs and issues in converting back.

As has been said, the TV8 wasn't exactly sought after by kit-car or other modifiers, and a lot of people will tel you that the RV8 is abetter engine. Nowadays there aren't that many garages about that are familair with either though - or their ancilliaries - so it's a bit of a question of luck in getting competent help from a local garage I have found.

[jakesmig]

Nigel,
If you have a manual Stag at the moment it is easier to convert than an automatic because you can go with the SDI type gearbox and, generally it is reasonably easy to convert. Minimum you would need to alter is exhaust manifold system and propshaft. If you buy a full RV8 engine with manifolds, carbs etc you shouild be halfway there. Look out for a good engine, easilly identified if you look down the oil filler hole or take the rocker cover off. If it is a nice bronze colour, without any sludge its minted and may only need new Main & Big End shells (less than £100 + gaskets), might not even need that. If there is black sludge the engine is tiring, the more sludge the more tired the engine, emulsified oil, head gasket / head failure. If you go for an SDI type gearbox, I understand the one out of the Sherpa van is the one to use because the gearlever extension is a more suitable length.
I recently swapped an 3.5 RV8 for a 3.9 RV8 with fuel injection etc, cost between £1200 & £1500 even though the engine only cost me circa £100. If I hadn't decided to go efi, I could have used the existing carb & the cost would have been about £500.
Is it worth it? I don't worry about jackshaft failure, 6 or 12 vane water pumps, nor do I have what some refer to as Stag Paranoia.
Is it good value? My car is less valuable than a similar TV8 car, although it is probably more valuable than a car with a crap TV8 engine. I could have rebuilt a TV8 for less than the 3.9RV8 conversion. I would be a paid up member of the paranoia club, worrying about jackshafts and 6 / 12 vane water pumps and I'd have 2/3rds the power I currently have.

Conclusion? Conversion is not cheap but there may be benefits. If you do convert, keep your old TV8 kit, if you sell on there may be additional value.

Good luck whichever way you go.
John

[WealdenManinKent]

Hi Nigel
On a tight budget fitting a replacement engine of any kind, having first aquired and then pulled apart to ensure its a good one is going to cost time and money. Personally I would go down route of fixing the problem you have, compared to an engine transplant?
Roger

[grahamb]

The best option is RV8 with A lighter body

[new to this]

The best option is RV8 with A lighter body

graham

do you have a lighter body in mind

dave

[grahamb]

graham

do you have a lighter body in mind

dave

Best intentions and all that.... Just love my food and beer too much