Small block Chevy - possible mod

[ron55]

Hi

New to the forum but not to the Stag. I've had my manual 73 since 1985 but it's now in need of serious work since being left idle for so long.

I import US cars and parts for a living and I am seriously considering putting a small block Chevy in the Stag probably the 350 (5.7) but maybe the 400+ range with an auto box. Question is, has anyone done it before and if so what were the results?

I'm not too bothered about originality, I've been through that phase - I just want reliability and speed. I am looking to do the same with a 67 Mustang fastback but fit it out with all new running gear and all mod cons.

Cheers, Ron

[Kevin Garrod]

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Hi Ron

It's been done before, there was a heavily modded Stag at National Day last year with a Chevy V8 and here's another one...

http://www.britishv8.org/Triumph/SimonBriggs.htm

[mjheathcote]

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Not a common engine swop, but yes has been done quite a few times. In fact there used to be a specialist (Richard Lane) that used to sell the conversion parts.

Nice LS1 maybe?

[Kevin Garrod]

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This one..

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~stag1/

[V Mad]

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Why not consider the Ford small block? This is almost identical in weight to the Stag engine, so the handling should be the same (if that is a good thing!). This is avery common engine in 302 guise (5 litre) as it was used in Ford Mustangs, Falcons, Lincolns etc. I have seen this done in USA but not here though (yet!).

I am biased though as I havea Ford small block in my Tiger, and I love it.

[mjheathcote]

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Kevin Garrod wrote:

This one..

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~stag1/

 

Is he back up and running again?...or a ghost web site

[singapore stag]

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V Mad wrote:

Why not consider the Ford small block? This is almost identical in weight to the Stag engine, so the handling should be the same (if that is a good thing!). This is avery common engine in 302 guise (5 litre) as it was used in Ford Mustangs, Falcons, Lincolns etc. I have seen this done in USA but not here though (yet!).

I am biased though as I havea Ford small block in my Tiger, and I love it.

I have heard it, sounds awesome!

[whereufromnosecity]

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This is a pic of thestag at the national day with the chevy fitted

[stustag]

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Here's another pic of that car awesome!

[whereufromnosecity]

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I do quite like the no bumper style the lines look a lot smoother

[tedlit]

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I have three Stags.. one with the original v8, one with a small block Chevy, and one with a Ford lump in it.

The Chevy lump is by far the heaviest of the three.. and you need some serious imagination to avoid having a giant hood scoop.. but it's no complicated than any other engine transfer. Obviously, the huge benefit is that the tuning/performance mods options are just about endless.. and pretty cheap if you already deal with US parts.

I do recall that Richard Lane's Chevy-based Stag still had the original differential for a fair old while.. apparently the factory diff is pretty strong!

[ron55]

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Hi Guys

Thanks for all the replies. I posted with a great deal of trepidation expecting to get lambasted for not keeping the car original but the truth of the matter is that I never felt comfortable with the stock set up. Every time I went out I was worried about being stuck in a jam even after rebuilding my engine with the bigger rad, 12 vane pump, german chains etc.

I was considering the LS1 chevy because the 2002 Corvette I had (in my avatar) was one of the most awesome drives I had. Unfortunately I normally get bored with a car in about 6 weeeks. The Stag has always kept the bordom factor at bay but as my missus said, only because we never knew if we would get were we where we were going and back again without a breakdown

I will look at the Ford lump though as I could get one tomorrow as a favour!

One thing for sure is the pics posted by Stustag is what I will aim for. In my opinion it is what the Stag should look like and as I have a blank canvas it's the target.

Thanks again

Cheers, Ron

[SAP]

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Hi

Try Youtube

1971 TRIUMPH STAG CORVETTE V8 327 DYNOMAX EXHAUST "THE CROSSBREED"

This looks great



Steve

[V Mad]

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tedlit wrote:

I have three Stags.. one with the original v8, one with a small block Chevy, and one with a Ford lump in it.

Any chance we could see a picture, or at least know a bit more about your Ford engined Stag? What are the issues regarding fit into the engine bay?

[V Mad]

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ron55 wrote:

Hi Guys

.................but the truth of the matter is that I never felt comfortable with the stock set up. Every time I went out I was worried about being stuck in a jam even after rebuilding my engine with the bigger rad, 12 vane pump, german chains etc.

''''''''''''''''I will look at the Ford lump though as I could get one tomorrow as a favour!

.......Cheers, Ron

Ron, the Stag engine will will take quite a lot of stick when it is built properly. Yes there are pitfalls I admit, but when you get it right they are auch a sweet engine.

I would love to see the Ford engine in a Stag though. Do let us know how you get on. They are quite compact, and Shelby did manage to squeeze a Ford V8 into a couple of small british sports cars.