Time to size up the V8

The old 'Boat Anchor' V6 is gone and I've got a nice V8 ready for the scimitar.... well no not exactly. I've purchased a real good bargain 3.9 Rover V8 with according to Autodata software a respectable power output of 187 BHP and 236 ft lbs (320 Nm) from a 1994 Range Rover sporting around 50,000 miles, its a tight engine that runs well with no nasty noises and has the  the ancillaries I need to build a the final V8. A Lot of the engine is going to be changed, but i need a full unit to mock and start adjusting the engine bay to accommodate the V8, building the final V8 will come at a later date, for now it will do.

   Here it is sitting comfortably in the GTE for the first time with Trumpets on show. This isn't the final position of the engine, I am have to cut the engine mounts off the chassis move and TIG weld new fabricated mounts forward, along with cutting out the firewall and re-modelling it as there just isn't enough room to get the SS tubing in on the manifold for the two rear exhaust ports. I've already cut a small piece of the firewall out to get it in to mock (see the clearance issues below).

The mounts from the Range Rover were not symmetrical and unsuitable, the way I've set out to fit the V8 it in the Scimitar is by using Rover SD1 engine mounting brackets bolted to  Essex V6 Rubbers to the Scimitar chassis, seems pretty straight forward, and they were pretty easy to find a good set.

Its a tight squeeze but it works, but there's still a lot of adjustment to be done.  The engine is neither straight nor level on the current mounts.

 The other Big issue with installing this engine is the 1990's Range Rover front end on the V8 with the massive harmonic balancer and triple drive belt system its just far too big and long to fit in the Scimitars bay without getting in the way of the steering rack. This is going to be an even bigger issue when the engine comes forward, so the solution to combat it is simple. It involves getting rid of the Range Rover timing cover and front end (dont need power steering or AC) in favor of an early Rover design of front end with a single drive belt fitted in the Rover P6, this will recess the engine back and will save a good 8' of space. This will be done along with shimming the steering rack forward by 3/4 - 7/8" with some special  one off shims am machining from a block of 7075 aluminium, to bring the rack forward. Shouldn't cause any big issues, am going to be looking at the steering at a later date.

The position of the engine will require adjustment as currently it sits closer to the OS than the NS and is slightly of center on an angle with the output of the gearbox slightly to the OS.

The V8 Engine in place on the original Scimitar mounts. however its not sitting level or straight. They will have to be cut out and changed.