v8 zs
 

I spotted a v8 engine and box for sale on eBay. Now this is very tempting as I love the v8 noise. But what else would I need to drop this into a zs. If it will fit. I'm assuming I'd need a new diff, drive shafts, suspension, engine mounts moved and strengthened. Then if all this is going to cost over 6000 I may just buy a 260 and have a play around with that instead.

Pretty sure Ive heard Ross mention that it wont fit as it was something he looked into with the building of the Touring car.
Then again throw enough money at something and almost anything is possible.

need a new floorpan made up, will cost more than 6000 unless your doing it all yourself including the fabricating of custom mounts and wiring looms ect
im assuming this would be rwd

Hmmm, what about an rr v8. Obviously everything would have to be purpose built. But hyperthetically would it work.

anything is possible but as said its all about cost, youd probably be cheaper to fit a zs body to the car you want the engine from

Hmmm. I suppose realistically. A plan like that would cost too much. If I can buy an EVO 6 for the same price or less then it's not worth it in my opinion.

Or... Buy a knackered TVR Chimeara, with rotten chassis and bad bodywork for around £3500 and there is pretty much everything you need, except ALOT of time and patience! The Chim body you can lift straight off the chassis, like they did in topgear.
Biggest issue would be space for the prop shaft. But not much stopping you from welding the cleaned up Chimaera chassis into the zed floor (strength and fair base) then carving the zeds floor to suit.
Electrics are a breeze (and probably greatly improved over standard TVR electrics!)
Sounds fun.. I wanna go :-)

Having done a couple of V8 conversions I would definately say go RWD as from your description it reads still FWD and that is no good. RWD will require re-fabricating the bulkhead, transmission tunnel and work around the rear end to take an axle or independant suspension etc. It is possible and the only limiting factor is skill in carrying it out.

I carried out a switch on my track Vauxhall Chevette from 1256cc to 1900 Manta to Rover V8. The whole front end was removed so as to get the engine in as far back and as low as possible to keep the balance right.
Engine mounts were fabricated.

New bulkhead and transmission tunnel fabricated.
New propshaft was made.
New pedal box and remote servo.
Modified steering column.
Custom manifolds.
Suspension changed.
Exhaust system.
Wiring loom.
Fuel lines.
Fuel tank moved and or custom made if fouling.

I would say do it as it is on my wishlist of ideal mods to a ZS that would take it to a whole different level.

That sounds like a lot of work. I have the garage space, availability of knowledgeable friends and family plus the knowledge on this forum. I'll have a head scratch moment and weigh up the pros and cons.

This is a major undertaking - especially with all the systems and electronics on a modern car.

The easiest route is to drop the ZS body onto the V8 chassis and use all the doner car electronics etc and mate the ZS lighting to it. This would be easier with the mk1 than the mk2 with it's BCU.

In theory the Range Rover would be interesting but the gearboxes etc would take up so much room, for 4x4 you'd be better with an impretza or an evo but then you'd have to miss out on the V8.

:yikes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZAbYbaBUTE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuUjMl20hr0

Neat but not a road car which is what I assume the O/P was considering.

I always thought an inline 4 turbo like a silvia would be immense, would suit the zs to the ground

if i did this i would want it road legal.
it seems like the easiest route 'if there is one' is to buy a 260 and put the zs body on top.
other options i've been toying with are to put the engine in the boot and bolt on a rousch supercharger and make it rwd, although this then leaves me with the issue of no weight over the front wheels and a very undrivable car.
so i got to thinking and wondered if i move the driving position back then that should create more front end space therefore allowing room for the larger engine, i've seen this done on a golf with a tvr v8 soif thats possible then my plans should be too.

I did this with my Chevette, hence the new bulkhead. Propshaft was 18" long when finished. The problem with fitting a V8 longitudinally is its length and ensuring enough room left for the radiator and cooling. However it is not uncommon for a boot mounted one with decent fans and air flow. If I had a big enough garage I would be looking into doing such a conversion. It is just finding the right engine and gearbox to make it worthwhile.

I wouldn't go down the route of popping a ZS body on a ZT 260 platform for a couple of reason: wheelbase on the ZT is about 120mm longer (and track is wider but that's easy to deal with), and the ZT engine isn't the greatest thing in the world. I say this as someone who owns (or, more accurately, who's wife owns) a 260 which we can't ever see us selling as it is a fantastic car, but the engine uses technology that is about as current as 80's fashion. There are far better options for engines around, especially when you consider the weight.

Having said that, there are brand new rear stuff ups for the 260 floating around which have everything you'd need for the rear end if going RWD, and if you can find a front subframe from a 260 you could use that together with a 4V Ford engine as the block is basically the same as the 260's 2V engine, but alloy. That also gives you 320hp in 4.6L form, and more in 5.0 and 5.4L. Then you just need a gearbox (the standard box in the 260 is ok, but there are much better options around that Ford have used behind the 4V engines) and lots of fabrication.