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TR2/3/3A TR3 with a 215 V8?

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K

karls59tr

Obi Wan
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Anyone have a link to a site where someone has done this. British V8.org site has a 302 Ford conversion in a TR3 but I can't find anyone who has put the Buick V8 or Rover V8 in the 3.
 
Thanks for the link. Some comments indicate that front end upgrades would need to be done as well. I've heard that the aluminum 215 motor is not much different in weight than the stock TR3 lump so why would the front end need to be modified? Also...would the stock Diff be able to handle the power?
 
Not a Triumph guy, so I can't really help with your questions. If you're contemplating doing this swap, I'd be concerned about the nearly complete lack of info about anyone having done it before. A cruise through BritishV8 will show most of the commonplace swaps and it's much easier to follow in someone else's footsteps. You'd be doing this on your own, with all the fabrication and trial and error that comes with it. Not saying it can't be done and I don't know your skills, but I'd give it a good think first.
 
The long, straight, solid steering shaft can often present problems when doing a swap, not insurmountable, but if it is in the way with a wider V motor you have to rethink the steering set up.
 
glemon said:
The long, straight, solid steering shaft can often present problems when doing a swap, not insurmountable, but if it is in the way with a wider V motor you have to rethink the steering set up.
Click to expand...

What are those interconnecting swivel type connectors called that you can use to create a multi directional steering column and who sells them?

I saw the TR4 with the V motor. I believe he routed the exhaust down pipes thru the inner fenders to "lake pipes" under the door rockers. It would seem with a TR3 you would have to move the motor back a lot farther and modify the firewall to make that work.
 
I don't know of any specific swaps with Triumph, Rover, or Buick V8s but there are several with other interesting swaps. Here's one with a supercharged 289:
https://www.centralpastreetmachines.org/Articles/TR3-V8/Stupid Fast.html
Before you start tearing yours apart, consider that with all that, you'd probably still get your doors blown off by a new unmodified, comfortable Dodge Charger Hellcat sedan. (Stupid fast or just stupid?)
I do like the TR3aguy's idea of a VETC 4 too, as well as the marque loyalty and engineering challenge of using a Triumph V8.
But I think I'll stick with my old dead stock tractor engine (actually I do have 87mm pistons).
Tom
 
TomMull said:
I don't know of any specific swaps with Triumph, Rover, or Buick V8s but there are several with other interesting swaps. Here's one with a supercharged 289:
https://www.centralpastreetmachines.org/Articles/TR3-V8/Stupid Fast.html
Before you start tearing yours apart, consider that with all that, you'd probably still get your doors blown off by a new unmodified, comfortable Dodge Charger Hellcat sedan. (Stupid fast or just stupid?)
I do like the TR3aguy's idea of a VETC 4 too, as well as the marque loyalty and engineering challenge of using a Triumph V8.
But I think I'll stick with my old dead stock tractor engine (actually I do have 87mm pistons).
Tom
Click to expand...

Actually I'll probably stick with the tractor engine as well. I had an opportunity to get a 215 V8 and transmission but after seeing what is involved that unit might be better fitted to an MGB.
 
I've got two 215 buick motors squirrelled away. Want to do the MGB swap some day. No desire to do a TR3 with one, just too rigid for all the extra horses. I have a TR6 someone put a 280Z motor in. That made a big difference. Still, it doesn't handle just right. Keeps wanting to go straight when you turn.
Marv
 
Well that took long enough
attachment.php
 
As a TR4a driver who used to have a TR6, I would say they tend to go straight with the TR6 motor in them!
Since there is not much difference in the weight of the two engines it may have to do with the front sway bar on the TR6, or the length of the engine moving weight further forward, or both.
 
Yes, thanks Rick, very interesting stuff. Nice phone box too. Tom
 
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