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I have a Triumph Stag with a bad engine. Has anyone done an engine conversion? What is the recommended engine? Are there any instructions/procedures out there that discuss engine mounts, cooling consideration, tranny setup, and any other suggestions you may have? Thanks, Jim Reiter
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Stag Triumph Stag Engine Conversion
- Thread starter JimReiter
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Hi, Jim - welcome to the Forum!
Member "StagbyTriumph", is a go-to guy for Stags. I imagine he'll be along soon with some info for you.
Most of what he tells you can be believed... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
Mickey
Member "StagbyTriumph", is a go-to guy for Stags. I imagine he'll be along soon with some info for you.
Most of what he tells you can be believed... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
Mickey
StagByTriumph
Jedi Warrior
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piman said:
Alec,
Please let me clarify your post. (if that is needed?) /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
There is only one"Triumph V8", only one, and that is the one originally installed in the Stag.
Is that the one you are talking about? If so, please excuse my misread of your response, and you are spot on correct, the correct engine for the Stag is the "Triumph V8 "properly rebuilt!.
If not ... then if I can guess what you may be calling a "Triumph V8" is actually a Rover V8, the design was purchased from General Motors in the late 1960.
This engine virtually saved Rover Cars and Land Rover by placing it them the V8 market.
Some people think the V8 installed in the TR8 is, mistakenly a Triumph engine
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/nonono.gif
when it is all pretty much 100% General Motors Buick/Oldsmobile, purchased by Rover and manufactured with only slight design changes for over 30 years, and used in the same Rovers and cars as the P3500, SD1 3500, Land Rover 3.5 V8, TVR V8, Morgan Plus 8, on and on and on.
All those British Vehicles and more using that engine are in fact, using good old 'merican V8 Power designed by General Motors in Detroit, and love it (although they might try to convince you that it is all "British". /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/nonono.gif
Jim,
Have a look at my green Stag conversion.
https://www.britishv8.org/Triumph/GlennMerrell.htm
This is a Rover 3.5 with 3.9 EFI. All the specs are in the writeup so I won't duplicate them here.
Now tell me what is wrong with your real Triumph V8 and maybe we can make a deal! Whatever you do, do not toss that engine!
I can tell you all that is involved in converting, including the costs, brackets, modifications, yada yada yada.
Cheers!
StagByTriumph
Jedi Warrior
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Mickey Richaud said:
Maybe, but I can tell everyone I did see you actually "drive" /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif your TR8 ...
on and off the trailer!!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif
'N Dat's a fact!!
That's how he keeps is so darn nice looking!
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Very nice, indeed, Glenn! In all honesty, though, I'd like to hear more about the red Vanguard in the background of the first photo on your page. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif (Don't tell me THAT'S got a V-8!?)StagByTriumph said:
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StagByTriumph said:
You SAW that??? DANG! I thought I had covered my tracks!
Now that things seem to be sorted out, the plan is to drive it to Detroit this coming summer. Wanna meet in Dayton again?
bcliff
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I have seen Glenn's car a number of times. It is a great conversion, it looks like it left the factory that way. A number of members of this forum should have had an opportunity to see the car, it has been ALL OVER the country. As another that has performed a conversion, I can also suggest an american small block V8. I used a Ford 289 with a 4 speed overdrive transmission (3rd is direct, 4th overdrive). Chevy 283/327 would be good too. With the Ford, I had to create an oilpan that straddled the front crossmember, but everything else is straight forward. The advantage of an american V8 is cost, pure and simple. They are easy to find and cheap to rebuild, and nearly bullet proof. The 289 was a had plenty of power, and the overdrive gave it long legs on the highway.
Andy... I got to check out that Standard Vanguard. I'm pretty sure it doesn't have a V8 under the bonnet. Someone (Glenn maybe) told me that it is an ex race car that the owner is putting back to original. It is one to watch for sure.
Bruce (now cruising around with 998ccs of pure power)
Andy... I got to check out that Standard Vanguard. I'm pretty sure it doesn't have a V8 under the bonnet. Someone (Glenn maybe) told me that it is an ex race car that the owner is putting back to original. It is one to watch for sure.
Bruce (now cruising around with 998ccs of pure power)
StagByTriumph
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Andrew Mace said:
Good Eye Andy!
No actually a 6.0 V12 /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif
kidding , just KIDDING!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
That Standard Vanguard used to be, believe it or not, a Works Race Car! It once had open pipes coming out from under the rockers!! The current owner has brought it back to almost original spec trim. He said it has a TR3 engine in it as that chassis is all pretty much what the TR3 was built on, and he is looking for the period engine and transmission.
Thanks for the compliment Andy, but mine, well it is a real kludge even though Bruce likes it. And yes, it has been all over the US.
Frankly, the only reason I stuffed the Rover, EFI and 5 speed in was:
<ul>[*]I wanted to say "been there, done that",[*] I wanted to be able to speak from experience to my club members on "how to" with pros and cons,[*]The Rover engine was almost all there, machining was almost all completed,[*]all the conversion brackets were there with the car,[*]the original engine needed a new crank and lots of work,[*]I wanted to experience what the performance differences are.
[/list]
So after having fun now for 5 years, It is time for a change. Either an all wheel drive conversion, or back to the OE engine now that I have all the parts.
StagByTriumph
Jedi Warrior
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You SAW that??? DANG! I thought I had covered my tracks!
Now that things seem to be sorted out, the plan is to drive it to Detroit this coming summer. Wanna meet in Dayton again? [/quote]
Sitting in the drivers seat making Varoom Varoom sounds on the trailer while the wife is hauling you in the Tacoma doesn't count!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/nonod.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif
I want to see and hear you driving on the autocross track!!
Meet in Dayton? I dunno, I'll have to check the maps.
Hello Glenn,
yes, I did mean the Triumph V8, not the Rover one. Incidentally Rover fitted a Triumph engine in their SD1 model, the 2.3 and 2.6 inline six cylinder, as well as the 3.5 litre V8. The six was a replacement (although it never got beyond a few prototypes)for the rather old fashioned engine fitted to the Triumph 2000 and 2.5 saloons which brings us neatly to the origin of the Stag as that is what it is based on.
Alec
yes, I did mean the Triumph V8, not the Rover one. Incidentally Rover fitted a Triumph engine in their SD1 model, the 2.3 and 2.6 inline six cylinder, as well as the 3.5 litre V8. The six was a replacement (although it never got beyond a few prototypes)for the rather old fashioned engine fitted to the Triumph 2000 and 2.5 saloons which brings us neatly to the origin of the Stag as that is what it is based on.
Alec
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If it were MY car.... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gifStagByTriumph said:
Seriously, if it were documented as such, I'd be tempted to keep it more or less as-is. You know, preserve its history and all that. At the very least, assuming that the chassis and brakes can handle it, why not leave the TR3 engine in it? And yes, the TRs did get most of their drivetrain from Vanguard-based components, but the front suspension came from the Mayflower!
Or maybe the Vanguard owner would like your Stag V-8? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/eek.gif
StagByTriumph
Jedi Warrior
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piman said:
Phew! Glad to read that! Too often I get the "Oh, you have the Triumph V8, same one as installed in the TR8!" comments from people who do not know Triumph had their own V8 design.
I had heard about some Rovers getting various Triumph engines in prototype tests. Seems to me it was about some surplus from Triumph and some shortages at Rover.
StagByTriumph
Jedi Warrior
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Andrew Mace said:
Well I don't think it was actually a Factory Works car /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif but a Standard converted to racing probably many years ago here locally. The owner told me it raced pretty much locally in Colorado. When I see him again I'll have to ask him for some original race car photos and get some more history.
Hello Glenn,
" Seems to me it was about some surplus from Triumph and some shortages at Rover."
I think it was all down to rationalisation that was British Leyland. Not the best thing that was to happen to all the marques under that umbrella. Almost finished Jaguar.
Alec
" Seems to me it was about some surplus from Triumph and some shortages at Rover."
I think it was all down to rationalisation that was British Leyland. Not the best thing that was to happen to all the marques under that umbrella. Almost finished Jaguar.
Alec
frankenstang57
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I guess I'll throw my 2 cents into the ring as well... I've got a bit of experience with the Buick 3.8 conversion. It's pretty much the same motor(or at least related to)as the Rover with two major differences, 2 less cylinders and it's made from cast iron instead of aluminum. It fits pretty well but in it's carb'd form it is too tall to run an air cleaner without "altering" the hood. This is what is in my car. After nearly 10 years of ownership I finally got off my butt this summer and started sorting it out. For the most part my car is relatively reliable with the biggest issues coming from it sitting for so long.(brakes and rubber hoses...) Things I have noticed on other conversions with American V-8's; Both SBC and SBF's are too tall like the Buick and your hood will require surgery. I have heard of guys installing 1-1.5" spacers between the x-member and the body without issues regarding handling. SBF's have the oil pump in the front so it limits how far aft the motor sits to clear the x-member. SBC's have the distributor in the rear. If you run HEI the thing is #$^&% big and up against the firewall. I think the perfect American V-8 conversion would be the late 90's vintage LT1. Cheap, light, and compact. No pesky distributors, oil pump in rear, gear driven water pump(like the Stag!), lots of after market support, and they are plentiful. Only drawbacks, electronics and I want to puke every time I see on in a street rod. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/sick.gif As far as drive ability, I think my V-6 car drives very similar to the stock Stag I have before it was wrecked. A bit torquier though. Both cars have OD so they were about the same on the hwy. One thing I've noticed regarding stock motors is they are pretty pricey. If you have the $$$, rebuild the one you have. Since I have limited funds, I'll make due with what I have for the time being...
Oh yeah, get up and go. Not too bad. It's about on par with an '06 4-cyl. Ranger, but sounds way cooler! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
Oh yeah, get up and go. Not too bad. It's about on par with an '06 4-cyl. Ranger, but sounds way cooler! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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It's not fantastic (it's still only 3.0 liters in a car that weighs more than a TR6), but it's not bad either. Sure surprised the Grand Am that tried to pass me on the right a few months ago ! (I slowed down for the speed limit before he passed me, much to the amusement of the cop that wrote him a ticket.)John_Mc said:
Glenn's running a big American lump, so I'm sure his Stag is much quicker in a straight line than mine. OTOH, I was faster on the VTR autoX a few years back ... and I'm looking forward to trying again in 2009 /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
IMO, the Stag isn't really a "sports car", it's more of a sporty tourer. The TR8 is much more a sports car (and quicker).
StagByTriumph
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TR3driver said:
It was probably both the car and the driver Randall. Mine is geared all wrong for the sprint, too much body roll and not enough tire for the power. BL 5 speed manual, 3.43:1 differential with a Phantom Grip pack, 195/70-14 tires. It just is not quick enough, spins the wheels in the autocross, but man will it top end an M series beemer and leave most rice burners in the dust!
Stags with the Triumph V8 and Automatic are surprisingly quick in the sprint, but run out of top end power and RPM.
Stags with the lowering kit and stiffened suspension provide a surprising improvement in handling.
I know of a few TR6's and Spitfires with the Triumph V8 in them, pretty awesome.