v8 handling?, experienced advive seeked... Options

[biosurfer1]

one of my buddies has been looking into doing a v8 conversion. he has no problem with the engine part, but is worried about losing handling if he decides to do it? for those of you with experience with v8's, how do they handle?

[ArtechnikA]

for those of you with experience with v8's, how do they handle?

why would they handle differently ?

plus or minus a little, they don't weigh that much more than a factory /6. LSD can help get the traction down. the weight is a little higher than with a flat engine but aluminum cylinder heads mitigate that. you move some weight forward due to the radiator but a little more weight up front is not all bad.

get wide enough rear wheels to balance the increased power, and there is no reason they can't be made to handle very well. of course, all the usual tweaks need to be made, and moreso. heavier rear springs for one, anti roll bars, properly valved dampers - all the usual suspension tuning you'd have to do with any big HP increase ...

[Brad Roberts]

Rich nailed it (as usual). We have local V8 914's that handle *almost* as well as the 4/6 cars.

Bigger fron torsion bars, heavier rear springs... better shocks...


Pretty easy. Just bring money.


B

[LS6/914]

Depending on the conversion kit they handle well. Adding a roll cage to the suspension pickup points helps, and yes bring lots o cash., (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving-girl.gif)

[BIGKAT_83]

How would a difference in the conversion kit RS/RH make the car handle different? Don't both of the major kits mount the engine in the same location 1.25 inches to the rear.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[Mueller]

not everyone uses the RS/RH kits (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[fiid]

I did a bit of research on engine weight - I think the following is true:

The v8 weighs about 400 pounds.
A 6 weighs about 300
A 4 weighs in about 170

The subaru 4 also weighs in at about 200.

:-)

Please correct me if I am wrong - which I could be.

I think the car can be made to handle well with the v8 in it, but theres no substitute IMHO for just not having any weight.

Fiid.

[biosurfer1]

damn brad, that is one crazy avatar, made me laugh this morning (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jridder]

>I think the car can be made to handle well with the v8 in it, but theres no substitute IMHO for just not having any weight.

Well, if you ran without any engine at all it would be even lighter (and you could lose the transaxle as well). Of course it would have a little less power than a 4.

I guess it depends on how you define "good handling". Is it G's pulled in the skidpad? Time through slalom? autocross? race track? Just the subjective "feel" of the car? Does new Porsche handler worse than a 914 because it has "more weight"?

Jonathan

[fiid]

True - true.

I think autocross and road courses are a good evaluator of a cars handling. But some consideration ought to be given to weather the car is actually bearable on the street. Of course the ideal setup for these two would be different (road course vs AX)

For example, the Elise has been voted world drivers car on several occasions - it is fairly undesputed that it has fantastic handling. Some people don't like them because after 3 or 4 hours driving them the amount of "feedback" gets a little tiring. Having done several 6 hour plus drives in a Triumph Spitfire, I tend to think they are utter wusses, but it's a consideration.

At the end of the day, physics wins. There is no such think as centrifugal force. It is an effect of centripetal force on matter that already has momentum in a given direction. The less weight you have, the less centripetal force is required to get the turn made, or if you prefer - the faster you can take the corner.

Power is also good - I personally enjoy having to brake at the end of an on-ramp to merge (alien word to most US drivers) with traffic on the freeway because I can get to 90 on the ramp. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/boldblue.gif)

I also am a fan of reliability.

So what I like is maximum power output from minimum weight, from an engine that is fairly reliable.

And that is why I am putting the Subaru Twin Turbo engine in my 914. 280 horses, and roughly the same weight as a stock 4. The power to weight ratio should be better than a Ferarri 360 Modena (if my calcs are right). It ought to be a fun little beast, and should have reasonable fuel economy and be pretty reliable. I like it.

Fiid.

[SirAndy]

merge (alien word to most US drivers)

amen!

[smrz914]

So since I drive one of these i'll put in my input. My hadeling is to stiff for the street. But I'm guessing I could pull close to 1g. I have a 911 front end 225/255 bridgestone so3's. No rear sway bar but 200# rear springs. Ive heard and beilive that my 350 (iron block/ iron heads) weighs 550 lbs. It's not a light motor. With the right combination of stuff you can make it handle like any other teener. The 4's and 6's have the advantage of having the engine weight low in the car.

I estimate 8.5 lb/hp and 7 lb/(ft/lb) for my car. Assuming it wweight 2300lbs and 285/330 hp/tq.

[Andyrew]

Fidd, I want you to keep me informed about the progress on your transplant...

Tell me how much it cost you in the end as well..

If you need any help doing anything, we (me and dad) could come over and help..


I get tired of wanting to drive my moms car (2001 galant v6, 200hp, quite quick actually) because I dont think I'll make it to school and back.. I want a more reliable engine, and I wouldnt mind the 280 hp that comes from it (would be hard to convince dad that I need it...)..

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wavey.gif)
Andrew

[scottb]

i too will be eager to hear the cost and time with the v8 conversion. my 2.0 is running great with the only problem being a small gas leak i need to track down this winter. the idea of a small bock and the hp/torque along with ease of parts is a good convincer to start putting together my own kit in anticipation of the 2.0 going boom sooner or later..... hmmmmmmm

[nebreitling]

my 2.0 is running great with the only problem being a small gas leak i need to track down this winter.

dude!

you need to track down that gas leak yesterday! please, tell me you're not driving the thing with a gas leak?

[redshift]

I had one with a 383 in it, and I am still glad I found someone to take it.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


M

[LS6/914]

I have recently seen a Vanagon with a Subaru 3.3l out of the SVX transplanted in it, that thing hauls! Now I wonder if it wil fit in the teener?? If ultimate weight saving for the 350 is the goal opt for the all aluminum LS series from the C5 Vette. Bring lots of cash.

[Brad Roberts]

The SVX engine fits. Its almost identical to a 911 engine.

B

[scottb]

not driving with a gas leak.......

car is parked for the winter just haven't gotten to it yet!!!!

[mskala]

The v8 weighs about 400 pounds.
A 6 weighs about 300
A 4 weighs in about 170

Fiid,
From all the sources I have,
4 = ~300
6 = ~400

On the 6 I think the number includes oil tank and
all. I know nothing about dem chebby's but I've
heard people talk numbers way above 400 unless
you use a lot of aluminum.