If you are gonna run mega squirt then why not the 4.6?
But can see the rest of your points.


Yes.
But the main thing is it won’t move, which is the main problem in the first case.

J
I don’t know… I think it’s due to failure stories putting me off even though I know the failures are due to the liners 😂🤦‍♂️
 
Maybe you should ask how many “good” standard blocks could you get? And did you even consider rebuild cost?

J
I suppose it all comes down to what exactly you intend to do. If an engine you can see running from a breakers yard is £400, and you have the tools, space, etc to fit it yourself, and all youre doing is running a "sports" camshaft, a loud exhaust and a remap, and driving it on the road and through the occasional puddle, then its probably not worth spending thousands on expert engine rebuilds and top hat liners. On the other hand if youre building something with forced induction for a competitive offroad anvil dragging endurance race, or if youve got money to spend and you want the peace of mind that youll likely never need to take the engine out again, then sure, go for it.
 
I suppose it all comes down to what exactly you intend to do. If an engine you can see running from a breakers yard is £400, and you have the tools, space, etc to fit it yourself, and all youre doing is running a "sports" camshaft, a loud exhaust and a remap, and driving it on the road and through the occasional puddle, then its probably not worth spending thousands on expert engine rebuilds and top hat liners. On the other hand if youre building something with forced induction for a competitive offroad anvil dragging endurance race, or if youve got money to spend and you want the peace of mind that youll likely never need to take the engine out again, then sure, go for it.
If it was a Toyota Id agree. However, the rv8 block is a ticking time bomb for the liners to slip either way. You may get lucky but I don’t fancy chance after spending years building a solid shell. The cost is worth it to me as it will be the finishing touch to a project that got cancelled the first time and is finally coming to fruition. Without going doom and gloom I also want to have a v8 whilst I still can.
I’ve looked at other options vehicle wise I.e. getting a powerful non 4x4 estate….

It would cost me a lot less to build the 300tdi and throw that back in but I’ve got one of those already and a pure heart would be a good finish to the build.
 
the rv8 block is a ticking time bomb for the liners to slip
Thats not really true. Some slip liners, some crack blocks, some blow headgaskets, crankshafts wear out, etc etc. If I had to guess, most rover v8s that were ever made have either been recycled or still exist in a mechanically useable state but with crap electric components or a rusty car around them.

The cost is worth it to me as it will be the finishing touch to a project that got cancelled the first time and is finally coming to fruition
Thats more than fair enough
I’ve looked at other options vehicle wise I.e. getting a powerful non 4x4 estate….
Plenty of those to choose from, even with AWD, audis and subarus and so on. Ive got a subaru legacy 3.0R spec.b manual estate, I love it, but they arent for everyone.
would cost me a lot less to build the 300tdi
With the best will in the world, a 300tdi, or probably any of the land rover diesel engines, will never make the power of a V8 with a mild camshaft and a tune.
 
Thats not really true. Some slip liners, some crack blocks, some blow headgaskets, crankshafts wear out, etc etc. If I had to guess, most rover v8s that were ever made have either been recycled or still exist in a mechanically useable state but with crap electric components or a rusty car around them.


Thats more than fair enough

Plenty of those to choose from, even with AWD, audis and subarus and so on. Ive got a subaru legacy 3.0R spec.b manual estate, I love it, but they arent for everyone.

With the best will in the world, a 300tdi, or probably any of the land rover diesel engines, will never make the power of a V8 with a mild camshaft and a tune.
I think a lot of people would argue with that. It’s a fact that the machining was poor across most of them. I think even cosworth made some of their blocks to see if they could sort it.
They will slip liners due to block. They will blow hg due to block. Yeah they might be bang on if never get hot but it’s enough risk there to factor it in?
I had a legacy spec b wr Ltd twinscroll. One of best cars I’ve had. I’ve had bm’s, Audis, Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans. Have had a few fast cars just never a v8 (I don’t expect it to be fast by the way!).
 
I had a legacy spec b wr Ltd twinscroll
Lovely. I was tempted by a twinscroll but the cost of a 6 speed manual was 3 times what I paid for my 3.0 one. Also tempted by BMWs and Audis, but only for the 6-pot diesel engines, and I dont do enough miles to part with my Legacy at the moment.
On that note, have you considered non-land rover engine options? (BMW M51 and M57, Mercedes OM605/606, etc?
Honestly, if you're starting with a diesel already, then an M57 might actually be cheaper, and itll probably be more powerful, although it wont sound anywhere near as good.
 
Another interesting specialist video just watched….

Builder seems confident that once out of the emissions and lean running scenario that if a block hasn’t cracked, and is then installed on a richer and cooler run, there’s no reason it should/will. Interesting how peoples views and thoughts differ. Problem is, and don’t mean this rudely, but anyone selling products or services will have a biased view. Said people are generally the experts though!
 
it is true that lean running is one of the main reasons for a rv8's block issues.

up there with a neglected cooling system, but as for running it rich never seen the reason for swaying from one extreme to another, just getting it running correctly isn't that difficult and the best scenario for any engine. :)
 
Problem is, and don’t mean this rudely, but anyone selling products or services will have a biased view.
Theres generally a good way to tell. If the person selling it to you can tell you how and why it works in a way that makes logical sence, then its probably correct.
Top hat liners definately work - theres no question about that. Really what you're asking is, "is there anything wrong with the standard one?" - and Id argue not, unless you intend on doing something extream. Having said that, you pays your money, you makes your choice.
 
it is true that lean running is one of the main reasons for a rv8's block issues.

up there with a neglected cooling system, but as for running it rich never seen the reason for swaying from one extreme to another, just getting it running correctly isn't that difficult and the best scenario for any engine. :)
Yeah that was what I meant mate - bad choice of words. Correct fuelling rather than lean
 

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