I've got a TVR to convert

I just wanted to introduce myself to the board. I have a '77 TVR 2500M that will be getting a 3.4L Camaro engine. I hope to draw on the great knowledge base of this board to help me accomplish this task.

Hopefully noone minds a TVR guy hanging around. I also own a '58 MGA and a '62 MGA Mk2. I really consider myself a MG guy but the TVR is a recent project I couldn't let pass by.

I have a '95 3.4 Camaro engine and auto tranny. It's got all the accessories on it. The harness has some wires cut and connectors I haven't ID'ed yet. I'd like to keep the AC as my TVR came with AC. Keeping the EFI is my first choice.

Cheers,
Steve

Welcome to the Forum. I, for one, have no objection to a TVR owner posting. And since you've a couple of 'A's as well, you've got lots in common with the rest of us.

I'm in the parts gathering stage of putting a 3.4 SPI V6 into an 'A. But I'm going with the T5 5-speed. Do you really want to stick with the automatic?

The best advice I can give you is to buy the factory wiring diagram for your Camaro! It lists all the colors/functions of the wiring in a very nice format! Its worth every penny if you plan to keep the FI. You should only have about 25 wires to sort to make it happen! You'll also need the in-tank fuel pump, and VSS - or rig one up. A company called Jaguars That Run has a setup you can buy to replace the factory VSS with a driveshaft triggered version. They also have a great conversion book that's worth a read!

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Chevrolet_TPI_TBI_V-8.html

Great having you Steve. What year is your 3.4L setup? 1993 had the 4L60 and the 94-95 went to the 4L60-E. With a manual PCM, you can use any automatic that fit behind a 2.8 or 3.1L as well if you wish.

Are you saving the stock wiring?
Is there enough room for the stock lcation of the AC compressor? If so, then it should be a pretty decent conversion.

-BMC.

Wow, thanks a bunch for the warm welcome everyone.

The donor is a '95 Camaro. I was originally going to go with a 5 speed but this "package" came mated with a auto tranny. It must be the 4L60-E. After thinking about it I thought it might be nice to go ahead and use the automatic since this will end up being my everyday driver. It will save my '58 MGA from any more IL winters.

Thanks for the tips: I'll try to source a manual PCM, camaro fuel pump, VSS, etc. There are so many wires coming out of the tranny I was afraid I was stuck using the auto ECM. I may have to toss the orginal harness, but first I need to see if the cut wires are necessary for my application.

Initially I thought about bolting up the TVR's AC (I've kept it totally intact) in the Camaro's alternator spot. Move the alternator to the PS pump side. But the TVR uses a V-belt pulley. I wonder if I should be using the Camaro AC compressor and cobble it to the rest of the TVR AC system?

Many TVRs had Ford 289s installed so the 60 degree should fit nicely and it will weigh about 75 lbs lighter than the old TR6 engine that it came with.

Here are some pics of my project:
http://hometown.aol.com/merical/TVR.html

Cheers,
Steve

Steve,

Your link does not work...

Paul Robilotti, A.K.A. TVRPAUL posts on this board and has a TVR that he has done the same thing with. Posted pictures a few days ago here:

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?40,560575,562595#msg-562595


We have a client who had a specialty company install AC for him on the passengers side on the stock alternator bracket and then used our specialty bracket to mount the alternator- oposite of what it was supposed to be but none the less, they got the job done. (I have pics, just not online) It was done with the DIS coil pack in the stock location too and we have a few of those brackets in stock if you need them.

Going back to the auto, you would need to switch the auto out to an older series from an S10 or Camaro if you change the computer over to the manual type.

Finally, depending on what your rear end ratio is, a V6 T5 with a fairly stock 3.4L SFI motor has so much torque and wide enough ratios to not be annoying to drive daily in my opinion. If your car weighs around 2000 +/- lbs and has between a 3.5 and 3.2 to 1 ratio, the ratios should be just about right.

Hope this helps,

-BMC.

Not sure how I botched the link, it seems to be working for me.

Yes, I spoke to Paul a few months back when I was trying to decide what engine to put in. His installation looks nice and he gave me some helpful information if I where to go the carburated route.

Brian, thanks for re-stating the auto tranny information. I must of mis-read your original post. You've rethinking the auto idea. I'll start searching for a t5. Your alternator bracket sounds like the right thing for me too.

Cheers,
Steve

Steve,

Welcome to the forum! Lots of great advice here, and many guys who know their stuff and can offer guidance with your project. I don't know anything about TVRs but looks like a fun car. Good luck, keep us posted.

Brad

TVR 2500M ?

Forget the V6. That car is just begging for a V8. A 302 Ford at minimum! Yeehaw! :)

TVR 2500M? Hmmm.

Forget the V6. That car is begging for a V8! A 302 Ford at minimum!
:)

Steve,
Nice looking car. Teh auto trans is a big help in traffic and looses very little on the open road. I have a 3.1 and 700R4 in my BGT. I get between 22 and 27 mpg depending on how I drive it. It is great in traffic.
One advantage to installing an auto is the shifter location is not a problem since they are cable operated.
Good Luck,
Steve

Welcome. There is a member of this forum who had his TVR converted by a shop called Roasters Co.??? thye bought some of my parts to convert the car.
If you research the old posts, you could find him and perhaps get an insight on the project.

I will be glad to help you in anyway I can via e-mail or phone calls.

r/Bill G.

Steve: Thanks for the 700R4 info. Did you go with EFI with your 3.1?

Bill: Thanks so much for you offer. I'll see what I can dig up in the archives.

I have decent experience doing engine/tranny swaps and custom drive shafts, etc. I'm sure to run into some curve balls though and I appreciate everyone's support and encouragement. The EFI and related components will be something totally new for me.

My MGAs have only 2 fuses...and one of those is for the horn. A LONG way from the complexity of EFI wiring ;-)

Cheers,
Steve

Hi All

That is Ragtops and Roadsters, in Perkasie, PA. And may I say, ther are lots of guys with the V8s in there TVR , 300 350 HP. on the street how much can you use and not get in trouble??. With over 150+HP and over 200fl/lbs of torque at the rear, also the TKO 600 RR 5speed , I am sure I am putting out as much at the original Griffith 200 with the standard 289 ford engine back in the sixties, especially how they read HP back then, and let me tell you the 37 year old girl, surprises lots of car


Paul

Steve,
I am faily old fashioned, I used a Holley 390 4 barrel. It has been easy to work with, actually no work at all. I just bolted in on a adjusted it. I am usually not a fan of Holley carbs, but this one has been great an is the correst size.
I had to run a spacer between under the carb to get clearence for the TV cable for the trans though. The carb sits allitle high for that reason. I have heard of people turning the carb 90 degrees to get the linkage away fron the valve cover. Have never seen one done this way though.

Good Luck.
Steve

Thank you for the added info. I've got some decisions to make on the tranny. I'll let everyone know what I end up deciding. Also my neighbor (hot rod guy) is recommending a carb or aftermarket FI system instead of the stock 3.4 system....more thinking ;-)

Cheers,
Steve

Just a thought. Have you ever considered a triumph PI engine? From time to time, the complete PI systems show up on Ebay dirt cheap. The only reason I mention this is because of the possibility of compromising the value of the car with a more modern engine. Several years ago, I bought one of those systems and was amazed at the boost in performance in my TR6. The cam is extremely important but when it is all together, it is quite thrilling. Like I said, just a thought.

Yes, I briefly considered PI. The TR6 motor in this car needs a complete rebuilt however. As do the carbs, radiator, etc. So I got to thinking about what all that was going to cost me. So, I decided to uprate to more HP and less weight.

I think I will enjoy it.

Cheers,
Steve

One other thought I will share with you: Some of those with a sense of "purity" get upset about such a suggestion as putting a Japanese engine in a British car but once we are past that... There are bunches of JDM Toyota 1jjtz engines around. These produce an honest 280 HP straight out of the box with the twin two stage turbos. They are fairly light and can be had for less than a thousand dollars complete with the ECM and uncut harness. Most of them have less than fifty thousand miles on them. My all time favorite Japanese inline six is the 1ggte - a 2.0 liter rocket! Getting hard to find them now. I bought one of the 2.5 liter 1jjtz engines to put in my MGB in the hope of swapping the MGC front suspension to allow it to fit. This truns out to be impossible so I gave it away. The engine was a work of art though. It looks like it would probably fit in place of a 2.5 liter Triumph or GT6 - lighter too.

Paul, how is your TVR running? Did you install the 1.6 rockers?

You shouold post some pictures of your TVR.

Just in case people don't watch Ebay:-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Griffith-200_W0QQitemZ110132504239QQihZ001QQcategoryZ6472QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-TVR-2500M-rare-supercharged-excellent-condition_W0QQitemZ130119238238QQihZ003QQcategoryZ6472QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

No engine shots, unfortunately. But there are here:-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-TVR-2500M-PROFESSIONALLY-RESTORED-420-HORSEPOWER_W0QQitemZ270123975773QQihZ017QQcategoryZ6472QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

William: I had to look that up as I wasn't familiar with those engines. Did look at a Honda though.

I spent some months deciding on an engine and feel commited to the 3.4 now (it's in my garage). Otherwise I may never get this thing done!! So many engines to chose from....

Derek: Wouldn't that Griffith be a terror? what fun.

Cheers,
Steve

Yes, 450HP in an 1850lb car with an 85.5" wheelbase would be very exciting. Especially if it's on original spec 185x15 tires.

BTW, I assume you've seen this site:-

http://www.tvrna.com/alt-engines/alt-engines.htm