Anything and everything Vitesse.

Engine, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system.

Hi all

Apologies if this is an old question, but I couldn't see a previous thread for it.

I am wondering ( A ) if the SD1 2.6 engine would fit (in theory) in the MK2 Vitesse ( B ) what modifications would be required and ( C ) if it is worth doing. I know that these engines were not rated in the SD1 days, but I wonder if all the bad press was a bit over blown and that it would make a nice modification? I am told the 2.6 was a development of the 6 pot vitesse engine and therefore it might fit.

Best wishes

John

By the way, the little pics that came out in my original thread were supposed to be just a, b and c in brackets. Oh well, it brightened up the text.

seems you are right about the origins of the 2.6 engine, other than that, i knowa nothing.
http://www.answers.com/topic/rover-sd1

With genuine 2.5 litre pushrod 6's available, it's probably not worth the effort as it was not the best engine made. The principle problem you'll probably encounter is that it is longer than the Triumph 6 pot, and there is precious spare length in a Vitesse engine bay. May also be taller (overhead cam with rockers) so might be beonet clearance issues.
On the plus side, it is smooth and reasonably powerful (at least a good one is) and usually comes with the 77mm 5 speed gearbox which is pretty bombproof.

If we still at Dave Pearson of Canley Classics amongst us he would have been able to tell more about this engine and Triumphs. I think he has a Mk3 big saloon with 2.6 in it. (a development of the Mk2 with a modified nose).

More info at http://www.canleyclassics.com/museumcars.asp?artic...

I think there was an article about this engine in the Courier a long time ago. Might be worth a look in the Technical Directory.
They had 136 bhp as standard. Personally I would look at fitting one if my engine was knackered and I knew of one in good nick, but I don't think I'd do it otherwise.
Van

Yes, I seem to recall an article on this engine. It also appears in Graham Robson's book on the Triumph 2000 series.
The engines DID start out as a modification of the pushrod 6 engine, but eventually developed into a unique engine with virtually nothing in common with the Triumph engine. The valve gear had similarities with the Dolomite Sprint head, but only 2 valves per cylinder. (Robson speculates on the possibility of a 24valve engine which could have been a stonking engine, but in all honesty, with the V8 available, why bother?)
Quick glance at the Canley link shown, it confirms that the engine is longer and deeper, which could make fitting to a Vitesse "challenging". The modified T2000 shells had to have a modified nose (and bonnet by the looks of it) to accommodate this engine while testing prototypes, and there is already a little more clearance around the engine in the standard big saloon shell than the Vitesse. Added to which, I seem to recall the "77mm" 5 speed box is longer than the Vitesse/GT6 box.
That said, others have fitted even more challenging engines to "our cars" so I would not rule it out as a possibility.
While arguably a Rover engine, it was originally developed by Triumph engineers (as was the gearbox) so it has some suitable "heritage." And while a bigger lump, with an alloy head it should not affect the front axle loading too much.

[QUOTE=Chris Taylor]Robson speculates on the possibility of a 24valve engine which could have been a stonking engine, but in all honesty, with the V8 available, why bother?[/QUOTE]

Seems to be working for BMW, given the number of 6's they churn out to this day.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Interesting. I don't think I'll be attempting it anytime soon....

John

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