MIDLIFE CLASSICS - TVR 280i - Rover V8 Conversion

Effective January 1, 2023, the base labor rate for all services (except sodablasting) is $160/hr. 100-Hour blocks of prepaid labor will be sold at the discouted rate of $150/hr. Projects that are already underway and those with deposits holding a spot in the backlog queue will be grandfathered in at their originally-quoted rate. See our "Ways to Pay" page (Company Menu) for more information.

Home

Current Inventory

1974 TVR 2500M V8 Conversion 1975 Jensen Healey 1976 Lancia Scorpion 1985 TVR 280i S1 1985 TVR 280i S1.5

Projects

Current Projects Recent Projects Pending Projects Getting YOUR Project Started Restoration Project Questionnaire The Restoration Process (what to expect)

Services

Return To Service Restorations Service & Support Upgrades Engine Bay Detailing Soda Blasting Strip, Body & Paint

Company

About Midlife Our Philosophy Shop Facility Ways to Pay Careers The Midlife Logo Client Testimonials

Stuff

Bob's Bronco Barn? Show/Event Schedule Glossary of Terms British Car Terms Miscellaneous Documents

Bob's Car Collection

1967 Camaro R/S Convertible 1968 Cougar XR-7 1968 Austin Healey Sprite 1969 Corvette 1969 Marcos 3000GT* 1970 Opel GT 1973 TVR 2500M 1977 Lancia Scorpion 1986 TVR 280i S2 1990 Buick Reatta

Midlife Classics
on Facebook

Current
"Full Inventory"
(Projects, Completions and Personal Collection)

77 Lancia Scorpion

67 Camaro RS Conv.

68 Austin Healey Sprite

68 Cougar

69 Corvette

70 Opel GT

69 Marcos 3000GT

86 TVR 280i

73 TVR 2500M

90 Buick Reatta

1987 TVR
280i / 350i

Rover V8 Conversion

Client Project

The TVR 280i is the U.S. Spec version of TVR's more aggressive 350i. Unfortunately, TVR chose to introduce the "Wedge Series" to the U.S. market with the Ford "Cologne" 2.8L V6 engine rather than the aluminum Rover V8 engine because of difficulties getting the Rover to comply with U.S. emissions requirements.

Mr. Rosenburg's TVR suffered cracks to the V6's heads due to a water pump failure. Rather than attempt to remedy the V6, he opted to source a 3.5 liter Rover V8 and matching fuel injection system (from separate sources). Fabrication of the engine mounts and custom stainless-steel headers were left to another shop. When Russ's Wedge arrived at Midlife Classics, the engine, transmission and headers were already "installed" in the car. We were handed a Rover wiring harness and asked to make everything work.



	The initial the work required was to pour over multiple wiring diagrams to determine how best to integrate the Rover wiring harness (including the fuel injection) and engine management computer with the existing Ford harness (which had already been modified by TVR to work in the Wedge). After the wiring was sorted out, all the coolant, oil and vacuum plumbing was fabricated to make the final product appear as though it had beend designed as a complete package direct from the factory (colored lines exempted). Fuel system components are all new and procured specifically for this conversion. All flammable fluid lines were fabricated out of braided stainless steel and utilize annodized AN fittings. Coolant lines are all custom silicone. Ignition wires were custom made. Unfortunately, the "installed" engine and transmission (a T5) had not been properly checked prior to installation. The entire assembly had to be removed because of interference between the flywheel and custom bellhousing that prevented the engine from rotating. With that remedied, the engine fired right up and - after sorting out some failed injection components - ran like a little hotrod Chevy. It even passes emission testing!


	Click on an image for a larger view