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| engine swaps | Rating: 
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| Posted: 05-23-2010 05:26 pm |
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1st Post |
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roverman Member
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Some members actually have them, and yet , their tolerated ? If so, why can't we just discuss this ? Pretty popular conversion is Supra trans., right ? Please don't rag-on about destroying these timeless classics,no one is "buying".They start at about $400 and up. Precious few will sell for their restoration cost(somewhat of a test for a true classic)? So you take a sub-par, JH, say had a "rare" 907 problem? Kinda like, what would Carrol Shelby do? He was affiliated with Chrylser/Iacola, say he chose to go"Tiger" on the Healy ? I feel these cars have better potential, with a V8 than the Tigers. There are more V8 JH's running around, than some would like to admit. They happen to be damn fast. Some even "handle", go figure. 2 cents, roverman.
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| Posted: 05-24-2010 04:07 pm |
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2nd Post |
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Judson Manning Member 
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Back in the late 1980s Porsche ran an ad for the 944 Turbo showing every part differentiating it from the standard 944....let's just say the point was a complete job entails a bit more than slapping on a turbo. Carrol Shelby understood what Porsche was trying to convey to the rest of us: Upgrading the engine means upgrading everything else. That last part is what kills the budget for these otherwise 'great' ideas. I don't think the idea of a swap is what upsets most people, its the fact 99% of these projects never get finished. In the end, another car that could have been saved ends up disentegrating in someones back yard.
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| Posted: 05-24-2010 04:22 pm |
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3rd Post |
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roverman Member
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Your veiw is understandable. Most of us regret seeing such well intended projects, laid to waste. You don't suppose if their was open, shameless discussion of such projects, with constructive input, more might be completed ? One need only "peep" forums like "British V8" and others to see what "good" happens, all the time. I have no more time, to try and convince this forum, what is possible regarding upgrading of the JH. Thanks, roverman.
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| Posted: 05-24-2010 07:43 pm |
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4th Post |
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Art DeKneef Member
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I think the reason is a combination of time, money, experience and money. Most people underestimate the amount of time required to do a complete project in hopes of getting the car finished and on the road. When I decided to restore one of my JHs I thought it would be cool to do the Rover V-8 option. Sure the car would be fast and maybe handle but let's look at what I thought was needed. Try and find the Buick/Rover aluminum V-8, then figure what was needed to mate it to the current transmission or put in a different trans, does the rear-end need to be beefed up, what's needed to fit to the current front suspension. How many parts do I have to fabricate and test? How much help can I get when I need it? It sounds good doing the swap and it looks doable on writing it down and estimating the time. I think that practically all the restorations I have read here and on the Jensen list the time and cost have exceeded what was orginally planned. And that was doing the restoration with known parts. Now try to figure out what might happen with all the variables of a different engine. Sure it's been done but I don't think there is a lot of information available on how to do it. There have been ads of V-8 JHs on eBay showing the V-8 being a Checy or Ford. Sure it can be done. But I think one of the reasons people get a JH is to drive the car and enjoy it. I know I did. The car looks good, handles good, is realtively easy to work on and is different enough from the current crop of cars. I don't fault anyone who wants to modify their car. I'm modifying mine some because it's what I want to do. Hopefully I'll be finished around the beginning of the year but there's always something happening to mess with the time estimate. At least I'm at the putting it back together stage now. I'm curioue though. If you have no more time trying to convince the forum of what's possible for the JH, why did you start this thread? I don't mean to sound like a smart a$$ I'm just wondering. When you have brought up the subject previously, I enjoyed the different opinions even when the conversations got a little "testy".
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| Posted: 05-24-2010 10:54 pm |
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5th Post |
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Judson Manning Member
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There is an extremely easy way to convince everyone of a JH-V8's capability: Build one. Build one, take it to car shows and campaign it in various Ralleys, Road Races and Drag Races. Drive it along side Yellow Dog, the original Huffaker cars or Bruce Qvale's National title winner. In short: put up or shut up. There is no easier way to prove a point....
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| Posted: 05-24-2010 11:27 pm |
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6th Post |
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Greg Fletcher Administrator 
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You can talk about engine transplants all you want, I can't imagine it's a big deal to most people. As this group is called the Jensen Healey Preservation Society, I would not automatically assume everyone is completely gung-ho on the engine swaps, nor has experience doing them. I don't see all that many JH engine swaps around here. Unfortunately, the JH engine transplant projects I have seen over the years have not been been very inspired. That's not to say they are not out there, I just haven't seen them. Some have been outright barbaric. I once saw one converted to a Mazda rotary engine (about 110hp) and the crazy guy that owned it payed thousands to have it done. It was really sad. I did see a really nice looking conversion to a Datsun straight 6 engine years ago. The owner admitted he spend $25K to "have it done properly" and it did look fantastic, but I don't think it did anything to enhance the cars value.
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| Posted: 05-25-2010 04:39 am |
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7th Post |
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Jensen Healey Super Moderator 
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Let's face it, the JH has an exotic engine and a V8 is not exotic. The rest of the car is parts bin stuff. Remove th engine and remove the soul of the car. For me, the lure of the JH was the engine and it's British origins. In 1973 the 4 valve engine and the 7000 RPM redline were totally outside the norm. It blew the doors off Austin Healeys, Alfas, Triumphs, MG's and the like, not that I race, I love all those cars. Have fun with your car and modify it as you see fit. Kurt JH 13148
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| Posted: 05-25-2010 05:13 am |
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8th Post |
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roverman Member
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Thanks Kurt. I feel like I belong, in the British V8 Forum. Plenty of free thinkers who are willing to share their, innermost ,car hacking thoughts. I see the MGB as the "Chevy" of British roadsters/GT's. Popularity seems to have nothing to do with "substance". I have an MGB roadster, but I believe the JH has the most potential,(properly sorted). I seem to be a "caca magnet", with the preservationist, but I just consider the source. Time will tell, if I can produce an enduring winner. Regards, Art.
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| Posted: 05-25-2010 02:24 pm |
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9th Post |
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Brett Gibson JH5 20497 Member
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I would love to comment on this discussion Art but your "wordage" just smack's of confrontation. But if you would post some picture's of your personalized JH that would be great, it's always nice to see what owners get up to. Brett
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| Posted: 05-26-2010 01:16 am |
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10th Post |
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Art DeKneef Member
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Brett, Are you responding to Roverman Art or me Art DeKneef? I hoped my reply would not come across as "confrontational". Just posting my observation and thoughts to the original post.
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| Posted: 12-20-2010 10:14 am |
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11th Post |
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superk83 Member
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I was able to get my engine and trans so cheap because the Jensen owner swapped in a gm l67 v6 and a t5 trans... more power than a small v8 and lighter...
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| Posted: 01-11-2011 12:08 pm |
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12th Post |
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healeyneil Member
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The engine is the best bit, which is why I took it out of a completely rotten JH and put it in an Austin Healey Sprite !
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| Posted: 01-11-2011 02:14 pm |
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13th Post |
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JodyKerr Member 
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Pics? I'd love to see that. It must totally mess with folks when you lift the bonnet. What there much cutting involved to get it to fit?
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| Posted: 01-11-2011 02:26 pm |
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14th Post |
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JodyKerr Member
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ohm and I'm in full support of engine swaps, btw, just please send your unused engines, transmissions and differentials to me. :)
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| Posted: 01-11-2011 06:07 pm |
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15th Post |
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healeyneil Member
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This pretty well describes the installation http://healey.hyperboards.com/index.php?action=view_topic&topic_id=579 A lot of work, but the end result is lots of fun !
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| Posted: 01-12-2011 02:05 am |
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16th Post |
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superk83 Member
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That is gorgeous! I can't think of anything else to say...
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| Posted: 01-13-2011 04:23 am |
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17th Post |
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superk83 Member
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Any chance you have any bits of rotten JH left over?
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| Posted: 01-13-2011 08:31 am |
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18th Post |
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healeyneil Member
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I sold off as much as I possibly could to other enthusiasts at the time. Anything specific you are looking for ? Neil
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| Posted: 01-13-2011 10:18 am |
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19th Post |
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superk83 Member
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Pretty much looking for a roller at this point... brakes, rear axle, steering... hehehe! I'm building a Locost using the motor and four speed...
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| Posted: 11-18-2011 07:43 am |
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20th Post |
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Somebodystopme!! Member 
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I just bought a Healey and will eventually put an LT1 with a 4L60E into it. I sold my Jaguar XJS 3 years ago that I did an LT1 swap in and it was a blast. The engine will be a little heavier than the 907. Lotus 907 275 lbs inc. alt. & starter, no clutch 140HP 405.5 lbs – LT1 (5.7L) Auto with oil and flexplate 275HP 130 lbs more weight for alot more HP. There is only 7 or 8 wires to hook up the factory harness and computer for the LT1. The automatic would be more comfortable for a 6'-2" driver. I like to shift but it get old after a while. Right now the lotus 907 and 4 speed is running way to good to pull out... Unless someone want to buy it. Just uploaded a new youtube video of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsRnUeSaFaA
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