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[Elite Pete]

It wasn't all about the power in my TR7. Get the roof off and with it being low with stiff suspension and the noise of the V8 it felt like you were doing 200mph

Was a shame the TR7 didn't follow Harris Mann's original designs which were stunning - got changed, for the worse, due to US market needs.  Originally designed to be fitted with a V8, and again finances dictated a 4 pot, until the emergence of the TR8, and various Grinnalls.

Believe it or not, the first TR8 was built in 77-78 and only made for the american market which is a shame because it was loads better than the TR7

[dbug]

It wasn't all about the power in my TR7. Get the roof off and with it being low with stiff suspension and the noise of the V8 it felt like you were doing 200mph

Was a shame the TR7 didn't follow Harris Mann's original designs which were stunning - got changed, for the worse, due to US market needs.  Originally designed to be fitted with a V8, and again finances dictated a 4 pot, until the emergence of the TR8, and various Grinnalls.

Believe it or not, the first TR8 was built in 77-78 and only made for the american market which is a shame because it was loads better than the TR7

Believe it as I have been a TR Register member for nearly 40 years.  But did you know prior to 1978 approx 150 prototype TR8s built using the SD1 V8 - the first being made in 1972.  These prototypes, generally unbadged, were sold off by BL (most in UK) on the second hand market.  The TR Register holds full records of all TR8 manufacture.  As you say most of the production models made were destined for the US and Canadian markets, although a number stayed in UK.  Believe the V8 drophead came out 1978, and were based on the original Harris Mann designs (original designs were for dropheads not fixedheads) - these are quite rare now.

[henryd]

It wasn't all about the power in my TR7. Get the roof off and with it being low with stiff suspension and the noise of the V8 it felt like you were doing 200mph

Was a shame the TR7 didn't follow Harris Mann's original designs which were stunning - got changed, for the worse, due to US market needs.  Originally designed to be fitted with a V8, and again finances dictated a 4 pot, until the emergence of the TR8, and various Grinnalls.

Believe it or not, the first TR8 was built in 77-78 and only made for the american market which is a shame because it was loads better than the TR7

Believe it as I have been a TR Register member for nearly 40 years.  But did you know prior to 1978 approx 150 prototype TR8s built using the SD1 V8 - the first being made in 1972.  These prototypes, generally unbadged, were sold off by BL (most in UK) on the second hand market.  The TR Register holds full records of all TR8 manufacture.  As you say most of the production models made were destined for the US and Canadian markets, although a number stayed in UK.  Believe the V8 drophead came out 1978, and were based on the original Harris Mann designs (original designs were for dropheads not fixedheads) - these are quite rare now.

The drop top is quite a looker compared to the tin top.

[dbug]

It wasn't all about the power in my TR7. Get the roof off and with it being low with stiff suspension and the noise of the V8 it felt like you were doing 200mph

Was a shame the TR7 didn't follow Harris Mann's original designs which were stunning - got changed, for the worse, due to US market needs.  Originally designed to be fitted with a V8, and again finances dictated a 4 pot, until the emergence of the TR8, and various Grinnalls.

Believe it or not, the first TR8 was built in 77-78 and only made for the american market which is a shame because it was loads better than the TR7

Believe it as I have been a TR Register member for nearly 40 years.  But did you know prior to 1978 approx 150 prototype TR8s built using the SD1 V8 - the first being made in 1972.  These prototypes, generally unbadged, were sold off by BL (most in UK) on the second hand market.  The TR Register holds full records of all TR8 manufacture.  As you say most of the production models made were destined for the US and Canadian markets, although a number stayed in UK.  Believe the V8 drophead came out 1978, and were based on the original Harris Mann designs (original designs were for dropheads not fixedheads) - these are quite rare now.

The drop top is quite a looker compared to the tin top.

Absolutely

As I said the original designs (droptop) were stunning, but BL went with the fixed head (droptops were a no no then in the US) and completely fecked up Harris's original designs, changing the proportions etc.  It became shortened (and looked stunted as a result).  Harris was a TR enthusiast, owning a TR6, and designed the TR7 as an improvement to the TR6.  It turned out not to be and for many years the TR Register wouldn't recognise the TR7 as a TR!!  So TR7 owners were excluded over that period.

[symes]

Why spend all your cash into a 3.5-better off getting 3.9 or 4.2 dont bother with 4.6 as for some reason its weaker-so I was told by Land rover specialist or go 5 liter like I have But mine is Buick not rover-as prototypes were done that way-S.U carbs were fitted because Holley would'nt deal And I know 3 people with sdi rovers-1 is 3.5 and other two are 3.9 ex plod
not my favourite rover though as suspension was not as good as p6 IMO this is mine

[dbug]

OMG - are they furry dice I see?

[Elite Pete]

It wasn't all about the power in my TR7. Get the roof off and with it being low with stiff suspension and the noise of the V8 it felt like you were doing 200mph

Was a shame the TR7 didn't follow Harris Mann's original designs which were stunning - got changed, for the worse, due to US market needs.  Originally designed to be fitted with a V8, and again finances dictated a 4 pot, until the emergence of the TR8, and various Grinnalls.

Believe it or not, the first TR8 was built in 77-78 and only made for the american market which is a shame because it was loads better than the TR7

Believe it as I have been a TR Register member for nearly 40 years.  But did you know prior to 1978 approx 150 prototype TR8s built using the SD1 V8 - the first being made in 1972.  These prototypes, generally unbadged, were sold off by BL (most in UK) on the second hand market.  The TR Register holds full records of all TR8 manufacture.  As you say most of the production models made were destined for the US and Canadian markets, although a number stayed in UK.  Believe the V8 drophead came out 1978, and were based on the original Harris Mann designs (original designs were for dropheads not fixedheads) - these are quite rare now.

TRDC for me, i've always loved the TR7/8 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Why spend all your cash into a 3.5-better off getting 3.9 or 4.2 dont bother with 4.6 as for some reason its weaker-so I was told by Land rover specialist or go 5 liter like I have But mine is Buick not rover-as prototypes were done that way-S.U carbs were fitted because Holley would'nt deal And I know 3 people with sdi rovers-1 is 3.5 and other two are 3.9 ex plod

4.2 engine is a very rare beast, not a great deal made as they used the old Iceberg diesel block (so a similar block to the 4.0 and 4.6 note the 4.0 is the same cc as the 3.9)

The 3.9 and 4.6 share a common 94mm bore with the 4.6 being a longer stroke. The bottom end on the 4.0 and 4.6 is FAR superior to the early 3.5/3.9 with much improved heads and the fewer head bolts (which is considerably better). Add to that a much better fuel pump setup and an improved fuel injection system and you get a better lump.

The only issues I have seen on the 4.6 is dropped liners (normaly following over heating or when run on  buggered cam for any length of time) but you also see this on the 3.9.

If going for a 5 litre then the 4.6 is the place to start as the extra bottom end strength is needed to stop the mains caps 'wandering'.

Although at the end of the day, if looking for V8 performance, these days you would not even consider a Rover V8 (and probabaly wouldn't for the last 15-20 years)