Hello folks,
I have a cunning plan to update my 42yr old Reliant Scimitar with some light weight (compared to it's original 3.0ltr Essex V6) modern turbo power!
I was originally looking to fit the all alloy 3.0ltr V6 from a Jaguar S-Type (240bhp) but wiring was going to cause problems and probably incur the expense of after market management. But then whilst flicking through some old PPC magazines I had a eureka moment, go Volvo T5! It will probably be an easier swap and will have more tuning potential afterwards. It's also that little bit different. The Jag V6 would have suited the character of the car perfectly with a set of individual down-draughts but cost and development would be prohibitive. The Jag lump doesn't seem to have attracted much interest with engine converters (probably due to the engine management system being nigh on impossible to extract from the donor car) and so there's not much support out there. But hey, a straight 5 is almost there; it's one cylinder short and the wrong configuration but it still makes a nice noise and when the car goes like a scalded cat it'll soon have me grinning again.
So, first up, here's the subject of my proposed engine conversion, my 1971 Reliant Scimitar SE5 GTE:
I have received a lot of guidance from some members of the Retro-Rides forum which is also from where I was guided to this forum.
What I seem to have established so far is:
The engine variant to look for is the BT5235T in 240hp guise as found in the Volvo 850.
Later 'ME7' engines (which relates to the management software version) use electronic throttle.
The high/full pressure turbo is the -16T variant.
I need a white block M90 gearbox and prop-shaft from a 6 cylinder Volvo 960 or V90, but these are quite rare as most 6 cylinder Volvos where auto's.
I need the flywheel and clutch from a 5-cylinder Volvo 850.
Also, the turbo will be facing the wrong way as standard in it's new longitudinal configuration (exhaust pointing forward, inlet facing rearward).
All of the above was thanks to the fine folk on Retro-Rides. Does that all sounds correct? Anything I may have missed? Any other options/alternative? Any new suggestions?
I am in the research phase at the moment, I need to sell my old Cortina (2.9ltr Cosworth V6) and Escort (2.0ltr Zetec) first but moves are afoot!
Many thanks for any help.
Smiler.
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