Engine Donor for Layla found!

[Layla's Keeper]

Okay guys, here's the scoop.

The other day, I was riding past the local junkyard when I saw this old 1961 Oldsmobile F-85 sedan for sale. Naturally, being the perversely curious car guy I am, I stopped and took a look. They asked for $1,000 and even started it for me, and I noticed that it had an unusual amount of lump to the idle.

I popped the hood and found the aluminum Rover/Buick V-8 staring right back at me.

This is THE engine that slips straight into my car. With some air in the tires, I could drive the Olds right off the lot and use it as a daily driver while Layla goes on a restoration rotisserie. Then, as soon as her unibody is whole, yank the F-85's engine (maybe swap in a Northstar ), and bolt those 231 (yes, it's the 4.0, not 3.5) cubes of aluminium goodness into that tiny engine bay.

I plan on getting you guys pics of the donor. I want to know if you think this is a good idea.

[carrrnuttt]

That's awesome!



Don't forget:

[Pizzle00]

FREAKIN AWESOME......she's gonna be one bad little set of wheels !!!

[2strokebloke]

Do it! More power!

[RACER D12]

4.0 sweet your car is going to fly. How much does your car weight again? Also so what are your plans for the rest of the car Suspension, rims, tires, paint ect...

[Layla's Keeper]

All right. Layla weighs in at a smidge over 1800lbs. The Rover 4.0 usually makes about 260hp bone stock. But simply by going through some British hot rod catalogs, I could have about 370hp sitting in her engine bay. SCARY!!

I've been mucking about with the idea of getting repro Sebring fenders to go with the airdam and bumper removal. Sebring fenders look like this on a B.

For the record, that's another BV8 custom swap. The factory never offered the roadster with the V8. I'll also have the Costello hood that's on this car if I go with Sebring fenders.

The wheels, I can't go bigger than 15inch wheels or else she'd look ridiculous, plus I couldn't drop her down. The most likely set will be centre lock Minilites so I can keep my knock-offs instead of converting to lug axles. Big Girling discs will go at all corners, 10inch at the front, 8inch at the back. As well as stiffer V8 springs, polyurethane bushings, bigger sway bars, and a conversion to fluid shocks. MGB's have old Houdaille-type friction shocks which don't break but suck for cornering if you have any grip to speak of. The new shocks will be classic Koni adjustables.

The interior is getting new factory style carpet, Stewart-Warner gauges, a Mono-Lita wood-rimmed steering wheel, a six point rollcage, and a pair of rally-style Sparco buckets with four-point racing harnesses.

Finally, the paint scheme is most likely going to remain her current Royale Blue. She's got to maintain something from the factory, right? Though I've kicked around the idea of replicating the current MG factory colors of Graphite Metallic with Lime Green racing stripes.

The total investment would probably be somewhere in the region of $10,000-15,000 over the span of a few years. Not too much considering it would mean Layla would strike fear into the hearts of even Vette drivers.

[2strokebloke]

Just promise us that when you're done you don't look like the guy in the picture!