Any update on TA Rover heads ?

minorv8 · July 28, 2014, 05:00:30 AM

Has anyone done anything with the TA heads, Art, Dan J. ?

It´s been really quiet lately, would be nice to hear something solid about the heads.

roverman · July 28, 2014, 11:23:01 AM

Hi Jukka, Good to hear from you ! Dan Jones and I, each have a set. I don't know his state of developement, for them. I'm pretty buried with putting Lotus 907 heads, on the RV8, including machining a Ford Windsor , raw forging crankshaft, to fit. Fred Key, is close to finishing, with his 907/Lo-ver ? Cheers, roverman.

Dan Jones · July 28, 2014, 01:40:29 PM

Jukka,

I'm just now finishing up another project and plan to send the TA Performance Rover heads out for porting in the next few weeks. Then I need to see what it will take to get the Rover on the dyno. I've got one down at the shop I use (100 miles away), along with some headers and bellhousing, etc. but still need some other bits to get it running on the pump.

Dan Jones

roverman · July 28, 2014, 01:57:04 PM

Dan, Do you want a "roller" cam, to try out ? Your results may vary. Cheers, roverman.

Dan Jones · July 28, 2014, 06:50:22 PM

> Dan, Do you want a "roller" cam, to try out ? Your results may vary. Cheers, roverman.

Solid or hydraulic? What are the specs?

Dan

roverman · July 29, 2014, 11:19:09 AM

I "think" I have (2),the orig. Huffaker and one "corrected" by Steve Smith Cams,(originally built by Howards Cams,consumed 2.5 six packs, during the build). Both are mech and lean towards road racing. I shall get spec's. I suspect 1+ of them would "like" ported TA's....... Cheers, roverman.

Dan Jones · July 29, 2014, 02:07:50 PM

> I shall get spec's. I suspect 1+ of them would "like" ported TA's....... Cheers, roverman.

Sounds good. The short block should handle it. It's a 4.2L Rover that's been fitted with cross bolted main caps. Rover 3.03" stroke crank, narrowed Carrillo 6.200" H-beam rods with the optional SPS-CARR bolts, Wiseco forged pistons & rings (should be around 10.75 to 11:1 compression with the TA heads) and a steel flywheel.

When you get the specs, I'll run them through Dynomation for both the 4.2L and 5.0L Rover engines.

Thanks,
Dan Jones

roverman · July 29, 2014, 02:53:17 PM

Using the Ferrea, hollow stainless valves ? Ovate wire/beehive springs ? Rev limiter ? I heard a horror story, of a "factory Leyland RV8, formula car", in privateer hands, missed a shift/bounced the lifters, and ripped the lifter bores, out of the block ! Not as likely on a dyno, but vital in the street/track world. Cheers, roverman.

crashbash · July 29, 2014, 08:55:05 PM

Art,
How much hp /torque did the Huffaker engines make? What are all the good stuff they are made with, considering their budgets?

roverman · July 30, 2014, 11:14:14 AM

David and clan, back in the day, even in GT 1, the engines were limited to oem blocks/heads.stock crank, Carrillo rods, Ross pistons(heavy),ported stock heads, with ti valves,flow appox 190 cfm/int.@ .6", and .55" lift mech. roller cam. Joe Huffaker Sr., said the motor made 350 hp., (a good sales figure). I never dynoed the combo, but at SCCA driver school/ RIR, 85" of wheel base and as a novice driver, overrun with adrenaline, it made for a "very" lively package. Onward, roverman.

MGBV8 · July 30, 2014, 02:21:07 PM

Dan, is that Wiseco piston a custom?

Dan Jones · July 30, 2014, 06:11:47 PM

> Dan, is that Wiseco piston a custom?

Yes, it's a flat top with deep valve reliefs. Pin location is altered to suit the change in connecting rod length.

Dan Jones