Tasmin - 24v Cosworth Engine Transplant - Part 1 [ 2 ]

By: Duncan Lister

The most obvious engine conversion for the Tasmin 280 would be a Rover V8, this would entail a lot of chassis work and it would make sense to complete a full restoration, but this was not warrented. I'd heard that Towerview had fitted a 24v into an 'S' and that Willy Green was blowing away Porsches in a 24v Capri.

The 24v offers 195bhp in standard Granny spec, however there are numerous rumours that with minor tuning they will easily run to 300 bhp. So when oppurtunity knocked at my door in the form of a damaged 1995 Cosworth Granny I took the plunge.

Manifolds
The biggest problem was always going to be the manifolds, there were two options, move the engine forward to allow for the standard casts or give Mark at Tube-Torque a nervous breakdown, I chose the second and was greated by 'your having a laugh'. After discussing the size of insect genitalia and Tasmin chassis rails he took on the job.

24v Prep
There is not much that cannot be reused from the Tasmin as both the 2.8 and 24v blocks are the same, the engine mounts fit with minor alterations as do the driveplate, clutch and gearbox. The only part needed at this stage was a bearing, placed into the crank of the 24v as the standard auto box does not need one.

I am running a remote oil cooler, again to avoid the chassis and manifolds. The next problem was the alternator. The grooved pulley system runs the Powersteering and Air Con, both of which I binned. With a modified bracket the Alternator can be attached to the offside cylinderhead via the Powersteering pump mount, this gives just enough clearance over the steering column.

The engine was now offered to the car, it went in with no problem. Extra heat shields were previously fitted around the inner rails as there is one extra exhaust port compared to the 2.8.

	The fitted Cosworth engine ( Click here to enlarge )

Engine Bay
In order for Mark to fit the manifolds each side of the gearbox tunnel needed to be accessed, two removeable inspection covers were made making life easier. The fixed strut brace was removed and an adjustable one fitted, this is mounted in the same place but is now removeable.

I fitted the Granny radiator by trimming around the front GRP, the radiator could be fitted into the nose cone if so wished. This is now fed by an XR3i expansion tank. The servo is connected to the rear of the plenum chamber, there is a redundant pipe from the gas recirculation system. To Merv's amazement the bonnet will also fit, the blower intake boxes need to be shaped.

Wiring & Running
The Cosworth loom was grafted into the exhisting wiring, there are dozens of connectors for the management system so retaining the Granny again cuts costs. One problem was overcome with the help of Ron Frew at 'Two Botts Racing', the brain thinks the car has an Autobox so the said wiring can be attached to your handbrake to reflect an auto being in 'Park' (cheers Ron), apart from that no problems.

The Air Filter I fitted on the 24v Airflow meter was off a Subaru WRX, its an exact fit. With a few metres of Silicone hosing and a shorter drive belt the job was done.

Overall the conversion was not as difficult as I had expected. If you are thinking of trying it you'll see there are a variety of ways to fit all the parts needed, I chose the KISS philosiphy. Apart from the initial outlay for the granny the only other exspense was the manifolds. I would highly recommend this engine as it offers so much power and light weight, there is an elaborate management system that is just waiting to be put to full use. These engines are becoming readily available and whole cars can be obtained at the right price (cheap), though you might have to fight off a few Capri owners when you get there!

I plan to run the car throughout this summer to iron out any gremlins and push for the 300 horses. Then theres the name, Tasworth or Cosmin?

Big thanks to Wonga, Mark at Tube-Torque, Arthur & Merv, and Demon Tweeks.

Good luck!

Duncan Lister. e-mail - andrea@dawnmay.fsnet.co.uk.

For Part 2 Please Click HERE

Thanks to Duncan Lister for submitting this article.