What is a "Rovina" ? A Cortina with Rover power of course ! This little project was constructed during my PhD years to try and avert insanity. You might consider the evidence on this page and figure that it didn't work... However after hours spent slaving over a hot keyboard with compilers that won't and debuggers that don't and theories that arn't, frustration can be taken out on bits of steel with an angle grinder to provide at least some relief.
The history is somewhat shrouded by the mists of time, however I do recall an article in Street Machine Magizine in '92 about a V6 swap for a Cortina Mk2. My recently acquired (50 quid) Mk IV seemed like an ideal candidate ! With new inner/outer sills and a new ticket the real work began. But where was that cheap Ford V6 ? On a student (beer money -or rather bar tender) budget ?
What I did find though was a Rover V8 complete with auto box and prop shaft. Loaded into the boot of my Fiat Panda it handled slightly strangely...but I didn't worry about that and instead pondered on the way home that the engine in the boot was nearly four times the capacity of the one under the bonnet... And that didn't seem to be nearly enough.
Out came the 2 litre lump, resting in peace in the rain for 3 years 'til being resurrected for my Westfield. And that is yet another story As for the V8, suspended from an RSJ by the mainsheet from my sailing dingy it was lowered in...and heaved out...and lowered in...and out...and in... and out... (got the idea) Until the transmission lined up and cardboard templates had been made for all the mounting brackets etc. More details of the recipe for Rovina are availible together with pictures in the kitchen etc.
- 8 cylinders
- 2 carburettors
- 3.5 litres
- and lots of torque.
Postscript - Rovina has now been sold to make way for (boring) a house purchase and (less boring) a Westfield Kit