Rover 75 / ZG ZT - Any V8 owners known?

[Rover Repair]

As you lot all know, im the resident rover wierdo.

Anyways, im trying to track down any owners of either a Rover 75 V8, a ZT V8 in saloon or tourer forum in NI or ROI in general for a chat about their cars, maybe get taken a drive, and also to get them on our 75/ZT club stand at Ultimate Car Show Larne.

If anyone can help me please let me know.

 

[roverspeed]

I don't know him personally or anything, but there is a fella that lives in Orby Drive in Belfast around the corner from my mums house.

MG ZT260 V8 with Xpower exhausts.

 

[IL]

There is one at the trackskills trackday and at some of the race days at kirkistown.. Maybe graham might no the owner? hes a regular down there!

 

[therock]

Auto crime team have one, very nice thing

 

[chunky]

Yeh one of the marshalls from trackskills has a ztv8, sometimes see the car around ards too, not far from where my mum lives.

did they put the v8 in the 75 Magive?

Auto crime team have one, very nice thing

The v6 is a lovely car so I'm sure the v8 must be cracking. Could only be more reliable too

 

[roverspeed]

Auto crime team have one, very nice thing

How do they justify that!! Is it a pursuit vehicle?

Cool all the same, This time next year I all being well I will be looking at one of these. Depending on just how dear petrol is then!

 

[roverspeed]

Yeh one of the marshalls from trackskills has a ztv8, sometimes see the car around ards too, not far from where my mum lives.

did they put the v8 in the 75 Magive?





The v6 is a lovely car so I'm sure the v8 must be cracking. Could only be more reliable too

Yup chunky, these is a 75 V8 too,

Used ROVER 75 4.6 V8 SE Connoisseur SE Auto 2008 for sale UK, second hand ROVER 75 4.6 V8 SE Connoisseur SE Auto 2008 cars - Autosearcher

 

[chunky]

Pick that up for buttons too, be a lovely wagon on gas.

 

[mattyd]

yeah see the black 1 around ards alot. there some job. prodrive devolped them for rover.

 

[chunky]

rwd sleeper, be the last thing you'd expect to see on the "dif"

 

[stevieturbo]

yeah see the black 1 around ards alot. there some job. prodrive devolped them for rover.

Not really sure what development is in there. It's basically a big Yank V8, massively de-tuned and slapped into the UK cars.

Although not a lot wrong with that combo. If only more car makers would make affordable rwd V8's !

 

[Bugeye-scooby09]

The fella from kirky is billy but cant remember his second name, his missus is fel the other marshall

 

[Coog]

Aye and not slapped in that well either lol... wasn't the pedal box in those tiny to allow for the huge ass transmission tunnel?

Wouldn't say no to a LPG'd one though...

 

[Rover Repair]

Not really sure what development is in there. It's basically a big Yank V8, massively de-tuned and slapped into the UK cars.

Although not a lot wrong with that combo. If only more car makers would make affordable rwd V8's !

Engine was a the stock modular 4.2 V8, and was limited to 260 bhp simply due to the agreement MG had with Ford for engine sourcing, it wasnt aloud to produce more power than Ford had in the same engine in the US.

What isnt so obvious is whilst the engine block is pretty old school 90s engineering, the fueling and ignition system was light years ahead of anything the yanks had, thats why the emissions where so much better compared to the same engine in the US.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsLowuYeRMM&feature=related]YouTube - Development Zero Ovals 2[/ame]

Makes me want to touch myself slowly.....

(copied from two-sixties.com)

The ZT 260 is a fully engineered evolution of the front-wheel drive ZT. Clever installation techniques have permitted the larger capacity engine and rear-wheel drive power-train to be incorporated within the robust bodyshell, without major visual changes. Below the skin the platform is largely new with significant changes to many functional vehicle systems to accommodate the revised drive-line layout, to produce a car of great driving character.

Recently a development ZT-T V8 was taken to the Salt Flats at Bonneville, Utah where the MG achieved a maximum speed of 225mph from a specially tuned V8 engine variant.

Design and Development

The development engineers were briefed to deliver the ultimate antidote to an anodyne world. The challenges involved in transforming the drive platform and packaging a large capacity V8 engine into the existing front-wheel drive vehicle should not be underestimated. Advanced computer techniques were used to package the new hardware without sacrificing the strengths of the established ZT platform. Sophisticated modelling techniques were used to refine the kinematics of the completely new multi-link rear axle configuration and to ensure that despite the revised engine installation, the car continues to meet the latest standards for occupant protection in all its markets.

Given the magnitude of the changes, it is no surprise that ZT has been extensively tested, seeing action in climates ranging from the bitterly harsh conditions of the Swedish winter through to the burning heat of high speed testing in Arizona and Australia.

Body Structure

Externally there is little clue to the extent of body structure changes necessary to accommodate the new rear-wheel drive powerunit, indeed ZT 260 shares the same acclaimed style of the front-wheel drive ZTs. Extensive changes have been made to the underfloor, with new designs for the front and rear floor, as well as an enlarged transmission tunnel to accommodate the in-line gearbox. A new manufacturing facility has been commissioned alongside the existing sophisticated ZT manufacturing line to ensure these changes to the body are delivered to consistently high quality standards.

Powertrain

The ZT 260 utilises Ford’s proven 4.6-litre V8 engine, widely used in North America to power the iconic Ford Mustang. Modifications have been made to the powertrain to assist in packaging the engine while MG’s engineers have also developed new intake, exhaust and emissions control systems to ensure the vehicle complies with stringent European noise legislation with no loss of power or torque. A new electronic engine calibration helps ensure the car exceeds current European emissions legislation.

The exhaust system, twinned for most of the length of the car, is distinguished by new quad-tailpipes. Outside the system produces a classic V8 burble, while inside the cabin remains quiet until aroused by the throttle when it resounds to the sporting note of a true thoroughbred.

ZT 260 features Tremec’s TR3650 five-speed manual gearbox, manufactured in North America. The unit has been extensively modified to meet MG’s needs and features unique gearing to suit the demands of European driving. MG’s engineers have also developed an all-new gear selection system and bespoke hydraulic clutch actuation to ensure precise and positive gear changes.

The rear axle features Dana’s Hydratrak® limited slip differential system, which utilises vane-pump principles to ensure continuous and seamless torque transmission to both rear wheels in the event of wheel speed differential.

Steering and Suspension

The ZT 260’s steering and suspension systems have evolved radically to match the performance of the V8 power unit. Developed by driving enthusiasts for enthusiasts, the team focused their efforts on honing the car’s classic rear-drive handling to provide seamless, fluid and adjustable attitude control under the widest range of conditions. The result is a car that blends day-to-day ease of use with the driver-rewards of a true thoroughbred.

Power steering, driven by a higher capacity pump, is now via a new forward mounted rack layout providing excellent feel and driver feedback to the leather-bound wheel.

The geometry of the ZT's MacPherson strut front suspension has been tuned to the requirements of the new chassis platform. A new design of upright is matched to Eibach linear rate springs and a new, larger diameter anti-roll bar. Wheel response is controlled by Bilstein monotube struts, which combine a large piston area for fine tuning resolution with very high bending stiffness for improved camber control. The design employs a significantly revised subframe, which provides a stable operating platform for the chassis while also acting as a key loadpath in the event of a major impact.

A new multi-link rear suspension has been developed specifically for the ZT 260 V8. A new six-mount subframe houses the Hyrdratrak® differential, while each wheel is located by three lateral links (two steel and one light-alloy) and a light alloy trailing arm. Compound rate springs, also sourced from race specialist Eibach, work in conjunction with Bilstein monotube dampers to provide excellent wheel control. Roll behaviour is controlled by a new anti-roll bar.

Both ZT 260 models feature 18” alloy wheels; the attractive ‘Straights’ design is specified on the ZT 260 with a new ‘Apex’ 10-blade design on the ZT 260 SE. Contisport 225/45 ZR18 tyres balance excellent lateral stability with crisp, precise steer response.

Braking

ZT 260 has a new H-split braking system providing excellent stopping power. At the front, proven large capacity 325mm ventilated discs and sliding-pin callipers are specified. At the rear a new AP-Racing sourced brake system is specified with 332mm ventilated discs and opposed piston alloy callipers.

Interior environment

A new HEVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning) unit is fitted to the ZT 260. The new unit is a water-blend design featuring a dedicated electronic control unit to drive servo-motor valves to regulate the water flow around the heating circuit. This system has been refined to offer similar levels of response and control to the existing ZT’s acclaimed air-blending system. All models feature ATC (Automatic Temperature Control), using the familiar user-friendly interface of other ZT models.

A discreet V8 badge in the centre of the fascia differentiates the interior of the car, while other aspects of the cabin environment are broadly similar to the existing ZT models.

A new moulding below the boot floor accommodates the relocated battery and the CD autochanger (standard on the ZT 260 SE). Major controls, which include steering, clutch and gear selection have all been refined to suit the ZT 260 V8’s more muscular character.

If anyone would be willing to pass on my email address to any local owners I would be hugely grateful.

 

[avo5021]

How do they justify that!! Is it a pursuit vehicle?

Cool all the same, This time next year I all being well I will be looking at one of these. Depending on just how dear petrol is then!

All the ACT cars are pursuit vehicles. The v8 used to be in our fleet but for some strange reason no one liked driving it and it sat there unused. When they decided to reduce fleet numbers across the board it was utilised elsewhere. Personally I thought it was a beast and a good solid firm drive with 100% grunt.

 

[roverspeed]

Ah right, fair enough.

I often wonder who in procurement decides what vehicles are bought. They must have some proper petrol heads in there pushing out stuff like this.

As a pursuit vehicle, unless on the motorway or dual carriage way, as ZT190 would probably be better all rounder. ZT190's are know to lap circuits faster than the 260's simply because they are going sideways most of the time

I was behind a dark green ZT260 along the back roads from Comber-Gransha-Gilnahirk Road, god it sounded immense at tickover, and howling up the revs. Want one badly.

 

[da.murf]

I don't know him personally or anything, but there is a fella that lives in Orby Drive in Belfast around the corner from my mums house.

MG ZT260 V8 with Xpower exhausts.

Afaik that belongs to Alan Newell the estate agent. Used to live few doors up from him.

 

[Paddy_R]

Yeh one of the marshalls from trackskills has a ztv8, sometimes see the car around ards too, not far from where my mum lives.

That's Billy Stevenson, great guy, lives Lisburn direction.

If I'm not mistaken it was a Ford V8 from the Mustang they used.

The v8 used to be in our fleet but for some strange reason no one liked driving it and it sat there unused.

Probably because for such a big car they have no room inside them. My mate had a general run of the mill 75 for a while and seriously there was more room in my Fiesta. And the driver had to have some sort of weird shaped left leg to stop the trim from the dash cutting in. He liked the way it drove but hated driving it due to the very poorly designed and laid out interior.

 

[Rover Repair]

Would anyone happen to have contact details for any of the above?

 

[Mont]

Seen a black one down at Delamont few weeks back at the Derek Walker Memorial. Might be the same one mentioned above. Lovely sounding thing. Would be a nice cheapish way to scratch my V8 itch!

 

[boy_racer996]

Afaik that belongs to Alan Newell the estate agent. Used to live few doors up from him.

correct... mates dads car, surprised he still has it as its been a few years since iv been round that way.