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britter Member
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Just wanted to say hi and I look forward to learning more about my new purchase..... 1975 Jensen...375 horsepower....    |
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Ron Earp Member 
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Very nice, I like it! I've considered dropping a Ford V8 into my JH, kicking out that Lotus lump, and classing it in ITE thus leaving me free to do whatever I need for racing. Don't dispair if you don't get a warm reception from the JH/Lotus faithful, to each his own. What transmission do you have behind that? Not a Turbo 400 or similar I hope, but a manual? R |
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britter Member
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Hey Ron thanks alot...I used the 4 speed out of the 1968 Corvette that the engine came out of...It's a very stout M21 that can handle the horsepower...The stock shifter fell right into place...and the cable clutch was an easy transition to the Muncie...It is a blast to drive and I always wanted a Cobra but couldn't shell out the money for it so this is something that will keep up for cheap...I didn't know there would be purists for this car, and it uses so many different part from other cars I figured why not? Good luck with your Ford conversion, a Tremec 5 speed would be something else in there!! |
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Ron Earp Member
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There are lots of purists for the JH, no doubt about that - I'm not one of them though! I'm not doing a Ford conversion, but, if I could I would. I'm the owner<P> and builder of this car: http://www.jensenhealey.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=234&forum_id=10 I'm racing SCCA in Improved Touring so I have to use the lump that came in the car. Not a bad engine, had a turbo variant in my Esprit Turbo that made over 335 rear wheel hp on a lot of boost. But I'd rather have an ally V8 in there, maybe a Ford aluminum block/heads, or a Rover all ally V8 - purely on a cost standpoint for availability and repair. Maybe even a good old Ford 2.3L SOHC engine, be a good one too. Did you do anything to the brakes? Power is great, but it needs to shop, and handle! Ron Last edited on 08-08-2006 11:01 am by Ron Earp |
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Brett Gibson JH5 20497 Member
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Hey Ron some of us like that Lotus lump you mention, when I was growing up in England we were always taught to do more with less, conversely if I had grown up in the US I probably would be stuffing big dollops of iron in places they don't belong as well ............. Please don't think I'm offended, but I just had to stand up for all those "lumps" out there.... hee hee hee. :-) Cheers Brett. |
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colinw59 Member 
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Hi Brett Were abouts in England did you grow up? I'm from Brighton originaly and came to the USA (CT) in October 1992. Colin |
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Brett Gibson JH5 20497 Member
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Hello Colin, I was born in Preston Lancashire, between Liverpool and Blackpool, came over in 1965, to Rochester NY, been here eversince, I remember going down to Brighton once, my Uncle had a WO Bentley and we all did the "Run" in it, very nice place. |
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colinw59 Member
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Hi Brett I was is Rochester two weekends ago on our way to Viagra Falls! |
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britter Member
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Well Lotus designed a great engine for the Z1R Corvette so I figured I'd return the favor and throw in a great engine for them....And I'm from America where less is less...Cheers Brett |
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Ron Earp Member
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Brett Gibson JH5 20497 wrote:
I hear you! :-) I know the Lotus faithful won't ' be offened, I'm just a heathen anyhow. I like the Lotus lump. I'd really like mine once I get a chance to drive it about, but, bad luck and my own fault has gotten in the way of that. But, round three is starting soon and we'll have it back out soon enough! |
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Brett Gibson JH5 20497 Member
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It's all about enjoying the car and having fun .................. |
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britter Member
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plus it hauls ass.... |
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Todd Overton Member
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Looks like a pretty wild ride! Best of luck on your acquisition and welcome to the club! Quick question - how is the clutch engagement effort on your car? I had read of someone installing an aluminum V-8 (215 CI I believe) who wound-up going to a hydraulic clutch due to the heavy clutch effort required with the cable set-up. I have a Jensen Healey with a Ford Cologne V-6 (PO's contribution) backed by a WC T5 transmission with Hurst short-throw shifter (my contribution) and a deep overdrive. The clutch is very hard to engage despite having a new (Jensen Healey) clutch cable and new/stock Ford components on the bellhousing/clutch/transmission end. Just wondering how your clutch effort was. - Todd p.s. for the purists out there, I also have several other JH's each with the stock Lotus engine! Attachment: #19326 IN THE GARAGE.JPEG (Downloaded 53 times) |
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Ron Earp Member
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Todd, Use the Ford clutch quadrant and cable. The cable is about 1/2" thick and plastic. The quadrant will give you proper leverage to operate the clutch, something the Jensen setup won't do. You'd have to retrofit that pedal and quadrant assemble but I think it'd solve your problem. The aluminum V8 you mention is the Buick/Rover 215 inch motor. We race one in SCCA and it is very durable, makes good power, and is light. I'd imagine it'd only weigh 30-40lbs more than the JH motor, but clearly make a lot more power and torque if you've a mind to. The Buick/Rover V8s had hydraulic clutches stock so I doubt they went that way because of pedal pressure, probably used it because it was there. Ron |
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britter Member
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My setup is exactly what Ron says...My clutch effort is minimal...Very easy and fun to drive... |
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malcolm Guest
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What sort of axle/differential do have as I do not believe the original would take that much torgue. |
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Todd Overton Member
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Sounds great, thanks Ron. Was kind of leaning towards a leverage issue but before getting into any additional mods, wanted to get a flavor for what other's may have done. Will start looking at the pedal, cluster, etc. as you suggested. I just want the set-up to be as stock appearance wise as possible with minimal changes to the car. Had read somewhere about the 215 being a great engine for conversion - did not know they were as reliable as you indicated though. Great information! Thanks! - Todd |
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Todd Overton Member
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Found the website where I saw the clutch pressure mentioned http://www.deca.eclipse.co.uk/page12.htm. A Jensen Healey V-8 conversion that had hydraulic originally (like you had said), they went to cable during the conversion . . . then went back to hydraulic due to high effort and a snapped clutch cable. An interesting website. |
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Ron Earp Member
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Hey britter, Is this you doing a little bracket drag racing with one of my fellow Lightning owners? Video on that first link of the Lightning and a Jensen Healey. From the Lightning Forum: ----- Round 3 Me vs a Jensen Healy(not sure what year) he had a 350 chevy in it though. I decided to heat the tires some this time, and ran the engine to about 1100 rpms. I dailed in a 8.90 and he a 9.09 .266 reaction 2.0 60' 5.80 330' 8.85 @ 80.36 I lost because i broke out, but i had fun anyways. He ran a 9.433, at the end of the video, you can see him hit the brakes It was 77 degrees out and 28% humidty. http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/...y/media/420974 ----- Original thread here: http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312824 Last edited on 08-21-2006 08:18 pm by Ron Earp |
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Ron Earp Member
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Nope, looks like another Jensen Healey with V8 conversion! |
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