P40 OR V8

[go piggen]

Has anyone out there ever done any modification work to a p40 engine, and is it worth it? i am currently trying to decide weather to rebiuld and modify the p40 or go with a v8, I have a mk 85 ute, whats the cheapest and most reliable way. [/img]

[not not]

P40 is a reliable old thing but hay fuel wise and power is very lacking
I would go the v8 for shore but also concider a v6 commo engine.
A friend has a v6 in a mk wagon and the think hawls ass

[David_S]

I don't think it is a fair comparison - V8 or P40. Obviously a V8 will give better torque and more power so if you are into comps, drag racing or just like the sound of a V8 that's the way to go.

That being said the P40 is a very reliable, simple, strong engine, easy to work on and ideal for extended offroad trips and far superior to the L28. It has good pulling power low down but is not over economical returning approx 19mpg. It is however an old design based either on a 1948 Austin or an earlier American engine, not sure which.

I have had very little trouble with my P40 which has now done over 250,000km. I am at last getting round to some mods - megasquirt fuel injection and a set of extractors. The fuel injection because I finally got tired of my carbs flooding when winching up steep hills, and extractors because the old cast iron manifold was warped badly in the vertical direction and was developing a small crack. The only other mod I have done is to change the valve seats so it will run on the new unleaded fuels without the need for an additive.

David