i was once told the Disco V8 was sourced from Buick. Any truth to this.

 

As others have said, torque is the key. Perhaps I can explain it a little differently so it makes even more sense.

A small 4 cylinder engine has a relatively small rotating mass when it's running, which makes it rev freely to high RPMs. A V8 like the Rover's has a comparatively high rotating mass so it's somewhat less responsive and can't be revv'd as high without that rotating mass causing something to break. High rotating mass=inertia. That inertia means that it takes more energy to get a V8 spinning to 3000 RPMs than a small 4 cylinder, but once it's there, there is a lot more stored energy in that rotating mass, and it takes relatively little energy to keep it spinning at 3,000 RPMs.

What that means in English is the Rover's engine packs a much bigger wallop on the crankshaft than a smaller engine turning at the same RPM. It also packs a bigger wallop at lower RPMs which is what you want when you're axle-deep in mud. You'd have to rev that Scion to 6,000 RPMs to get the full 180 horsepower but you'd never get the same torque, and you'd burn up the clutch trying to get unstuck.

Summary: Horsepower is only half the equation. For off road, as others have said, what you want is gobs and gobs of torque, which the Rover V8 has in spades.

Hope this helps a little. Torque is usually a difficult concept to grasp.

Cheers,
Dave

 

Yes.

http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?engineroverv8f.htm

 

I was also a engine for inboard boats, Mercruiser used it in their big boats, twin engine boats too.
Its light and VERY reliable with lots of power.

 

Ahhh..great info!
Makes me love my rover even more!