Late night bad ideas.

"Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes" (sovereign-automotive)
06/12/2016 at 07:06 • Filed to: Bad ideas

It’s been my life goal since I was maybe 14 to own a Rolls Royce. You may have seen that I am considering selling my e24. Once it’s finished of course. What does OPPO think? I can handle anything mechanical, and I love a challenge. I don’t necessarily think everything should be original either. I already own one “unreliable” British car that I rebuilt after it sat two years. I can also weld (certified in TIG) and have a good amount of both time and space. I’m an electrical novice, but I’ve been learning as much as I can from my pops who was an electrician on both diesel and nuclear subs, and on aircraft carriers, including the kittyhawk. Am I certifiably insane still? Is this doable? I need this in my life, and would have several thousand dollars left over to pour into the car, be it an explorer 5.0 swap, or a 350, etc.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

End result would be something similar to the car above minus the stance, and would be a DD.

So does someone have experience with these? Any thing to look out for? Any parts that would be very difficult to change over? (Other than the 5x155 wheels. What the hell Rolls.)

DISCUSSION (34)

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 07:10

It would definitely be a doable project considering your skills I think....a lot of work, maybe, but doable! Couldn’t you always swap out the bus with a more common hub with a ‘normal’ bolt pattern?

Alfalfa > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 07:13

Oddly enough, a lot of people on Oppo seem to be afraid of big projects. But I say if you think you can handle it, do it!

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
06/12/2016 at 07:14

I would believe so, but like I said, I’ve never even seen the suspension setup on these cars. It would be nice to swap over an entire double wishbone setup, but would likely require removal of the entire body. Maybe there’s a swap from another more common car out there that more or less would bolt in? Maybe a Jaguar setup?

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 07:15

Big problems with these include brakes and electrical. They’ve got 2 brake calipers on each wheel, and something called “brake spheres” which control the hydro pneumatic self leveling suspension.
Buy a good one and don’t mess with it, once you start changing proprietary systems, you need to change A LOT of them. They’re really nice cars, and you always look like a million bucks when you Roll up to the country club or McDonald’s.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 07:16

This is a great idea.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
06/12/2016 at 07:19

Another reason I love oppo. Where else would you find people with personal experience with an obscure Rolls Royce? So you don’t think it would be a good idea to buy something else and swap the mechanical bits while keeping the exterior and interior original? I know it would be a bit of a bastard, but I build my cars for my own enjoyment. I have yet to bring any of my currents to a show or even a C&C (mostly out of laziness, but I digress).

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Alfalfa
06/12/2016 at 07:22

I’ve noted that. Jalopnik seems to be the same way, especially considering Doug’s article on v12s the other day. It took a lot of self control not to comment, and I was very disappointed in the content, to say the least.

Alfalfa > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 07:32

What really gets me is that on top of it, everyone pretends that an engine swap is a piece of cake.

You need to fabricate custom engine mounts to handle a turbo LS engine and chop up your engine bay? No problem. You want to weld in some sheet metal to replace rusted floorpans? That’s rocket surgery, fuck that shit.

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 07:36

Haha my dad owns one and he loves it, the Shadow is actually the most produced Rolls Royce available, that’s why they’re all so cheap. The only advantage I could see to changing the engine would be if the original was seized, or if you were going to go fast, but that’s not really what the car’s made for, I believe they have quite high gears in the rear so they don’t exactly leap off the line. The original engine is very quiet and has plenty of power for “proceeding swiftly”. But if you needed to change the engine, the transmission is a standard GM Turbo 400, which means tons of swaps are available, and if you’re just building it for fun and for cheap, and you can save a car from the crusher, go for it! I would just be wary that changing one system might mean that other systems would also need to be addressed, adding to costs and hair loss. As long as it’s not rusty, anything can be replaced.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Alfalfa
06/12/2016 at 07:39

Yeah I really don’t get it. I remember back before I bought the Jaguar, I had explained that I had time/moderate skills, and people still were telling me that an x308 was too much. Turns out they’re not much more complicated than anything else, and there’s many documented updates for them.

-this space for rent- > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 07:39

There’s a 75silver shadow with C4 vette suspension on the interwebs.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > -this space for rent-
06/12/2016 at 07:40

More good info, I’ll be looking for this car.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 07:46

I wouldn’t think a Jag setup would be too hard to do...then again, I don’t know what Jag setups are like. I know the Rolls has some complex suspension with that hydralic system on the rear though...

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
06/12/2016 at 07:48

As sacrilege as it may seem I definitely want this car to go forward at reasonable rate, hence the 350 swap idea. I’m not much into top speed, I just want to get to 100 fairly quickly. Maybe a gear reduction if nothing else? Putting smaller OD wheels on the Jaguar shaved about a half second off the 0-60 time though it brought city mileage to about 11 mpg.

Awesome that it has a turbo 400. I know many people with spare parts for those laying around, not too mention most Chevy swaps have that or something similar.

I’m also okay with manual brakes and steering. I could use the workout, and I’m already used to it. One thing I have to do to sell my BMW is hook the Ps pump back up. The one system I’d like to keep for sure is AC and heater. So far this week Temps here have ranged from 100-50 and I hate being too hot. The house is usually kept at about 63 degrees. What can I say! I’m a true Fin.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
06/12/2016 at 07:50

And that’s exactly what I worry about. I really don’t want to mess with hydraulic suspension from the ‘70s. Those set ups from the 90s are enough of a head ache as it is.

Alfalfa > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 07:51

Yeah, the hive mindset really gets you at least a little no matter where you go on the internet. On the plus side, you get applauded as a hero when you manage to get a British or Italian car running and keep it on the road.

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 07:56

Find a good shell and get cracking! I’d love to see one with a 4 or 5 speed. The Rolls Royce guys will roll their eyes and faint but who cares? I’m sure people look at my cars and think I’m a heathen. At least they’re still on the road. Ride eternal, shiny, and chrome.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
06/12/2016 at 07:59

Good! If you roll some heads, you must be doing something right! Thanks again for all the info.

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 08:00

You’re welcome! I’m glad some people on here actually have the balls to buy an old car instead of just dream about them.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Alfalfa
06/12/2016 at 08:02

Also starred for the TPB reference that I just caught.

Tareim - V8 powered > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 08:10

do it, even if it’s for the lols would be a great project even if it’s time consuming

Alfalfa > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 08:14

I actually have no idea what you’re taking about, but I’ll take credit for it anyway!

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Alfalfa
06/12/2016 at 08:30

I guess the quote was actually rocket appliances, but still worth a share

Alfalfa > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 08:38

Ah yes. With threads this long in kinja, it’s hard to tell what people are replying to sometimes. It was actually more of a reference to a Brian Regan bit, about combining rocket science and brain surgery.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Alfalfa
06/12/2016 at 08:39

Let me introduce myself. I’m opposaurus and bought an Allroad... lol

Alfalfa > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/12/2016 at 08:46

Kinja'd!!!

OPPOsaurus WRX > Alfalfa
06/12/2016 at 09:08

So what do you know about thier clutches?

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 09:13

This is the best kind of bad idea. Seems to me if you get something from the 70s and you’re gonna lump it with an American V8, the rest of the car outside the engine really isn’t that complicated.

Does anybody do a hub swap for them? Or I guess you could get a set of big fat steelies and have them drilled for RR’s lug pattern.

Alfalfa > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/12/2016 at 09:18

Haha I know jack shit about pretty much any water-cooled VAG product.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/12/2016 at 09:19

Some of the 70s hydraulics concern me but I’m sure I can figure them out if I have to.

As for wheels, I’d probably just swap the entire hub assembly, or buy adapters as I plan on keeping my borbets and likely throwing them on my next project.

gawdzillla > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 10:15

This Is the way I think I would go. So much better options with 5x114.3

Invinciblejets > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 10:39

I say do it! As long as you can handle fixing shit the only issue would be finding parts and $ of course.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/12/2016 at 12:09

Well, Rolls’ system was licensed from Citroen, so at least there would be plenty of info on it I would think? :P

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Invinciblejets
06/12/2016 at 12:31

Yeah I imagine finding orginal parts to be no fun.