Hi Richard. The engine is a 3.9 built by John Eales around an interim cross-bolted block, fully balanced with Omega forged pistons, 234 hydraulic camshaft, tufrided and cross-drilled small journal crankshaft, lightened flywheel and quad Dellorto DRLA45 downdraft carburettors.
The highlight performance figures from the dyno are:
40 bhp and 192 ft/lbs @ 1,100 rpm
290 ft/lbs @ 5,000 rpm
312 bhp and 272 ft/lbs @ 6,000 rpm
The power is totally usable and relatively benign but demands respect in the wet. In reality, one cannot use full throttle on the road and one is always conscious of not frightening other road users. MPG figures are appalling if the performance is used. Also the silencer wadding lasts no time at all before it's blown out of the exhaust system completely and there's considerable induction noise.
My Plus Eight has used this engine and its 3.9 predecessor in similar spec since 1990 so I guess that tells you that I like its characteristics.
