Dont worry about the v8 thing in a roadster, go and have a go in the westie v8 if you want to see what a rover is like in a lightweight
my mate built one with the rover and it was awesome. From about 80mph he could drop it down the box and pin you to the seat for what seemed a lifetime, all in a private driveway of course
Not for the faint hearted just go for it.
Bob