BMW M52 Defender 110
Discussion
So just to start of with this isn't a genuine M52 Defender, consider it a homage to the south African spec.
Upon reading about the straight six defender, or red mamba as I believe it was known I was sold on the idea. The thought of a brilliant straight six engine in a defender, just sounds brilliant!
So my 110 is a 'oneten', a very early one and I would guess had a 2.5 diesel originally. It had been retrofitted was a 200tdi so it was far from original, so by whacking in the new engine I wouldn't be loosing any originality.
In brief it's a 2.8 (m52b28) fitted to a Discovery V8 R380 with a 1.6 transfer box. This isn't exactly how land rover accomplished it, but the end result is near enough the same.
Exhaust wise, it's essentially the M52 downpipe mated to a TD5 silencer and backbox which is actually surprisingly quiet at idle and mild throttle but boot it, and it sounds delicious!
I can't take any credit for the wiring as this was previously fitted to another defender, as such he had done 80% of the wiring.
Driving wise,it's shockingly different to the 200tdi. I had a V8 with an autobox years ago and this is miles apart. Theres enough torque to trundle around at low revs but hold onto the revs and it really does fly!
I'd estimate that at around 6000rpm in 3rd it's doing just over 60, so there's clearly plenty of pace in it!
Since the photos I've got rid of the open air filter, and fitted an encased cartridge filter thing.
I've done maybe 500miles in it, and took it around the off-road track at billing where it was brilliant!
Moving forward, next step is to remove the LT230 which I'd recently put in as it appears to have an ungodly leak! Bit of an own goal on my part.
After that, one of the disco drop arm conversions as and replace the old, old shocks with some nice new bilsteins and OEM springs as it's leaning over on one side by a few degrees.
The aim long term is to get a lifting roof / pop top roof and part roll cage on it and just generally tidy it up and keep making it useable / habitable without going crazy.
It's not perfect yet, but so far it really does seem to be a vast improvement! 50mph in relative comfort and quietness in a defender??! Living the dream!
Assembled for a test / sanity check before ripping old engine out...
Trusty old 200tdi..
And its gone..
In with the new
[
A pleasant milestone, sitting on its own mounts
Oil cooler for the R380 located behind the main rad
First mucky outing, to billing. Engine and gearbox behaved itself very well, transfer box not so!
Completed engine bay (the K&N has been replaced with a enclosed 300tdi canister type
A couple of OEM fans from a modern ish Peugot... These things shift air and the single Ebay fan I had sitting behind the rad couldnt keep up with the demands whilst slowly offroading. Unfortunalty they are push, rather than pull but I've actually managed to fit them quite neatly infront of the rad. I've got an override switch for complete control of them, and with them both running their is a hell of a lot of air moving through!
And thats about where it is at the moment. Regarding the straight six diesels, the M57 I know these are very good and probably better in many, many ways but I've always wanted a straight six TVR, and seeing as that isn't really going to happen any time soon if at all this does seem to have a very silly character to it, pop'ing and backing its way along and its actually suprisingly involving to drive!
Once the transfer box is dropped out, leak addressed and refitted I'll try and get a few videos of it on the road as there really isnt a great deal about these on the internet!
Upon reading about the straight six defender, or red mamba as I believe it was known I was sold on the idea. The thought of a brilliant straight six engine in a defender, just sounds brilliant!
So my 110 is a 'oneten', a very early one and I would guess had a 2.5 diesel originally. It had been retrofitted was a 200tdi so it was far from original, so by whacking in the new engine I wouldn't be loosing any originality.
In brief it's a 2.8 (m52b28) fitted to a Discovery V8 R380 with a 1.6 transfer box. This isn't exactly how land rover accomplished it, but the end result is near enough the same.
Exhaust wise, it's essentially the M52 downpipe mated to a TD5 silencer and backbox which is actually surprisingly quiet at idle and mild throttle but boot it, and it sounds delicious!
I can't take any credit for the wiring as this was previously fitted to another defender, as such he had done 80% of the wiring.
Driving wise,it's shockingly different to the 200tdi. I had a V8 with an autobox years ago and this is miles apart. Theres enough torque to trundle around at low revs but hold onto the revs and it really does fly!
I'd estimate that at around 6000rpm in 3rd it's doing just over 60, so there's clearly plenty of pace in it!
Since the photos I've got rid of the open air filter, and fitted an encased cartridge filter thing.
I've done maybe 500miles in it, and took it around the off-road track at billing where it was brilliant!
Moving forward, next step is to remove the LT230 which I'd recently put in as it appears to have an ungodly leak! Bit of an own goal on my part.
After that, one of the disco drop arm conversions as and replace the old, old shocks with some nice new bilsteins and OEM springs as it's leaning over on one side by a few degrees.
The aim long term is to get a lifting roof / pop top roof and part roll cage on it and just generally tidy it up and keep making it useable / habitable without going crazy.
It's not perfect yet, but so far it really does seem to be a vast improvement! 50mph in relative comfort and quietness in a defender??! Living the dream!
Assembled for a test / sanity check before ripping old engine out...
Trusty old 200tdi..
And its gone..
In with the new
[A pleasant milestone, sitting on its own mounts
Oil cooler for the R380 located behind the main rad
First mucky outing, to billing. Engine and gearbox behaved itself very well, transfer box not so!
Completed engine bay (the K&N has been replaced with a enclosed 300tdi canister type
A couple of OEM fans from a modern ish Peugot... These things shift air and the single Ebay fan I had sitting behind the rad couldnt keep up with the demands whilst slowly offroading. Unfortunalty they are push, rather than pull but I've actually managed to fit them quite neatly infront of the rad. I've got an override switch for complete control of them, and with them both running their is a hell of a lot of air moving through!
And thats about where it is at the moment. Regarding the straight six diesels, the M57 I know these are very good and probably better in many, many ways but I've always wanted a straight six TVR, and seeing as that isn't really going to happen any time soon if at all this does seem to have a very silly character to it, pop'ing and backing its way along and its actually suprisingly involving to drive!
Once the transfer box is dropped out, leak addressed and refitted I'll try and get a few videos of it on the road as there really isnt a great deal about these on the internet!
Networkgeek said:
Very cool project, sir.
I've spent years playing around with Land Rovers and this is a conversion I've dreamt of.
I have so many questions
What engine mounts have you used?
Do you need to change the speedo / dials to work with this engine?
I assume your chassis is in good nic?
Over lockdown, a friend and I installed a 3.5 V8 into his Series 3. The engine just went straight in with very little fuss. We were both very surprised.
Keep up the good work
NG
The mounts were made from the previous owner of the engine in his defender, and modified slightly to suit my defender as with the R380 V8 gearbox the engine sits slightly further forward as opposed to the P38 bell housing he used. (which is pretty much what LR did)I've spent years playing around with Land Rovers and this is a conversion I've dreamt of.
I have so many questions
What engine mounts have you used?
Do you need to change the speedo / dials to work with this engine?
I assume your chassis is in good nic?
Over lockdown, a friend and I installed a 3.5 V8 into his Series 3. The engine just went straight in with very little fuss. We were both very surprised.
Keep up the good work
NG
The mounts just sit on the same hockey puck mounts as the 200TDI, so theres no physical change to the chassis what so ever.
Speedo is driven by the spinny wire thing that goes into the transfer box, so nope, all stays orginal dash wise.
Chassis seems in reasonable condition, previous owner believes it is galvanised and covered in some sort of gooop, but it looks in good nick with no welding and is very clean beneath the grime!
When I'd fitted the new BMW engine, I'd changed the steering box from a 3 bolt to 4 bolt.
I'd also fitted a new droparm, which after a few hundred miles the ball joint cover was already nackered, as they are a bit of an enormous faff to remove it seemed easier to switch to the discovery drop arm.
The discovery uses a better arm, with a traditional ball joint that is easily removable, so upgraded to one of these with a kit from Gywn Lewis 4x4 and their sumo bar steering arms. Probably a massive overkill, but will hopefully tighten up the steering furthermore. The beauty of an old land rover is that it doubles up as a workbench!
Trying to fix the leak with LT230 aswell, I used soley the paper gasket to seal the inspection plate, but in hindsight I should have used RTV sealant and threadlock on the bolts. Also took the opourtunity to inspect the input gear.
This shows the 1.4 variant which is cross drilled, and the 1.6 from this transfer box which as far as I'm aware isnt available cross drilled - hence dries out the splines and was full of dry oil. I contemplated drilling holes, or taking it to have holes drilled but insteaed opted for a oil feed plate. *The 1.6 box fits much nicer with the revvy nature of the M52.
This was an official land rover mod / bodge, that will help to propell oil in to the centre of the shaft as its all being sloshed around the gearbox.
I'd also fitted a new droparm, which after a few hundred miles the ball joint cover was already nackered, as they are a bit of an enormous faff to remove it seemed easier to switch to the discovery drop arm.
The discovery uses a better arm, with a traditional ball joint that is easily removable, so upgraded to one of these with a kit from Gywn Lewis 4x4 and their sumo bar steering arms. Probably a massive overkill, but will hopefully tighten up the steering furthermore. The beauty of an old land rover is that it doubles up as a workbench!
Trying to fix the leak with LT230 aswell, I used soley the paper gasket to seal the inspection plate, but in hindsight I should have used RTV sealant and threadlock on the bolts. Also took the opourtunity to inspect the input gear.
This shows the 1.4 variant which is cross drilled, and the 1.6 from this transfer box which as far as I'm aware isnt available cross drilled - hence dries out the splines and was full of dry oil. I contemplated drilling holes, or taking it to have holes drilled but insteaed opted for a oil feed plate. *The 1.6 box fits much nicer with the revvy nature of the M52.
This was an official land rover mod / bodge, that will help to propell oil in to the centre of the shaft as its all being sloshed around the gearbox.
Bit of an update, all back together and seems to be better than ever!
I've done a little video showing faily gentle run up to 60.
https://youtube.com/shorts/oNTU1ZUFS5c?feature=sha...
Its miles more swift than the old 200tdi, perhaps not the fastest way to power a defender but it sounds delicious!
Next project is to sort a spare rear axle in to life and convert it from drums to discs to give a bit more stopping power.
I've done a little video showing faily gentle run up to 60.
https://youtube.com/shorts/oNTU1ZUFS5c?feature=sha...
Its miles more swift than the old 200tdi, perhaps not the fastest way to power a defender but it sounds delicious!
Next project is to sort a spare rear axle in to life and convert it from drums to discs to give a bit more stopping power.
Bit of an update, disc conversion is not yet fitted but pretty much built up and ready to go, bar brake pipe connectors / flaring details etc..
However, after the new year the car went to a small company called 'LR BITS' that fit lifting roofs to defender 90's & 110.
Frustratingly, mine was more expensive due to the older ealier 'oneten' roof with the ribs externally that had to be removed and reinforced but regardless, over the moon with it and can't wait to get out with it.
Also on the list is to block up the rear sliding windows and essentiually turn it into a 110 USW. I really don't want to faff about with the roof, and should have done it sooner, but I think I'll remove the windows and just rivet on a thin sheet than returns slightly around the corner..
However, after the new year the car went to a small company called 'LR BITS' that fit lifting roofs to defender 90's & 110.
Frustratingly, mine was more expensive due to the older ealier 'oneten' roof with the ribs externally that had to be removed and reinforced but regardless, over the moon with it and can't wait to get out with it.
Also on the list is to block up the rear sliding windows and essentiually turn it into a 110 USW. I really don't want to faff about with the roof, and should have done it sooner, but I think I'll remove the windows and just rivet on a thin sheet than returns slightly around the corner..
I completely get the cult following, they are a lovely engine and it works suprisingly well in a Defender considering the comparative lack of low down grunt.
Roof tent is a comfortable two people, we have a 4 year old aswell and it will probably just about fit all of us at the moment.
Roof tent is a comfortable two people, we have a 4 year old aswell and it will probably just about fit all of us at the moment.
Newarch said:
The BMW 6 cylinder is just a quality engine, and a good match for the 110, being quite a simple old fashioned design. They're actually not that bad on fuel either, which I always put down to the smoothness.
I seem to be doing roughly just around 18-20mpg, and I don't think its 100% optimised and may be a tiny exhaust leak; so room for improvement.Alot of progress been made in last couple of weeks.
Took, or rather cut off the old springs and shocks... Replaced with bilstein dampers and OEM springs. Strangely someone's put polybushes on the radius arms, but the shocks were nackered..
Next up, I've removed the rear windows and essentially turned it into a USW.. Kept the trim inside but added carpeting and sound deadening and it feels completely different, quite cosy and not like a crappy caravan.
This all needs a good clean and a bit of tigerseal around the edges but more than happy with it so far.
A couple of 'unwin' rails have been added to the side, so I can strap things to the side as per new defenders
Finally, I've taken a angle grinder to the rear arch, cut a hole and formed a very basic 'dirty' store. It's not at all waterproof but will be used for fluid and oil storage etc.. the door is from a sailing store and is designed for cabin floor access..
I'm not aiming to go wading and time soon, and any water would instantly drain out anyway.
May get the paint a bit closer, was a Halfords rattle can special!!
Took, or rather cut off the old springs and shocks... Replaced with bilstein dampers and OEM springs. Strangely someone's put polybushes on the radius arms, but the shocks were nackered..
Next up, I've removed the rear windows and essentially turned it into a USW.. Kept the trim inside but added carpeting and sound deadening and it feels completely different, quite cosy and not like a crappy caravan.
This all needs a good clean and a bit of tigerseal around the edges but more than happy with it so far.
A couple of 'unwin' rails have been added to the side, so I can strap things to the side as per new defenders
Finally, I've taken a angle grinder to the rear arch, cut a hole and formed a very basic 'dirty' store. It's not at all waterproof but will be used for fluid and oil storage etc.. the door is from a sailing store and is designed for cabin floor access..
I'm not aiming to go wading and time soon, and any water would instantly drain out anyway.
May get the paint a bit closer, was a Halfords rattle can special!!
Bit more progess, replaced all the prop UJ's, there was a quite noticable vibration coming throguh at high revs.
Compltetly changed the car, so smooth even up to what must be 6000rpm when it felt like the car was shaking to bits before!
Managed to get a second battery in the box, with a split charge system and then will need to link in the solar charger.
Next mini project, make some floor based storage in the rear to make it into a mini camper...
Compltetly changed the car, so smooth even up to what must be 6000rpm when it felt like the car was shaking to bits before!
Managed to get a second battery in the box, with a split charge system and then will need to link in the solar charger.
Next mini project, make some floor based storage in the rear to make it into a mini camper...
Bit of an update as ever.
Went away for the first time to Wales with the new camping set up, didn't go very well!
Gearbox let go half way, meaning a recovery back home
Entirely my own fault, should have checked gearbox oil as it looks like it was near empty. Stupid error, but tbh it was a 150,000mile gearbox anyway.
So, new gearbox later and its all back together... Again.
We've now got a compressor fridge on board which is supplied by the solar panel on the roof and a separate aux battery, and a 270 degree awning on the side.
Normally the awnings mount to roofrack / roof bars but as we don't have these due to the lifting roof an alternative arrangment was required.
These are brackets for a T25 camper that are modified slightly, which are clamping onto the gutter and I've bolted through the body with spreader plates behind.
I can rock the whole car from side to side on the brackets so they should be fine..
Next up, some new tyres as these [even though they have plenty of tread] are approaching 11 years old and have many small nicks..
Then all being well we should be travelling down to the South of France and Italian alps for a few weeks.. Slightly excited
Went away for the first time to Wales with the new camping set up, didn't go very well!
Gearbox let go half way, meaning a recovery back home
Entirely my own fault, should have checked gearbox oil as it looks like it was near empty. Stupid error, but tbh it was a 150,000mile gearbox anyway.
So, new gearbox later and its all back together... Again.
We've now got a compressor fridge on board which is supplied by the solar panel on the roof and a separate aux battery, and a 270 degree awning on the side.
Normally the awnings mount to roofrack / roof bars but as we don't have these due to the lifting roof an alternative arrangment was required.
These are brackets for a T25 camper that are modified slightly, which are clamping onto the gutter and I've bolted through the body with spreader plates behind.
I can rock the whole car from side to side on the brackets so they should be fine..
Next up, some new tyres as these [even though they have plenty of tread] are approaching 11 years old and have many small nicks..
Then all being well we should be travelling down to the South of France and Italian alps for a few weeks.. Slightly excited
Time for a bit of an update, as we eventually did manage to get camping in this eventually at the end of last year.
Bit of a catostrophic balls up on my part I believe in the summer, it appears that through all the work the input shaft wasn't quite supported fully in the sprigot bearing. The first (150,000mile) gearbox that went had absoultely no evidence of this, presumed it was just wear and age as I'd done about 2500miles since installing it
Replacement gearbox installed last year, about 300miles later the input shaft was as loose as a goose in the middle of France!
At great expense, the shaft was removed and lengthed, though now it seems to be sorted, but highly frustrating and a complete own goal of mine I think!
Managed to get some interior lights working on door triggers which has made a massive difference to the usability of the car. Next up I'd like to get the rear axle converted to discs, but would rather have the defender working through the colder spell!
Bit of a catostrophic balls up on my part I believe in the summer, it appears that through all the work the input shaft wasn't quite supported fully in the sprigot bearing. The first (150,000mile) gearbox that went had absoultely no evidence of this, presumed it was just wear and age as I'd done about 2500miles since installing it
Replacement gearbox installed last year, about 300miles later the input shaft was as loose as a goose in the middle of France!
At great expense, the shaft was removed and lengthed, though now it seems to be sorted, but highly frustrating and a complete own goal of mine I think!
Managed to get some interior lights working on door triggers which has made a massive difference to the usability of the car. Next up I'd like to get the rear axle converted to discs, but would rather have the defender working through the colder spell!
ProCo2020 said:
Any further updates?
Clutch failed when in France this year - Well, stripped the splines on the clutch plate....(Mrs may have done very violent downshift) Final straw.Ripped it all out and sold it off as a complete drivetrain.
Currently putting together a M57 with and 8 speed auto box to replace it. Should be about 280bhp and 550Nm which should be adequate!
Hopefully proves a damn sight more reliable and economical, though will miss the stick and the 7000rpm engine!
First big milestone hit, managed to fire the motor up. Just buttoning up all the loose ends but pretty happy that it fired up after a bit of a mental break down with the starter.
Slightly struggling with the 8HP, and the CANTCU controller, at the moment it doesn't seem to be connecting to the canbus between engine and gearbox.
The CAN loads should show a value %, I'm sure its something simple that I've done wrong but once its sorted and up and running hopefully its 'just' a case of putting all the bits of the car back together..
Slightly struggling with the 8HP, and the CANTCU controller, at the moment it doesn't seem to be connecting to the canbus between engine and gearbox.
The CAN loads should show a value %, I'm sure its something simple that I've done wrong but once its sorted and up and running hopefully its 'just' a case of putting all the bits of the car back together..
Progress made, CANTCU & gearbox seem to be sorted.
It was simply a wrong setting in the software, and now the gearbox has been flashed as should be ready to use.
Front end back together, and starting to look like a defender again.
Exhaust appears to be sorted, with the end of the original X5 downpipe slipped onto an 'S' bend to drop onto the TD5 mid box.
Was expecting that to be a catostrophic ball bag of a job, but was pretty much sorted in a few hours!
Need to fill coolant, and then can run the engine up to temp and get the gearbox upto temp and fill the 8HP properly.
Biggest gripe is that I made my own rad brackets, which appear to sit slightly too high and the viscous fan shroud sits just above the 'natural' bonnet line.
Obviously I could go electric fan, but I love the simplicity, reliablity and power of a viscous unit.
The bonnet catch (in the front grill) clashed with the intercooler anyway, so would have need a new bonnet fixing solution anyway.
Wiring to tidy, inteior to sort and hopefully sorted a vacuum acutuator to active the diff lock linkage..
It was simply a wrong setting in the software, and now the gearbox has been flashed as should be ready to use.
Front end back together, and starting to look like a defender again.
Exhaust appears to be sorted, with the end of the original X5 downpipe slipped onto an 'S' bend to drop onto the TD5 mid box.
Was expecting that to be a catostrophic ball bag of a job, but was pretty much sorted in a few hours!
Need to fill coolant, and then can run the engine up to temp and get the gearbox upto temp and fill the 8HP properly.
Biggest gripe is that I made my own rad brackets, which appear to sit slightly too high and the viscous fan shroud sits just above the 'natural' bonnet line.
Obviously I could go electric fan, but I love the simplicity, reliablity and power of a viscous unit.
The bonnet catch (in the front grill) clashed with the intercooler anyway, so would have need a new bonnet fixing solution anyway.
Wiring to tidy, inteior to sort and hopefully sorted a vacuum acutuator to active the diff lock linkage..
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