R380 gearbox to rover v8

[flutey00]

Has anyone mated a LDV Pilot R380 gearbox to a Rover V8? I am thinking of this as LT77s are rare and weak ( apparently ) and the R380 is much stronger, but very expensive. However R380s from Pilots are cheep and plentiful ( RPI sell them for £1200 ) and they go on Ebay for £100! LT77 ratios seem to be pretty standard so what about R380s?

Anyone done this? What's required? Problems?

Thanks

Vinny

[Hooli]

£1200 for a R380?? couldnt you use the landrover ones? im sure they are cheaper than that. im not sure if the casings are the same though due to the transfer box bolting on the back in a LR.

[GreenV8S]

There are several different ratios in the LT77. How much stronger do you reckon the R380 is? It's nominally rated to 280 lb ft, the LT77 is generally regarded as good for 300 lb ft (although mine hasn't broken with about 450, I have a feeling there may be a 'yet' in there somewhere).

[richw_82]

I've had an LT77 behind a Rover V8 engine in an MGB for about a year, and it's not shown any sign of misbehaving or weakness yet. When I was putting the engine in, I was led to believe that the R380 was pretty much a bolt in replacement... but it's difficult to find any first hand information on it. I went with the LT77 as it was easier to get everything I needed.

Ric

[rovermorris999]

I have an LT77 in a 4.6 SD1 and no problems so far. It's nice and smooth (relatively!) running with fully synth 5/30 engine oil and molyslip.

[GreenV8S]

rovermorris999 said:

I have an LT77 in a 4.6 SD1 and no problems so far. It's nice and smooth (relatively!) running with fully synth 5/30 engine oil and molyslip.

Isn't that rather runny compared to the usual gearbox oil?

[BigLepton]

GreenV8S said:

rovermorris999 said:

I have an LT77 in a 4.6 SD1 and no problems so far. It's nice and smooth (relatively!) running with fully synth 5/30 engine oil and molyslip.

Isn't that rather runny compared to the usual gearbox oil?

Nope, LT77 should have automatic transmission fluid in it, preferably Dextron 2 or 3. If anything 5/30 is too thick for it. I've seen dozens of LT77's destroyed by using gear oil or engine oil instead of the ATF it needs.

[BigLepton]

flutey00 said:

Has anyone mated a LDV Pilot R380 gearbox to a Rover V8? I am thinking of this as LT77s are rare and weak ( apparently ) and the R380 is much stronger, but very expensive. However R380s from Pilots are cheep and plentiful ( RPI sell them for £1200 ) and they go on Ebay for £100! LT77 ratios seem to be pretty standard so what about R380s?

Anyone done this? What's required? Problems?

Thanks

Vinny

Your best bet is to buy one of those £100 R380's and then use that as the exchange for a rebuilt one from Ian Ashcroft transmissions for £445.

[GreenV8S]

BigLepton said:

Nope, LT77 should have automatic transmission fluid in it, preferably Dextron 2 or 3.

I'm using Dexron III as recommended by gearboxman, although I was a bit surprised to be recommended that because I thought there was a consensus that ATF was the work of the devil. It shifts OK, but I think next time I change it I'll go for that difflock synthetic oil.

[BigLepton]

GreenV8S said:

BigLepton said:

Nope, LT77 should have automatic transmission fluid in it, preferably Dextron 2 or 3.

I'm using Dexron III as recommended by gearboxman, although I was a bit surprised to be recommended that because I thought there was a consensus that ATF was the work of the devil. It shifts OK, but I think next time I change it I'll go for that difflock synthetic oil.

LR like to confuse their customers - LT77=ATF, R380=MTF and LT85=15W40!

You should see the mess it makes when people put Hypoy 80/90 gear oil in an LT77. . . . .

[rovermorris999]

Rover recommended ATF for the LT77 back in the old days when EP was found to cause problems and because good synthetics weren't around. The route I've gone down has been tested and recommended for some years by some in the SD1 club.
Have a look here (need to scroll down a bit):
http://www.vintagemodelairplane.com/pages/Download...

and discussion here on their forum:
http://www.roversd1club.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_...

[Hooli]

richw_82 said:

I've had an LT77 behind a Rover V8 engine in an MGB for about a year, and it's not shown any sign of misbehaving or weakness yet. When I was putting the engine in, I was led to believe that the R380 was pretty much a bolt in replacement... but it's difficult to find any first hand information on it. I went with the LT77 as it was easier to get everything I needed.

Ric

i assume it applies roughly the same...this was a discovery.
i swopped a LT77 behind a 200Tdi for a R380 off a 300Tdi. everything fits with the exception of one of two bellhousing bolts.