Defender V8 Auto - Experience and Thoughts
Discussion
Hi, think my 5oth has a 12 gallon tank in it,apart from mine obvioulsy has a hole in it !
I had LPG in it when I bought it but it was seriously hateful so I took it out, not only did I save loads of weight, it gave us our back seats back but it ran so much better
Re the 50th worth a look here www.defender50th.co.uk
Phib
I had LPG in it when I bought it but it was seriously hateful so I took it out, not only did I save loads of weight, it gave us our back seats back but it ran so much better
Re the 50th worth a look here www.defender50th.co.uk
Phib
100SRV said:
skyrover said:
They weigh different amounts...
Car application LS engines were cast in aluminium alloy and are very light
Truck application LS engines were cast in iron and are not so light.
EDIT: it's worth noting that people have increasingly been fitting Cummins 5.9 Diesel's into Defender's which weigh in the region of 1000lb's (450kg) and have reported no problems.
With this in mind, engine weight does not seem to be particular concern for the Defender
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH0B5e6ECNc
They might report "no problems" but I suspect the front axle would be close to it's weight limit when the vehicle is unladen. Remember what happened with the home-modified 110 which ended up in a lake drowning the children inside? VOSA and the law would take a very dim view...Car application LS engines were cast in aluminium alloy and are very light
Truck application LS engines were cast in iron and are not so light.
EDIT: it's worth noting that people have increasingly been fitting Cummins 5.9 Diesel's into Defender's which weigh in the region of 1000lb's (450kg) and have reported no problems.
With this in mind, engine weight does not seem to be particular concern for the Defender
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH0B5e6ECNc
Edited by skyrover on Saturday 24th January 09:45
Axle weight is not a problem
100SRV said:
skyrover said:
Front axle in the 110 is rated to 1200kg and can easily be upgraded to 130 spec which is 1580kg
Axle weight is not a problem
Cool, each to their own.Axle weight is not a problem
The biggest problem is building a gearbox/drivetrain to take the power. Most land rover stuff is built from chocolate.
skyrover said:
Ultimately weight is not really a problem with the Defender... so don't worry about it
The biggest problem is building a gearbox/drivetrain to take the power. Most land rover stuff is built from chocolate.
Many moons ago, when I was younger and more foolish, I mounted a Husky Superwinch on the front. The handling was noticeably worse. The biggest problem is building a gearbox/drivetrain to take the power. Most land rover stuff is built from chocolate.
I appreciate better spring and dampers are available now, not to mention tyres (I think I was Firestone SATs
) but it's not something I would dismiss lightly.C Lee Farquar said:
skyrover said:
Ultimately weight is not really a problem with the Defender... so don't worry about it
The biggest problem is building a gearbox/drivetrain to take the power. Most land rover stuff is built from chocolate.
Many moons ago, when I was younger and more foolish, I mounted a Husky Superwinch on the front. The handling was noticeably worse. The biggest problem is building a gearbox/drivetrain to take the power. Most land rover stuff is built from chocolate.
I appreciate better spring and dampers are available now, not to mention tyres (I think I was Firestone SATs
) but it's not something I would dismiss lightly.+1
If you can keep it light, do so.
The only thing any good which Land Rover designed is the LT230 - some Americans rate them as highly as the Atlas transfer box for strength!
Putting a Cummins in "because you can" is plain daft really, it is far too much engine for the truck. Something like a Toyota 'Cruiser 6 cylinder diesel engine would be a better bet (if it would fit) because the speed range is more suitable for the application and it is engineered to work at extreme angles. Cummins engines rely on the "gear fast run slow" principle where torque is king - ultimately the death of any Rover components.
You can't beat a V8 though...I've considered the following two for my 100" Bowler:
Jaguar AJ V8 (naturally aspirated)
Chevy LS3 from a saloon (to get cylinder deactivation for better cruise economy)
Probably both with an automatic...
Biggest killer is cost - the time and money spent getting either the above to work well in my freshly rebuilt truck is not worth it. I'd be better off spending the money on petrol and getting plenty of use out of it.
I think you're being a little hard on the Cummins 6BT.
It's not light but it has many benefits.
It's so versatile, change the valve springs and it'll rev safely to 4000+, it'll do a million miles with minimum maintenance (it's one of the most reliable engines ever built). A fair bit of power can be gained just by adjusting the pump, there are loads of bolt on go faster bits available from the States.
I have one in a lorry, have use of others in a Case tractor and Fastrak - it is an awesome engine. For a workhorse Landy doing lots of towing and where agility wasn't an issue I think it would be top of my list.
Toyota engine? Whatever next!
It's not light but it has many benefits.
It's so versatile, change the valve springs and it'll rev safely to 4000+, it'll do a million miles with minimum maintenance (it's one of the most reliable engines ever built). A fair bit of power can be gained just by adjusting the pump, there are loads of bolt on go faster bits available from the States.
I have one in a lorry, have use of others in a Case tractor and Fastrak - it is an awesome engine. For a workhorse Landy doing lots of towing and where agility wasn't an issue I think it would be top of my list.
Toyota engine? Whatever next!
100SRV said:
C Lee Farquar said:
skyrover said:
Ultimately weight is not really a problem with the Defender... so don't worry about it
The biggest problem is building a gearbox/drivetrain to take the power. Most land rover stuff is built from chocolate.
Many moons ago, when I was younger and more foolish, I mounted a Husky Superwinch on the front. The handling was noticeably worse. The biggest problem is building a gearbox/drivetrain to take the power. Most land rover stuff is built from chocolate.
I appreciate better spring and dampers are available now, not to mention tyres (I think I was Firestone SATs
) but it's not something I would dismiss lightly.+1
If you can keep it light, do so.
The only thing any good which Land Rover designed is the LT230 - some Americans rate them as highly as the Atlas transfer box for strength!
Putting a Cummins in "because you can" is plain daft really, it is far too much engine for the truck. Something like a Toyota 'Cruiser 6 cylinder diesel engine would be a better bet (if it would fit) because the speed range is more suitable for the application and it is engineered to work at extreme angles. Cummins engines rely on the "gear fast run slow" principle where torque is king - ultimately the death of any Rover components.
skyrover said:
100SRV said:
C Lee Farquar said:
skyrover said:
Ultimately weight is not really a problem with the Defender... so don't worry about it
The biggest problem is building a gearbox/drivetrain to take the power. Most land rover stuff is built from chocolate.
Many moons ago, when I was younger and more foolish, I mounted a Husky Superwinch on the front. The handling was noticeably worse. The biggest problem is building a gearbox/drivetrain to take the power. Most land rover stuff is built from chocolate.
I appreciate better spring and dampers are available now, not to mention tyres (I think I was Firestone SATs
) but it's not something I would dismiss lightly.Putting a Cummins in "because you can" is plain daft really, it is far too much engine for the truck. Something like a Toyota 'Cruiser 6 cylinder diesel engine would be a better bet (if it would fit) because the speed range is more suitable for the application and it is engineered to work at extreme angles. Cummins engines rely on the "gear fast run slow" principle where torque is king - ultimately the death of any Rover components.
It'll handle like a boat too. Not great for a toy and not great for a working vehicle.
Great if you have some really robust axles with around 2 to 3 tonne rating but even uprating to 130" spec not great with standard parts. What primary transmission would you propose? NV4500? Allison 1000
Anyway, digressing greatly from OP's topic.
Apologies again.
100SRV said:
skyrover said:
100SRV said:
C Lee Farquar said:
skyrover said:
Ultimately weight is not really a problem with the Defender... so don't worry about it
The biggest problem is building a gearbox/drivetrain to take the power. Most land rover stuff is built from chocolate.
Many moons ago, when I was younger and more foolish, I mounted a Husky Superwinch on the front. The handling was noticeably worse. The biggest problem is building a gearbox/drivetrain to take the power. Most land rover stuff is built from chocolate.
I appreciate better spring and dampers are available now, not to mention tyres (I think I was Firestone SATs
) but it's not something I would dismiss lightly.Putting a Cummins in "because you can" is plain daft really, it is far too much engine for the truck. Something like a Toyota 'Cruiser 6 cylinder diesel engine would be a better bet (if it would fit) because the speed range is more suitable for the application and it is engineered to work at extreme angles. Cummins engines rely on the "gear fast run slow" principle where torque is king - ultimately the death of any Rover components.
It'll handle like a boat too. Not great for a toy and not great for a working vehicle.
Great if you have some really robust axles with around 2 to 3 tonne rating but even uprating to 130" spec not great with standard parts. What primary transmission would you propose? NV4500? Allison 1000
Anyway, digressing greatly from OP's topic.
Apologies again.
You would use the ZF S5-42 gearbox which often comes with the engine (Daf-45)
Handling should not be too much affected considering the majority of the weight is behind or over the front axle, not ahead of it. The correct spring rates will be required, and possibly an ARB
Obviously you would want to think carefully about adding a winch and bumper to such a setup.
You are under appreciating the rover's load carrying ability, it's a truck, not a sports car
Sorry OP... My ultimate advice would be to build yourself a Defender V8. Cheapest way would be to use Rover engines, however they are low powered, suck fuel and are ultimately an archaic design.
Chevrolet will be a more expensive initial investment, but offer far great rewards long term.
Truck will hold it's value too.
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