Defender V8 Auto - Experience and Thoughts
Discussion
Back in the day I owned a Defender 90 V8 County. This is maybe 20 years ago. Bought and sold it for c.£8k. Loved it.
Since then I've owned a Disco V8 auto which was one of the early 3500 ones. A true king of a car.
The next addition to the garage is to replace a rock solid Outback 3.0Rn. It's getting a bit long in the tooth so we're enjoying a long search.
We just need something for the great outdoors - dales and Pennines. Low annual mileage but needs to start every morning come rain or shine. MPG and VED are not really an issue.
My eye fell on a Subaru Tribeca but SWMBO did not take to it and this car will be 80% for her use.
Then she spotted this:
http://www.defendericon.com/land-rover-defender-sa...
I've looked at one before. £15k for a 80,000 miler.
My concern is really if these (rare) models are worth the price. We do need an auto due to a minor injury. Defender auto conversions seem to be pricey and in themselves add no value.
Does anyone have any experience of the Anniversary editions or V8 autos?
Since then I've owned a Disco V8 auto which was one of the early 3500 ones. A true king of a car.
The next addition to the garage is to replace a rock solid Outback 3.0Rn. It's getting a bit long in the tooth so we're enjoying a long search.
We just need something for the great outdoors - dales and Pennines. Low annual mileage but needs to start every morning come rain or shine. MPG and VED are not really an issue.
My eye fell on a Subaru Tribeca but SWMBO did not take to it and this car will be 80% for her use.
Then she spotted this:
http://www.defendericon.com/land-rover-defender-sa...
I've looked at one before. £15k for a 80,000 miler.
My concern is really if these (rare) models are worth the price. We do need an auto due to a minor injury. Defender auto conversions seem to be pricey and in themselves add no value.
Does anyone have any experience of the Anniversary editions or V8 autos?
The 50th Anniversary Defender is probably THE most collectible Defender and will only continue to rise in Value. They are very capable and far more relaxing to drive than a standard Defender of any age. Auto box is sublime and the 4.0 V8 is silky smooth. Get one, you won't regret it and it'll be a sound investment to boot!
I've got a V8 Defender which, unless something extremely drastic happens, I'll never part with. I was only recently contemplating the things I would/will change as needs arise, up to and including the chassis. One of the things I will almost certainly do in the fullness of time is convert it to auto (currently a 4sp manual LT95 with a Fairey overdrive).
I don't do any serious offroading, only green lanes and trails through the woods, so the auto would cope fine with that, and I just think an auto V8 90 will be a nice old thing to trundle around in (I'm lucky enough to have a few cars to choose from but the 90 is typically my go-to for all the local running around).
I don't do any serious offroading, only green lanes and trails through the woods, so the auto would cope fine with that, and I just think an auto V8 90 will be a nice old thing to trundle around in (I'm lucky enough to have a few cars to choose from but the 90 is typically my go-to for all the local running around).
Not quite sure why anyone would want an automatic given the lazy torque delivery of the V8. Certainly they are easier to drive off road but that for me would be the only major benefit.
The great thing about the EFi 3.9 V8 / LT77 manual in my Bowler is the relaxed cruising or exceptional throttle response depending upon circumstance and mood.
I'd bet you wouldn't get 26mpg out of an automatic Defender either!
The great thing about the EFi 3.9 V8 / LT77 manual in my Bowler is the relaxed cruising or exceptional throttle response depending upon circumstance and mood.
I'd bet you wouldn't get 26mpg out of an automatic Defender either!
100SRV said:
Not quite sure why anyone would want an automatic given the lazy torque delivery of the V8. Certainly they are easier to drive off road but that for me would be the only major benefit.
The great thing about the EFi 3.9 V8 / LT77 manual in my Bowler is the relaxed cruising or exceptional throttle response depending upon circumstance and mood.
I'd bet you wouldn't get 26mpg out of an automatic Defender either!
The auto option is due to one of us having a dodgy left knee. The great thing about the EFi 3.9 V8 / LT77 manual in my Bowler is the relaxed cruising or exceptional throttle response depending upon circumstance and mood.
I'd bet you wouldn't get 26mpg out of an automatic Defender either!
Our original 90 V8 was mid teens mpg so we're looking at these with our eyes open.
Bowler eh.... Any autos out there?
NailedOn said:
The auto option is due to one of us having a dodgy left knee.
Our original 90 V8 was mid teens mpg so we're looking at these with our eyes open.
Bowler eh.... Any autos out there?
Ah, a valid reason! The Defender clutch pedal is probably more ideally placed for a human to operate than in any other vehicle but I have heard that some people find it stiff. There is a kit to fit a vacuum servo to reduce pedal effort.Our original 90 V8 was mid teens mpg so we're looking at these with our eyes open.
Bowler eh.... Any autos out there?
I suspect many are automatic; the one we used to race had a Torqueflite 3-speed. Strong but heavy and sapped power. Best bet would be a ZF 4HP24 which I have considered for my 100" but didn't fit for reasons specified earlier.
100SRV said:
Ah, a valid reason! The Defender clutch pedal is probably more ideally placed for a human to operate than in any other vehicle but I have heard that some people find it stiff. There is a kit to fit a vacuum servo to reduce pedal effort.
I suspect many are automatic; the one we used to race had a Torqueflite 3-speed. Strong but heavy and sapped power. Best bet would be a ZF 4HP24 which I have considered for my 100" but didn't fit for reasons specified earlier.
That's what was used on Auto Defenders. The NAS, Japanese spec and 50th Anniversary pretty much had engines and ancillaries straight from the Discovery. A mate of mine had a Japanese one at the same time I had a air sprung RRC. Both seemed to perform equally well off road but I much preferred the comfort of the RRC. There are several specialists who do Chevy LS3 conversions. Wildcat do one with a six speed auto box.I suspect many are automatic; the one we used to race had a Torqueflite 3-speed. Strong but heavy and sapped power. Best bet would be a ZF 4HP24 which I have considered for my 100" but didn't fit for reasons specified earlier.
.
plasticpig said:
That's what was used on Auto Defenders. The NAS, Japanese spec and 50th Anniversary pretty much had engines and ancillaries straight from the Discovery. A mate of mine had a Japanese one at the same time I had a air sprung RRC. Both seemed to perform equally well off road but I much preferred the comfort of the RRC. There are several specialists who do Chevy LS3 conversions. Wildcat do one with a six speed auto box.
.
Yes, true....
What 6-speed transmission and which Wildcat company?
O/T I've recently been looking at an LS3 in a Defender. Two things mitigate against it's use in my 100" Tomcat:
width across the exhaust manifolds would make it a tight fit
mass - I've seen it quoted at around 500lb / 227kg which is some 70 odd kg heavier than the trusty RV8
just agreed and speccing my own v8 auto conversion 
Already got the RPI Stage3+ 4.6 V8 with GEMS FI (chipped) and im mating it to a ZFHP22 with large torque converter and possibly 24 internals. Apparently the EH box with compushift is better again, but another grand is starting to get expensive!
Already got the RPI Stage3+ 4.6 V8 with GEMS FI (chipped) and im mating it to a ZFHP22 with large torque converter and possibly 24 internals. Apparently the EH box with compushift is better again, but another grand is starting to get expensive!100SRV said:
Yes, true...
What 6-speed transmission and which Wildcat company?
O/T I've recently been looking at an LS3 in a Defender. Two things mitigate against it's use in my 100" Tomcat:
width across the exhaust manifolds would make it a tight fit
mass - I've seen it quoted at around 500lb / 227kg which is some 70 odd kg heavier than the trusty RV8
These guysWhat 6-speed transmission and which Wildcat company?
O/T I've recently been looking at an LS3 in a Defender. Two things mitigate against it's use in my 100" Tomcat:
width across the exhaust manifolds would make it a tight fit
mass - I've seen it quoted at around 500lb / 227kg which is some 70 odd kg heavier than the trusty RV8
plasticpig said:
100SRV said:
Yes, true...
What 6-speed transmission and which Wildcat company?
O/T I've recently been looking at an LS3 in a Defender. Two things mitigate against it's use in my 100" Tomcat:
width across the exhaust manifolds would make it a tight fit
mass - I've seen it quoted at around 500lb / 227kg which is some 70 odd kg heavier than the trusty RV8
These guysWhat 6-speed transmission and which Wildcat company?
O/T I've recently been looking at an LS3 in a Defender. Two things mitigate against it's use in my 100" Tomcat:
width across the exhaust manifolds would make it a tight fit
mass - I've seen it quoted at around 500lb / 227kg which is some 70 odd kg heavier than the trusty RV8
I can't see the LS3 weighing that much. I imported a dry LS7 with loom, starter, torque converter and enclosed wooden crate - shipping weight just over 200kg.
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
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
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
Yes, but the LS3 and LS7 are both aluminium car engines.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
The Cummins is a nice engine for road work and towing, but I certainly wouldn't want that much weight up front if I was planning any off roading.
I saw a picture of a Cummins engine in a Classic a while ago. I'm amazed it fitted, I've got a 6BT block and a scrap Classic and when I measured it there was next to no clearance on length. Same engine is in the Dodge Ram, btw. Uber cool tick over sound.
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
Good news on the weight of the car versions of the LS3 though, worth considering... ;-)
I have a defender 50th, had it about 6 years absolutely love it !!
Would be the last car we sold if we had to sell the lot, we also have a 60k classic range rover and its very different. We have also had a defender 200tdi,
300tdi,TD5 and the new ones.
The 50th is the best bar none has done 73kish now.
Ours is a very banged up 50th !! makes purists wince !! it will sit at 100mph quite happily and gives a hot hatch a fair old suprise
think of it like a cross between a bowler wildcat and a normal defender.
The only downside is it does about 9-12 mpg but you only live once, it does have a slightly played with engine / suspension however, before it was played with it only did 12-15mpg however.
We have driven the ashcroft conversions and they were pretty slow and really didn't suit the defender imho.
If you have any specific questions just give me a shout
Phib
Would be the last car we sold if we had to sell the lot, we also have a 60k classic range rover and its very different. We have also had a defender 200tdi,
300tdi,TD5 and the new ones.
The 50th is the best bar none has done 73kish now.
Ours is a very banged up 50th !! makes purists wince !! it will sit at 100mph quite happily and gives a hot hatch a fair old suprise
think of it like a cross between a bowler wildcat and a normal defender.
The only downside is it does about 9-12 mpg but you only live once, it does have a slightly played with engine / suspension however, before it was played with it only did 12-15mpg however.
We have driven the ashcroft conversions and they were pretty slow and really didn't suit the defender imho.
If you have any specific questions just give me a shout
Phib
phib said:
I have a defender 50th, had it about 6 years absolutely love it !!
Would be the last car we sold if we had to sell the lot, we also have a 60k classic range rover and its very different. We have also had a defender 200tdi,
300tdi,TD5 and the new ones.
The 50th is the best bar none has done 73kish now.
Ours is a very banged up 50th !! makes purists wince !! it will sit at 100mph quite happily and gives a hot hatch a fair old suprise
think of it like a cross between a bowler wildcat and a normal defender.
The only downside is it does about 9-12 mpg but you only live once, it does have a slightly played with engine / suspension however, before it was played with it only did 12-15mpg however.
We have driven the ashcroft conversions and they were pretty slow and really didn't suit the defender imho.
If you have any specific questions just give me a shout
Phib
Interesting stuff- thanks.Would be the last car we sold if we had to sell the lot, we also have a 60k classic range rover and its very different. We have also had a defender 200tdi,
300tdi,TD5 and the new ones.
The 50th is the best bar none has done 73kish now.
Ours is a very banged up 50th !! makes purists wince !! it will sit at 100mph quite happily and gives a hot hatch a fair old suprise
think of it like a cross between a bowler wildcat and a normal defender.
The only downside is it does about 9-12 mpg but you only live once, it does have a slightly played with engine / suspension however, before it was played with it only did 12-15mpg however.
We have driven the ashcroft conversions and they were pretty slow and really didn't suit the defender imho.
If you have any specific questions just give me a shout
Phib
What size is the fuel tank on the 50th? My old 90 was only 12 gallons IIRC.
Thought I would upload a couple of pictures of mine, a recent convert having had a v8 manual for quite some time.
4.9 v8 JE Engine with auto box.
Terra Firma Suspension and upgraded brakes.
approx 280 bhp and 340 lb/ft torquq
It's great around the lanes.
Could do with finding a new centre console as I don't like the one in it.
4.9 v8 JE Engine with auto box.
Terra Firma Suspension and upgraded brakes.
approx 280 bhp and 340 lb/ft torquq
It's great around the lanes.
Could do with finding a new centre console as I don't like the one in it.
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff