New defender LS3 v8 project idea
Discussion
Hello all.
Is there any enthusiasm for the following which I fancy the idea of :
Contact LR UK and ask for a new (original type) defender (90 would be my interest) but without engine, suspension, gearbox, exhaust and unnecessary ancillaries.
Import a crate LS3 and have it put it along with all required bits (wiring, oil sump stuff etc) and a suitable manual or auto box, and bespoke exhaust to make the most of the sound.
I have decided that the above would be an ideal combination for me, along with air suspension to enable it to get into my garage.
I know that there are firms that do it but they are either all blinged up and/or changing silly money.
Q
If one could get the car for say £20t, engine £6t and other bits as above with labour I wonder whether mid £30's might be realistic for a neat and competent installation.
I am aware of self levelling air suspension kits for defender and ls3 has been done before.
Any thought/knowledge/enthusiasm as there may be benefits in economies of scale.
I am aware of twisted and Khan,JE and similar but I am looking for enthusiastic engineer knowledge rather than a commercial outfit looking to charge a big profit.
Thanks.
Ap
Is there any enthusiasm for the following which I fancy the idea of :
Contact LR UK and ask for a new (original type) defender (90 would be my interest) but without engine, suspension, gearbox, exhaust and unnecessary ancillaries.
Import a crate LS3 and have it put it along with all required bits (wiring, oil sump stuff etc) and a suitable manual or auto box, and bespoke exhaust to make the most of the sound.
I have decided that the above would be an ideal combination for me, along with air suspension to enable it to get into my garage.
I know that there are firms that do it but they are either all blinged up and/or changing silly money.
Q
If one could get the car for say £20t, engine £6t and other bits as above with labour I wonder whether mid £30's might be realistic for a neat and competent installation.
I am aware of self levelling air suspension kits for defender and ls3 has been done before.
Any thought/knowledge/enthusiasm as there may be benefits in economies of scale.
I am aware of twisted and Khan,JE and similar but I am looking for enthusiastic engineer knowledge rather than a commercial outfit looking to charge a big profit.
Thanks.
Ap
Edited by 58ap on Monday 17th August 15:24
As said LR won't sell you a Defender like that. You could just shell out the £93k that Urban Truck want for their LS3 Defender:-
http://www.urban-automotive.co.uk/#!copy-of-rs--ul...
http://www.urban-automotive.co.uk/#!copy-of-rs--ul...
There is a thread in GC about a chapo who paid a company to put a LS3 in a 3 series coupe. Its a long a thread and the engine work was done by a company who specialize in slotting LS3s into a variety of cars.
I'd just go and buy a decent TD5 (£8-12k should see you right) and flog the engine and box.
I'd just go and buy a decent TD5 (£8-12k should see you right) and flog the engine and box.
58ap said:
Hello all.
Is there any enthusiasm for the following which I fancy the idea of :
Contact LR UK and ask for a new (original type) defender (90 would be my interest) but without engine, suspension, gearbox, exhaust and unnecessary ancillaries.
Import a crate LS3 and have it put it along with all required bits (wiring, oil sump stuff etc) and a suitable manual or auto box, and bespoke exhaust to make the most of the sound.
I have decided that the above would be an ideal combination for me, along with air suspension to enable it to get into my garage.
I know that there are firms that do it but they are either all blinged up and/or changing silly money.
Q
If one could get the car for say £20t, engine £6t and other bits as above with labour I wonder whether mid £30's might be realistic for a neat and competent installation.
I am aware of self levelling air suspension kits for defender and ls3 has been done before.
Any thought/knowledge/enthusiasm as there may be benefits in economies of scale.
I am aware of twisted and Khan,JE and similar but I am looking for enthusiastic engineer knowledge rather than a commercial outfit looking to charge a big profit.
Thanks.
Ap
A friend of mine is in the process of doing this although, he has decided to use Twisted.Is there any enthusiasm for the following which I fancy the idea of :
Contact LR UK and ask for a new (original type) defender (90 would be my interest) but without engine, suspension, gearbox, exhaust and unnecessary ancillaries.
Import a crate LS3 and have it put it along with all required bits (wiring, oil sump stuff etc) and a suitable manual or auto box, and bespoke exhaust to make the most of the sound.
I have decided that the above would be an ideal combination for me, along with air suspension to enable it to get into my garage.
I know that there are firms that do it but they are either all blinged up and/or changing silly money.
Q
If one could get the car for say £20t, engine £6t and other bits as above with labour I wonder whether mid £30's might be realistic for a neat and competent installation.
I am aware of self levelling air suspension kits for defender and ls3 has been done before.
Any thought/knowledge/enthusiasm as there may be benefits in economies of scale.
I am aware of twisted and Khan,JE and similar but I am looking for enthusiastic engineer knowledge rather than a commercial outfit looking to charge a big profit.
Thanks.
Ap
Edited by 58ap on Monday 17th August 15:24
Base car is a new 110 UTE in Keswick Green
LS3 with 6 speed manual gear box
Super Charger
Full suspension, brake, steering, diff and wheel upgrade
No bling - Externally it will be standard other than the wheels. Standard interior other than sound deadening, upgraded hi-fi with reversing camera & smaller steering wheel. No carpets, just rubber mats.
Whilst using Twisted may be more expensive than a non specialist, they have done a lot of development work over the past few years and engineered out many problems. Therefore, there is a premium upfront for this expertise and investment. You also have a recognised product that has a wider market that a home custom build.
Another chap I know has spend years putting rapid motors LS1, Toyota JZ and Lexus V8 in cars such as 3 series coupe, Volvo 740, Supra etc. They push out significant power and in the end, the whole car needs to be modified. The costs and time build up as they seek to develop a reliable car that performs. In one case, it would have been cheaper to buy a nearly new GTR and mod that.
Edited by BlackGT3 on Thursday 27th August 12:42
By the time you've sources the engine, gearbox, mounted those to a TC, had the shafts made, uprated the brakes, cooling and all the other items to do it properly you are easily at £20k for parts. In my experience, proper conversions cost between £20-£40k depending on how much you can do yourself.
Most people source used engines, recon boxes, existing adaptor kits and much less power than a stock LS3 so as to avoid the need for expensibe braking, cooling and other drivetrain needs.
Once you go above 300 lbft of engine output very little standard LR kit lasts very long.
Most people source used engines, recon boxes, existing adaptor kits and much less power than a stock LS3 so as to avoid the need for expensibe braking, cooling and other drivetrain needs.
Once you go above 300 lbft of engine output very little standard LR kit lasts very long.
Hi, I've done this myself, only I bought an 88 Defender 110 for £3k as the base vehicle, second hand LQ4 (iron block LS 6.0) for £2000 and 4L80 for £800, plus 500 shipping cost from US.
Used the ecu that came with the engine, reprogrammed with HP tuners software.
Used the defender transfer case and Marks 4x4 adaptor to the 4l80.
Engine mounts from Forbyn Bros in the States,
local guys did the work, and the engine and box go straight in with no bulkhead mods. The gearbox mounts one side using the OEM mount to the transfer case. On the other side the OEM mount is used with a bit of a mod, cut in half and rewelded with 180 degree twist.
I used a PCS controller for gear change (as per the top firms), and the Disco H/L adaptor from Ashcroft for H/L change.
Got a good guy who spliced the harness that came with the engine to the defender loom.
The result is off the chart, it does 100 mph at 4000 rpm (private road of course), so must be good for 130-140 top end. 0-60 in about 10 secs.
Cost wise you have to factor in replacing ancillaries all of which need to come from the States, plus sensors, torque converter. Used an OEM defender radiator, for a turbo diesel with the hose joiner repositioned. Used a turbo diesel exhaust which is 3" diameter. Aftermarket headers and custom made section from the headers to OEM section.
All in all I reckon parts and labour were about 12k for the conversion plus about 3-4 for recommissioning the vehicle. Labour probably less if you use new parts as fault diagnosis on second hand parts (I recommend fitting all new sensors and ancillaries from the start)
I would budget £15k for all new parts if going that route. You'd have to budget 7k labour to incude electrician, exhaust modification, testing etc. A guy in Farnborough did all the work for me, and once we had replaced all the sensors, starter motor, alternator etc. I've had over a year of trouble free driving covering 5k miles
The extra weight up front in the 110 also improves weight distribution and handling significantly.
Impossible to describe how much fun one of these is to own, and much better to drive over original. My recommendation to anyone thinking of this is you should do it
Used the ecu that came with the engine, reprogrammed with HP tuners software.
Used the defender transfer case and Marks 4x4 adaptor to the 4l80.
Engine mounts from Forbyn Bros in the States,
local guys did the work, and the engine and box go straight in with no bulkhead mods. The gearbox mounts one side using the OEM mount to the transfer case. On the other side the OEM mount is used with a bit of a mod, cut in half and rewelded with 180 degree twist.
I used a PCS controller for gear change (as per the top firms), and the Disco H/L adaptor from Ashcroft for H/L change.
Got a good guy who spliced the harness that came with the engine to the defender loom.
The result is off the chart, it does 100 mph at 4000 rpm (private road of course), so must be good for 130-140 top end. 0-60 in about 10 secs.
Cost wise you have to factor in replacing ancillaries all of which need to come from the States, plus sensors, torque converter. Used an OEM defender radiator, for a turbo diesel with the hose joiner repositioned. Used a turbo diesel exhaust which is 3" diameter. Aftermarket headers and custom made section from the headers to OEM section.
All in all I reckon parts and labour were about 12k for the conversion plus about 3-4 for recommissioning the vehicle. Labour probably less if you use new parts as fault diagnosis on second hand parts (I recommend fitting all new sensors and ancillaries from the start)
I would budget £15k for all new parts if going that route. You'd have to budget 7k labour to incude electrician, exhaust modification, testing etc. A guy in Farnborough did all the work for me, and once we had replaced all the sensors, starter motor, alternator etc. I've had over a year of trouble free driving covering 5k miles
The extra weight up front in the 110 also improves weight distribution and handling significantly.
Impossible to describe how much fun one of these is to own, and much better to drive over original. My recommendation to anyone thinking of this is you should do it
Hi, I've done this myself, only I bought an 88 Defender 110 for £3k as the base vehicle, second hand LQ4 (iron block LS 6.0) for £2000 and 4L80 for £800, plus 500 shipping cost from US.
Used the ecu that came with the engine, reprogrammed with HP tuners software.
Used the defender transfer case and Marks 4x4 adaptor to the 4l80.
Engine mounts from Forbyn Bros in the States,
local guys did the work, and the engine and box go straight in with no bulkhead mods. The gearbox mounts one side using the OEM mount to the transfer case. On the other side the OEM mount is used with a bit of a mod, cut in half and rewelded with 180 degree twist.
I used a PCS controller for gear change (as per the top firms), and the Disco H/L adaptor from Ashcroft for H/L change.
Got a good guy who spliced the harness that came with the engine to the defender loom.
The result is off the chart, it does 100 mph at 4000 rpm (private road of course), so must be good for 130-140 top end. 0-60 in about 10 secs.
Cost wise you have to factor in replacing ancillaries all of which need to come from the States, plus sensors, torque converter. Used an OEM defender radiator, for a turbo diesel with the hose joiner repositioned. Used a turbo diesel exhaust which is 3" diameter. Aftermarket headers and custom made section from the headers to OEM section.
All in all I reckon parts and labour were about 12k for the conversion plus about 3-4 for recommissioning the vehicle. Labour probably less if you use new parts as fault diagnosis on second hand parts (I recommend fitting all new sensors and ancillaries from the start)
I would budget £15k for all new parts if going that route. You'd have to budget 7k labour to incude electrician, exhaust modification, testing etc. A guy in Farnborough did all the work for me, and once we had replaced all the sensors, starter motor, alternator etc. I've had over a year of trouble free driving covering 5k miles
The extra weight up front in the 110 also improves weight distribution and handling significantly.
Impossible to describe how much fun one of these is to own, and much better to drive over original. My recommendation to anyone thinking of this is you should do it
Used the ecu that came with the engine, reprogrammed with HP tuners software.
Used the defender transfer case and Marks 4x4 adaptor to the 4l80.
Engine mounts from Forbyn Bros in the States,
local guys did the work, and the engine and box go straight in with no bulkhead mods. The gearbox mounts one side using the OEM mount to the transfer case. On the other side the OEM mount is used with a bit of a mod, cut in half and rewelded with 180 degree twist.
I used a PCS controller for gear change (as per the top firms), and the Disco H/L adaptor from Ashcroft for H/L change.
Got a good guy who spliced the harness that came with the engine to the defender loom.
The result is off the chart, it does 100 mph at 4000 rpm (private road of course), so must be good for 130-140 top end. 0-60 in about 10 secs.
Cost wise you have to factor in replacing ancillaries all of which need to come from the States, plus sensors, torque converter. Used an OEM defender radiator, for a turbo diesel with the hose joiner repositioned. Used a turbo diesel exhaust which is 3" diameter. Aftermarket headers and custom made section from the headers to OEM section.
All in all I reckon parts and labour were about 12k for the conversion plus about 3-4 for recommissioning the vehicle. Labour probably less if you use new parts as fault diagnosis on second hand parts (I recommend fitting all new sensors and ancillaries from the start)
I would budget £15k for all new parts if going that route. You'd have to budget 7k labour to incude electrician, exhaust modification, testing etc. A guy in Farnborough did all the work for me, and once we had replaced all the sensors, starter motor, alternator etc. I've had over a year of trouble free driving covering 5k miles
The extra weight up front in the 110 also improves weight distribution and handling significantly.
Impossible to describe how much fun one of these is to own, and much better to drive over original. My recommendation to anyone thinking of this is you should do it
Any particular reason it has to be new? You could buy a used one, update any parts (body etc) which needed it, and do the power plant/suspension upgrade. Probably a much easier route.
You could look into the SVA points list and see how much you can do without it becoming an SVA issue.
You could look into the SVA points list and see how much you can do without it becoming an SVA issue.
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