The Overfinch Discovery legend is true
Discussion
I don't know about nitrous, but Edelbrock do a retro-look bolt-on supercharger with Eaton internals for the L98 small block(and others besides) which is a temptation.
I will not do it straight away though - should be quick enough to begin with - crate motors to the same spec are 450lbs/ft of torque and over 400 bhp anyway so that should keep me intrested for the interim.
I will not do it straight away though - should be quick enough to begin with - crate motors to the same spec are 450lbs/ft of torque and over 400 bhp anyway so that should keep me intrested for the interim.
The gearbox in my Overfinch Discovery 1 has proved to be a STANDARD ZF HP22 with the medium torque converter - seems my HD Ashcroft unit - as per service history - had been removed and replaced with an old crudder from a 1991 RR Classic!
Never mind - one buys old cars from seemingly genuine blokes at ones peril! But we all know that anyway!
This unit is in Luton as we speak(or type!) having the Ashcroft Stage 2 upgrades - see their website - which includes the front end from a HP24 with a large converter - appears that many, including Donkey, have used these with no problems.
In case you are interested the torque from the 383 is phenomenal - spun all four wheels on dry tarmac with only 1/3 throttle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for my brakes etc - decided to put the disco 2 axles on the defender so I can have decent calipers and also going with 18-inch Hurricane alloys for big cross-drilled discs.
will put some photos on as the strip-down continues
Never mind - one buys old cars from seemingly genuine blokes at ones peril! But we all know that anyway!
This unit is in Luton as we speak(or type!) having the Ashcroft Stage 2 upgrades - see their website - which includes the front end from a HP24 with a large converter - appears that many, including Donkey, have used these with no problems.
In case you are interested the torque from the 383 is phenomenal - spun all four wheels on dry tarmac with only 1/3 throttle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for my brakes etc - decided to put the disco 2 axles on the defender so I can have decent calipers and also going with 18-inch Hurricane alloys for big cross-drilled discs.
will put some photos on as the strip-down continues
Edited by vjj on Tuesday 18th September 18:24
Edited by vjj on Wednesday 19th September 22:38
Edited by vjj on Wednesday 19th September 22:40
Edited by vjj on Wednesday 19th September 22:44
DonkeyApple said:
eliot said:
A quick google around found a thread saying you put many of the internals from the hp24 into a 22, including the tc.
Im suprised the boxes live behind the chevy, but i suspect the engines dont put out as much power as you think and also the smaller wheels must help considerbly.
Yup. I believe the ZF from the P38 was tougher than the version in the Classic. I believe Ashcroft still do additional work beyond that. Im suprised the boxes live behind the chevy, but i suspect the engines dont put out as much power as you think and also the smaller wheels must help considerbly.
The engines Overfinch used were the SBC 350 but I'm pretty sure they sourced them from wherever they were cheapest and so there is a wide range of differing LT model engines out there in Overfinches delivering different outputs. The management systems they used were also cheap and nasty so you wouldn't be getting the best performance anyway.
That's why many have switched to carbs as owners had nothing to lose in terms of economy and while gaining better performance would probably also get better MPG.
What has happened to your lovely LSE 5.7 - has it been in an accident by any chance?
As for your 2-door RR, I know Damon O in Witney is doing a couple of conversions with crate LS3 engines and Ashcroft Auto gearboxes - is yours one of those?
Not prying or anything - just keen to chew tha fat with other Overfinch Enthusiast
eliot said:
DonkeyApple said:
Have you checked yet that these aren't standard parts? Very, very few Overfinches had any beefed up drive train beyond the HD ZF box.
It was one long options list and most people simply specced the engine and dash trim and badges to save money.
Most didn't even have the HD box let alone diffs or brakes.
I've read that too. I suspect there's little you can do to beef the ZF box up anyway. Probably slightly better aftermarket clutch plates (if you are lucky) and increased line pressures (likely).It was one long options list and most people simply specced the engine and dash trim and badges to save money.
Most didn't even have the HD box let alone diffs or brakes.
That's the benefit of using yank boxes such as the GM hydramatic's - there's always someone who has put far more power and abuse through one long before us brits have to mess around. Although it took several iterations to get a 700R4 to last behind my engine, but it works fine now.
Reading through this thread you will come to see that my ZF gearbox is at Ashcroft awaiting their Stage 2 upgrade - I am hoping and praying things will be fine.
However I need a back-up plan.
I have a 700 sitting in my garage......................................................................
Bearing in mind I now have a 383 stroker that puts out well over 400lbs of twist, if I crossed your palms with many pieces of silver - ..................................................I don't need to elaborate further.
I know what you said on MEZ, but....................................
Landrovers must prevail........................
Chevy V8's must prevail...................................
Overfinches(up to 2002!) must prevail.........................
High-performance Landrovers must prevail..............................
Can you help?
Victor
Eliot
you are probably right - as usual.
I won't be doing any offroading/heavy towing etc with the vehicle.
When I was over at Ashcroft discussing my requirements with Dave he said that repeated full-throttle change-ups are what cause the real internal damage - I should have so much torque that I won't need to be doing many of those.
All the best with the house build - if you need any advice let me know - I am a chartered surveyor.
Victor
you are probably right - as usual.
I won't be doing any offroading/heavy towing etc with the vehicle.
When I was over at Ashcroft discussing my requirements with Dave he said that repeated full-throttle change-ups are what cause the real internal damage - I should have so much torque that I won't need to be doing many of those.
All the best with the house build - if you need any advice let me know - I am a chartered surveyor.
Victor
morning gents,
Donkey - good luck with your RR 2-door project - I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of photos of the car now.
Eliot is a cracking bloke who knows Range Rovers as well as most - he has been of great help to me and is always a good place to start if you are in a fix. His website(MEZ) is well worth a read-through and has saved me a lot of time and expense over the years.
I have twice nomonated him for a knighthood for his services to the Landrover and Rover V8 communities but those miserable ******ds in whitehall all drive Priuses and appear to have no appreciation of greatness!
As you know My Overfinch Disco and lovely old 90 are about to become one 'Overchevdefender6.3'
This has left me with no Land Rover to see me through the winter/take stuff to the dump/emergency tow truck/excuse to go to the LR meet at brighton on 7th October/etc - a state of affairs which could lead me to the loony bin.
I therefore started looking around for a suitable winter chariot which could then be sold in the spring when the project is complete.
I went to look at a blue V8 Discovery that had a 'ticking' noise, but appeared to be otherwise in good order(1997, ES7, 72000 miles). When I got there I found this amazing car in Tahiti Blue that looked about a year old. Couldn't believe my luck.
Got it up on the ramp at a local garage and the underside was mint - not a spot of rust, all new bushes, and clear waxoyl everywhere.
Turns out it was a Japanese-spec car with 118000 kms that had been brought back here by Simmonites and sold to the owner for £8000 in 2010 - he then had an LPG System fitted(2grand) with underslung tanks - so a nice car.
In Japan they don't use salt on the roads and the car had belonged to the British Embassy so had been kept indoors and treated accordingly.
As the engine warmed up the ticking noise began - turns out to be more than a tick - a knock in fact.
I was so disappointed as I knew this was serious and was about to walk away - but I couldn't - the car was so lovely.
I did a deal with the bloke and two days later collected the car and drove it home.
We took the sump off and found three bits of piston skirt from number five cylider in the bottom.
So we stripped the heads off - and there is was - a slipped liner on number five - hence the knock when the engine was warm where the liner was jumping in the bore causing the knock - this also created the metal fatigue on the piston which caused the skirt to fall away. I wasn't too disappointed as I was expecting to have to do some work.
I had already sold my lovely TVR lump from my defender so I was in a bit of a pickle - do I buy a seconhand 3.9 and take a chance or do I shell out over 2 grand on a new short engine with top hat liners from local engineers Turners.
Needless to say, me being me, I bought the new engine together with a kent H180 Hi-Torque cam.
The heads were sent off for a light skim, and I have fitted a full stainless sports exhaust system with wrapped free-flow stainless headers, K&n Filter, ACT Trumpets and sfter running in the Tornado chip from the defender ECU.
All in all, with what I paid for it, the car owes me just under 5 grand - which I agree is a lot for a 97 Disco.
However I am confident I will get a lot of that back when I sell in the spring and it is probably the best V8 Mk1 Disco in the country.
Update - she fired first time and sounds fantastic so I am running in now before fitting the Tornado chip and dialing in a more agrresive timing profile.
Donkey - good luck with your RR 2-door project - I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of photos of the car now.
Eliot is a cracking bloke who knows Range Rovers as well as most - he has been of great help to me and is always a good place to start if you are in a fix. His website(MEZ) is well worth a read-through and has saved me a lot of time and expense over the years.
I have twice nomonated him for a knighthood for his services to the Landrover and Rover V8 communities but those miserable ******ds in whitehall all drive Priuses and appear to have no appreciation of greatness!
As you know My Overfinch Disco and lovely old 90 are about to become one 'Overchevdefender6.3'
This has left me with no Land Rover to see me through the winter/take stuff to the dump/emergency tow truck/excuse to go to the LR meet at brighton on 7th October/etc - a state of affairs which could lead me to the loony bin.
I therefore started looking around for a suitable winter chariot which could then be sold in the spring when the project is complete.
I went to look at a blue V8 Discovery that had a 'ticking' noise, but appeared to be otherwise in good order(1997, ES7, 72000 miles). When I got there I found this amazing car in Tahiti Blue that looked about a year old. Couldn't believe my luck.
Got it up on the ramp at a local garage and the underside was mint - not a spot of rust, all new bushes, and clear waxoyl everywhere.
Turns out it was a Japanese-spec car with 118000 kms that had been brought back here by Simmonites and sold to the owner for £8000 in 2010 - he then had an LPG System fitted(2grand) with underslung tanks - so a nice car.
In Japan they don't use salt on the roads and the car had belonged to the British Embassy so had been kept indoors and treated accordingly.
As the engine warmed up the ticking noise began - turns out to be more than a tick - a knock in fact.
I was so disappointed as I knew this was serious and was about to walk away - but I couldn't - the car was so lovely.
I did a deal with the bloke and two days later collected the car and drove it home.
We took the sump off and found three bits of piston skirt from number five cylider in the bottom.
So we stripped the heads off - and there is was - a slipped liner on number five - hence the knock when the engine was warm where the liner was jumping in the bore causing the knock - this also created the metal fatigue on the piston which caused the skirt to fall away. I wasn't too disappointed as I was expecting to have to do some work.
I had already sold my lovely TVR lump from my defender so I was in a bit of a pickle - do I buy a seconhand 3.9 and take a chance or do I shell out over 2 grand on a new short engine with top hat liners from local engineers Turners.
Needless to say, me being me, I bought the new engine together with a kent H180 Hi-Torque cam.
The heads were sent off for a light skim, and I have fitted a full stainless sports exhaust system with wrapped free-flow stainless headers, K&n Filter, ACT Trumpets and sfter running in the Tornado chip from the defender ECU.
All in all, with what I paid for it, the car owes me just under 5 grand - which I agree is a lot for a 97 Disco.
However I am confident I will get a lot of that back when I sell in the spring and it is probably the best V8 Mk1 Disco in the country.
Update - she fired first time and sounds fantastic so I am running in now before fitting the Tornado chip and dialing in a more agrresive timing profile.
Edited by vjj on Tuesday 25th September 09:36
Edited by vjj on Tuesday 25th September 09:39
[quote=Jam Spavlin]Any pics of your new disco?[/quote
here
I also binned the comedy Jap-spec squishy suspension and fitted new uk springs and uprated De Carbon shocks.
Also had Aircon regassed, tracking done, wheels balanced ,rattling rear door fixed(common problem) and lpg system serviced.
Tornado ecu upgrade fitted - goes like the clappers, handles well, looks cool in Tahiti blue, sounds awesome.
Generally very pleased ...........................but it now owes me a grand total of 5900 pounds.
here
I also binned the comedy Jap-spec squishy suspension and fitted new uk springs and uprated De Carbon shocks.
Also had Aircon regassed, tracking done, wheels balanced ,rattling rear door fixed(common problem) and lpg system serviced.
Tornado ecu upgrade fitted - goes like the clappers, handles well, looks cool in Tahiti blue, sounds awesome.
Generally very pleased ...........................but it now owes me a grand total of 5900 pounds.
Edited by vjj on Wednesday 3rd October 09:41
Edited by vjj on Wednesday 3rd October 09:44
Edited by vjj on Wednesday 3rd October 09:46
E-B said:
Hi Guys
reading this thread took me back a few years. I drove an Overfinch 570i converted Disco after it came into a friends LR garage in Bucks.
IIRC it belonged to a local farmer who was also a racing driver/instructor at silverstone. It was a metallic red in colour and ES spec.
I recall we had to set up the holley single point injection system on the newly opened Tingewick bypass (circa 2000) I think the car was a '97/'98 MY.
That makes three then - reading this thread took me back a few years. I drove an Overfinch 570i converted Disco after it came into a friends LR garage in Bucks.
IIRC it belonged to a local farmer who was also a racing driver/instructor at silverstone. It was a metallic red in colour and ES spec.
I recall we had to set up the holley single point injection system on the newly opened Tingewick bypass (circa 2000) I think the car was a '97/'98 MY.
1. Mine - in Jewish Racing Gold
2. The red one mentioned above
3. the pale blue one for sale on Ebay with the manual gearbox.
I also know of a silver one that was only a 300 tdi but had all the overfinch bits(rack, suspension etc) but that died a few years ago.
That's it for mk 1's.
I know of one black Discovery 2 that was built with a 5.7 with chevy's own Tuned Port Injection.
Any more for any more?
DonkeyApple said:
vjj said:
morning gents,
Donkey - good luck with your RR 2-door project - I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of photos of the car now.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=1200926&mid=198273&i=0&nmt=BMW+E93+Convertible+seats&mid=198273Donkey - good luck with your RR 2-door project - I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of photos of the car now.
BUT if you want more poke and cruising economy, why not put a TVR 5.0 in it with Hotwire, Tornado chip, etc and run it on single-point LPG with chassis tanks? - put in beefed-up Ashcoft stage 2 ZF 4-speed auto like mine with a 1.2 ratio transfer box.
You will be cruising quietly at 85 at 2750 rpm sipping LPG at 74p per litre.
Ok so you can't go on the eurotunnel - so you'll have to go on the ferry and have a beer, some steak and chips and a stroll afterwards followed by a quick game of blackjack in the casino - not too bad methinks!
Sounds fair enough to me bro'
I think an aluminium Chevy lump could be a good option - I don't know why you need an LS3, though - a 5.3 Vortec truck engine in Aluminium(LH6 or LC9) with some Edelbrock heads/manifold/efi and a roller cam will give you over 350bhp and 400 lbs torque all at the front end - where you need it.
They can be found quite easily and are bulletproof - RealSteel in Uxbridge can source and build you one for less way than an LS3 and it will have a much more period look - a round air cleaner like a carburettor car for example.
The LS3 is great for TVR's etc but it is a bit of a revver.
Just a thought.
I think an aluminium Chevy lump could be a good option - I don't know why you need an LS3, though - a 5.3 Vortec truck engine in Aluminium(LH6 or LC9) with some Edelbrock heads/manifold/efi and a roller cam will give you over 350bhp and 400 lbs torque all at the front end - where you need it.
They can be found quite easily and are bulletproof - RealSteel in Uxbridge can source and build you one for less way than an LS3 and it will have a much more period look - a round air cleaner like a carburettor car for example.
The LS3 is great for TVR's etc but it is a bit of a revver.
Just a thought.
Edited by vjj on Wednesday 3rd October 20:45
DonkeyApple said:
vjj said:
That makes three then -
1. Mine - in Jewish Racing Gold
2. The red one mentioned above
3. the pale blue one for sale on Ebay with the manual gearbox.
I also know of a silver one that was only a 300 tdi but had all the overfinch bits(rack, suspension etc) but that died a few years ago.
That's it for mk 1's.
I know of one black Discovery 2 that was built with a 5.7 with chevy's own Tuned Port Injection.
Any more for any more?
Damon has one in silver. 1. Mine - in Jewish Racing Gold
2. The red one mentioned above
3. the pale blue one for sale on Ebay with the manual gearbox.
I also know of a silver one that was only a 300 tdi but had all the overfinch bits(rack, suspension etc) but that died a few years ago.
That's it for mk 1's.
I know of one black Discovery 2 that was built with a 5.7 with chevy's own Tuned Port Injection.
Any more for any more?
Couldn't find the one on EBay?
The manual box is a standard Land rover box - LT85 I believe - famed for it's 'agricultural' nature.
He should swap it for an auto but I think he has already spend more than he is asking fror the car in restoration so I can understand his reluctance.
Very sorry to hear about your knee - having played rugby in the front row for over 20 years I am an expert on dodgy joints and backs............................you must have an auto in your 2-door.
Edited by vjj on Thursday 4th October 07:32
Hi Guys
here is an update for those of you who followed this thread.
The 2nd-last Genuine Overfinch Disco is no more - that means Damon Orloff has the last one known about.
I got the car running fantastically well with the 383 stroker and Ashcroft Stage 2 Auto with huge torque convertor. A new transfer box is on its way.
The disco body has been lifted off the chassis and now all the running gear will be overhauled/replaced and transfered across to the new Galvanised chassis for the superdefender.
The car will have a full 50th rollcage assembly and be returned to a station wagon in Keswick green with a puma steel bonnet. I will be retaining the 90 dash, but putting in an XS interior with factory rear forward-facing seats and wheelarches, a Predator switch pod, 50th Anniversart auto console etc etc.
I already have fantastic brakes on the defender(it had a TVR motor before) so between the two cars and a couple of grands worth of new parts I should have quite a machine
I now have pretty much everything to complete the work over the next 2 months
Couple of photos below - mechanic Derek decided to give the Overfinch Disco Chassis one last speed trial around the workshop before strip-down
I know it seems a shame to scrap such a potentially nice vehicle. - the body and chassis were both salveagable but by the time you add 5k for a full respray,3k for a complete new interior and also needing a complete re-wire, suspension and brake overhaul etc, it gets uncomfortable - would be different if it was a soft-dash Classic RR.
here is an update for those of you who followed this thread.
The 2nd-last Genuine Overfinch Disco is no more - that means Damon Orloff has the last one known about.
I got the car running fantastically well with the 383 stroker and Ashcroft Stage 2 Auto with huge torque convertor. A new transfer box is on its way.
The disco body has been lifted off the chassis and now all the running gear will be overhauled/replaced and transfered across to the new Galvanised chassis for the superdefender.
The car will have a full 50th rollcage assembly and be returned to a station wagon in Keswick green with a puma steel bonnet. I will be retaining the 90 dash, but putting in an XS interior with factory rear forward-facing seats and wheelarches, a Predator switch pod, 50th Anniversart auto console etc etc.
I already have fantastic brakes on the defender(it had a TVR motor before) so between the two cars and a couple of grands worth of new parts I should have quite a machine
I now have pretty much everything to complete the work over the next 2 months
Couple of photos below - mechanic Derek decided to give the Overfinch Disco Chassis one last speed trial around the workshop before strip-down
I know it seems a shame to scrap such a potentially nice vehicle. - the body and chassis were both salveagable but by the time you add 5k for a full respray,3k for a complete new interior and also needing a complete re-wire, suspension and brake overhaul etc, it gets uncomfortable - would be different if it was a soft-dash Classic RR.
Edited by vjj on Wednesday 12th December 19:53
DonkeyApple said:
Looking good.
Sadly, I just don't think there is any real value in an Overfinch Disco in contrast to a RRC or Defender.
I suspect that by putting the Overfinch kit into a Defender you will be building something more valuable.
Hoping so BrotherSadly, I just don't think there is any real value in an Overfinch Disco in contrast to a RRC or Defender.
I suspect that by putting the Overfinch kit into a Defender you will be building something more valuable.
Have you decided on an engine/transmission combo for the 2-door yet?
Trommel said:
vjj said:
The 2nd-last Genuine Overfinch Disco is no more - that means Damon Orloff has the last one known about.
There are/were more than you think (in fact there was a 5 litre on eBay the other week).If it was a disco then that would be great news but a little bird from Overfinch who had been there from the Schuler days in 1985 told me that 'only a handful' of discos were done, some of which were LHD and went overseas.
Trommel said:
vjj said:
the one in completed listings is my car
Not unless you only bought it three weeks ago.What colour was it - there was a Rioja red one that was around a few years ago and is now unaccounted for(see earlier in this post)
The silver one is dead and the black one is in Australia.
I have a setting on ebay for alerts whenever Overfinch is mentioned so I don't know why it wasn't picked up.
If it was a 5 litre it could have been a Litchfield(collaboration between Lord Litchfield, TVR Power and TMS in Melton Mowbray I believe - one of the mums at school has one)
Hi Guys
UPDATE
My brilliant engineer Derek(for that is what he be) promised me a rolling chassis by Christmas and he has been as good as his word
Went over there this morning with the wife to have a look and thank him for all his hard work.
I have Terrafirma suspension with 1-inch drop and uprated springs using standard-height turrets.
Thanks to Andrew at Maverick 4x4 for quick delivery
still got to put on up-rated anti-roll bars from Overfinch disco chassis - the overfinch suspension was tired so went with new.
same for the brakes - put new vented discs on front and solid on rear
Bulkhead and brake lines will be going on next and re-wire will commence.
Happy Christmas to one and all - will update in early Jan.
UPDATE
My brilliant engineer Derek(for that is what he be) promised me a rolling chassis by Christmas and he has been as good as his word
Went over there this morning with the wife to have a look and thank him for all his hard work.
I have Terrafirma suspension with 1-inch drop and uprated springs using standard-height turrets.
Thanks to Andrew at Maverick 4x4 for quick delivery
still got to put on up-rated anti-roll bars from Overfinch disco chassis - the overfinch suspension was tired so went with new.
same for the brakes - put new vented discs on front and solid on rear
Bulkhead and brake lines will be going on next and re-wire will commence.
Happy Christmas to one and all - will update in early Jan.
Edited by vjj on Saturday 22 December 13:51
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