Run Out Defender, any truth in a v8 petrol ?
Discussion
I went to the local MD almost 3 weeks ago, they professed to know nothing about it. I told them I wanted one and wanted my name down, and they said they would check with the factory and let me know. So far the silence has been deafening.
People have mocked the idea saying that it would require re-engineering (ya haaaa?), new type approval, etc etc etc but I don't see how it's that outlandish; LR have sold V8 Defenders before, and they have a proven drivetrain which surely wouldn't take them that much to modify to fit under a 90 chassis?
People have mocked the idea saying that it would require re-engineering (ya haaaa?), new type approval, etc etc etc but I don't see how it's that outlandish; LR have sold V8 Defenders before, and they have a proven drivetrain which surely wouldn't take them that much to modify to fit under a 90 chassis?
Cfnteabag said:
There are a number of companies that specialise in fitting pretty much any engine to a defender including the jaguar v8 engine
Indeed, and I have even thought about swapping out the RV8 in my 90 for a SBC, but the point here is to have a limited-edition, end of range model, which I think has distinct potential to be not only a great toy, but potentially an investment too.If i was buying new Im only interested in a proper factory built v8 not a conversion, and on the basis i've kept my d2 for the lsat 11 years it would be a keeper.
my only other option is to find an original early factory v8 and rebuild it from the ground up with a late rover block and 5.2 spec...
or maybe a 50th anniversary but they are rare and pricey.
I do expect a run out v8 would have a large premium, judging by 50th prices should hold them fairly well
my only other option is to find an original early factory v8 and rebuild it from the ground up with a late rover block and 5.2 spec...
or maybe a 50th anniversary but they are rare and pricey.
I do expect a run out v8 would have a large premium, judging by 50th prices should hold them fairly well
Edited by Graham on Thursday 6th March 13:50
Personally I'd go for one of the 50th's and have it rebuilt and upgraded, it's not like the new ones are significantly better interior or equipment wise in any way that can't easily be done aftermarket and they're increasingly desirable.
A bit of a leftfield suggestion, if it's just a decent petrol lump you want and you don't mind a bit of hassle getting your car then you could look to ship a South African 2.8i like mine.
They're not particularly pricey in SA, there's a couple of thousand in circulation so they turn up regularly, and it's a pretty fun engine in a Landy. It's manual, quite revvy (for better or worse depending on what you want) and significantly quicker than any factory V8. An added bonus is that it also comes in 110 form although I can't imagine it's particularly quick!
Some people baulk at the rarity but in reality there are very few parts (perhaps only one or two) that aren't from a TD5, an E36 328i or a P38 Diesel manual (which itself apparently robs most parts from the E36 325TDS).
A bit of a leftfield suggestion, if it's just a decent petrol lump you want and you don't mind a bit of hassle getting your car then you could look to ship a South African 2.8i like mine.
They're not particularly pricey in SA, there's a couple of thousand in circulation so they turn up regularly, and it's a pretty fun engine in a Landy. It's manual, quite revvy (for better or worse depending on what you want) and significantly quicker than any factory V8. An added bonus is that it also comes in 110 form although I can't imagine it's particularly quick!
Some people baulk at the rarity but in reality there are very few parts (perhaps only one or two) that aren't from a TD5, an E36 328i or a P38 Diesel manual (which itself apparently robs most parts from the E36 325TDS).
^ the reaction from the two salesmen I spoke to, at a main dealer whose name I can't quite remember but was something like Greg Haddock 
ranged from bemusement to "don't be so fecking ridiculous". They still haven't called me back after "checking with the area manager". Time for a follow-up call I guess.
ranged from bemusement to "don't be so fecking ridiculous". They still haven't called me back after "checking with the area manager". Time for a follow-up call I guess. Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff