BMW M3 Powered Land Rover Defender

[AndySA]

I remember hearing about this Defender that used to race off road in South Africa at the time BMW took over Land Rover, do any of you have any info on this vehicle?

[BLUETHUNDER]

AndySA said:

I remember hearing about this Defender that used to race off road in South Africa at the time BMW took over Land Rover, do any of you have any info on this vehicle?

Never heard of that one.But i do know that the South Africans used to fit the 2.8 BMW six cylinder to the Defender.There is a company over here that now offer that conversion.

[100SRV]

I remember the "Land Rover", it was more of a silhouette racer like a cross between a Bowler Tomcat and a US Baja Protruck. When I read the article in LRW I remember wondering why trucks like that weren't more common in the UK with a similar build quality. I will see if I can find and scan the article if you wish?

100SRV

[AndySA]

Thanks I would appriciate that

[OJ]

BLUETHUNDER said:

AndySA said:

I remember hearing about this Defender that used to race off road in South Africa at the time BMW took over Land Rover, do any of you have any info on this vehicle?

Never heard of that one.But i do know that the South Africans used to fit the 2.8 BMW six cylinder to the Defender.There is a company over here that now offer that conversion.

I own a 2.8i 90. What would you like to know?

An M3 engine would be a reasonably straightforward swap, but to be honest, 200bhp is plenty enough in a defender! The only thing I'd add to mine is a 6th gear...

Edit: Oops, didn't read the other posts! Schoolboy error

Edited by OJ on Friday 8th August 10:05

[E-B]

I'm looking for info on the M3 engined 90. I'm intending to replace my 3.9 V8 with one.

Anyone got any more info on it?

[Lefty]

E-B said:

I'm looking for info on the M3 engined 90. I'm intending to replace my 3.9 V8 with one.

Anyone got any more info on it?

V8 knackered?

[E-B]

Nah,
The MSA won't give me a stage rally logbook with a V8 in it. Maximum size is 3.5 with no more than 6 cylinders. Plus it'll be an easy 300hp. Cheaper than having a V8 built to spec.

[cptsideways]

A much cheaper option would be a Supra 2JZ n/a engine 220bhp in stock trim & you wont ever break one!

£300 will buy you a decent one & it easy to get a good few more hp's from one reliably.

[E-B]

Unfortunately the Toyota unit wasn't a factory fitted engine unlike the BMW 2.8 M52 unit. By using the M3 Evo motor I can still comply with the Association of Land Rover Clubs regs as well as the MSA Stage Rally regs as it comes under the 25% capacity increase clause.

Nice idea though.

[Markh]

E-B said:

Unfortunately the Toyota unit wasn't a factory fitted engine unlike the BMW 2.8 M52 unit. By using the M3 Evo motor I can still comply with the Association of Land Rover Clubs regs as well as the MSA Stage Rally regs as it comes under the 25% capacity increase clause.

Nice idea though.

sorry have no knowledge at on this, but wouldn't an M3 engine have toatally the wrong power deviery for a Land roveer

[E-B]

Don't do mud plugging, low range has even been removed to save weight. My current V8 motor spends most of its time at 4500 - 5000 rpm.

I need reliable horsepower and loads of it.