defender pick up v8 0-60 under 5 sec

[tommybloxham]

hi there i have a defender pick up 110 v8 any idears on how to get the 0 - 60 down under 5 sec engine? gearbox? 2wd 4wd?

[Cyberprog]

Re mortgage the house, empty the wallet, sack the missus, then go and see RPI Engineering

[JimexPL]

An LS7 should do the job.

Don't expect the half shafts to be up for more than one 0-60 run though!

[Rollcage]

Buy a Bowler instead - probably cheaper!

[Bish]

Do this.............and you'll nearly be there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnneFHKzYbQ

or this.........if you have £34,000 minimum....

http://www.jeengineering.co.uk/defender/the-je-qzu...

[Andy Sargeant]

Try putting some NGK V-Groove spark plugs and some Optimax petrol.

I did this to my 90 V8 and was amazed at the difference.

Andy.

[100SRV]

"Try putting some NGK V-Groove spark plugs and some Optimax petrol"

Really?

I run about 6° of advance on the 3.9 in my Bowler, I tried "trick" petrol when running BBC needles and the usual sort, didn't seem to make much difference. Mind you it was only two tank fulls and I only have the NGK BPR9ES plugs...

The BBC needles made more difference than the usual ones (no, not stock BAK!)

100SRV

[100SRV]

Rollcage said:

Buy a Bowler instead - probably cheaper!

Best place to start - lose weight and lots of it!

[eliot]

I'm running a 350 chevy with twin turbo's in my Dakar. Not sure of the 0-60, but its around the mid 5's based on other cars I have 'met'. Quite a handful I would say.

[Andy Sargeant]

Another thing well worth trying is to fit 205/55x13 tyres,but the wheels are a little tricky to get hold of.

I fitted these a few years ago and my 90 sure did burn rubber, mind you I think that was because the mud flaps were dragging on the road.

Andy.

[100SRV]

Hi Eliot, any idea what the kerb mass of your Dakar is?

[eliot]

100SRV said:

Hi Eliot, any idea what the kerb mass of your Dakar is?

1800 kilos the last time it was on the weighbridge.

[100SRV]

Ouch, that is heavy! I presume that the body tub is fibreglass - what are the heavy components to end up with a kerb mass of 1800kg? Is it the different engine and transmission?

[IanMorewood]

Sub 5 seconds? A rocket booster pack stuck in the back?

To get close you would need a huge reduction in weight and a big dollop of power, also the gearbox and drive train would have to be rebuilt, plus you would need some sticky tarmac tyres.

[C Lee Farquar]

Unless you have a substantial budget the only way to achieve this would be to push it off a cliff.

[eliot]

100SRV said:

Ouch, that is heavy! I presume that the body tub is fibreglass - what are the heavy components to end up with a kerb mass of 1800kg? Is it the different engine and transmission?

its a classic range rover with the outer body removed, leaving original floor pan, bulkhead chassis etc - then you add a roll cage which is pretty thick.
Then there is the slight matter of a 5.7 chevy in it, which adds quite a bit. Each wheel and tyre weighs nearly 50 kilos (and I have a spare) - so that's another 200+ kilos..
Its way to heavy for a competition vehicle.

[GreenV8S]

tommybloxham said:

hi there i have a defender pick up 110 v8 any idears on how to get the 0 - 60 down under 5 sec engine? gearbox? 2wd 4wd?

I think you'd need the thick end of 300 bhp-per-ton (and transmission that can take it), so if you know the vehicle weight you can work out the rest yourself.

[300bhp/ton]

tommybloxham said:

hi there i have a defender pick up 110 v8 any idears on how to get the 0 - 60 down under 5 sec engine? gearbox? 2wd 4wd?

Do you have a budget?

Axles and diffs will likely break so plan to upgrade them or swap them out for something stronger once you have broken them. I'd opt for an auto as they are quite tough and will be more sympathetic on the rest of the drivetrain. All Rover manual gearboxes are rubbish really for high hp applications. The Lt230 transfer case will most likely be ok or look into an Atlas transfer case. I'd try and stick 4wd myself just don't try doing burnouts. If you go rwd you need a rear LSD and an even stronger axle.

As for power. Lots of options. The old Rover V8 is a bit limited n/a and costs a fortune. Cheapest option would probably be a 3.9 with some turbo's. If you want to crank to boost up then forged internals too.

Other options would include a Lexus LS400 V8 for an easy 300hp or 400+ with turbo's. Other V8 engine options would include BMW 4.4 and Chevy Ls1. Most pricey bit is likely to get them to mate to a suitable
tranmission with low range and full time 4wd without costing silly amounts
on your own R&D. Ford 4.6 from a Mustang might be an option too.

Lastly transplanting an entire Jag V8 and tranny from an RRS or D3 might be an option.

Weight reduction would be good and don't forget brakes and suspension.

[100SRV]

What about a BMW straight-six engine from an "M" car - the S.A. spec Defenders used the 2.8 engine, not sure whether it was VANOS or not. Plenty of options to tune and they rev well too. Use the primary gearbox which Rakeway offer (or ZF4HP22 Auto but probably not good for a revvy engine), Quaife differentials in both axles and the transfer box (24-spline Ashcroft shafts).

To lose mass replace the chassis aft of the rear axle with a tubular frame, ditch the Salisbury axle for a Range-Rover type axle (less unsprung mass).

Run smaller tyres and counter this by using the 1:1 ratio gears from an LT230 as used with the ZF 4HP22 gearbox.

[GTO Scott]

Bish said:

or this.........if you have £34,000 minimum....

http://www.jeengineering.co.uk/defender/the-je-qzu...

If 5.6 seconds to 60 isn't adequate i'm sure JE will be quite willing to extract further funds from your bank account in return for even quicker trailer-lugging.