A 'sporty' Range Rover (P38a)??

[Mike_C]

Quick question - did they ever make a 'sporty' P38a Range Rover? Not so much engine mods a la Overfinch, but one with stiffer, uprated suspension and perhaps quicker steering?

Just a thought...!

[Trommel]

No.

[Mike_C]

OK, ta. Did they do stiffer 'Police spec' suspension was that only for the Classics?

[Major Fallout]

No it was all the air-bag stuff.

I think Overfinch replaced them with springs, not 100% on that though.

[sherman]

You could probably buy all the bits you need to make a sporty range rover.

[Trommel]

I don't think police P38s had any suspension changes. Overfinch cars still have the air springs.

[LHD]

You can buy coils for the P38 from JE and Britpart.

You could make a P38 'sporty' but i can't understand why you would to be fair.

[colonel c]

You can have a P38 sport look:



Wouldn't be too difficult to fit coils and stiffer shocks.

[anonymous-user]

That really is a chavtastic pile of ste.

[Mike_C]

OK, when I say 'sporty' I don't mean Caterham like handling of course - but I wouldn't take it offroad, it'd be 99.9% road use really!

The reason I'm considering one is it'd hopefully be pretty good in the winter/snow and would be excellent at towing the motorbikes to trackdays (would be 3 bikes on a trailer, so easy 750kg). Plus I've always had a soft spot for them and quite fancy a V8.

So, I was just thinking if I could make it a little less cumbersome on the road - more like an X5 I guess?

Would running it in 'motorway' mode make any difference? I assume that just lowers the road-height (which would help a bit - lower CoG) rather than stiffening the suspension!

[Trommel]

colonel c said:

Some people shouldn't be allowed to own things.

Mike_C said:

Would running it in 'motorway' mode make any difference? I assume that just lowers the road-height (which would help a bit - lower CoG) rather than stiffening the suspension!

Internet lore says that the standard air springs reduce rate as they go lower (which sounds a bit silly) - Arnott do air springs which increase rate when lower and decrease when raised which seems to make more sense. You can buy rear anti-roll bars (and an uprated front one) - JE certainly list them.

[300bhp/ton]

Mike_C said:

Quick question - did they ever make a 'sporty' P38a Range Rover? Not so much engine mods a la Overfinch, but one with stiffer, uprated suspension and perhaps quicker steering?

Just a thought...!

No, but they are ok. But it's a Landy, lots of potential upgrades if you want to.

[richardxjr]

Please don't remove the air suspension - it's one of the best things about a '38. If it works! Drops right down to embark/disembark, lifts right up for terrain clearance and maintenance.

Mike_C said:

Would running it in 'motorway' mode make any difference? I assume that just lowers the road-height (which would help a bit - lower CoG) rather than stiffening the suspension!

In the normal setting it drops down to 'highway' setting = slightly lower and stiffer than normal, above 54mph iirc. But you can press a button and have this setting on all the time, I always did this.

I was lucky with my 38. Loved it.

Edited by richardxjr on Friday 1st October 12:49

[dave-the-diver]

Bilstein gas dampers on mine firm ride up very noticeably, possibly a little harsh over speed bumps etc, but much improved body control and less boaty on corners.

As mentioned above, Arnott gen 3 air bags would be the next step, but I'm happy with mine on stock.

Long way from being sporty, but comedy lean in the twistys now gone!

David

[GKP]

Replace/renew the airsprings and air suspn pump, fit a complete set of Polybushes and bolt on some Konis in place of the standard dampers. To go much further than that you'll need to get your chequebook ready for a bit of action.

It's based on a very archaic chassis and was designed with comfort and off road capabilty in mind. It won't ever go round corners like an X5 but it will always ride better than one.

[300bhp/ton]

Trommel said:

Internet lore says that the standard air springs reduce rate as they go lower (which sounds a bit silly) - Arnott do air springs which increase rate when lower and decrease when raised which seems to make more sense. You can buy rear anti-roll bars (and an uprated front one) - JE certainly list them.

It would make sense to lower pressure, think of a balloon with an object balanced on top of it. To lower it you release air, to raise it you add.

Not sure how you can increase pressure and lower at the same time. Would be interested to know how they do it. Presume the must alter the volume and add air, it's the only way I can it working.

[bob1179]

colonel c said:

You can have a P38 sport look:



Wouldn't be too difficult to fit coils and stiffer shocks.

Why would you do that to a P38?

[Neil1300R]

Mike_C said:

OK, when I say 'sporty' I don't mean Caterham like handling of course - but I wouldn't take it offroad, it'd be 99.9% road use really!

The reason I'm considering one is it'd hopefully be pretty good in the winter/snow and would be excellent at towing the motorbikes to trackdays (would be 3 bikes on a trailer, so easy 750kg). Plus I've always had a soft spot for them and quite fancy a V8.

So, I was just thinking if I could make it a little less cumbersome on the road - more like an X5 I guess?

Would running it in 'motorway' mode make any difference? I assume that just lowers the road-height (which would help a bit - lower CoG) rather than stiffening the suspension!

If you are going to be towing dont see why you want it 'sporty'. They are waft-tastic, makes you drive in a less hurried way, just chill out and relax. Don't handle that badly, and can't see the point of trying to make it sporty. Get one and leave it as is.

[Steamer]

The Crack Fox said:

'Sporty P38' ?! That's like 'sporty bungalow' or 'sporty submarine' or 'sporty cornish pastie'....

B'stard! I nearly chocked on my toast!

[Trommel]

300bhp/ton said:

It would make sense to lower pressure, think of a balloon with an object balanced on top of it. To lower it you release air, to raise it you add.

Not sure how you can increase pressure and lower at the same time. Would be interested to know how they do it. Presume the must alter the volume and add air, it's the only way I can it working.

Standard air springs pistons are wider at the top, the Arnott pistons are wider at the bottom.