South African Spec Defender 2.8i parts info.

[E-B]

Hi Guys,

Does anyone here know much about the BMW M52 2.8i engine that was fitted in the SA built Defenders between '97 and 2000?

I know a few were imported into the UK and the fit was developed jointly between the factory in Pretoria and LR here.

• What i'm trying to find out is things like:
• Were the chassis used V8 or tdi/td5 chassis or were they bespoke?
• Were the gearboxes tdi or V8 versions?
• The part numbers of the bellhousing and the engine mounts.

and in general what parts differ from BMW car fitment?

Reason is that i need to replace the V8 in my RRC with an engine not exceeding 3.5L with a maximum of 6 cyls. This would allow me to compete in stage rallies. It would also mean that there wouldn't be much of a problem with regard to insurance etc as all the parts would have a LR part number etc.

your help as always is greatly appreciated.

Cheers E-B

[Bill]

Try emailing Wookie on here, he has (or used to have) one and is pretty clued up.

[E-B]

Cheers Bill.

[budrover]

Get over to the dark side and fit a 3ltr BMW diesel (RR TD6) ...just less than 3000 at 2994cc ....twin turbo it with TD4 Freelander turbos .... hey presto 295bhp & 500 lb of torque !!!

[E-B]

budrover said:

Get over to the dark side and fit a 3ltr BMW diesel (RR TD6) ...just less than 3000 at 2994cc ....twin turbo it with TD4 Freelander turbos .... hey presto 295bhp & 500 lb of torque !!!

Nice idea. Sadly i already have diesels in my life i need something to put the 'spark' back into things.

[RacerMDR]

Bill said:

Try emailing Wookie on here, he has (or used to have) one and is pretty clued up.

i've texted Wookie - to let him know the thread is here. He still has it - saw it in his garage the other day

[The Wookie]

E-B said:

Hi Guys,

• What i'm trying to find out is things like:
• Were the chassis used V8 or tdi/td5 chassis or were they bespoke?
• Were the gearboxes tdi or V8 versions?
• The part numbers of the bellhousing and the engine mounts.

and in general what parts differ from BMW car fitment?

Buenos Dias, I am indeed the proud owner of an SA spec 2.8i Defender (although sadly in need of some TLC in the form of a respray and electrical overhaul)!

As far as I'm aware, the Chassis is standard (it's TD5 era so I'd go with that) although I don't know if the mounts pick up from the TD5 ones, or require some extra fittings.

The Gearbox is an R380, the ratio set I'm not exactly sure of, but it has a final drive that equates to about 3900RPM at 80mph with standard tyres.

Bellhousing is an odd two piece arrangement that looks to be cobbled from a standard part (either BMW or LR, not sure) and a custom one. Clutch is the standard BMW item and I think I'm right in saying that the slave and release mechanism is unique to the 2.8i, although is readily available.

Amazingly the model and subsequently all of the part numbers can be found on the standard Land Rover Microcat system if you can access it, I've browsed through it with a mate who has an indie Land Rover garage.

There are a few other bits that will require persuasion or modification like power steering returns (standard TD5 item clashes with the A/C pump). I'm fairly sure Radiator is a V8 item, and it is a tight fit.

Worth pointing out that there are workshop manual PDF's for the 2.8i knocking around on South African websites if you can find one. There's some discussion here below, but the links may have timed out, and I wouldn't be able to view them now anyway as I'm at work.

http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php...

[E-B]

Wookie,

Thanks for the info man! Every Q answered , that's great. I'm looking at fitting the M52 in place of my 3.9 v8 so I can get a stage rally logbook for my Range Rover Classic. Sounds like a little trip up to the LR Dealers and a browse through their Microcat.....

Thanks again.

[The Wookie]

No probs mate, sounds like a great project!

If you were a bit more convenient to Surrey I'd say come and have a poke round but in lieu of that, let me know if you want any pictures of any particular arrangements if you need any inspiration. You might have to wait a week or two as it lives in my parents garage in Surrey, but I'd be happy to oblige!

Keep us updated with your progress though, I'd love to see how it turns out!

[E-B]

Sure will! Now where's that old piggy bank gone??