Series 3 V8 conversion - recommendations?

[schmalex]

Hi folks,

I'm considering converting my '84 Series 3 petrol to a V8. Can anyone recommend a good specialist to do this (preferably in Hanpshire or Surrey) & also give me an idea on the approximate cost (I don't have the engine, so would be looking for someone to supply & fit the whole shebang)?

Cheers

Schmal.

[300bhp/ton]

schmalex said:

Hi folks,

I'm considering converting my '84 Series 3 petrol to a V8. Can anyone recommend a good specialist to do this (preferably in Hanpshire or Surrey) & also give me an idea on the approximate cost (I don't have the engine, so would be looking for someone to supply & fit the whole shebang)?

Cheers

Schmal.

Don't think it needs to be a specialist, just someone who knows Landy's a bit and can weld.

IIRC you need to cut and weld the bulkhead and possibly the engine mounts. It's a bit fiddly and lots of bolts, but fairly straight forward in terms of engine swaps and can be done in a weekend.


However, there is a more serious question to this. And that is what do you want to achieve from such a swap?

RV8's are still plentiful and fairly cost affective so I suspect you should be able to pick up a 3.5 carb version for as little as £200.

But remember it'll be an old engine and not overly powerful. Stage 1 low output V8's only made around 90hp. Regular low CR engines as used in the MGB GT V8 and factory V8 90's and 110's only made 137hp. SD1 units made 155hp and earlier P6 engines around 160hp.

But here's the question, while a V8 will fit in a Series with ease and produce more power than a 2.25, it also has the potential to break a lot of parts. Stock gearbox and axles are easy victims with the standard motor, a V8 will break stuff, it's just a matter of how often and which bits.

This means if you want performance and HP from a 3.9/4.0 or 4.6 fuel injected V8 then you need to consider upgrading lots of other parts too.

There's nothing wrong with this, I know a handful of people who run 3.5 RV8's in Series motors. Most are used for RTV trialling.

An alternative option would be to look at Tdi conversion. A 200Tdi will bolt right up to a Series gearbox (300Tdi won't). Ok it won't have the sound of a V8, but it'll be a lot more economical and offer very similar performance. Tdi engines are also pretty cheap these days too.

[schmalex]

Thanks chap.

It's all about the noise! Ever since I was about 12, I've wanted a SWB Landy with a V8 & side exit 4" pipe!

Seriously, a 90bhp V8 would be fine for me. I don't really want to travel any quicker (60 is plenty terrifying on 25 year old leaf springs!), but would like a little more torque for off-roading.

The cost isn't too much of an issue - if I go this route, I would look to get the necessary bits uprated to handle the power increase, hence why a specialist would be useful so that I can drop it off with them & return a couple of weeks later with a cheque to pick up the car & hopefully a warranty on the change.

[300bhp/ton]

schmalex said:

Thanks chap.

It's all about the noise! Ever since I was about 12, I've wanted a SWB Landy with a V8 & side exit 4" pipe!

Seriously, a 90bhp V8 would be fine for me. I don't really want to travel any quicker (60 is plenty terrifying on 25 year old leaf springs!), but would like a little more torque for off-roading.

The cost isn't too much of an issue - if I go this route, I would look to get the necessary bits uprated to handle the power increase, hence why a specialist would be useful so that I can drop it off with them & return a couple of weeks later with a cheque to pick up the car & hopefully a warranty on the change.

Afraid I don't know anyone local to you.

If you want a warranty on the work I think you'll struggle or you'll pay through the nose. In reality you should be able to buy a used RV8 and probably get the whole project done and dusted for £500-1000 all in.

If you want warranty and things then you'll be talking crate engines and new parts. Expect more like £10k!!!

The weak area's in the Series drivetrain are the gearbox is naff. There is nothing you can do about it except chance your arm (which many people do, but you won't get a warranty on it) or switch to an LT77 5 speed unit. The trouble with doing this is it's longer and you'll have to have a custom rear prop shaft. This can cause some issues off road if you have a flexy suspension kit on.

There's a similar story with the axles. They are weak and break as a fail safe to protect the gearbox. The diffs are also weak and like to break.

There is again no real fix. On the rear you can run the optional Salisbury axle, but it's only a part way fix and can cause other issues. Next up is to swap some RR/Disco/Defender axles on. But this either means custom work to retain leaf springs or convert the Series to coil suspension. And sadly this isn't an absolute curer as even brand new stock Defender axles are still pretty weak and can easily be broken with a Tdi engine.

This is making it sound far more complex than it really is though, so apologies for that


I suspect a real world easy solution would be get in contact with your local Land Rover club (maybe via the ALRC), chances are one of the members will be able to do the conversion for you or be able to point you at someone local who can.


I'd then look at a simple 3.5 carb conversion. Bolt it all up to the current gearbox and only fix it if it breaks.

If you do a lot of water wading then it might be an idea to look at a good EFI setup, as it's arguably easier to protect the ECU from water than it is the points/distributor on a carb setup.

[schmalex]

Maybe a warranty isn't so important!

[C8PPO]

300bhp/ton said:

But here's the question, while a V8 will fit in a Series with ease and produce more power than a 2.25, it also has the potential to break a lot of parts. Stock gearbox and axles are easy victims with the standard motor, a V8 will break stuff, it's just a matter of how often and which bits.

I've had my 3.5V8 SIII for 8 years and have never broken anything as a result of engine power. Mine was converted before I bought it but I believe the engine was from an early Rangie, although I don't know what power that puts it at.

Subject to getting my @rse around to writing the advert, mine will be up for sale any day now - so there is a "third way"!!

[andyb66]

I am East Dorset based, but out of the country until the 18th. I would be able to do the engine conversion for you, either V8 or TDi.

My website address is in my profile and all contact details are no there.

HTH

[West4x4]

My mate is Worthing might be able to do this for you. Would you like his number he can fit the TDI or V8

[thescamper]

C8PPO said:

300bhp/ton said:

But here's the question, while a V8 will fit in a Series with ease and produce more power than a 2.25, it also has the potential to break a lot of parts. Stock gearbox and axles are easy victims with the standard motor, a V8 will break stuff, it's just a matter of how often and which bits.

I've had my 3.5V8 SIII for 8 years and have never broken anything as a result of engine power. Mine was converted before I bought it but I believe the engine was from an early Rangie, although I don't know what power that puts it at.

Subject to getting my @rse around to writing the advert, mine will be up for sale any day now - so there is a "third way"!!

I had a Rover P6 V8 running a lumpy cam and 4 strombergs for yonks in a Lightweight and the only thing it broke was a couple of half shafts and my wallet.

Unless you change the diffs(to range rover) or the transfer gears or the gearbox you wont go any faster with your V8 anyway coz it revs less than a 2.25 petrol. It will be lots quicker to 55 tho'.

[Skyedriver]

C8PPO said:

I've had my 3.5V8 SIII for 8 years and have never broken anything as a result of engine power. Mine was converted before I bought it but I believe the engine was from an early Rangie, although I don't know what power that puts it at.

Subject to getting my @rse around to writing the advert, mine will be up for sale any day now - so there is a "third way"!!

Beentrying to PM you re the possible sale
Tony H

[Hooli]

thescamper said:

I had a Rover P6 V8 running a lumpy cam and 4 strombergs for yonks in a Lightweight

Now THAT sounds lovely

[Lefty 200 Drams]

I've driven a series 3 109" with a rover v8 - approx 140bhp i believe - and it was really lovely. Not fast by any stretch but that's not what you want! No worries about hills or towing, the relaxed nature of the engine really suits an older landie for puttering around the countryside. Fuel consumption is hardly an issue either - both the 2.25 engines are thirsty buggers and a v8 in a mild tune isn't going to be much worse.

Well worth doing imho - my next series landie will definitely be a v8. I've owned 3 series before and a few defenders, none of which have been v8's and it's an itch I badly want to scratch.

[C8PPO]

Skyedriver said:

C8PPO said:

I've had my 3.5V8 SIII for 8 years and have never broken anything as a result of engine power. Mine was converted before I bought it but I believe the engine was from an early Rangie, although I don't know what power that puts it at.

Subject to getting my @rse around to writing the advert, mine will be up for sale any day now - so there is a "third way"!!

Beentrying to PM you re the possible sale
Tony H

Have replied Tony - sorry, was away during the end of last week.

[pugwash4x4]

why not get a 90V8- or even an early 90NA diesel- they will be very very cheap and it will be FAR easier to convert than a leafer.

[schmalex]

pugwash4x4 said:

why not get a 90V8- or even an early 90NA diesel- they will be very very cheap and it will be FAR easier to convert than a leafer.

Sentiment, I'm afraid. I made the decision that the S3 is a lifer (my 6yr old as already decided he wants to take his driving test in it!)