Thread: SD V6 in Defender

The ls engines are so simplistic in their design and setup. Very good engines available everywhere and cheap enough too. There are many companies here in oz that make stand alone harnesses for them also so you only really need some very basic wiring skills to complete the job.
Only thing with the ls series is that cooling is a big priority as they run hot even in a factory setup so make sure you get the cooling right . I have used them in many conversions for myself and for customers. You really can't go wrong with one.
Also just a heads up. I'd probably look at an ls2 instead of the ls3 they make much more torque down low and run a bit cooler too.

Babs i look forward to the build thread.

Cheers

Dan

Originally Posted by Babs

I have the 2.2 Puma. It already has the Pete Bell BASII 170hp tune and Alisport Intercooler. It's great but it's not enough and I still have to change gears.

I have my heart set on the 6.2 V8 with the 6 speed auto.

My uncle races these engines, I spoke with him this avo, this definitely seems the way to go.

I'm going to do more research next week, contact UK etc.

I really have my heart set on this now.

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DEFINETLY let us know when and where you do it and the full cost!
Whether you use marks from Vic for their LT 230 adaptor kit or another source such as Dellow or the UK. Keep us informed with a thread.
It sounds like you can get your uncle to help source a good LS3 and set it up, the engineering for rego side should be ok as long as you get a good one. This is a common swap for patrols, as to replace the 2.8HG with a 4.2td costs almost the same, so they may have a local nsw eng. who knows whats what?


Found it, CAL415 built, not sure if hes finished, a county with a ls1 5.7
It's a long thread but has lots of info. He also has done dana internals conversions on Salisbury rears. My 85 County.

Les Richmond Automotive have done LS3 conversions...

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Originally Posted by Babs

I have the 2.2 Puma. It already has the Pete Bell BASII 170hp tune and Alisport Intercooler. It's great but it's not enough and I still have to change gears.

I have my heart set on the 6.2 V8 with the 6 speed auto.

My uncle races these engines, I spoke with him this avo, this definitely seems the way to go.

I'm going to do more research next week, contact UK etc.

I really have my heart set on this now.

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I'm glad you've decided to have a good look at the LS3,..6.2Litres of good old yankee muscle,....as I said in post 25!!
Check out the "Twisted" site in the UK, they've done a few, as have Urban Truck & Icon.
Sourcing a motor & gearbox will be easy, but engineering into your Defender will not,....all the electrics, cooling, exhaust, transnission etc, plus the absolutely necessary mods to brakes & suspension, will be an extremely complex & dollar consuming exercise.
But,.....Will I be excited to see this project progress?.....ABSOLUTELY.
Please keep us posted, Pickles.

Ok, spoke with Les Richmond's today.
They have done LS3 conversions but on td5 Deefers, they run two computers.

He says it's a "piece of pis" to drop the 6.2 and 6speed gearbox in. They have all the adapters, engine mounts, adapter plates for transfer case, everything is straight forward BUT he doesn't know how to get the computers to talk to each other. So no dash signals to engine.

Next step is to get in contact with Twisted UK & JE Engineering UK to find out if they have a computer that will mate up.

Busted Bruce Davis Chops again today and he seems to think don't bother, said the same thing computers won't talk to each other.

He is going to work out what the maximum power we can get out of the 2.2 beyond the BAS170 and intercooler I already have. Looking at bigger turbo and whatever else he has up his sleeve, he thinks he can draw 190hp out of the 2.2 then he will fit the transit 6speed auto. He says the auto will draw 10%power loss from the engine, hence we want to first get more power.

He is more confident that there will be a fix for the Ranger 3.2 motor to talk to the dash and we can look at that upgrade later down the track with the auto already fitted.

Says it will be easier and hold its value better and will be serviceable at dealers if I do any travelling. (Make sense)

But I still have my heart set on a 6.2 V8 with 6speed auto. ✅✅✅✅ if this is going to be a project that drags on and gives me ongoing computer problems then I will go with the more hp out of existing 2.2 and fitting the 6speed transit/Ranger auto box with the intention of a 3.2 Ranger motor down the track.

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Babs, IMHO, none of the other options you have mentioned are going to come close to the "total" performance that an LS3 will give you, there is no way that any modified Puma or 3.2 will come close. Get on the Twisted site & have a gander at a few of their videos & you'll see what I mean.
Of course, the other mods that you mention will be OK, but some, especially the 3.2 will not be that much cheaper, especially when you have to change the computer, gearbox, & other anciliiaries, such as brakes & suspension etc.
Whichever way you go will be costly, & so it appears that I'm good at spending your money, but please, don't give up on the LS3 idea just yet,...it's been done (suitable computer!) many times in the U.K., so it must be possible!
I'm excited!!, Pickles.

Originally Posted by Pickles2

Babs, IMHO, none of the other options you have mentioned are going to come close to the "total" performance that an LS3 will give you, there is no way that any modified Puma or 3.2 will come close. Get on the Twisted site & have a gander at a few of their videos & you'll see what I mean. Of course, the other mods that you mention will be OK, but some, especially the 3.2 will not be that much cheaper, especially when you have to change the computer, gearbox, & other anciliiaries, such as brakes & suspension etc. Whichever way you go will be costly, & so it appears that I'm good at spending your money, but please, don't give up on the LS3 idea just yet,...it's been done (suitable computer!) many times in the U.K., so it must be possible! I'm excited!!, Pickles.

Ha ha ha pickles my Confidant, don't worry I haven't given up that easy. I've still got a big wood for the ls3.

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