Thread: SD V6 in Defender

Originally Posted by Babs

Here you go guys, I hope you enjoy the vids as much as I did.

Wildcat | Videos

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That's simply what ya'll get with an LS3,...around 450HP, 570NM depending upon tune,.....you will definitely be "excited".
I don't think JE have had much experience with LS3,....they do more with Rover & Jaguar engines I think,...don't know why, because the LS3 is clearly superior.
Anyway, it's a long road that you're proposing to travel, but I reckon the destination will be worth it.
Updates as they occur would be good.
Pickles.

Uncle has a race weekend this weekend, he is finding out about the computer issue.

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Originally Posted by Babs

Pickles my trusty Confidant, I just emailed Wildcat.

I just watched a Brown 110 they had a video of, OMG it was like Defender Porn. I was overwhelmed with emotion, that V8 is astonishing❗️

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Here's a local mob I spoke with, they do mainly potcrusiers(also do duramax ) but put the cost as about less than 1/2 a duramax for a ls3, and for a ls2 about 4k less, which to me is the cost of a replacement 4wd when I get a new vehicle, so a no brainer really.
https://www.facebook.com/Killa-Kusto...2181769825285/


Just let us know how you go Either way. Also the blokes who do twisted seem to have the original dash


Pickles, I'd say its about supply v demand as few in the UK would be exposed to LS1-3 engines and very few wrecks, whereas we have over 100,000 plus through 17 years of holdens/hsv's running them, and a massive supply of good secondhand engines. Also in the uk the laws are a bit different on fitting different engines/wreckers engines, and from what I understand much harder to fit a used donk from a different manufacturer over there.

Frantic, .... Yes, definitely not much exposure to LS3 or any V8s really,....they love their diesels over there, I've even seen 'em removing 3.5 & 3.9 V8s from early Defenders & replacing it with a various Land Rover 4 /5 cyl diesels??!!...can't see the point, but I guess some on here could??!!
But yes, Twisted are the gurus, but Jeez, I think ya'd need deep pockets.
Pickles.

Originally Posted by weeds

08Bender fitted new instruments into the original dash...hence factory look Babs, I doubt 08Bender visit this site any more....I don't know all that well but PM me if you want his number and I can ask if he is happy for me to pass on.

Kelvin, I really appreciate you passing Tristen's details on. A true Gentleman, I appreciate his time talking to me and good sound honest advice. I have thanked him but reiterate my gratitude when you next speak to him.

After speaking with him I'm kinda shying away from the idea.

The biggest problem is going to be Ford CAN BUS talking to Holden ECU no one I have spoken to is confident. I spoke with another guy today as well, more on that in a moment.

So Tristen from what I understand had to put all new gauges, he commented that he would have preferred to run factory but wasn't possible.

AC is stand alone, and trac control are apparently stand alone, but they have their issues as well, then there is still security.

I mentioned the auto gearbox and more power output out of my existing 2.2 and he commented that this would probably be a better option overall. He seems to think I'd be happy with how that performs. I'm thinking he could be right.

I know going the auto option with existing motor is no V8 but when I think about it after moving on my MY12 Defender 2.2 I went to an auto Colorado and absolutely loved it, it was plenty of power and drove excellent, so if I manage to pull 190hp at the rear wheels and then loose 10% with auto gearbox, Hell I will still be in front of the Colorado power. Happy Days. It will be cheaper and less stuffing around. And more appealing for resale if ever....?

Sorry Pickles, I know it's probably not what you wanted to hear.

I'm still going to send JE Engineering the info he requires and see where he stands with this.

Ok, the other guy I spoke to today is in the race industry he does wiring harnesses, computers ECU, piggy backs etc.

Basically he said forget it, even with open check book he was not interested, he said I could spend thousands and it will never be right. So we are talking in excess of 4-5K.

So my options are digital dash but he highly recommend don't go down that path, it still won't be right. Brick wall!

Unless I can drive in drive out I'm not even going to bother, I don't have time to tinker with things that create issues when they arise.

So If this is going to happen it has to be a td5 or older vehicle to be successful.

All this makes me want to move it on and buy a 200series Cruiser, ha ha ha sorry for the blasphemy.

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I'm going to start another post on an Auto gearbox conversion. Hopefully someone has already done it here in OZ. Ford Transit 6 speed auto conversion.

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Originally Posted by Babs

I'm going to start another post on an Auto gearbox conversion. Hopefully someone has already done it here in OZ. Ford Transit 6 speed auto conversion.

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That will be a LLLOOONNNGGGG way away from what you would get with an LS3. Personally, I reckon that even if you were at the extreme end of Puma performance with 190HP, the performance with an auto, with the weight of a Defender, would be sluggish.
Of course, your dollars, so all good with me,& I did say that the road to an LS3 would be LLLLLOOOONNNNGGG,......but, miles ahead of anything Puma.
However, if ya've got the dollars (I haven't), ya could always send your car to Twisted, for a truly "drive in/drive out", experience......Better see your bank manager first though, I reckon!
Pickles.

Reasonable advice given to you.

Me, I'd spend some cash on sensible upgrades to the current setup and if that doesn't float your boat, move it on and buy something else. Least your not harming resale.

The engine conversion to LS3 would be a bottomless pit to do properly, especially if your not able to do a lot of the work yourself. I'd say 10-20k easily to do properly.