Thread: 3.2 Up and running!!!

Originally Posted by MLD

Glenn will likely be more optimistic. According to him someone has put an auto in a Puma defender (started off as a 3.2 with auto conversion but the 3.2 was pulled and the auto bolted to the original engine). I've not seen or heard of it on the forums so i'm interested to see how they did it. Ashcroft experimented with a 3.2 and 6R80 auto but my understanding from communicating with them they had problems and it didn't get finalised. Having searched high and low on all land rover forums i didn't find any 6R80 auto conversions in a Puma (whether behind a 3.2 or the 2.4/2.2). AFAIK all 3.2 conversions are a manual box (save for what i was told by Glenn above). From my experience the auto from the Ranger 3.2 (6R80) fouls the front prop shaft necessitating rotating the TFC to clear or going to a divorced TFC set up (fine for a 130, maybe even a 110, not for a 90). For a non-divorced set up you will need to make a spud shaft to join the auto to the TFC which i've been told will have the same problem of a non-lubricated spline like the current Puma set up for the MT82 to TFC. If your defender is lifted the rotation of the TFC amplifies the front prop shaft angles. I run a multiple double carden front shaft (1 at each end) and i'm sure it would not cope with the angles.

I had a look at the ZF6hp26 auto (the 6R80 is made by Ford under license and is a copy of the ZF) and potentially it will fit and avoid the foul i mentioned above. The valve body on the 6R80 protrudes on the drivers side whereas the ZF's valve body is more streamline on that side. You won't know until you do a trial fit. The 6R80 is good for 800 nm, the ZF is good for 600 nm. Both within the factory tune of the 3.2 but a tuned 3.2 has the potential to meet or exceed the ZF box. If you tow a 21 footer that would concern me.

I'd be most pleased to be proven wrong and someone engineer the 6 speed auto behind a 3.2 that is reliable. Strike me down but a rear end coil conversion to a 76/79 series LC is cheaper and easier than all of the above with the bonus of a V8 diesel and remote touring support.

The bolt in kits that I saw (online) for the rear of the LC that had all new links and rear end hub to hub, looked like it used some of the leaf mounting points??? And the geometry looked HORRIBLE! The kit looked very well made and the diff etc hub to hub was hi end stuff......

There was some talk in the 2.2 engine failure thread that the 2.2 enough power etc. Well having gone from a 300tdi - 2.8 HS TGV - BT50 with 3.2, all towing the same 1.9t work trailer. I can say the 3.2 IS the engine that LR should have offered in the 110 and been stock in the 130.

The BT50 just needs the LT230....

Im not qualified to comment on the quailty of the 3.2 engine or that vs other brands. Unless you are a mechanical engineer and have inside knowledge of the design, material or QC there is no point playing the "this better than that game", especially based on number of cylinders, brand, out put etc

If you are looking at an engine swap, talk to Les Richmond Automotive in Melbourne, they're on facebook, have a website etc & have been doing all sorts of LandRover engine swaps for years,....they are pretty switched on.
Pickles.

I think I read somewhere that Ford refused to make the 3.2 available to LR, but I could be wrong.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I think I read somewhere that Ford refused to make the 3.2 available to LR, but I could be wrong.

Defintely a possibility.

What is most probable, going with LR's history and europes huge taxes on engines over 2.5 ltr. AND they only make 20,000 units WORLD WIDE per year (bloody peanuts on the global auto scale). Id say the bean counters and the marketers figured not worth the effort.

Given LR cost cutting attitude, I do wonder if they even considered it seriously and what they thought they may have need to change. Would they be concerned with Diffs, R&P, axle shafts, CVs. What about their crappy cast 2 pin centre diff, what about braking? what about suspension bush wear?
Was cooling a concern.

Funny, one could say they could be arrogant enough to think these things fine given their history and attitude to outsiders comunicating genuine, reoccurring problems.

After putting an complete exhaust, intercooler, VVT, ECU, etc upgrades to my 2.2 D90, it travels well, but still doesn't feel effortless. Would bounce a 3.2 in there in a heartbeat!

Originally Posted by skc

After putting an complete exhaust, intercooler, VVT, ECU, etc upgrades to my 2.2 D90, it travels well, but still doesn't feel effortless. Would bounce a 3.2 in there in a heartbeat!

Why dont you come and drive one then I’m shore you will be impressed.call me on 0265853200

Originally Posted by Pickles2

If you are looking at an engine swap, talk to Les Richmond Automotive in Melbourne, they're on facebook, have a website etc & have been doing all sorts of LandRover engine swaps for years,....they are pretty switched on.
Pickles.

They only do 1 conversion really, LSX engines. No diesel options