Engine Conversion

[67hardtop]

Hi all, I have a series 2a 109 with a 4cyl manual, Im looking at doing a v6 engine and auto transmission conversion. Does anyone out there know of anyone doing an adaptor or a kit to fit a th700 auto to the original transfer case. I have a suffix d transfer case so it will take the extra power and torque of a v6 and auto as the torque converter will take any "shocks" out of the drive train. Also if anyone knows about fitting defender discs to the front axle. have Salisbury rear already so rear discs aren't a problem. Looking forward to any replies. Cheers Rod

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Marks 4WD Adapters do an adapter for the TH400 to the LT230 but that is one of the only commercially available ones. TH400 to Rover LT230 transfer case - Land Rover - Transfer Case Adaptors (http://www.marks4wd.com/transfer-case-adaptors/land-rover/mfk355.html)

Before you go down that path, you would also want to: Fit a Salisbury rear axle assembly.
Fit disk brakes.
Fit a CV front axle assembly (stage 1 swivels).The LT230 will be about 120mm longer than a standard series transmission and that has problems for the cross member behind the gearbox.

There were adapters for Ford C4 autos behind Ford V8 on series transfer boxes and these were done privately on a semi-commercial basis.

In spite of the space problems, you have more ratio flexibility using the LT230 transfer box.

On the disk brakes cookey on this forum is tooling up for disk brake conversions on Series 3 hubs, it uses bolt on components and the standard wheels (unlike other DB conversions which require aftermarket wheels). You will be able to retrofit SIII hubs to your SIIa stubs.

[67hardtop]

Thanks lotz a landies, I have actually contacted marks adaptors twice via email and no response. I don't know what an LT230 transfer case is. I would prefer to retain my transfer case as ive been told its better than later ones plus no need to change tailshafts and mounts, handbrake, speedo cable. I have performed several v6 engine conversions on holden early models and commodores and a 720 Datsun 4wd. (the 720 went like a rocket). I really only want to convert to auto due to injury but the v6 will give me the extra power and economy I need for my planned trip round the block. I'll keep looking around and i'll try marks adaptors once more Thanks again. Cheers Rod

[Lotz-A-Landies]

The LT230 is the transfer box in Range Rover classic from 1984, Discovery 1 & 2 plus Defender 5 and 6 speeds.

it is constant 4wd box but there are 2wd/4wd mechanisms to replace the centre diff, and you can get a short output kit from off road race transfer box motorsport (http://www.rakeway.co.uk/page12.html) that will reduce the length by 70mm.

[jakeslouw]

I'd suggest a set of RRC or early Disco axles for the brakes and the longer ratio.

Then using an LT230 is a no-brainer, an adapter for that shouldn't be a big issue.

Or else why not a 3.9 V8 from a Discovery, with axles and auto box?

Buy a trashed Discovery and use all the bits? Why a V6 that uses as much petrol but produces less power (unless it is one of the post 2000 American V6's like the Pentastar)

[Homestar]

I'd suggest a set of RRC or early Disco axles for the brakes and the longer ratio.

Then using an LT230 is a no-brainer, an adapter for that shouldn't be a big issue.

Or else why not a 3.9 V8 from a Discovery, with axles and auto box?

Buy a trashed Discovery and use all the bits? Why a V6 that uses as much petrol but produces less power (unless it is one of the post 2000 American V6's like the Pentastar)

Because he wants some form of fuel economy...:D

[jakeslouw]

Because he wants some form of fuel economy...:D

From a V6 in a 2.5ton 109? Good luck with that.

[jakeslouw]

" I really only want to convert to auto due to injury but the v6 will give me the extra power and economy I need for my planned trip round the block. "

An unstressed 3.9 V8 EFI will kick the V6's bum. Disco V8s get better than 6km/L and I doubt anything less than a 4.0L V6 can compete.

[Homestar]

I own a healthy 3.9EFI and yes your figures are about right -16 odd LPH if treated VERY kindly and road speeds kept under 90 but it's usually closer to 18's or worse - but that is not what I would call economical - well, it is compared to my 101, but not to any V6 I have.

I would think a modern V6 in a series should be able to get to about 12LPH or about 8.2KM per litre.

I don't think any Rover V8 would ever be considered 'economical'...:D

Oh, and an unladen 109 4 cylinder Wagon weighs 1,702Kg - over 100KG LESS than a modern Dunny door wagon, but with the aerodynamics of a brick. :D. The 3.0 in the dunny door gets into the low 8's (LPH) on the highway and while I would never expect that if you stuck it in the series, I do think it would be heaps more economical than a Rover V8. :)

[jakeslouw]

I own a healthy 3.9EFI and yes your figures are about right -16 odd LPH if treated kindly, but that is not what I would call economical - well, it is compared to my 101, by not to any V6 I have.

I would think a modern V6 in a series should be able to get to about 12LPH or about 8.2KM per litre.

I don't think any Rover V8 would ever be considered 'economical'...:D

That's why I'm asking WHAT V6.

I've owned a couple, from an old Ford Essex 3.0L V6 to the new Chrysler 3.6 Pentastar.

A new generation V6 will put you back upwards of $5,000 for a crate engine and then you'd need to find the ECU that can get it to work properly. Easier just to buy a Jeep Wrangler...........

A mid-generation (1990-early 2000) V6 like the Nissan VG30/VG33 or Chrysler 3.8 will get only 5-6km/L.

And old push-rod V6 will get 5km/L or WORSE.

Once again: Disco 1 3.9V8 with ZF4HP22 box, LT230 and 3.54 axles will get the 109 down the trail cheaply and easily.

Or else just buy a cheap Discovery and keep the S2 for weekend drives.

[Homestar]

Sorry if I'm causing you any upset here, we are both entitled to our views. Yes, you're right, we don't know which V6 he is talking about here, but judging by his first post, he has some experience with V6's so I was trying to assist him along these lines. Not everyone wants to chuck a dinosaur of a V8 at every project, nor for that matter want to do something that is cheap and easy - maybe they want something a little different from what everyone else does?

Don't get me wrong, I love Rover V8's - I'm running 2 of them but I would never consider them economical by any stretch of the imagination - that's all.:)

And I agree if you found a cheap Disco, it would be an easy conversion - something I may even do myself one day to my series 3.

Peace, love and mung beans. :)

[jakeslouw]

Hey mate, no worries! :angel:

I'm just concerned that the OP has high expectations.

If he wants REAL economy AND an auto box, then he should possibly consider a 300TDi and auto box out of a Disco.

But when all is said and done, he will still have over-capatalised his poor old S2 109. :o

[Homestar]

So just wondering out loud here - if he has a TH700 - what engines came with those screwed to the back of them - I know the the VN to VS did, but not sure what else. An engine/auto combination out of an old dunny door would be cheap. I know this conversion isn't great in an RRC, but with the series being a lot lighter, it may work ok.

[Homestar]

Hey mate, no worries! :angel:

I'm just concerned that the OP has high expectations.

If he wants REAL economy AND an auto box, then he should possibly consider a 300TDi and auto box out of a Disco.

But when all is said and done, he will still have over-capatalised his poor old S2 109. :o

Actually - that would be a great conversion, hadn't thought of that one. A bit of modification to get that into a factory 4 cylinder, but no different from sticking a Holden red motor in them as many did. A 200TDi would drop straight in, but finding one would send you old and grey...

Hmmm - my series 3 is a factory 6 - the 300TDi would slot straight in...:angel:

[67hardtop]

guys guys guys, im planning on the v6 commodore conversion as its simple to wire up and I can get the engine running with a simple delco computer and loom out of a je camira or ld astra or even vn/p commodore. ive done it a few times b4 and can even get a v12 out of a jag running on the same loom and computer. its cheaper than getting after market looms and computers etc. Anyway thanks for all the input. id love to convert to 200tdi but the cost is very prohibitive to me unfortunately. I can recon the engine and trans myself its just a matter of getting the trans to fit the transfer case. I'll keep looking around for an adaptor. And I love ur disc brake conversion cookey. ur a legend. Cheers Rod

[Lotz-A-Landies]

From a V6 in a 2.5ton 109? Good luck with that.Even the 10 seat station wagon with full deluxe trim was only 1975kg kerb weight. The Commodore V6 is a 3.9litre so comparable to the 3.9V8 with a shorter block length. (They even have the same Buick heritage)

[67hardtop]

I went over to U pull it here in Adelaide and found a s3 there with a ford xflow engine that was seized, and it had a 5 speed not sure what brand gbox in it which had an adaptor to fit the original transfer case. the gbox's 5th gear was stripped which probably happened when the engine seized. lucky for me the transfer case was sitting in the back so i stripped the adaptor of it and bought it for $33.00. they called it an "extension housing". I wasn't in any position to argue it with them. So I now have an adaptor with a special output shaft and bearing support to clean up and play with to try mate it to a th700 auto trans. the shaft uses the proper land rover support bearing that is removed to fit PTO or overdrives so I might even be able to use it if I get a PTO winch or something. I have a fairey overdrive on my landy but with the built in overdrive in the th700 I spose I wont need it after the conversion, if it goes ahead...lol. Cheers Rod

[mick88]

What was the outcome of this Rod?
Did you end up fitting a V6 into the old girl?


Cheers, Mick.

[67hardtop]

Hi Mick, I had no luck with this conversion as the transmission is too wide for the transfer case by about an inch. Forbyn bros in the USA make a transfer case to fit a t700 to original 4wd part of transfer case but its $3500 usd. They say they put gen3 v8s in the series land rovers with auto and their t/fer case using original 4wd actuation with yellow and red gearsticks. Transfer case sits in original position so no need to change tailshafts etc. That would be a weapon. Be able to pull wheelstands in a shorty I reckon. For now ive stripped the 2a 109 down completly. Would like to put a diesel in it but no $$$ left now. I found a shorty with a diesel fitted on the way to Kingston S E last week but no one home. Rusted out from years of putting the boat in and out of the coorong. Might not even go. Gotta give up dreaming and get back to reality and get my butt into gear and get the chassis prepped and painted.
Thanks for the enquiry Mick.

Cheers Rod



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[chaybra]

What about an older 161 holden 6? Simple and I have one sitting in the shed ready to go ;)

[67hardtop]

What about an older 161 holden 6? Simple and I have one sitting in the shed ready to go ;)

Thanks for the offer but ill b sticking with original motor unless I can get an original diesel motor.

Cheers Rod

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[debruiser]

Thanks for the offer but ill b sticking with original motor unless I can get an original diesel motor.

Cheers Rod

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I've got a 2.25 d 5 bearing in the shed. I'm assuming that it needs work though. No idea of the condition it came withanother car. Open to offers.

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[chaybra]

I've got a 2.25 d 5 bearing in the shed. I'm assuming that it needs work though. No idea of the condition it came withanother car. Open to offers.

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Postage? lol

[debruiser]

Postage? lol

I'm on my phone. ..... can't see where u r. E-go. Com is good for freight. I got an engine from Darwin to Mackay forabout $500

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[67hardtop]

I've got a 2.25 d 5 bearing in the shed. I'm assuming that it needs work though. No idea of the condition it came withanother car. Open to offers.

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Coincedence???

My landy is from Mackay.

Thanks debruiser, a little too far away from me.

BTW, it took me 2 and a half days to drive the landy from Mackay to Adelaide in 2006 via Burke. My sis still lives there on Milton st. My father is interred at the cemetery.

Cheers Rod:wasntme:

[debruiser]

Coincedence???

My landy is from Mackay.

Thanks debruiser, a little too far away from me.

BTW, it took me 2 and a half days to drive the landy from Mackay to Adelaide in 2006 via Burke. My sis still lives there on Milton st. My father is interred at the cemetery.

Cheers Rod:wasntme:

you were fairly hiking to get that landy home that quick!

Wow small world, I live right near the 4ways so not even far from your sister.

[67hardtop]

you were fairly hiking to get that landy home that quick!

Wow small world, I live right near the 4ways so not even far from your sister.

Yeah i drove pretty much 36 hrs b4 i got a couple hours sleep. Then crashed out just outside broken hill for about 4 hrs. Was yawning badly when i got to gawler but drove through it to get home to my lovely wife of 3 months. Not too close to my sis really. But i know where ur talking about the 4 ways. While driving home i hit 4 roo's and one owl flew into the roof on left front. Only damage was the owl dented the roof. Had to keep topping the fairey up every so often as well. Petrol at every town i went through. I loved it. Great drive. I was pushing her hard too. No real problems either.

Cheers Rod

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