Series 3 conversion to V8

[sclarke]

OK,
This is for my Uncle.
He has a Series 3 with Camper on the Back.
Bought it new as a Cab Chassis and converted it. Lived in South QLD then moved to Melb not long ago.

Question.
He wants to rip the 6 Cylinder Pertol engine out and convert it to V8

My suggestion is a 3.5 Rangie as a transplant. Use the engine, gearbox, transfer in 1 go.

Has anyone done this and what hurdles is there and what will it cost roughly?

Steve

[LandyAndy]

Hi Steve
Shouldnt be too hard,he will need a stage 1 ser3 front axle setup,it has the Rangi style cv joints,the standard series front end isnt up to scratch for constant 4x4.
The front crossmember may need shifting to give enough clearance for the crank pulley,if so you weld a new crossmember in first then cut the old one out,you will need to gusset the part that remains with the steering relay in it.Not too hard to do,but possibly easier to shift the engine/gearbox back as far as possible.
You will also need a Stage1 or Defender style bonnet,unless you get the motor far enough back.
Goodluck
Andrew

[langy]

Some years ago. I looked into doing the same sort of conversion, I got as far as test fitting a v8/LT95 set up on an altered chassis. It is a lot of cutting ( the handbrake mounting for example) and Landy Andy is right, the front cross member has to go. ( Although I figured the front pulley would clear it by 2cm - you'd still have to go electric fan) That means engineers report, and lots of other plumbing. Given the success of LRH's Tdi transplant, and all the pics, what about a diesel? Failing that, find a wrecked LR that's been converted to holden 6, and use that. No engineers report, all the bits and cheap ( Way cheaper than V8).

Langy

[Ace]

Hi steve, i am looking into doing this with the series II i have just bought. To save all the hassle of changing the box/TC and everything associated you can buy conversion plates to mate the rover v8 up to the series gearbox, there is a guy on ebay selling them for $175. Matt

[UncleHo]

G'day Steve style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif
With the way fuel prices are going now I would be looking at Diesel, that would save a lot of chassis cutting and other mods, I would suggest that he look into fitting either a 200 or 300 TDI as they will bolt straight into the 4cylinder engine mounts (not much difference in position to the 6 ) and they will bolt up to the Series Box, the 91/2 inch clutch should be OK, the Radiatorand location of the Intercooler would need to be set up right, a 200TDI is about $3K complete I think.
It may help to have a talk with Stuart Hooper at British Off Road as one of his customers did the swap a while ago and he may be able to advise you and your Uncle as to costs /problems. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Ace]

I had thought about the diesel conversion but the cost of the diesel engine is to high for me, then again it will be a while before i get there so who knows. So rocket, the conversion is relatively straight forward? Matt

[DaveS3]

Originally posted by langy
. It is a lot of cutting ( the handbrake mounting for example) and Landy Andy is right, the front cross member has to go.

Langy

Yep front cross member must be moved.

Handbrake is overcome pretty easily buy fitting a 110 handbrake adapter to the LT95 then using a discovery cable operated handbrake off a LT 230 (same fittings) so no more linkages or brackets 8)

(this is next on my stage 1 to get a handbrake :oops: )

Dave.

[Michael2]

What about buying a damaged Stage 1 V8, then you already have the chassis, axle, boosted twin circuit brakes and ADR compliance. Transplant your camper body on the damaged Stage 1 SIII and reregister it.

You could probably pick one up for $1,500. Even if you had to replace the V8, the savings in engineers reports, and in purchasing a front diff and suitable tailshafts etc as well as the time savings would make this a worthwhile option to consider.

[Ace]

Originally posted by Michael2
What about buying a damaged Stage 1 V8, then you already have the chassis, axle, boosted twin circuit brakes and ADR compliance. Transplant your camper body on the damaged Stage 1 SIII and reregister it.

You could probably pick one up for $1,500. Even if you had to replace the V8, the savings in engineers reports, and in purchasing a front diff and suitable tailshafts etc as well as the time savings would make this a worthwhile option to consider.

Thats probably not a bad idea Michael, makes alot of sense, both labour wise and economically. Matt

[sclarke]

If you can find one.....

I've never seen a good one let alone a wrecked one.....

[Michael2]

wasn't there a whole s/wagon in reasonable nick for $2K recently?