Reliable running gear

[jezza89]

So the opportunity has come up where I can build the rangie as a play/touring car.
Will have a bunch of TJM goodies from work going on (suspension, diff locks & various external mods)

Currently I run a 3.5 with 350 Holley and 5 speed manual. The engine is pretty tired and worn out now so if I'm going to put some fancy bits on the car I want to make sure the driveline is reliable.

What are my options?

Rebuild current 3.5 (options here too?)
New bottom end
Replacement long motor
New chev 350 long motor or similar

Also while I'm at it, what is it worth to rebuild a manual gearbox and what should I look for?

I will only be using the car for weekend trips and occasional touring. And obviously showing up the other guys at work in their newer dual cabs.


At this point I'm hoping to build a decent RRC to maintain my loyalty with them, but if it's too tall an order I will save my pennies and wait a few years to invest in something newer..


Cheers,
Jeremy

[Tins]

New chev 350 long motor or similar



Going to duck for cover here, but who said 350 Chevs were reliable? You want to screw around putting foreign V8s in, in the age group you are talking about, then a Holden 308 or a ford 302 will do you better than the Chev. However, a well built Rover 3.5 would be better than both. It's lighter, the car is designed around it. What's not to like?

[jezza89]

Seems Les Richmond automotive go with the LS engines a fair bit: Engine (http://www.lrautomotive.com.au/contents/en-us/d715.html)

[Tins]

Seems Les Richmond automotive go with the LS engines a fair bit: Engine (http://www.lrautomotive.com.au/contents/en-us/d715.html)
The LS is a far cry from tHe 350.

[Vern]

The LS is a far cry from tHe 350.
In all aspects!

[jezza89]

Ok let's rule out the 350, as it sounds to offer no real benefit over the Rover for the cost.

The LS are going to be $$$ but if LRA use them a bit then it must be good reason.

Looking at Rover options again - is it even worth looking at new blocks or is a rebuild the best avenue here?


Or should i be asking a workshop these questions rather than a forum.

[Meccles]

If you aren't doing engine/gearbox work yourself get some quotes from reputable engine and tranny shops. These might frighten you. To get my LT95 overhauled properly with good reco center diff with parts supplied by forum member who is expert in these was just under 4K. Original quote was 6k. That's just gearbox. [emoji33]

[Vern]

All depends on what ypu are chasing.
Is the 5 speed an lt77? It won't last behind any decent amount of power.
Also whats the budget?
My old stroked holden v8 used to use 26L/100km, power was good, but very similar to my 4bd1t i have now which uses 12L/100km.

For me, i was chasing power, reliability, and economy.

[jezza89]

All depends on what ypu are chasing.
Is the 5 speed an lt77? It won't last behind any decent amount of power.
Also whats the budget?
My old stroked holden v8 used to use 26L/100km, power was good, but very similar to my 4bd1t i have now which uses 12L/100km.

For me, i was chasing power, reliability, and economy.

I have the LT77. I have access to a couple other gearboxes though, so if there is a more suitable unit I will see if I can acquire one.
Budget at this stage for engine work is probably around $5k, though if its worth a few more I might be able to flex it up.

I'm chasing reasonable power, but nothing crazy, just want it to be strong and reliable. Something that won't mind a beating up the beach now and again, but can also tow a race car on a trailer.


If you aren't doing engine/gearbox work yourself get some quotes from reputable engine and tranny shops. These might frighten you. To get my LT95 overhauled properly with good reco center diff with parts supplied by forum member who is expert in these was just under 4K. Original quote was 6k. That's just gearbox. [emoji33]

I can do 'simple' engine/gbox work myself, as I'm not afraid of pulling engines out and apart to replace components etc - but the furthest I have gone with the rover engine is timing chain, camshaft.
I've never opened a gearbox before but there is always a first, and I'm willing to learn.
As far as setting clearances and skimming heads etc, I would probably need to get someone else involved.

[Vern]

Towing a race car, you want torque! Top hatted 4.6 perhaps

[jezza89]

Towing a race car, you want torque! Top hatted 4.6 perhaps

Seems like this might be the go. Will need to find a 4.6 though.

[dungarover]

4.6 engines are about for the right price if your prepared to wait, I bought one off e-bay for about $1k a few weeks ago out of a running late Rangie classic, had been rebuilt in the past but I don't take that as gospel so a gamble but it wasn't a huge chunk of change to start with.

Regards to the gearbox, would upgrade to a R380 5 speed, overall better designed gearbox and will handle the torque of the 4.6. You could go ZF auto, that would be my option because I'm a lazy bastard and hate changing gears but each to there own.

Trav

[Tins]

If R380, try and get a Suffix L if poss. If I was doing a bit of towing then the Auto for sure. A rebuilt ZF ain't cheap though, and needs a much bigger cooler than LR fitted, at least to the Discos. 4HP24 for preference. Pity about the budget. I'd love to see/read about someone fitting a 6HP26.

I wouldn't rule out the LS1. There's heaps of them about, it's been done many times. A few years back at Winter Wombat I went for a ride in a P38 with one in it ( Might have been LS2, can't remember ). It was awesome. There was a thread on here a few years ago with a member putting one in a Defender, or County maybe. Do a search. If LRA are doing it then it's probably not a bad thing.

Oh, have you considered a TD5? I know of a couple RRCs with them in. They seem to work well. The new bloke at TT is into them.

[Bradtot]

Hey Jezza go and see M&D auto engineering in Carlisle....ask them what options they can do on your 3.5...Rovertech were using them in the early days as they knew what they were doing...I have had 3 motors converted from 3.5 to 3.9 with new liners pistons etc...you can go as hi as a 5 litre rover with different crank and pistons all stating with a 3.5....
Brad[bigsmile1]