Would you put a holden motor in your Rangie

[Noki 3.9]

Hi , I have a quick question to those who have put a holden V8 in your Rangie. My mate is thinking about trying to put one in his 83 RR and is wondering if its worth it and what would be the good and bad points in doing so. So I figured I would post the question here and see what thoughts and ideas come from this. And yes we are aware it is morally wrong in doing such a conversion but its a thought that needs to be discussed before doing an overhaul on his tired 3.9.
Thanks for your thoughts.......B

[DEFENDERZOOK]

if the V8 in question is a 454........i guess it should be acceptable.....

[dobbo]

Sabatage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Aren't holden v8 engines prone to breaking as much as the original? Positives are: they are in abundance and probably will get a lot cheaper with current fuel prices if money is no object. Why not go all out and get a crate HEMI or a nice reliable turbo diesel?

[Noki 3.9]

I would like to see a 454 in a RR :) , some how I dont think the diff could handle it though. I wonder how a V6 or a late model six from a Ford would go? Personally I think stick with the RR engine. we are interested in knowing how the extra weight and horsepower change the way the car handles etc..........

[rovercare]

A ford six won't fit, trust me i tried(have to move front crossmember or mod firewall), a holden V8 ahhh NO, but a ford V8????, Well i already have!

[kirk]

I have a SUPERCHARGED FORD V6 in my Rangie.

3.8 litre with 15lb boost .............it ****s on MOST Rover V8's

both off road and on economy aprox 8klm/litre

[Vern]

I used to have a holden stroker in mine, 20 - 26l/100klm, thats why i pulled it and put in the desiel. An injected holden V8 would be good but not a carby model. The weight difference isnt to bad , its around 50kg

[rick130]

HSV Rangie has one, just wait for Michael to chime in ;)

An old mate had a business in Sydney in the late eighties doing the Holden V8 conversion, they reckoned it was a great swap.

[CraigE]

If you are up for a new engine, then I would consider a Holden efi unit, depending on what price you can get it for. The motor is generally a better engine than the Rover (Buick) and parts are available all over Australia, even in remote locations. Rover parts are a little harder to get at times. I have found the Rover motor generally to be a great motor. Easy to repair and fairly reliable. The holden motor similar, but leaks less oil and generally is cheaper to get worked on. I would have either but if it was a choice would have a 5ltre Holden for practical reasons.
The Holden (Buick) V6 is basically the same motor as the Rover (Buick) V8 with just 2 cylinders lopped off and not all alloy. Compare the two if you ever get a chance.
A new in crate 5litre will cost about $6-7k with a new 4.6litre Rover about $12k. Do the math.

[timberwolf_302]

Falcon 6 too long for Range Rover? Thats a shame. Yet they fit in series Landies without any serious modifications (changing sump buldge and oil pickup location I assume being one of them). You'd think thered be no great difference in engine bay lengths. Id love a Series 2a/3 with a pre X-Flow 250ci Falcon engine. They have so much low down torque and are extreemly easy to fix and tinker with. I spose an X-Flow one would also be good...just not as simple to fix in the field.

[CraigE]

There is nothing complicated about a cross flow, very easy engine to work on. The efi models get a bit trickier but not much.
A lot like Ford lovers, Simple.
:o :eek: :o :eek:

[rovercare]

I measured up for a 4.0l not a 250, much the same dimensions, cause i have a 97 XR6 motor sitting on my shed floor i had in an XF, front crossmember of the chassis gets in the way, could have moved it but to much hassle, radiator moved forward etc. so i just but an EB 5.0l in then turboed and soon to be 351, no turbos but

[mark2]

I am seriously looking at putting a Holden V8 in my County. I'd love to put an injected 5.0 in however the budget is tight and I lean towards a less is better philosophy as far as electronics go, so am looking at earlier carbed engines which can be had very cheaply - ie plenty of good motors available for around $500. I dont see it as sacrilege - what about Isuzu's, Buick origined 3.5's, P76 4.4's and even Salisbury (American orgin) diffs? 50 kg of extra weight is about a bull bar and winch, or an Isuzu.

My County is an 85 model and I have QLD transport approval to go as early as 1978 with a replacement engine to match the equivalent emission control ADR which the County complied with - due to it being an off-road vehicle. Basically only a PCV valve and my existing charcoal cannister.

I also have approval to put up to a 5.0 engine in it. (up to 5.8 is allowed in a Rangie) Marks adaptors make the following kit http://www.marks4wd.com/RR-Holden-V8.html
and from the measurments I have done I cant see any issues. It looks about as simple as a conversion can get. Externally, the motors are very similar in dimensions. The power steering pump looks like being the biggest issue at this stage, however I know there will always be unforeseen challenges as with any conversion.

A 4 speed County has heaps of room behind the engine to accomodate the rear mounted distributor. 5 speeds and Range Rovers are getting tighter at the rear however. At this stage I am looking at fitting a carbed red 308 from the late 70's, which has about 200hp and plenty of torque. However, even a 253 (4.2) which a lot of people sneer at, has a fair bit more power and torque than a 3.5 and is dirt cheap to buy. Very similar torque curve to a Ford 250 and much more compact with lots of potential. They can be very economical (relatively) if fitted with a high-torque towing cam and operated up to about 3500-4000 rpm max. Fuel consumption can soar if using an engine built for big top end power in a heavy vehicle.

The only real advantage I can see with the 3.5 or any Rover V8 is its lighter weight and probably the carbs in off-road situations. I'm hoping the economy wont be too bad with a larger motor which doesnt work as hard - I'm currently using Rangie transfer gears which the 3.5 is struggling to pull at present with 32" tyres.

[timberwolf_302]

There is nothing complicated about a cross flow, very easy engine to work on. The efi models get a bit trickier but not much.


I know... its just the pre X-Flow ones are even simpler, and they fit in nicer with a series LRs engine bay scenery (as in they look like they belong there), I believe. Thats all. :cool:

Having said that...a fuel injected one would be a pretty sweet performer, (between busted gearboxes)...know of anyone who put a fuel injected falcon 6 in a series LR?

[Noki 3.9]

I met a guy once that says he fitted a 350 chev to a series 3. He said it was awsome, he went around Aus in it, and it ran on LPG. I would of loved to have seen how big his shoe horn was that he used to sqeeze it in that engine bay :o :D

[UncleHo]

G'day Folks
A common conversion in the 80's -90's was the Ford 302 & Auto coupled to the Rangie T/fer box or the 318 Chrysler V8 and 727 Auto to the Rangie T/fer (same Trans as used in first factory Rangie Autos :)
I think that Marks in Melbourne used to do akit for them.

[HSVRangie]

do it.

top option.

They are as economical as you want.

from around 23 MPG down to what ever.

must set it up to suit.

IE: 100k at 2100-2200 rpm.

cruises nice at 120-130 still going well at 160+


efi
ex hsv 215 out of GTS.:D

Michael.

[rovercare]

G'day Folks
A common conversion in the 80's -90's was the Ford 302 & Auto coupled to the Rangie T/fer box or the 318 Chrysler V8 and 727 Auto to the Rangie T/fer (same Trans as used in first factory Rangie Autos :)
I think that Marks in Melbourne used to do akit for them.

Chrysler TF 727's as fitted to range rover's are NOT repeat NOT the same as a standard Mopar transmission they use a AMC housing and require an adaptor plate to suit a Chrysler V8, the Ford conversion was mated to a C4 auto and LT95 transfer that was machined down and a cast adaptor plate used, by ritters years ago allowing a simple bolt up of the engine usine Ford bellhousing, flex plate, torque converter etc. leaving engine mounts and all ancillaries to be made

[BigJon]

Bellaposs, a 350 Chev is a very compact V8, due to the 60 degree V. A Holden V8 has a 90 degree V, and is therefore quite a bit wider.

[discoute]

I know... its just the pre X-Flow ones are even simpler, and they fit in nicer with a series LRs engine bay scenery (as in they look like they belong there), I believe. Thats all. :cool:

Having said that...a fuel injected one would be a pretty sweet performer, (between busted gearboxes)...know of anyone who put a fuel injected falcon 6 in a series LR?

there is a guy in Rockhamptom with an efi ford six in a county. goes really good both on and off road.

I have a 302 fitted to a series 3 with toploader and series 3 transfer.
glen

[incisor]

hmmmm you making my shorty ache.....

[Vern]

Mark2
The power steering pump looks like being the biggest issue at this stage
I think i still have the powersteering pump and brackets to suit Range Rover from when i had a Holden V8 in my rover, it uses the rover pump.
Will have a look for you if your interested.
Damien

[RR5L]

Bellaposs, a 350 Chev is a very compact V8, due to the 60 degree V. A Holden V8 has a 90 degree V, and is therefore quite a bit wider.

So true, add to this the 40 mm or so the engine is offset to the passanger side of the car, and you have a bit of a squeeze fitting the exhaust manifold in there.

[rovercare]

Bellaposs, a 350 Chev is a very compact V8, due to the 60 degree V. A Holden V8 has a 90 degree V, and is therefore quite a bit wider.

NOT TRUE a 350 chev is a 90 degree V8!, the narrowest thing you will fit in the hole is a FORD windsor that is still a 90 degree but with wedged (restricted) exhaust port heads, if your interested in a engine conversion let me know as i have done one or two (read MORE than a Few)

[kirk]

my Ford V6 is a very good fit even the blower clears the bonnet just gota work out were to fit an intercooler now.

[rovercare]

my Ford V6 is a very good fit even the blower clears the bonnet just gota work out were to fit an intercooler now.

This i'd like to know more about, whats the V6 sourced from? looks like an eaton blower? what trans, etc?? sounds interesting