Holden + LT95?

[Davo]

I think I might head this way with my IIA 109". It used to have a 202 and after I converted it back to a 2.25 I've missed the Holden's extra power ever since. And that was in 1997 . . .

Now the Landie has a Salisbury back end, a Defender front, and a Stage I front axle. It's about time for a bigger engine and a stronger gearbox. For the time being, I could just put the Holden in with the IIA box to get it over the pits, and worry about converting the gearbox later. The Department of Transport don't seem too worried about gearbox changes pre-'76, for some reason.

My question is: has anyone ever mated a Holden (or Ford) 6 to an LT95? With a 101 FC bellhousing it would probably fit pretty well. Measurements to be done soon!

[mick88]

What Holden donk are you considering, straight six, V6, V8?

Cheers, Mick.

[Homestar]

Have you got a 101 bellhousing? They are rare as rocking horse poo as a seperate item, but you might get lucky and score an entire box. Maybe from OS though.

Not sure how hard the mating of the 2 would be, but it sounds like a great way to bullet proof that part of the drivetrain. 👍

[101RRS]

Have you got a 101 bellhousing? They are rare as rocking horse poo as a seperate item, but you might get lucky and score an entire box. Maybe from OS though.

Not forgetting you then need the shorter gearbox input shaft to go with the shorter bell housing. But then why a 101 bell housing? The stage 1 had a normal LT95 and it was the same wheel base as a lla LWB - so to make things real easy why not a Rover V8 bolted to a normal LT95 - then about the only mods might be engine/gearbox mounts.

Garry

[Phil B]

Or a 4bd1 onto an LT95a

[101RRS]

It doesn't need to be on a LT95a - a normal LT95 will work fine.

[Davo]

Thanks heaps guys, it's much appreciated.

I should have been clearer - it's a Holden straight six I was referring to. I know they have their problems, but I really miss some features like the external oil pump, timing gears, removable inlet manifold, (unlike the earlier Ford 250), and the simple little water pump, which is so easy to change. I have a vague memory that Land-Rover tried to buy these engines new, but Holden wouldn't sell to them. Certainly, this is what Series Landies needed about 50 years ago!

I was actually going to go the full Stage I with this car many years ago, and got as far as the brakes and axles, but then somehow kids came along. (The eldest is now helping me get the Land-Rover back on the road after it's been sitting around for too long.) So way back then, I called our Department of Transport and had a really weird 20-minute conversation with someone who had apparently never actually seen a car, much less knew anything about modifying one. The gist of it was that if I welded on engine mounts then it would need to be engineered, but if it was a bolt-on conversion then it would just have to go over the pits. I'll have to call again, (with gritted teeth), but I'm hoping I can just do a traditional bolt-in Holden conversion and they will be happy with that. Because of where I am, getting an engineer would lie somewhere between can't-be-done and impossible, so that removes a lot of engine choices.

I was keen on the V8 but that's what is in my Rangie and they can be a bit complicated, and a tight fit in a Series engine bay. With a straight six and the extended bonnet, I can fit two batteries next to the engine instead of somewhere else. Parts are still easy to get, (and in fact I've got the number of someone in town with a few old Landies with Holden conversions in them), and you can still get manifolds to put on twin carbies. I've got some CD175s off the Rangie that should work, for instance.

A quick search found a 101 bell housing and input shaft. Like most of these parts, they do pop up sooner or later. The reason I was thinking about doing that is because it might help to keep the gearstick in about the right place.

Then there is the matter of a conversion plate, but I'm sure I'll figure that out. Eventually.

[mick88]

Holden straight six coupled to a Nissan cabstar four or five speed conversion might suit your needs.
They keep the gear stick in much the same position and the other two sticks are unchanged as the
cabstar box is coupled to the Land Rover transfer case. These conversions (done by Marks 4WD
Adapters a few decades ago) pop up for sale every so often too.
If your looking for really good performance the Holden 3.3 (Blue Motor) is a good choice, plenty of
good gear on it from the start, 2 barrell carby, headers, 12 port head, heavy counter-weighted crank.

Cheers, Mick.