Which Landy platform to buy

[flyreels]

Hi my brother would like to buy and mod up either a discovery or a range rover. He has always liked them but not the lack of power. My question is what to start with as he wants to put in a LS1, are there any discovery or rover gearboxes and transfer cases that will handle that kind of power. Second will be the diffs, are there any suitable for the the motor he wants to use.
He will want to lift it by 4 inches 2 inch spring and 2 inch body lift, so taking into account the things he wants to do to it, what would you start off with and what parts can be used together to make it strong enough for playing around without breaking something every time he takes it out?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Peter

[Slunnie]

Its much of a much between them. The chassis and driveline are basically the same. Its sounds like he wants to play with it, so perhaps a Rangie would be better with its lower centre of gravity. I would have thought any of the Rangie Classics or Disco1's that dont have airbags would be the go.

[flyreels]

Thanks, what about gearboxes and transfer cases that will handle that kind of power. Second will be the diffs, what ones would be suitable for the the motor he wants to use.

[Psimpson7]

The only std part that will cope with that sort of power for any period, with use, is the L230. The rest of it wont.

[BigJon]

Early 4 speed manual Rangie modified with Nissan / Toyota axle conversion should do the trick.

[Rangier Rover]

86 to 94 Range Rover, If I ever did this I'd use the 4L80 tranmission with a Marks adapter GM Auto Trans (http://www.marks4wd.com/products/engine-trans-conversions/rrovauto.html)
to LT230 will sort it. Then Nissan front diff and 80 series cruiser rear diff.

Tony

[Psimpson7]

I'd go.

LS*
Tremec TKO600
Rakeway adaptor
LT230
ARB centres
ashcroft / Rovertacks cv's axles etc

[Slunnie]

I'd go

LS9
6L90 auto
Atlas transfer
1350 shafts
Hi9" diffs with ARB centres and the relevant axles/CV's/housings.

[Psimpson7]

I'd go


Hi9" diffs with ARB centres and the relevant axles/CV's/housings.

Thats a better idea:) good thinking!!

Reckon we may be pushing the budget now tho!!

[Slunnie]

Thats a better idea:) good thinking!!

Reckon we may be pushing the budget now tho!!
I think just looking at the pics of a LS9 would shatter my budget - at a factory 638hp.

The 9" is something I'd like to pursuit sometime down the track though. The other thing I'd like to find out, is if they are now able to fit a Hi9 into a Rover 8.5" housing, then why cant the big Toyota diff fit which is slightly under 9" and probably already the correct mounting distance from the axle centre line to the mounting flange and has the same pinion length/pinion flange position as the Rover. It is a low pinion though, but the Nissan Patrol front diff is in the same boat except Hipinion - I've just bought a Patrol hi pinion to see whats what.

[flyreels]

I'd go

LS9
6L90 auto
Atlas transfer
1350 shafts
Hi9" diffs with ARB centres and the relevant axles/CV's/housings.

Thanks guys, Being a land rover illiterate can some one fill me in on the numbers used i.e. transfer case out of an 84 Rangie etc, and then we need to find a good range rover to start with. so the general consensus is a Rangie between 86 to 94 Range Rover as a start.
Cheers Peter

[Slunnie]

Thanks guys, Being a land rover illiterate can some one fill me in on the numbers used i.e. transfer case out of an 84 Rangie etc, and then we need to find a good range rover to start with. so the general consensus is a Rangie between 86 to 94 Range Rover as a start.
Cheers Peter
All of those numbers are non-LR parts - a lot of Chev and Ford gear.

I think the big problem with running LS gear onto Rover is that they don't seem to adapt all that well at this stage from what I've seen. The pre LS motors and Holden stuff is fine, but the LS gear has the starter in a bad location, the flywheels dont fit into the Rover bellhousings and cant be reduced as the starter then wont mesh, the bolts apparently match up bar one, but also don't work the bellhousings and adaptors. CAL415 and Lokka will know more about these problems. It can not doubt be made to work, but at this stage it looks like you'll be fabricating to make it work.

Holden/Pre LS Chev have kits off the shelf from MArks Adaptors etc. The R380 5-speed manual (approx post94???)/ZF auto (approx post91???)/LT95 4-speed manual (81-88???) are probably your best bets with these motors, but I wouldn't expect no problems with any of them.

Some of the suggestions above are to run the LS motor with a gearbox that came with it, and then get an adaptor to mate this to the LT230 transfer case (any Discovery 1 or 2). These can be bought or had made. Then that section is strong. You'll need to bump up the uni joint size, and I would say 1310 as a minimum. Diffs...... well, they wont be a long term proposition, but lockers and HD axles/CVs will most definately go alooooong way in sorting that out. I would look at Ashcroft or Rovertracks for these and once its done then it should be fine - depending on how you thrash it.