defender 90 coversion to v8

[kbindo]

Hey all, i have a "1984 LANDROVER DEFENDER 90"........althought it has had many mods. It has been converted from a petrol engine to a defender 2.5l turbo deisel engine and im not even sure how many other parts are still from 84 as they all look half new. i'm not even sure what year the deisel engine is coz i don't know how to tell?? anyways im looking to put a v8 into the beast as it is so slow at the moment. Just wondering what would be a good recomended v8?

I use the defender everyday, driving to work and everywhere i need to go but i am not at all worried about petrol/deisel prices and consumption. I don't mind if i can't beat a porsche at the traffic lights but i still want it to pack a decent punch. What will fit? Also what other parts will i need replaced?

[dullbird]

hey Kbindo....

firstly your 90 is not a defender its just a 90 but they often get called that....can you post picks up of the engine we might be able to help you a little bit better.

could just put a rover V8 in it....from a discovery just get one as a donor vehicle...if the 90 has a good turbo diesel in it that should fetch some good money.

are you looking to put an auto in as well or you want to keep the manual box...

I would actually like to put an auto in mine

[Offender90]

Your simplest option would be a Rover V8. It will bolt directly onto any of the rover boxes, be they manual or auto, and you won't have to mod the transmission tunnel.

I've got an injected 3.9L V8 in mine, and I've got no complaints about lack of power. The conversion was done by the PO, and completed in a weekend. The engine and transmission came out of a '94 rangie I think.

Cheers

Bojan

[dullbird]

That's the way to go,3.9 V8 from disco/rrc.Have the same thing in my 100" and certainly goes well,DB,you have to go auto,what a difference to drive.:D


I know but not so easy on the 200tdi especially as we had to have the LT77 rebuilt less than 3 years ago:(

[taff]

i'd be intersested to see how you go as i'm looking to offload the tdi in my 90.
i'm currently considering buying and wrecking a d2 so i can put a reasonably low km td5 or 4.0 v8 but undecided yet.
Bojan how far is your 90 off from running - wouldn't mind a run in it if possible to see how well it goes :)

[Offender90]

Bojan how far is your 90 off from running - wouldn't mind a run in it if possible to see how well it goes :)

Jason, will be a few weeks to a month - PM sent.

[Allan]

Jag 4.2 with after market comp. - that would fly.:angel::angel::angel:
Allan

[Reads90]

My brother changed his 1984 90 from 2.5 Diesel to a 4.2 V8 auto from a RRC LSE. Went like stink.

I would if i was doing it , go and buy a Disco with a 3.9 Auto in it . Then you can test drive it qand know it all works good. Take out the engine and gearbox. Then break the rest of the car and flog it on ebay . Should make your money back if not most of it. Cheapest way to buy an engine. Never buy one sat on the floor whrer you can't hear it run

As for fitting to a 90. a couple of tips

On the bulkhead of the 90 there i a plug that conects the engine bay part of the wiring loom to the dash part of the wiring loom. You can buy from land rover ( for not alot, cost 12 pounds last time i bought one) a petrol engine bay wiring loom or Diesel eninge bay wiring loom. all you do it get a petrol one and unplug your one and plug that it. That sorts out all the V8 electrics .

When you put in the Gearbox your rear prop won't fit because it will be too long. If you want an off the shelf part rather than makeing one You will need to buy a 300 Tdi one as they will fit straight out of the box as they are shorter. As for the front . Sometimes they can be a bit tight underneth . The best prop for that is the AUS spec RRC front prop of a 3.9 (the Aus spec have a differant prop to the rest of world spec 3.9 RRC due to not having a Cat)

Use the rad you have at the moment as it has an oil coiler in the middle of the rad. which makes it one of the best rads for the V8 .

If you want it looking pretty then give edd at Frogs Island in the Uk call as they do after market Auto center colums for the 90 like what is in the 50th V8 Auto 90

Leave the gears from the Disco or RRC in the transfer box as it will make the 90 feel alot better on the motorway and use less fuel

Most of the diesel exhaust will work and fit just need the manufolds and down pipes from the V8 but from there on use the one you have .

DON'T (DON@T) forget that the temp gauges on the Disco and rrc or differant to the 90 so if you leave the temp gauge as it is the 90 temp gauge will show it will over heat within mins of starting and getting very very hot but the engine feel normal. This is not a problem with the engine but the temp send and gauge not speaking the same language. Very common people forget this

Hope this helps

[frantic]

Just for a price comparo get someone to cost up a 5.7 or 6.0 gmh v8 out of a crummydore as they are common (alloy so not much heavier than a rover 4.0)and may be cheaper to get parts for/ buy as a complete unit. Have a look at members rides one bloke from newcastle has put a 5.7 in his 85 county 110.

[lardy]

petrol sucks and as we are at peak oil now nuts !!!
think of your pocket go a rebuilt tdi ;)

[lambrover]

apparently the 4.6lt rover v8 respond very well to gas injection.

[frantic]

So to does the gmh 6.0 v8 and HSV are about to release a clubsport duel fuel!!!!! 0-100 in 5 secs and the same $$$ as a corrolla at the bowser!!!
Once this is released you will find it easy to pick up a liquid gas injection set up for a swap engine. The gas injection is SOOO much better than the old method !! No backfires no stink, much more efficient etc.

[cal415]

for the 90 i would probobly stick with the rover v8, the conversion im doing has added to much length to the gearbox etc, i would imagine doing the t700 auto conversion etc would be much the same leaving you little room for a rear tail shaft, besides you probobly wouldnt need all that power in a 90, a 3.9 could be had cheap enough or buy a complete wreck all pull all the bits you need . a 4.6 would be a nice option but only if your willing to fork out big dollars, a wrecked 3.9 disco would be a way cheaper option and come with most everything you would need and give you some parts to sell off later to get some $ back...

[def-90]

i did this conversion (well my mechanic did) not long ago in my 90, went with a stroked rover v8 and ZF auto, easily done and tailshaft lengths, etc aren't an issue like trying to fit a chev or similar, i'd go a stroked rover V8 with aftermarket computer, 4.6 with aftermarket computer or on a budget 3.9 and auto froma disco.

[VladTepes]

Just make sure you are cahsed up coz there's not much room for LPG tanks on a 90 !!!

[frantic]

Option C): get a leyland 4.4v8 ( its the rover with a stroke) as a straight swap and put triple tanks on the floor in the back of the 90, about 60l capacity.