Thread: Range Rover Classic Engine Conversion

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

I was quite amazed how effortless it climbed the melbourne highway back to ballarat.... 5th gear the entire way, even up the steepest climbs. The only problem is 120km/h is the sweet spot. fine with me, not so with the hidden cameras.

Funny about that - the PO said that my LSE with TD5 conversion has the same sweet spot at 120. Maybe its in the genetics?

Originally Posted by Chivalry

Alloytech probably has a higher risk of breaking than a Rover V8. For the cost of doing a conversion just for one trip you might find it better to just rebuild the Rover V8.

Good point. Factor in the co$$$t$ of conversion, then compare with a ripper of a blue-print super-fussy rebuild, even down to things like increasing plenum volume, pollishing/shortening trumpets, chrome plated grease nipples etc. Putting in another LR engine, say 4 litre petrol should work out good bang for buck. Or even a 5 cylinder diesel LR. - I drove an old Classic LSE with a Disco engine/trans, and it really is the combo LR SHOULD have put in them. Near perfect balance of oomph and fuel miserliness. Interfacing the 2.5 TdI and Disco trans etc with a Classic's many ECU's including Air suspension is..... Impossible.

For a few years I drove an '87 with rebuilt 3.5, towing nearly 3 tonnes of trailer & plant. Everything built for caravan towing including special cam and LPG conversion. Without the load.... was a danger to my driver's licence.

The 2.5 / 4cyl LR or other diesel is a contender. I understand that lots can still be done to lift performance.
Garbage fuel will all but kill a Common Rail, even properly made biodiesel is a doubtful long term replacement fuel in those Girl's Blouses. IP's will handle lumpy cooking oil....

My 20 cents worth !

EDIT: When I win LOTTO, I'll commission a DOBLE steam engine into a suitable LSE.
- Jay leno has a nice Doble, maybe a simple body-swap would be best all round. Doble's Steam Car, In the Heat of Invention

Don't laugh too hard, a steam engine airplane has proved the concept ! The Besler Steam-Engined Flight