Thread: Up grading Power on Series 3 V8

You want it for drag racing I think you may be in the wrong stables here somehow. Forget the Rover running gear for that treatment unless you want to have a lot of expense and frustration. They can go very well but never will be be a dragster

Ahh, misread your post, never mind all that^^^^^

There has been a few really nice 3.9 with ZF auto's done here. They just run either stage1 or 110 diffs and retain the Rangie or Disco transfer case with constant 4X4.

If I understand correctly, you want to turn a S3 V8 into a tow car for your drag car, yes? If that's the case then the easiest would be to get an early range rover and put the S3 body onto it. If you already have the car then get the drive line from a rangie - 3.5 and ZF auto - and bolt it up. The ZF auto is bloody strong - you'll struggle to break it. Lose the T'case and just run the rear diff (probably upgrade that to a ford 9" if you're planning on making a performance car) - I'm not sure about the final drive ratio, thats easy fixed if you are changing diffs anyway.

Anything that works on another V8 will work on the 3.5 as far as performance mods goes, especially if you aren't going to go offroad. There is stacks of info on here about that.

cheers,

Adam

If your going to rear wheel drive it, any engine auto combo will suffice, EFI windsor and 4 speed, cheap as cheaps, reliable engine and nice and narrow to ease fit, then just machine a tailshaft and your away

Thanks

I have the car

4200 km series 3 v8

As its a project i haven't driven it yet (ever) lol...

How do the 3.5 go?

It also has lt 95 gearbox. this is a 4 speed?

I was thinking of the ford idea but after speaking to a Engineer it is a massive cost ($2500) and i really aint that fussed on power, just more sound and cruising.

I was trying to keep it fairly simple, thus asking of Land Rover power upgrades that will fit..

I was going to get the tailshafts resized(shortened) and just keep it 4wd, as if I change it, needs alot more done as its NO LONGER a 4wd in eyes of RTA, and engineer.

I understand It isn't going to be a powerhouse, and i have the RACE car for that, just looking at trying to do what I can without costing me a fortune.

For the amount of KM I will be doing the LPG might not be worthwile?

I was just asking.... mainly about ideas for Upgrades that will almost be a bolt in..

Will the ZF auto and 3.9 be a Bolt in conversion?

Mounts etc... The one advertised here comes with transfer case and everything etc.... Will it fit up to original diffs etc.. ratios/ I understand I am getting tailshafts modified anyway, but if I did this i would go the LPG route as the disco engine is currently EFI.

I noticed here people talk of the 4.6 v8 etc..

Does anyone know torque or hp differences with these? ie 3.5 HP? or 3.9 hp? 4.6 hp?

I am not a time waster, or dreamer. I cannot work out how to post pics up here of the DRAG car.

Understand I don't expect to have a race car ofr fast car from this strret one I am talking of, just wondering how much difference there is between the petrol v8s and as I am LAZY, I would prefer an AUTO, but as this will not be a DAily Driver, I have to work out if the COSts will outway the gains, like any project.

Thanks again, input and ideas appreciated.

Chad

Why not an oiler? A 4BD1T would be perfect for your application Just run a 3" through exhaust and the turbo squeal will amuse you for a wile

The 4.6 and ZF4HP24ES found in some P38s with a compushift would go well but to expensive to set up

From my experience, the 3.5 or 3.9 would disappoint you towing with the ZF4HP22. They hate it Have to drop it back to 3rd and rev the claw out of them to go anywhere.
The 4.6 or a stroker will kill the 4HP22 towing

If your budget is restricted any large capacity rover engine might cost a lot. You might be legal with a P76 4.4 litre V8, it is near enough to bolt in, some changes needed. Check your local engineers for legality. Depends on the year of your truck.
All rover/P76 V8's take to gas quite well, the fitting rebate is still available at $1750 before June 30 this year, $1500 next financial year.

I cannot work out how to post pics up here of the DRAG car.

Find the button down the post page says "manage attachments" allows you to upload pics in thumbnails on your post.

Fair enough. If it was me, I'd stick to the 3.5 - with extractors, a good exhaust system and a couple of hot dogs they sound great. If you aren't going off road then a holley conversion is pretty easy (someone makes a manifold or you can get yours machined pretty much anywhere) and will be more simple to play with than the twin stromies. I dont think you really gain anything by going to the 3.9, unless you want injection.

The ZF auto is a very simple bit of gear and strong - cant say it would be "bolt in" to a series though, I dont think any auto will be a bolt in. You will probably need the transfer case from a range rover (to mate to the auto) and some cutting/welding of mounts. I have seen a V8 county with a Borg Warner 35 in it - not very good though, pretty weak tranny. The Series 3 did not come out in an auto, so there wont be a simple bolt in option as far as I know. Others on this board know more about this kind of thing though.

The other tranny worth looking at is the Torqueflight 727 - you probably know its bullet-proof, they are in heaps of drag cars. There were some rangies that came out with them (we had an '83 model with one) so you should be able to find the bits to mate one up to the 3.5 and a transfer case.

What you are proposing is relatively straight forward, in terms of "hot rodding", engineering should be a doddle if you are just bolting a 3.5 and auto into a S3. Sounds like you have a cool project almost ready to start - get a thread started in projects and get some pics up!

Cheers,

Adam

hey mate

thanks...

i won't actually be towing, like i posted just used to flat tow, the car back to the pits after the run.

1st gear 10kmh. only about less than a km in total.

is there much power difference from the 3.5 - 3.9?

will they be a straight swap? i have been told that the auto will not bolt up to the current 3.5?

i have no idea with the series? i have only had the race car 9landy bodied) and a td5 defender.

Chad