V8 in series 3 shorty

[Erik]

Hello listers
I recently bought two 1974 series 3 Landies, one a lwb three door with a Holden 2.6 liter engine, the other a shorty with a 2.25 Landrover diesel engine. I want to convert the shorty to V8 power, and would like to talk to someone who has either done the Rover 3.5 liter conversion, or a Holden V8 conversion. The car will be used as a fun vehicle for around town, not for serious offroading.
Thanks,
Erik.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I have driven an 88 with a 4.4 P76 V8 and it was scarry. The wheelbase is too short. A 3.5 with a short bellhousing LT95 would be more than enough.

[Slunnie]

I have driven an 88 with a 4.4 P76 V8 and it was scarry. The wheelbase is too short. A 3.5 with a short bellhousing LT95 would be more than enough.

Hey Lotz-a-Landies, what did the short LT95 come out of?

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Hey Lotz-a-Landies, what did the short LT95 come out of?

101

[NiteMare]

i've not heard of a short lt95 (not been around landys too long so excusable) but there is the short bellhousing lt77 and r380, both came out of early defenders/90/110, the r380 is hard to find over here (UK), they are both longer than the standard series box by i think 4" so require the engine moving forwards, thier transfer box is permanent 4x4 but you can either convert them to 2x4 (requires fwh's) or get the adaptor to fit the series transfer box to them, or to stay permanent 4x4 fit a stage1 front axle

if fitting with the later transfer box i'm pretty certain you'll need custom length propshafts

a link to ashcrofts for the lt77/r380 conversion
Ashcroft Transmissions

or you can stick with the series box

you may need the flywheel drilling to accept the pressure plate and a spigot carrier/adaptor along with a slight mod to the rear of the crankshaft, a remote oil filter and adaptor, possibly a waterpump change (some of these depend on what your donor RV8 comes out of) a bellhousing adaptor ring and custom engine mounts, manifolds can be a little tricky (not sure which standard ones fit) and probably a custom exhaust (steve parker does one)

along with that you'll need a fuel return to the tank and an electric fuel pump, an inline fuel filter and an electric fan to cool the radiator (not sure what radiator to use)

the drivers footwell will need massaging and the passenger footwell will need narrowing by about 2", both to clear the rear of the cylinder heads

i've just removed a RV8 from a 1959 88" to in readiness to fit a 200tdi, so these are the things i've noticed here along with information i've gathered from the internet earlier, i've never fitted an RV8 myself so consider this as just a rough guideline

hope it helps