3l Rover 6cyl into a S3

[Phoenix]

Ok, i've read an article about putting a 3L rover car 6 cylinder engine into a landy a while back (LROI, don't have it on me at the moment) and from memory it worked well.

Now as some of you know i've been messing about with some problems with my holden conversion, and was given a phone number of a bloke who has one of these engines for a good price.

Now the questions.

Anyone remember any details of the conversion. I think it drops straight in as it's a very close relative of the 2.6l 6 cylinder that was originally in my landy.

Parts, where can I get them

Is it any good, compared to the original 2.6 which is known to have some problems.

speed, will I still need to install the overdrive, or will this be enough.

Chances are this would take the place of an original 2.6 (which are hard to find now) and would be as close to the original as I would probably come, but I just wanted some more info before I got too carried away.

[Hellspawn]

You ask some cracker questions phoenix.... :wink:

That motor is the one out of a P5, which later became the P6 which dumped the 3L in favour of the V8 or something, isn't it ?

I don't know a great deal about it however they weren't exactly well loved the engine or the car.

They weren't fast engines more high torque so I wouldn't know how long it would last in a series pegged at 4 grand due to standard gearing. Might be okay with the overdrive.

Chances are it would bolt up okay, just don't follow the concept of depowering from the GM. 8O

[Phoenix]

Well it was offered to me, and having seen an article on it I was intruiged at the idea, the holden conversion is still giving me a headache, but i've almost got it sorted.

I'll have to grab the article tonight so that I can see what they thought of it.

[Hellspawn]

I know about the holden problems, have the transmission out of mine again :roll: Figure eventually it's got to stop breaking stuff.

We'll see if anyone else has some imput.....

[Phoenix]

The P5 had various models of the 3 litre, and the P5B had the 3.5L v8 (also found in the Range Rover).

From what Rocket has told me, the 2.6 is esentially an underbored, low compression version of the 3L. It's also a conversion that's common in the UK apparently.

It appeals to me because it's easier to fit than the holden (drops right in), it's mroe original than the holden, and i'm restoring the vehicle. If I wasn't restoring it, that would be an entirely different proposition.

[Hellspawn]

Fair enough then. 8)

[OldDog]

Evenin Gents, When i originally posted looking for a suitable replacement for my tired 2.6 someone did suggest using the 3.0 as it was the same block but with overhead inlet and exhaust valves, due to this alone the engine should be fairly powerful, torque wise and it will bolt straight up. Trouble was i couldn't find one and they seem to be fairly uncommon :roll: . For the price [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] i'd get it and give it a shot. I'd suggest the overdrive would be a good idea no matter what you fit up.
.....Or you can have a look at the FFR on ebay at present which comes complete with what appears to be a rebuilt spare 2.6 + winch etc, looks tempting.
Bill

[Phoenix]

I'm off to e-bay to have a look :wink:

Minister for finance has approved the purchase, so now i'll have to find out what condition the engine is in!

[Import]

Stick with the holden. When you see the size of the big weslake head and manifold the reasons will be obvious. Theres so many reasons why its a better swap is why there is so few 3lt. Rover conversions about. In Aus. though with the proliferation of holden sixes for spares how could you go wrong using this icon of down under motoring. Also consider how long the holden 6 was in production compared with the Rover 3lt. Bottom line is the holden is a better unit.

[Phoenix]

No doubt the holden is a better engine, especially the one I have as it's quite a new unit, and if I was just using the land rover for driving, i'd leave it. But as I mentioned before, not only do I drive this vehicle, but i'm restoring it also, and the rover engine is far closer to the original rover engine than the holden ever will be.