Upgrading to P38, info wanted.

[eb220]

Hi all.

Well we are looking at moving overseas, and in the process we are looking at upgrading(?) from a RRC to a P38. Would be looking at a HSE 4.6.

Can anyone provide guidance for what to look at/for?
-I know the BcEM is one problem, so will be looking for one that has had that replaced.
-I have been told a 2000 or later is the one to go for, and also been told to go for a 2004 and later. What is the difference between these?
-Are the P38 engines batch/bank or sequential injection? I could be wrong but with the RRC I get the feeling they are bank/batch injection.

Can anyone with a P38 please take some pictures of their truck with the different levels of suspension settings? We would be looking at putting some 33 inch tyres under it.

Currently our RRC has a 3 inch lift, (we love the ground clearance), and was wondering if it is possible to either get new springs to give us the extra in a P38, or should we get rid of the bags and get the springs for the clearance we want?

Thanks

Chris and Nicky

[PaulP38a]

Hi Chris

I'm also in Canberra and have a P38A with 2" lift plus air suspension and 33" tyres. You're welcome to come over and check it out.

There are various pics of it here on this forum or at Cordwell.net PaulP38A

Also heaps of info on the P38A at Range Rovers

The engine management system changed to a Bosch system in the 1999 model, commonly referred to as the Thor motor and is considered to be more reliable than the pre-99 GEMS system.

2003/4 changed to the new shape L322 Rangie. A very nice car for sure, but not a P38A if that is what you are looking for. The L322's are reported to have better quality control than the P38A thanks to the greater BMW influence. But like any new/changed model I'd be a bit wary of the first year.

If you do want to come over to check out my P38A, my number is 0412 012 025.

Final thing, if/when you do buy a P38A or L322 Rangie in Canberra get it checked out first by Ray at Canberra Motor Works in Mitchell.

Cheers, Paul.

[p38arover]

-I know the BcEM is one problem, so will be looking for one that has had that replaced.

Well, that's a new one on me.

[eb220]

p38arover, that info about the BeCM was straight from Ray Spence at Canberra Motor Works. Down here in Canberra he's the man to talk to about RR faults etc.

PAulP38A, should be in contact v. soon.

Any more info will be of help. Thanks.

Chris

[andrew e]

Hi Chris, test drive as many as you can, so you can get a feel for what car is best.

The becm is not the problem (if it does give you trouble, they are only 4-500 anyway) It is the liners seperating from engine blocks. If you can find one with a top hat linered block, pay upto 3K more fir the car, as the problem will never happen. Some say it happens because of higher thermosat opening temps, others say its a design fault and porus alloy they used in the casting of the blocks. (i dont mean to scare you, but this happens to more than half the p38s out there).

When you buy it, budget $2-3K in the first few months sorting out niggling problems, and buying a faultmate to reset and diagnose faults that arise.

You will hear horror stories about the air suspension going into fault mode, and dropping to the bumpstops, but dont worry several bypass kits are available..... from certain people around here.........

Make sure there is no dampness in the drivers under dash footwell (heater core) and ALL the air con stuff works (Take a long time and figure it all out as it could cost you a bit in parts to fix Hevac display is 400, blend motors are 500 etc...)

33s, you will need a HRA 2" kit like pauls (about $3400), unless you want to get friendly with the grinder.....

If you have an extra 25K go for a L322 (post 02 model) as these have been known to have far less faults, but you are paying for it.

Andy

[PaulP38a]

Hi Chris - nice chatting with you earlier this evening.

As discussed, you are welcome to drive my P38A but be aware that mine is not a "normal" P38A and it's 2" lift will have some affect on handling at higher speeds. That, and the fact that the transmission is about to blow up... Andrew E is helping me out with that in the next couple of weeks.

Checked with RAVE... up to '99 the fuel injection system is a multiport Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) system with one injector per cylinder. From my reading, the post-99 is also SFI but with more smarts in the EMS.

The BeCM is integral to all the other ECU's in the Rangie. If it is stuffed for whatever reason, wierd sh*t will happen. My previous P38A worked just fine except the remote would never synch with the BeCM. On my current P38A all is good I think... although I still have a sneaking suspicion that at least part of my EAT problem may be due to CAN-bus communications problems between the EMS, BeCM and EAT.

From our chat earlier, I reckon that you (and your better half) will find the P38A to be a more comfortable ride than the RRC but a bit more complex to maintain. However, you obviously know what you're talking about when it comes to engines and electronics so I don't think you'll be too bothered by it all.

Cheers, Paul.

[eb220]

AndrewE and Paul,

Many thanks for the help, am looking at some already in NZ. Will be using some peoples expertise and goods later when we need them, notice I didn't say "if", hell they are RR's. Hehehe.

check out the links below if you wish, remember that $1 NZ gets about $0.78 Aus ($10000 NZ = $7800Aus)

Land Rover RANGE ROVER SE 2001 for sale - TradeMe.co.nz - New Zealand

Christchurch European - affordable Luxury European Motoring

Christchurch European - affordable Luxury European Motoring

Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.6 2001 118,000 kms for sale. Land Rover Range Rover HSE 4.6 and other Range Rovers for sale on Autobase.

Chris