Reply With QuoteOk, I found the Landrover Owner International magazines with the story of the stage One V8 in it [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]
And my memory was almost spot on 8O
The V8 was chosen as it was the only engine that would fit without a major re-design of the drivetrain (saving the associated cost). The radiator was moved foward to accomidate the larger engine and the supporting chassis crossmember was also moved foward this gave the flush front (that we know so well in the Defender) the rest of the vehicle was pure series 3 109.
What was fitted under the bonnet was not however, the 132bhp V8 from the Range Rover but a detuned low-compression 8.13:1 version with 91bhp at 3500rpm output (seems the export market at the time suffered from poor quality fuel and this is the only way they could get the V8 to run on low grade fuel) this engine was mated to the standard LT95 transmission, from the RR and 101 Foward control, the front axle is modified to handle the constant 4 wheel drive, the brakes are servo assisted(as in the same as the 6 cylinder Series 3)
The Stage One had a production run lasting from mid 1979 untill 1985, came in most landrover variations and was exported all over the world, the NZ Army have several hundred.
Stage One = the V8 series 3 109
Stage Two = Factory redevelopment including onsite engine building
Stage Three = Completion of factory modernisation and the release of the 110 and 90 models
As a interesting little side bar, there were 6 Stage One V8 88" built, following the same process as the 109's how ever it was decided not to go ahead with their production as the expected demand was too light
My thanks to LRO International Magazine from who this information was gained (October 1999, October 2000 and May 2002 issues) 8)
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