Thread: Would you put a holden motor in your Rangie

I measured up for a 4.0l not a 250, much the same dimensions, cause i have a 97 XR6 motor sitting on my shed floor i had in an XF, front crossmember of the chassis gets in the way, could have moved it but to much hassle, radiator moved forward etc. so i just but an EB 5.0l in then turboed and soon to be 351, no turbos but

I am seriously looking at putting a Holden V8 in my County. I'd love to put an injected 5.0 in however the budget is tight and I lean towards a less is better philosophy as far as electronics go, so am looking at earlier carbed engines which can be had very cheaply - ie plenty of good motors available for around $500. I dont see it as sacrilege - what about Isuzu's, Buick origined 3.5's, P76 4.4's and even Salisbury (American orgin) diffs? 50 kg of extra weight is about a bull bar and winch, or an Isuzu.

My County is an 85 model and I have QLD transport approval to go as early as 1978 with a replacement engine to match the equivalent emission control ADR which the County complied with - due to it being an off-road vehicle. Basically only a PCV valve and my existing charcoal cannister.

I also have approval to put up to a 5.0 engine in it. (up to 5.8 is allowed in a Rangie) Marks adaptors make the following kit http://www.marks4wd.com/RR-Holden-V8.html
and from the measurments I have done I cant see any issues. It looks about as simple as a conversion can get. Externally, the motors are very similar in dimensions. The power steering pump looks like being the biggest issue at this stage, however I know there will always be unforeseen challenges as with any conversion.

A 4 speed County has heaps of room behind the engine to accomodate the rear mounted distributor. 5 speeds and Range Rovers are getting tighter at the rear however. At this stage I am looking at fitting a carbed red 308 from the late 70's, which has about 200hp and plenty of torque. However, even a 253 (4.2) which a lot of people sneer at, has a fair bit more power and torque than a 3.5 and is dirt cheap to buy. Very similar torque curve to a Ford 250 and much more compact with lots of potential. They can be very economical (relatively) if fitted with a high-torque towing cam and operated up to about 3500-4000 rpm max. Fuel consumption can soar if using an engine built for big top end power in a heavy vehicle.

The only real advantage I can see with the 3.5 or any Rover V8 is its lighter weight and probably the carbs in off-road situations. I'm hoping the economy wont be too bad with a larger motor which doesnt work as hard - I'm currently using Rangie transfer gears which the 3.5 is struggling to pull at present with 32" tyres.

There is nothing complicated about a cross flow, very easy engine to work on. The efi models get a bit trickier but not much.

I know... its just the pre X-Flow ones are even simpler, and they fit in nicer with a series LRs engine bay scenery (as in they look like they belong there), I believe. Thats all.

Having said that...a fuel injected one would be a pretty sweet performer, (between busted gearboxes)...know of anyone who put a fuel injected falcon 6 in a series LR?

I met a guy once that says he fitted a 350 chev to a series 3. He said it was awsome, he went around Aus in it, and it ran on LPG. I would of loved to have seen how big his shoe horn was that he used to sqeeze it in that engine bay

G'day Folks
A common conversion in the 80's -90's was the Ford 302 & Auto coupled to the Rangie T/fer box or the 318 Chrysler V8 and 727 Auto to the Rangie T/fer (same Trans as used in first factory Rangie Autos
I think that Marks in Melbourne used to do akit for them.

do it.

top option.

They are as economical as you want.

from around 23 MPG down to what ever.

must set it up to suit.

IE: 100k at 2100-2200 rpm.

cruises nice at 120-130 still going well at 160+


efi
ex hsv 215 out of GTS.

Michael.

Originally Posted by UncleHo

G'day Folks
A common conversion in the 80's -90's was the Ford 302 & Auto coupled to the Rangie T/fer box or the 318 Chrysler V8 and 727 Auto to the Rangie T/fer (same Trans as used in first factory Rangie Autos
I think that Marks in Melbourne used to do akit for them.

Chrysler TF 727's as fitted to range rover's are NOT repeat NOT the same as a standard Mopar transmission they use a AMC housing and require an adaptor plate to suit a Chrysler V8, the Ford conversion was mated to a C4 auto and LT95 transfer that was machined down and a cast adaptor plate used, by ritters years ago allowing a simple bolt up of the engine usine Ford bellhousing, flex plate, torque converter etc. leaving engine mounts and all ancillaries to be made

Bellaposs, a 350 Chev is a very compact V8, due to the 60 degree V. A Holden V8 has a 90 degree V, and is therefore quite a bit wider.