Thread: 3.5 into Series

I know someone who done it.
Dont use a series gearbox as it will not last and I think you will find the ratios will not suit the V8
Better of using all early Rangie transmission too.
The early rangie transmission and motor will not fit unless you move a cross member forward and that in turn means the radiator goes forward too.
Thats why the stage one landys have the different front end.
You would be better off get a old stage one landy, all legal and the hard work already done.
The person I know who done it , did it without the cross member change and sheet metal/radiator change by using a bellhousing off a 101 landy wihich is a special short item and are extremely rare in Aust

sounds like a messy job if the members gotta be shifted, might look at dieso too

Quite a few people in the UK seem to have done this, so it is possible to do, even though the Series gearbox will not stand up to it for long unless you have a very light foot - nor a Rover rear axle for that matter.

So that means you probably want a different gearbox. The obvious one is one used with the V8 in a Rangerover or discovery - but all these are full time four wheel drive, so you have a more or less one-off conversion of the front axle to full time four wheel drive (or fit a Rangerover axle, which has its own problems), or convert the transfer case to part time four wheel drive, or mate the new gearbox to the Series T/C (which probably will stand the V8 for a reasonable length of time). None of these options are likely to be simple, cheap or easy, unless you have a fully fledged engineering and design shop to back you up.

Then there is the question of brakes - fortunately the Stage 1 brakes are already tested with a V8, and are a bolt-on modification to a 2a.

And finally you have to get this whole lot approved - how easy that would be will depend on your local authorities, and vary from easy to impossible.

So in summary - it could be done, but unless you want a challenge, why would you?

John

A challenge sounds good, with fuel getting more and more expensive and its never going to be cheap, the dream of going around oz in a series gets further away, lpg on a v8 would have been nice, but I think a diesel running on recycled cooking oil would have its benifits too, I know little of the bio fuel only that the oil must be desolidified prior to use which means a heater in the tank, also you retain your standard deisel tank as you start on dieso and then switch to the oil when its warm, plenty of this stuff around, not sure of the economics of it, must have some merit to someone. I come across alot in my day to day doings and always seem to find something lurking somewhere, then you think, will this fit that and so on.

I've done this conversion. My recommendations are that if you want to ground up build something, then do it. If you just want a V8 series, then it's cheaper and easier to just buy a Stage 1.

To do this you'll need a V8 + LT95. To make it fit you will have to remove the front Xmember and relocate it further forward to the engine and radiator will fit. You cant move the engine further back because the front propshaft will contact the Xmember when articulating. In the middle you will also need to remove 1 of the xmembers so that the tailshaft can pass through. The tailshaft output is in a different location on the LT95 to a series box. You will also have to open up the firewall, the floor and the seatbox so that the LT95 will fit, and then refabricate to suit. You'll need to make new engine mounts and gearbox mounts as these are all in different locations. You will also need new propshafts and exhaust, though I've used a modified Stage 1 exhaust from 4WD's in melbourne. The front facia will no longer fit so the bonnet, wings and facia will need updating to fit the radiator in. For the axles, I removed the weak Series items and replaced them with 4.1 LC60 axles, grafted a LC60 brake m/c and booster onto a Series 3 pedal cluster, and then replaced the clutch m/c with a stand alone S3 unit which is the same as a trailer one and then had the plumbing made down to the LT95 clutch. The steering I changed to PAS using a LC60 PAS box and all LC linkages to the axle. Very easy conversion except mounting the PAS box which went to a Defender steering column. Rear is a LC60 axle, as it has the offset diff like the Landys, just added perches to suit. Replumbed the brake lines to suit. A lot of fun for the sake of building, but if you're after the end result, then just buy a Stage 1

This writeup is not quite up to date, but it's what I've done in a nutshell.
www.slunnie.com :: View topic - Ute2 Reincarnation

How about a 200tdi into the S2A? Provided it was a 4 cyl, then it is a straight bolt in. No emission problems. The major drawback is making a custom exhaust system. The last 3 issues of Land Rover Owner International are doing such a swap, and they're nearly complete.

The other option would be to use one of Aschrofts transfer box conversions - they will fit a LT85 or LT77 onto a series transfer box so making it a bit shorter. Would be best to start off with a 6cyl 2a.

Diana