Thread: what drives/feels better? (Series3 question)

Well, that's the thing, isn't it? A decent amount of power but also with that old reliable functionality. That's why I'd still recommend a Holden conversion with a gearing change. I like the 2.25 petrol as a simple and extremely strong engine but that lack of power is a real problem for modern use.

Originally Posted by Davo

Well, that's the thing, isn't it? A decent amount of power but also with that old reliable functionality. That's why I'd still recommend a Holden conversion with a gearing change. I like the 2.25 petrol as a simple and extremely strong engine but that lack of power is a real problem for modern use.

The thing that most people don't discuss much is developing the 2.283 petrol. Starting with extractors, a decent cam changing the carby etc there are a lot of possibilities and can produce some quite acceptable increases in performance.

Diana

During the 1970s the Government here had a large fleet of 6 cyl Landies and they found that they ranged from some excellent and reliable ones to some that were so unreliable that they would not take them off road. The service and backup offered by Rover and their local agent left a lot to be desired but some users in the Water Resources would drive nothing else.
The best fuel consumption I ever got would be 18 MPG and that was from Adelaide to Alice with a good load, sitting on around 80 KPH on overdrive. Didnot have to get petrol until I reached AS (I had 3 petrol tanks fitted). That was after I had some burnt valves replaced in Sydney, he did a good job as it purred so sweetly.
I did replace the motor with a 186 and put in high ratio diffs and with the overdrive I did not have any problems, the gearbox had not come out when I sold it after 18 years use. the only problem I found was something the mechanic (who did the transplant) removed as it was not required for the tropics. Problem was in cold weather down south if I slowed down or stopped, the motor would cut out, then it would restart, think it was the carby icing up even though I was driving all day.
I could cruise at 100KMH with no problems and driving in the tropics I did not have any problems with overheating or the transmision. What I didn't like were the drum brakes. I found the conversion reliable.
Main reason for selling?? needed more seats and air conditioning!

The thing that most people don't discuss much is developing the 2.283 petrol. Starting with extractors, a decent cam changing the carby etc there are a lot of possibilities and can produce some quite acceptable increases in performance.

Diana

That's the thing - I did all that. In fact, just about everything you can do. It's turned into a fairly powerful motor but now it's a bit more racy and for some reason, even with an 8:1 to head, the engine braking is awful. And it still can't pull a 109" too well with the extra weight of a bullbar and all. I can do about 100kmh with a Roverdrive but once there's a headwind, hill, roadtrain, extra weight . . . it's all over, Rover! I'm hoping to sell it to someone with a SWB. It'll do well in that.

I couldn't help but notice the power difference when I rebuilt the 2.25 petrol in my 2a 88, the engine was that tired. Then I drove a late 2a wagon with a 186, and it was another revelation. Poor thing badly needed another gear, though.
The way Jess (my 2a) is set up is fine. Petrol 4, 2a 6cyl clutch, 3 suffixB gearbox, 2a transfer, Toro O/D, 4.7 Rover diffs, unboosted 6cyl brakes, 7.50R16s, fwhs. Handles traffic quite well, though it's still no race car and most others still overtake. Still quite a slug towing too, but not unusual given it's a 4cyl (and maybe I'm too keen with the loads).
In my opinion, I'd never put a Holden into a 4cyl chassis, long or short. 2.25s are an already good engine, and fitting and overdrive or hi-speed transfer will fix the fuel consumption and speed issues. I'd do it to a six, mainly because it's easily reversible, but also because even a basic red motor is better than a Rover 6cyl. Originality and practicality have to come into this reasoning though.
One day, I'd like to find a late series 3 Santana to check out that N/A diesel six. On the surface, it seems like an ideal transplant into the Forward Control, but it'd be impossible to find one in Oz.

Originally Posted by Davo

That's the thing - I did all that. In fact, just about everything you can do. ...
... can do about 100kmh with a Roverdrive but once there's a headwind, hill, roadtrain, extra weight . . . it's all over, ...

Dave

I guess the only thing left is a turbo, however the cheapest turbo conversion may be the Tdi 300.

All that said, I love my V8's ! You can't beat the note of a Rover V8!

Diana

2.25s are an already good engine, and fitting and overdrive or hi-speed transfer will fix the fuel consumption and speed issues

That's the problem. I did fit an overdrive! And the consumption and speed went up. The 2.25 just doesn't have as much power as it should to pull the higher gearing, so at 100kmh you're at the limit and have the throttle open more than you'd like.

I put it off for a very long time, but it's got to be the Rover V8 for me.

Originally Posted by Davo

That's the problem. I did fit an overdrive! And the consumption and speed went up. The 2.25 just doesn't have as much power as it should to pull the higher gearing, so at 100kmh you're at the limit and have the throttle open more than you'd like.

I put it off for a very long time, but it's got to be the Rover V8 for me.

Dave

I should have mentioned it before - Aschroft Transmissions in the U.K. have an adapter kit to fit an LT77 or R380 box onto your standard series transfer box. Series 5 speed kits - that way you have the benefit of an O/D 5th gear on a gearbox that is already mated to the Rover V8. The big thing is the $A750.00 price tag. If interested I would be talking to someone like Rovacraft in Perth (or Mascot).

C Ya
Diana