land rover 90 Chrysler 360 v8 project

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If I wasn't happy with the power I could easily get from a Rover V8 (I am running a meagre 3.9 one, so my next step would be a 4.6 - but a top hat 4.6 does command a premium. But as mine is factory V8, I will stay Rover), I'd be going modern chevy LS V8, not a 1975 chrysler.

They can be picked up for not much money, especially if you go for a more conservative one rather than the top spec - the LS engines are such a leap from the old SBC (and old fords, chryslers and so fort) that a top spec one that commands a premium is often not necessary.

And remember that the heads are ALWAYS a massive limiting factor on these old design motors (inc both Chrysler & Rover V8). I have a 9.3 litre big block chevy on one project and for the same bore and stroke, by putting some proper heads on it (matched to the cam, intake & exhaust package - but they were the cheap bits), I almost doubled the horsepower. In fact, I could easily have actually doubled the horsepower for the same £, but I wanted a nice idle and gobs of torque

So by all means do it for kicks - I've done many projects just because I can (I am putting a NA Audi V8 engine in my Ultima Spyder just because I can), but be realistic about your expecations of it, if real power is what you want, I'd go in a different direction.

And remember, it's more aggro having to order spares from RockAuto & Summit, too.

And if you do do it, please post pics! Always interesting to see an off-beat project.


I have been tempted to go ls but there just out of my price range and the wiring looks a hassel
Audi v8 in a spider sounds interesting
 
What are you actually wanting? Any such conversion will be 100% bespoke, so you won't be buying conversion bits off the shelf. And it would only need to be slightly different in application to mean anything anyone else has done might not apply to your install.

I wanting to go with a American v8 as it's the probably the cheapest way to get 250hp plus
And sounds the best,
 
If I wasn't happy with the power I could easily get from a Rover V8 (I am running a meagre 3.9 one, so my next step would be a 4.6 - but a top hat 4.6 does command a premium. But as mine is factory V8, I will stay Rover), I'd be going modern chevy LS V8, not a 1975 chrysler.

They can be picked up for not much money, especially if you go for a more conservative one rather than the top spec - the LS engines are such a leap from the old SBC (and old fords, chryslers and so fort) that a top spec one that commands a premium is often not necessary.

And remember that the heads are ALWAYS a massive limiting factor on these old design motors (inc both Chrysler & Rover V8). I have a 9.3 litre big block chevy on one project and for the same bore and stroke, by putting some proper heads on it (matched to the cam, intake & exhaust package - but they were the cheap bits), I almost doubled the horsepower. In fact, I could easily have actually doubled the horsepower for the same £, but I wanted a nice idle and gobs of torque

So by all means do it for kicks - I've done many projects just because I can (I am putting a NA Audi V8 engine in my Ultima Spyder just because I can), but be realistic about your expecations of it, if real power is what you want, I'd go in a different direction.

And remember, it's more aggro having to order spares from RockAuto & Summit, too.

And if you do do it, please post pics! Always interesting to see an off-beat project.
Thanks for the help,
I'll upload a few pictures soon and hopefully will be a daily driver
 
If you want to go with this because you already have an engine and gearbox then just do it. But it's still an aged heavy asthmatic lump.

Re' RV8 engines and suggesting they're too small for any real power, suggest you talk with the ex-TWR team, J.E. Developments and Wildcat Engineering. A carefully modified twin turbo charged 4.6ltr to 5.3ltr RV8 will blow the socks off most other conversations. Even in n/a form they are quite formidable, reliable and above all...a compact and light engine package. In my experience there's only one reason a person does not follow the tried, tested and proven RV8 conversion route and that's cash...they cannot afford to complete the conversion properly so chooses a half-cocked route resulting in a poor quality, poorly executed and underwhelming V8 project.

But hey, what do I know...I've only been building modified engines for 28 years:rolleyes:

I see what your saying ,but the torque flight conversation is actually a land rover conversation as they used it in the early ranges, so will look smart when fitted.
 
Good for you. We're not knocking it - it'll be a fun conversion. As long as your expectations are realistic.
 
Members vehicle projects fred is not limited to landys, I would enjoy seeing it progress too as I am sure would many others:D.

Back to the original idea.

Its all doable and as the OP has an engine+ box+ adaptors + LT230 then why not. Being an oldskool engine probably wouldn't take much to wire up either.
Is it tuneable for grunt without to much hassle? yes. would it be enough for a 90? I would thinks so, as is any V8:)
Admittedly most would go the route of an Rv8 if they were starting from scratch but as OP has a big chuck of what's needed why not?
Downside is sourcing bits or having to make/alter stuff, over being able to use readily available parts from LR.
If you are handy enough and doing the work yourself then go for it, why not, it will be fun they said:D

I have the stroked SBC in the Range rover but that's another story:).

J
Ah nice what power you running in the range rover,
Also I thought my project was hard my dads fitting a 1970 351 Cleveland in a series 2a!!!!!
 
Ah nice what power you running in the range rover,
Also I thought my project was hard my dads fitting a 1970 351 Cleveland in a series 2a!!!!!

They say its 400.
If you search "Overfinch 630R" you will enjoy:)

Good for your Dad, he needs to post and join too:).

As I have said and others. It wouldn't be the first choice for many, but its doable and most of us will help where we can if you decide to do it:).

J
 
I wanting to go with a American v8 as it's the probably the cheapest way to get 250hp plus
And sounds the best,
I was meaning what are you wanting from this thread? I assume there is a point or an issue you want to try and solve?

Will you be doing the work yourself and have you done engine conversions before?

tbh if all you want is 250hp then a good 4.6 would achieve that fairly easily. For me the biggest issue in your setup is the gearbox. Lazy kickdown and only 3 gears. Or do you have a late 4 speed auto?

I can certainly see the appeal of using the engine you have though. And apart from fabbing up some mounts and plumbing it in I suspect the biggest issue will be the exhaust.
 
I was meaning what are you wanting from this thread? I assume there is a point or an issue you want to try and solve?

Will you be doing the work yourself and have you done engine conversions before?

tbh if all you want is 250hp then a good 4.6 would achieve that fairly easily. For me the biggest issue in your setup is the gearbox. Lazy kickdown and only 3 gears. Or do you have a late 4 speed auto?

I can certainly see the appeal of using the engine you have though. And apart from fabbing up some mounts and plumbing it in I suspect the biggest issue will be the exhaust.

yeah i was just wondering if anybody on landyzone had fitting one of these engine in an 90, the gearing is a tricky one as iv only got the 3 speed box so will have to get the ashcroft high rashio transfer box gear and maybe taller wheels.
I was considering a 4.6 but the top hat liners had me thinking that it may be an issue in the future,and if im burning the fuel why not just go bigger.

Would it be worth buying lsd diff for rear or both or center diff? I'm using a salisbury 110 diff with drums in the rear to take the torque,

also the exhaust i have on clue how to go about it yet?
 
yeah i was just wondering if anybody on landyzone had fitting one of these engine in an 90, the gearing is a tricky one as iv only got the 3 speed box so will have to get the ashcroft high rashio transfer box gear and maybe taller wheels.
I was considering a 4.6 but the top hat liners had me thinking that it may be an issue in the future,and if im burning the fuel why not just go bigger.

Would it be worth buying lsd diff for rear or both or center diff? I'm using a salisbury 110 diff with drums in the rear to take the torque,

also the exhaust i have on clue how to go about it yet?
LSD’s would be good. Depends how much you think you will drive it hard and wheel spin or slide it about.

Broken halfshafts also a real possibility.

As for gearing. For me tall gearing would kill the performance and just make it a lazy setup. But personally I go manual over auto any day if the week anyhow. But with the 3 speed auto you have that tricky problem of attaining sensible cruising rpm vs have a fun vehicle to drive.

Do you know what your intended use of the vehicle will be? The only way to get it to cruise at low rpm is massively over gear it. But it’ll make it comparatively dull to drive. And end up with a stupid high top speed. I’d be tempted to keep the gearing short and just accept poor cruising ability.
 
I ideally want the 90 to be a all round usable vehical , towing , general daily driving,
I could always start off with a lower discovery transfer box and then see what its like.
 
Engine in and fits perfectly
 

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Transfer box is in factory TDI position
 

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That fits nicely:).

So thats the easy bit done, now for all the fiddly frustrating bits;).

Good luck with the rest.
J
 
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