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Thanks mate.

I'm honestly not too sure what I'm after, it was really just a question out of curiosity.

The current engine and gearbox aren't in the best of health and I was thinking rather than fixing them (returning them to 1975-era functionality...) I might bite the bullet and get something a bit less agricultural.

It's no concourse car and it's rough, and I've no real intentions of restoring it, keeping it period correct, that sort of thing. I just want it to be a bit more usable without changing it too much to the point it'll lose classic status and needs MOT and tax.

Not an offroader either, just a weekend car to pootle about in really.
 
bag4lyf said:
Hi all, got a 1975 Series 3 88, factory 2.25 diesel but swapped to a 2.25 petrol. Has some transmission issues and engine isn't great either.

I'm a complete novice with classic LRs so I'm out of my depth here, but heavily considering a full drivetrain swap.

What's the most straightforward, easy drop in swap, if any, in terms of engine and gearbox? My research so far points to a later Defender 90 2.5 petrol and gearbox.

It has Defender axles if that helps.
Click to expand...
Welcome, you mention Defender axles, what springs have you got?
 
It's a Series 3 88 as far as I know. I'm absolutely out of my depth with older LR stuff and this one is pretty butchered so I'm not absolutely certain of what's been replaced and what hasn't.

My understanding is: It's a 1975 Series 3, 88 Station Wagon, with a galvanised chassis, Defender axles, coils springs and the original 2.25 diesel been swapped for a 2.25 petrol. Has a 4 speed with Fairey overdrive.
 
Ignore Beast of Badger.

I'd be looking at getting the injun and box reconned.

The 2 1/4 petrol in fine fettle is quite civilised in modern traffic especially with 0/D.

Thirsty but you say you're not looking for a daily
 
What's the front like? Defender? Or inset like a series?

Is the gearbox mounting crossmember removable?

If it is, then I'd consider putting a more modern engine in, something a BMW M57 diesel bolted to an R380 gearbox and LT230 transfer box.

Badger is right. But it's a coiler it's not a proper Landrover, so have at it. Your thing, your way, so long as it's legal and was coiled before the regulations were tightened and so exempt.

BMW M57 to 300tdi R380 Adaptor and Flywheel Kit | Online Gearbox Parts Shop

Includes CNC machined aluminium billet adaptor and various caphead screws to bolt the adaptor to the block, A custom spigot bush. Solid mass flywheel.
www.onlinegearboxparts.com www.onlinegearboxparts.com
 
It's inset - it's a series.
Gearbox crossmember is indeed removable.

I'm heavily considering a more modern engine/drivetrain, but again, need to register it as such and I'm not sure I can be bothered with all that if I'm honest. Food for thought for sure.

Thanks to those providing helpful and insightful replies!
 
bag4lyf said:
Hi all, got a 1975 Series 3 88, factory 2.25 diesel but swapped to a 2.25 petrol. Has some transmission issues and engine isn't great either.

I'm a complete novice with classic LRs so I'm out of my depth here, but heavily considering a full drivetrain swap.

What's the most straightforward, easy drop in swap, if any, in terms of engine and gearbox? My research so far points to a later Defender 90 2.5 petrol and gearbox.

It has Defender axles with coil springs, if that helps.
Click to expand...
What are your aspirations with the vehicle? I.e. what do you want to do with it? And how much do you want to spend.

I'm guessing this is a coiler conversion, which is (was) common and loads out there. Ignore the idiots.

Common engine swaps are Tdi's and Rover V8's. But both will require a bit of work depending on how yours was built and dimensions. Both engines can mate to a Series gearbox (RV8 with an adapter ring normally). The Series gearbox is the weak part, but there are plenty of people running such engines with these boxes. So if the box has issues you could look to refurb or replace with a used one.

Alternate gearboxes could be a 4 speed LT-95 from an early Range Rover. Strong box, but will likely require fabrication work to fit. Or you could go 5 speed such as an LT-77 or R380. But again likely to require some fab work and maybe custom props depending on where the gearbox/engine is.

However, the world is your oyster and there is no reason pretty much any engine couldn't be used.

The 2.25 petrol you have is not a bad engine. But mpg vs power will always be low. The latter 2.5 variant is an easy direct swap and there are some go faster parts for them available. But it can get pricey and at best you'll only ever really be matching a low CR standard 3.5 RV8. I have heard of a couple of 2.5p Turbo setups being built, although I've never actually seen one. They used bits from the 19j 2.5TD on the petrol. The 2.25 petrol or diesel shares essentially the same block and engine design all the way up to the 300Tdi, with the 300 being the last evolution of this engine line.
 
Thanks @300bhp/ton, appreciate that reply. I don't really have any set in stone aspirations for it as such, just want it to work a bit better than it currently is and if money is being spent, to make sure I'm spending it in a way that makes some sense.

I co-own it with a friend so every decision is being double stamped, and anything diesel has sadly been taken off the list. So far it's looking like fixing the 2.25 and getting a replacement box is the way forward, probably the LT77 as mentioned. Then further down the line, I'd prefer to V8 swap it.

I don't know much about its history sadly other than what I posted above. Definitely has coil springs though as that was how I ended up discovering it had Defender axles!
 
bag4lyf said:
Thanks @300bhp/ton, appreciate that reply. I don't really have any set in stone aspirations for it as such, just want it to work a bit better than it currently is and if money is being spent, to make sure I'm spending it in a way that makes some sense.

I co-own it with a friend so every decision is being double stamped, and anything diesel has sadly been taken off the list. So far it's looking like fixing the 2.25 and getting a replacement box is the way forward, probably the LT77 as mentioned. Then further down the line, I'd prefer to V8 swap it.

I don't know much about its history sadly other than what I posted above. Definitely has coil springs though as that was how I ended up discovering it had Defender axles!
Click to expand...
There are lots of ways to get coils onto a Series, some people have added the spring seats to the original chassis or some have used something like a Range Rover or Disco 1 chassis as basis as a build.

If you plan to keep the current engine, simply swapping the gearbox is likely a lot of work. Gearbox mounts, maybe engine mounts. Both propshafts, handbrake, High/Low and diff lock mechanism. Plus likely body changes to the transmission tunnel and seat box. It is all possible however.
 
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