Range Rover Class Engine Swap Query

Rocky Ward · May 21, 2018

I have just purchased a RRC with no engine and gearbox.

It is a late model that had the 3.9 V8 with GEMS distributor-less system.

It had a scrap block in it which I have removed, I kept the 2 mounts that bolted onto the block.

I am wondering what bolt on easy choices I had engine wise.

Since the RRCs were sold with VMs and 200 TDI, I presume they drop straight in without fabrication.

Not looking to spent a fortune, just an eBay purchase.

Not really looking at a V8 unless I have to but if I did I'd probably go Carb not EFI.

Thanks, Karl.

Gmacz · May 21, 2018

Only a 300tdi should need mods, the others will bolt in.
Go 200tdi and not vm if diesel.
An old crusty rrc with 3.5 carb would be a good parts buy.

Rocky Ward · May 21, 2018

Thanks mate.

Any other engines ?

2286 petrol / diesel or 2.5 diesel ?

Gmacz · May 21, 2018

Little petrol is too small, not enough power and the 2.5 diesel has the same problem. That is why they were never fitted.

Rocky Ward · May 21, 2018

I appreciate that but do they fit do you know ?

Gmacz · May 21, 2018

They have the same engine mounts, it changed for the 300tdi.

Rocky Ward · May 21, 2018

Thank you.

frog hopper · May 21, 2018

I searched for ages for a RRC with a 200Tdi in good condition as wanted to go diesel, in the end bought a 2.4 VM as it seemed really good in chassis/body.
I must admit I was a bit nervous about the reputation of VM's generally but I have found it to be a good engine for the classic. OK, it's no flying machine but it is certainly quicker than either my 200 Tdi 90 or Disco if I put my foot down, having said that the engine really does need to be kept on the boil as it were.
Probably just made the kiss of death comment of the year.

jamesmartin · May 21, 2018

Gmacz said:
They have the same engine mounts, it changed for the 300tdi.

i thought v8 and other mounts differ and correct mounts need welding in

Rocky Ward · May 22, 2018

Surely the chassis isn't different for each engine choice ?

I'm assuming the brackets that bolt onto the engine are designed to make the engine fit the standard chassis mounts ?

Well that what I was hoping someone would clarify.

kds · May 22, 2018

I took a vm engine out my 89 classic and fitted a 200 tdi out a disco, had to cut off original mounts and fabricate new mounts and weld them in so I reckon jamesmartin has got a point.

jamesmartin · May 22, 2018

Rocky Ward said:
Surely the chassis isn't different for each engine choice ?

I'm assuming the brackets that bolt onto the engine are designed to make the engine fit the standard chassis mounts ?

Well that what I was hoping someone would clarify.

no each engine has its own chassis mounts, ive done a lot of conversions and you get the mounts to weld on for each one, which are usually cut out of a scrap chassis,though lr did sell weld on 300 tdi engine mount kits

funrover · May 22, 2018

The VM was and is still a much smoother and quicker.

112hp and 330nm VM 2.4
119hp and 360nm vm 2.5

vs 111hp 264nm 2-300 tdi

IF the VM is maintained it'll live as long as any 300 or 200tdi

When doing the Headgaskets on the VM it's important to re-torque the headbolts after 1000miles

no one does this and that why the HG tend not to last..

Also the HG take on a VM take about as long as a timing belt replacement on a 2-300tdi

So eh.

jamesmartin · May 22, 2018

funrover said:
The VM was and is still a much smoother and quicker.

112hp and 330nm VM 2.4
119hp and 360nm vm 2.5

vs 111hp 264nm 2-300 tdi

IF the VM is maintained it'll live as long as any 300 or 200tdi

When doing the Headgaskets on the VM it's important to re-torque the headbolts after 1000miles

no one does this and that why the HG tend not to last..

Also the HG take on a VM take about as long as a timing belt replacement on a 2-300tdi

So eh.

nice engine ,runs very high oil pressure,ive rebuilt quite a few and prone to cracking heads a great marine diesel less suited to vehicles

funrover · May 22, 2018

jamesmartin said:
nice engine ,runs very high oil pressure,ive rebuilt quite a few and prone to cracking heads a great marine diesel less suited to vehicles

Yes it's just a low revving Boat engine.]

They hated being thrashed!

The thing i liked about it was the unending torque from low down.

Mind you it ran out at around 2800rpm

Made an excellent tow car my RRC with the VM 2.4 it would pull a 3.3tonne trailer up an incline in 4th and still be accelerating

You'd have to thrash the tits out of the 200tdi to get anywhere and it was 2nd or 3rd gear up the same hills with the same load!!

Not to mention the 2-300 tdi was more suited to the tratters and discovery.

Didn't have a place in the RRC in my opinion too unrefined.

jamesmartin · May 22, 2018

funrover said:
Yes it's just a low revving Boat engine.

The thing i liked about it was the unending torque from low down.

Mind you it ran out at around 2800rpm

Made an excellent tow car my VM 2.4 would pull a 3.3tonne trailer up an incline in 4th and still be accelerating

You'd have to thrash the tits out of the 200tdi to get anywhere and it was 2nd or 3rd gear up the same hills with the same load!!

lovely engineered design ,especially the crank and bearing housings

funrover · May 23, 2018

jamesmartin said:
lovely engineered design ,especially the crank and bearing housings

Yes the Bottom end was very beefy

Unfortunately the Top end was rather fragile if not maintained!!

Or if the HG were done incorrectly.

Clogged Rads were a common problem for them if i remember correctly, thats what caused them to run hot and eventually lose the HG or even the heads..

jamesmartin · May 23, 2018

funrover said:
Yes the Bottom end was very beefy

Unfortunately the Top end was rather fragile if not maintained!!

Or if the HG were done incorrectly.

Clogged Rads were a common problem for them if i remember correctly, thats what caused them to run hot and eventually lose the HG or even the heads..

lr has allways had an issue with cooling,was it more successful in the jeep

funrover · May 23, 2018

jamesmartin said:
lr has allways had an issue with cooling,was it more successful in the jeep

I had an Jeep XJ anniversary model 2.5vm and it was rather quick!!

I replaced the HG at 133k that was a record tbh not Many VM's saw over 100k with the original HG's

She drove really well up until 189k when a transit wrote her off!!

Great engines even though they have a rather tarnished reputation.

Look after 'em and they'll last..

Grrrrrr · May 23, 2018

@tomcat59alan certainly rated his VM.

Range Rover Class Engine Swap Query

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