To V8 convert, or not?????

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ronsealdeath

ronsealdeath

Sagging Member
Posts
1,851
Location
Swansea, Wales
Hi, I have lusted after a V8 since I was about 12 years old and had planned on buying my S3, that I would convert it.

I've got most of the bits; bellhousing ring, spigot bush, mounts, all bolts and studs, instructions for cutting bulkhead etc..., a full custom exhaust system, manifolds, angled oil filter adaptor, drilled RRC flywheel, clutch and pressure plate, and a spare gearbox :) I just need an engine, fuel pump, leccy fan and something to sort the throttle cable out.

My question is, should I bother? Part of me thinks I should just buy a 3.5/3.9 RRC and get my V8 that way. Its all there, ready to go and will be registered with the DVLA as a V8, easier to insure (but maybe more expensive, its still a classic land rover and does carry the family a bit more comfortably.

But I do love my series and think putting in a V8 would be satisfying to say the least. I just worry it may be a big job for the space I have, I have little time these days because of babies and work, its going to be a potential faff to change the V5, insurance will go up and I'm concerned about breaking gearboxes and what about MOT emissions tests? Will it seriously de-value my Series ?(which is far from original or in good nick anyway!)

What's the consensus? Convert, or buy an £1800 RRC with a 12 month MOT and sound chassis?:confused: Keeping the 2.25 is not an option by the way, it has to be a V8 or nothing :) (My 3MB has a rear crank oil seal leak so it has to come out anyway at some point).

Cheers
Al
 
Dr_evil said:
over a poorly done V8 conversion yes :eek: mines been ****ing me off for the best part of a year now. I'm down to bolting back bodywork, handbrake cable and cooling but its still a PITA
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Yeah, this was part of my concern; I'm a rubbish welder/fabricator, I would probably get the motor in and working but it may not be pretty and my missus may severely beat me if I was to spend a lot more time fiddling with land rovers. Just changing the gearbox nearly gave me an embolism which is why I had concerns that a conversion done in a rush was perhaps a step too far?
 
ronsealdeath said:
Yeah, this was part of my concern; I'm a rubbish welder/fabricator, I would probably get the motor in and working but it may not be pretty and my missus may severely beat me if I was to spend a lot more time fiddling with land rovers. Just changing the gearbox nearly gave me an embolism which is why I had concerns that a conversion done in a rush was perhaps a step too far?
Click to expand...

You won't get it done quick mate.
 
personally id put a 2.5 petrol in a series unless lwb ,too much power for short to feel comfortable apart from drive train issues
 
ronsealdeath said:
Yeah, this was part of my concern; I'm a rubbish welder/fabricator, I would probably get the motor in and working but it may not be pretty and my missus may severely beat me if I was to spend a lot more time fiddling with land rovers. Just changing the gearbox nearly gave me an embolism which is why I had concerns that a conversion done in a rush was perhaps a step too far?
Click to expand...

you need conversion plate, custom spigot bush which needs hand turning on lathe and a couple of other bits modding
 
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Dr_evil said:
you need conversion plate, custom spigot bush which needs hand turning on lathe and a couple of other bits modding
Click to expand...

Yeah i have those bits in a brand new kit i picked up from a nice chap called Dev ( cheers Dev).

The optimist in me says it would take a summer of weekends to do, but something always prolongs that. I would have to do it all outside too. An RRC would have its problems but as long as i didnt buy a complete basket case it couldnt be worse than a series.....

A 90 3.5 would be ideal but i cant afford one of those in reasonable condition
 
ronsealdeath said:
​

Yeah i have those bits in a brand new kit i picked up from a nice chap called Dev ( cheers Dev).

The optimist in me says it would take a summer of weekends to do, but something always prolongs that. I would have to do it all outside too. An RRC would have its problems but as long as i didnt buy a complete basket case it couldnt be worse than a series.....

A 90 3.5 would be ideal but i cant afford one of those in reasonable condition
Click to expand...

Disco v8?
 
engines are all the same, only difference is manifolds but either way you'll have to cut passenger footwell to fit

buy an old efi engine as they're just plug and play I've got the basic wiring diagrams if needed, if auto all you need is a manual flywheel and get it drilled to match series clutch

if you ask robh nicely he may sell you the one I sold him ;) its been drilled to take a series clutch as well as a standard one
 
Dr_evil said:
engines are all the same, only difference is manifolds but either way you'll have to cut passenger footwell to fit

buy an old efi engine as they're just plug and play I've got the basic wiring diagrams if needed, if auto all you need is a manual flywheel and get it drilled to match series clutch

if you ask robh nicely he may sell you the one I sold him ;) its been drilled to take a series clutch as well as a standard one
Click to expand...

unless you fit it forward like lr did and use def bonnet and front panel
 
Dr. are you linking your r380 to a series transfer case? I have read the trans box on a series can take loads of abuse and US folks mate small block chevy motors to it.
My footwells need repair so i was going to cut and replace at same time. It does mean altering the bulkhead permanently though which means no going back !
 
No, its mated up to an LT230. Too much effort on my part to make it work together when I had a low mileage LT sat there.

and its just the inner corner of the passenger that needs cutting for the manifold to fit through but if you had custom block huggers you could do it without, No. 8 plug will be an arse to get to so I'd change the plug and fit the lead before you drop it in
 
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