Top speed from Series 3?

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
There's a lot of cobblers talked about top speeds but you can more or less work it out from the information here: Land Rover gear ratios - word of caution some of the numbers at the bottom are wrong - the series numbers are for cars with 28" tyres not 32" as stated

With a SWB with normal 28" tyres and normal diffs and no over drive

for diesel @4500rpm I work it out at around 80mph
for petrol @5000rpm 90mph

Now in a Land Rover 4500rpm sounds like the end of the world and is probably way past the power curve - to get 5000rpm in a petrol you'd need a better than standard ignition

so more realistic 4200rpm gives 75mph - I got up to 80 in mine when it was in standard trim but I wouldn't want to drive like that all day!

With 3.54 diffs/overdrive at 4200rpm you're talking 100mph
With 3.54 diffs+overdrive at 4200rpm 130mph

In reality with a stock engine you'll run out of power to push the wind along before you reach anything like those speeds.

Found a calculator here: Tire Size, RPM, Speed, and Differential Ratio Calculator that agrees with my calcs

I've been up to 90 on the Autobahn with 3.54+overdrive and it didn't sound like it was struggling but I wouldn't want to have to swerve in a hurry....brakes are surprisingly ok - not like a modern car but no fuss stopping from motorway speeds. I can sit all day at 75 - 80mph with no dramas and engine is doing a comfortable 2500rpm
 
My old series 3 swb petrol would do 70 on a motorway but it was bloody uncomfortable - 45 is a nice comfy speed. Brakes? never use them - the engine give plenty of braking if you look far enough ahead.
 
Hmm... On an average day mine runs a 59mph, but considering the streamline of an old fashioned telephonebox, it's most likely about 45-50 mph.
With 2 tons trailer she does 47-49. Seems that towing has a bit less effect than wind :)
 
Last edited:
my 109 van purrs (purring for a Tdi) along at 50-60mph and can be hustled up to 80mph, 3.54 diffs fitted

i'll be refitting my overdrive this week due to a 400 mile (maybe more) round journey coming up, with that it'll happily cruise at 65 and can be thrashed up just past 90 at which point i've a feeling aerodynamics have the brakes firmly applied, i'm pretty certain i'd get more out of it if it was either a truckcab or topless but i'll not be testing the theory as i've no-where to store the top and panels

my 88" truckcab, Tdi'd, 3.54 diffs and overdrive on 7.50 Deestones would clear 90 prior to me fitting the 3/4 tilt, that definitely applies the brakes at about 85, it's still a giggle though
 
well mine is an 88" series 2 with a 1 ton drivetrain running a 12j 2.5 n/a and no overdrive

i can just about get 37mph on the shatnav when i absolutely scream the guts out of it in 4th

think im gonna put 3.54 diffs in with bigger wheels off a 109 and an overdrive to see what that lot does when i eventually get some money :rolleyes:
 
johnny curt 1 said:
well mine is an 88" series 2 with a 1 ton drivetrain running a 12j 2.5 n/a and no overdrive

i can just about get 37mph on the shatnav when i absolutely scream the guts out of it in 4th

think im gonna put 3.54 diffs in with bigger wheels off a 109 and an overdrive to see what that lot does when i eventually get some money :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

you'll not put an overdrive on that gearbox

that gearbox was designed to be used with 9.00x16 tyres fitted
 
Our series 3 88" diesel with overdrive will get to 55, but it is a bit of a racket, and it has an 18yr old behind the wheel who is usually late for work! It has been completely rebuilt recently though so is in pretty good tune at the moment. It is also running the 11" brakes so has slightly better braking.

However it does like to fall over too, I dont like taking it anywhere to quickly. It hurt last time. I was in the passanger side when it hit the tree ruining the springs, bending every angle on the chassis, buckling the bulkhead and crushing the casing for the 4wd selector between both props which also broke. also every panel was damaged in some way when it rolled over. There were 2 people in the back where there are no belts either. strangely no injuries and it only took £2500 to rebuild the truck again! :D

They aren't fast vehicles, I don't see the point trying to use them like one.
 
If I do not try and make my 2.25 series 3 diesel rush and let it get up to speed in its own time it will sit happily at 45/48 mph. I have seen 55+ on long downhill runs and paid the price of noise and not feeling in control. At 40/45 it feels good is not to loud steers and stops well so that is the speed they will do.
 
NiteMare said:
you'll not put an overdrive on that gearbox

that gearbox was designed to be used with 9.00x16 tyres fitted
Click to expand...

can i have that tyre measurement in metric please :D:D

and why cant i get an overdrive on that gearbox when it had one on when i paid for the fekker but didnt have one when i picked it up ( bastids ) it were a santana superdrive with a PTO linkage on the back aswell :mad:
 
johnny curt 1 said:
can i have that tyre measurement in metric please :D:D

and why cant i get an overdrive on that gearbox when it had one on when i paid for the fekker but didnt have one when i picked it up ( bastids ) it were a santana superdrive with a PTO linkage on the back aswell :mad:
Click to expand...

are you sure the photograph was of the one you bought ??

the cover plate on a 1ton box is either flat or convex rather than sunken due to a different output shaft (longer) being fitted, i'm not 100% sure but i think the gears in the transfer box are also different to a standard Series gearbox so also won't mesh with the overdrive

to get properly knowledgeable answers i suggest you visit ...
900club.org • Index page

these folks should be able to correct or clarify my comments

i've no idea of the equivalent size to a 9.00x16
 
the serial number off the gearbox and transfer box match the ones in the identification list on that site but evrything else seems to be standard series 2

bloody good source of info that site is and is now bookmarked :D:D

coincidentally i have now developed a leak on the input shaft on me rear diff

what would be your choice between just changing the seal on it or just change both diffs for 3.54 10 spline buggers and have it done with as ive found a supplier who will sell me 2 diffs at £100 each then give me £30 back on the return of me old ones
 
craddocks will sell you 3.54 diffs at 50quid each (plus postage) so i'd suggest you look around a bit or maybe put a wanted advert up rather than spunk money away with the supplier you've found (i like keeping my hobby cheap)

you can get away with just changing the rear diff as long as you don't select 4x4 or low box without FWH's temporarily, i've been running my 109 like this for the last two years

i'd definitely change diffs

with FWHs you can use low box 4x4 on hard surfaces and if on very slippery surfaces (VERY) you can engage the front axle to help get yourself out, i've done it

here's a picture of how i changed the front diff in my bitsa
Picture088.jpg


4 axle stands needed, 2 to support the vehicle and 2 to support the swivels to protect the seals in the axle tube
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

lightning
Drove a Series 3 today
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
lightning
lightning
A
Newbie Q’s - 1st Ever Series Land Rover
Replies
10
Views
975
ANK84
A
VikingRider
1974 series 3 dashboard retrim advise
Replies
3
Views
1K
Bobsticle
Bobsticle
G
Coolant temperature sender Series 3 2.25 diesel question.
Replies
5
Views
1K
Guidoma
G
zooropa1993
Rainers Series 3 from Bremen
Replies
9
Views
976
Flat frog
F
Back
Top