V8 conversion or Original V8?

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D9000000

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Berkshire
I’m looking to complete a v8 90 project but not sure what to do about sourcing the car.

I’ve seen a lot of detail about conversions and would be looking to install an old RRC V8. However, not sure on the general price expected for the full job?

The alternative is I source an original 1985-96 v8 but these seem very rare.
 
Depends what you want tbh.

Lots of options. Fitting a V8 to a 90 is pretty easy. Factory ones used the Lt-85 and a different transfer box. But you want use an Lt-77/R380.
 
300bhp/ton said:
Depends what you want tbh.

Lots of options. Fitting a V8 to a 90 is pretty easy. Factory ones used the Lt-85 and a different transfer box. But you want use an Lt-77/R380.
Click to expand...
The only factory V8 that I have driven had an autobox. It was a long time ago, but I think it was a Borg Warner box, not certain.

If I was going to convert one, I would go for auto, the vehicle that I drove was an excellent drive, and petrol is very cheap now, and looks to remain so for a long while.
 
Turboman said:
The only factory V8 that I have driven had an autobox. It was a long time ago, but I think it was a Borg Warner box, not certain.

If I was going to convert one, I would go for auto, the vehicle that I drove was an excellent drive, and petrol is very cheap now, and looks to remain so for a long while.
Click to expand...
so would i ,the zf auto used on classic rr and disco 1s is the same length as a manual box and uses the same chassis mount locations
 
I've had two factory V8s, a 1985 90 and a 1990 110. In both cases replaced the carb with Efi.
Currently have a former 2.5 petrol 90 now with a Disco 1 3.5V8 and a RRC ZF auto box; best Landy I've ever had w.r.t. drivability.
Conversion thread here: https://www.lrukforums.com/threads/3-5-v8-efi-from-a-k-reg-disco.232297/
One tip if you do this, get the whole donor vehicle not just engine and box; there were lots of little items that needed finding or fabricating.
 
Turboman said:
The only factory V8 that I have driven had an autobox. It was a long time ago, but I think it was a Borg Warner box, not certain.

If I was going to convert one, I would go for auto, the vehicle that I drove was an excellent drive, and petrol is very cheap now, and looks to remain so for a long while.
Click to expand...
Only factory V8 auto's I know of are the 50th Anni and the NAS spec. All the 3.5 V8 are 5-speed manual.

Auto's are ok, but they blunt the performance and fun IMO. Also old school auto's are unable to lock the torque convertor, so offer dreadful mpg and no engine breaking off road.
 
300bhp/ton said:
Only factory V8 auto's I know of are the 50th Anni and the NAS spec. All the 3.5 V8 are 5-speed manual.

Auto's are ok, but they blunt the performance and fun IMO. Also old school auto's are unable to lock the torque convertor, so offer dreadful mpg and no engine breaking off road.
Click to expand...
Factory V8 Nineties were made. They had 3.5 carburetted engines, and a choice of manual or auto.
Personally, I much prefer auto, and they are much gentler on engines and transmissions.
 
300bhp/ton said:
Only factory V8 auto's I know of are the 50th Anni and the NAS spec. All the 3.5 V8 are 5-speed manual.
Auto's are ok, but they blunt the performance and fun IMO. Also old school auto's are unable to lock the torque convertor, so offer dreadful mpg and no engine breaking off road.
Click to expand...

Turboman said:
Factory V8 Nineties were made. They had 3.5 carburetted engines, and a choice of manual or auto.
Personally, I much prefer auto, and they are much gentler on engines and transmissions.
Click to expand...

I had factory 90 and 110 V8s, neither were NAS or 50th. They had carbs unlike the NAS/50th.

The auto is lovely to drive, changes quicker and better than I can and doesn't seem to sap power on my 90...I can spin the wheels if I want. The ZF 4 speed has a lock up around 58 and good enough engine braking for me.
 
capo said:
I had factory 90 and 110 V8s, neither were NAS or 50th. They had carbs unlike the NAS/50th.

The auto is lovely to drive, changes quicker and better than I can and doesn't seem to sap power on my 90...I can spin the wheels if I want. The ZF 4 speed has a lock up around 58 and good enough engine braking for me.
Click to expand...
I have driven them, both manual and auto.
The 3.5 auto was a fantastic drive both on and off road. It was owned by a friend, and when he emigrated to New Zealand in about 1992, he offered to sell it to me. I still regret turning him down on the offer, but I was too much of a traditionalist, and unwilling to give up my 109 Series, which I would have had to sell in order to afford the Ninety.
20 years later, I did end up in a Ninety, but that had a 2.5TD engine, and a 5 speed manual box.
Serves me right for mental inflexibility, I suppose! :(
 
capo said:
I had factory 90 and 110 V8s, neither were NAS or 50th. They had carbs unlike the NAS/50th.

The auto is lovely to drive, changes quicker and better than I can and doesn't seem to sap power on my 90...I can spin the wheels if I want. The ZF 4 speed has a lock up around 58 and good enough engine braking for me.
Click to expand...
Unless you can lock the convertor in low range (D2's and P38's do, RRC and D1 do not). Then you will not have engine braking off road akin to a manual. Sorry, this is fact not an opinion ;) Meaning you ideally need to do a lot of left foot braking off road.
 
Cheers, you are correct.
I was referring to on road engine braking; off road it does need some left foot action even in low. :)
 
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