farmershort

Well-Known Member
Hi All,

Whilst I'm waiting for the right donor vehicle to come up, I've been doing some reading on the various "standard" v8's which are thrown into fendys.

I will (hopefully) be starting with a 300tdi 110 as a donor vehicle (for ID, axles, body panels, etc), and then building up a v8 version on a new galv chassis.

I'm pretty happy with the rules around the dvla/iva/etc now, so I'm after a bit more advise about my engine, gearbox & transfer box options.

Sadly, I've got used to having a bit of power in my vehicles.... my general run around is a stage 3 ish saab 9000 (280bhp), and I've recently sold my jag XF SV8 (420hp SC v8). The standard fendy v8 with it's low power output isn't quite ticking the boxes for me.

People seem to mention a lot of different options around 3.5, 3.9-v-belt, 3.9-serp, 4.0 and 4.6. The latter ones seem to come in for a lot of bad press about cracked liners too.

If I were to say that I want to build a fendy for high days & holidays, as well as small holding work, with at least 250bhp (reliably!), and a lovely v8 burble, is there a "solution" which is well known & tested which would fit that requirement?

Obviously the bhp & torque need to be matched to the right box... LT85/R380 seem to get mentioned a lot. It *has* to be a manual gearbox for me. What about the tranny box options?

Is it better to modify a 3.5 up to a standard where it outputs that level of power, or start with a bigger block in the first place?

I loved the super-charged 4.2 v8 in the jag, but that runs on the demon fibre optic can-bus nonsense, and would be far too complicated for my tastes. There's also probably no manual gearbox option for that either.

If I can get somewhere in the range of 16-25mpg, then I see no reason to go derv.... I only ever got 27-29mpg out of my old 200tdi and 300tdi 110's.

Advice welcomed!

Thanks

Adam
 
250bhp! A standard 4.6 was reputably up to 220bhp (peak) with 290lb/ft torque. The same 4.6 uprated with wilder cams might push 260bhp depending on mods so I think you are thinking a little higher than achievable without some wads dosh.

Having said that the R380 is strong enough as is the transfer box.

My XFR is meant to push 370bhp!
 
An xfr is 505bhp. Sure you're not thinking of the 'S'?

Shame to hear that about the 4.6 power output.

Is the 3.5 considered reliable simply because of the low power output? Does it become unreliable when tuned?
 
Firstly, respect to the saab
Secondly sounds like you've got a few bob.
So buy a coscast 4.6 with stage 3 heads and a fast road hydraulic cam. 280+ bhp and torque everywhere, good driveability, and not **** castings like the late land rover production blocks
John eales would be my choice especially as you live in leics - jedevelopments
Strip Engines - J E Developments Home of the Rover V8
 
Firstly, respect to the saab
Secondly sounds like you've got a few bob.
So buy a coscast 4.6 with stage 3 heads and a fast road hydraulic cam. 280+ bhp and torque everywhere, good driveability, and not **** castings like the late land rover production blocks
John eales would be my choice especially as you live in leics - jedevelopments
Strip Engines - J E Developments Home of the Rover V8
I do love the saab! So thanks!

Just looked at the price... I'm happy with that. I guess I need to give them a ring for advice on gearbox etc.

Know anyone on here with one fitted?

Thanks

Adam.
 
Me:D:D:D

Mine is using a 1992 range rover donor front cover and chipped hotwire efi.
2wd lt77

Do a cost comparison with a sb Chevy, mez.co.uk for tips, real steel for a crate engine.
 
I don't suppose you're anywhere near Hampshire are you? I'd love to see one fitted and running before i take the plunge.
 
My wife had one, I loved it but she didn't like the lack of comfort on long journeys. It couldn't get from Durham to RAF cottesmore on a tank, and she'd fall out of it at Grantham to fill up:p

Might have persuaded her to keep it if I'd lowered it and did something with the seats. They go for about £5k more now :(
Got her a zt260 as a compromise in which she learned to do donuts.... Accidently:eek:
 
Sounds like you've got a keeper there!

Shame she didn't find the fendy comfy... I'm one of these odd folk who always liked doing long haul trips... Especially in my old 200tdi 110.... I was a bit thinner then mind.
 
Yes the 4.6 RV8 has liner issues BUT if you choose to build your own (as i have done) you can build yourself a nice engine. The reason the cracked liners was due to JLR running them lean in order to meet emissions regs. And dont listen to this 220hp nonsense. Build a nice 4.6 with a stump puller cam and lightly ported heads. Add some megasquirt and you will have 280hp with loads of torque.
All depends on your budget. If money no object stick an LS chevy in it.
 
No worries. Im using R380. Not exactly slick, but the least agricultural of the bunch. Im looking to see if its possible to fit MT82 but dont hold out much hope.
 
Just had a chat with the john eales place! Very helpful chap. Looks like I need to find a serp 3.9 rr engine complete with efi as a donor engine.
 
Mr Eales is indeed a nice chap. Though his parts/services are not cheap.

What he told you is fine but it depends what you are looking to do. Are you happy at staying at 3.9 or are you looking to increase to 4.6? Are you happy with sticking to the crappy JLR injection/ignition or do you want to upgrade to Megasquirt/EDIS?
 
I need to find out more about megasquirt.,.. Mr eales seemed not to be a fan. He was talking about taking the engine to 4.6.
 
Are you getting him to carry out engine work for you? If so, you must have pretty deep pockets.
May i be so bold to ask what exactly he said about MS?
Shoot me a PM.
 

Similar threads