Wildefalcon
Well-Known Member
What would you like? How competent are you? How much do you wish to preserve the nature of the vehicle? How bothered are you about keeping the identity for legal purposes? Why didn't you buy a defender?
IDK...
Member
I like the look of the series 3 but want a stronger engine and I'm not bothered about the nature of the vehicle.
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
Are you doing the work yourself?
No offence, but for any build you need to have a direction or a goal. Else how will anyone else know what the smeg will be the right bits.
FYI -- in the UK, if you change all the bits you are saying. Chances are the vehicle will need an IVA and loose its original identity. This isn't an issue, but you'll end up with a Q plate most likely and it will loose its historic status, so will no longer be MoT and Tax exempt.
Should have bought the whole vehicle and put your Series 3 number plate on it, job done.
Should have bought a 200tdi engine and put that in it.
Changing gearbox, axles, ,propshafts, suspension seems like a pointless exercise to me but it's your money so let us know how you get on.
Should have bought a 200tdi engine and put that in it.
Changing gearbox, axles, ,propshafts, suspension seems like a pointless exercise to me but it's your money so let us know how you get on.
IDK...
Member
You have a good point I'll get a 200tdi engine instead.
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
Why?
A 200Tdi is an easier swap, but there are kits to swap in a 300Tdi these days. The 200 & 300Tdi's make identical power/torque.
Do you have a Series III already? What are you trying to achieve? As there are lots and lots of different options. But it mostly depends on what you want to end up with, who is doing the work and how much you want to spend.
Wildefalcon
Well-Known Member
Still think an early 90 would suit you better.
Ignoring the law at your own risk. And assuming you get insurance correctly.
You can change anything, given money and skill.
Axles.
Most will be wider than a series, so you'll need wheel arches. You'll have to weld on spring perches.
Gearbox.
Anything that fits your engine will work. You'll have to fabricate mounts, and possibly cut the chassis.
All gearboxes will be longer, so you'll have to get a short high angle prop shaft.
Brakes.
Brakes will come from the axles, so depends on what options are available for those axles.
It's a lot of bother, erodes the value of the vehicle, and costs a lot.
Buy a ninety. All done for you.
Ignoring the law at your own risk. And assuming you get insurance correctly.
You can change anything, given money and skill.
Axles.
Most will be wider than a series, so you'll need wheel arches. You'll have to weld on spring perches.
Gearbox.
Anything that fits your engine will work. You'll have to fabricate mounts, and possibly cut the chassis.
All gearboxes will be longer, so you'll have to get a short high angle prop shaft.
Brakes.
Brakes will come from the axles, so depends on what options are available for those axles.
It's a lot of bother, erodes the value of the vehicle, and costs a lot.
Buy a ninety. All done for you.
IDK...
Member
I've got a series 3 88 but the engine is making a knocking noise and a friend is buying the engine off me so I can get a 200tdi or a 300tdi engine and put it in and all work will be done by me.
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
So you can swap in a Tdi with relative ease. A 200 is easier, but you might find it easier to find a 300Tdi engine. You can retain everything else such as gearbox, axles etc. This would also enable the vehicle to keep its identity.
A Tdi can break a Series gearbox, but it'll be more how you drive than power from the engine. Same with axles. Drum brakes should also be fine with a Tdi, although there ways to upgrade to disc brakes.
I would also evaluate what you want to use the vehicle for what your annual mileage is likely to be. The Tdi is a good engine, esp in its day and it is frugal. But it is also very loud and unrefined. If you don't need the economy of the Tdi, there might be nicer engines out there to consider.
The Rover V8 is a well proven conversion and would make for a nice vehicle. Slightly more involved over a Tdi swap, but not by a huge margin and likely similar costs. I also personally think the 2.0 T-Series Rover engine, as used in some other Land Rovers would be a nice swap. Refined, smooth, more power than a Tdi and more torque than a standard 2.25 petrol.
Of course you could also look at retaining or replacing the original engine. The 2.25p is a nice engine, although under powered by modern standards. But they can be tuned to around 100-110hp for moderate money. Or you could even look at building a custom petrol 2.5 turbo utilising bits from the 19j TD engine and some creative thinking.
You may also want to consider what you want from the vehicle. Retaining the stock gearbox and axles will help keep the character of the vehicle. Now you can change these. An LT-77 or R380 5-speed from a later Land Rover can be made to fit. Along with the LT230 transfer case. But you'll be into the realm of custom gearbox mounts, custom propshafts and fabricated sheet metal for the transmission tunnel, floors and maybe seatbox. But by this stage it will feel less and less like a Series Land Rover and something like a Ninety might just be a better bet.
Defender/RRC/Disco1 axles can also be fitted. But as they are wider, it'll just make it look more like a Ninety. Some fab work to switch from coil to leaf springs on these axles though.
Other engine swaps you could consider.
Ford Essex V6. Used to be a common'ish swap and you might still get some bits for it. But I don't see why you'd do this over a Rover V8.
Td5, but likely to require more R&D and would entail a likely transmission swap.
L-Series diesel.
Wildefalcon
Well-Known Member
Sell the series, buy a 90.
steve2286w
Well-Known Member
Another option is
and/or repair the diesel which is exactly what I have done whether you go for the 200tdi or repair the series still,can cost £600+ if you want to strip,down rings and bearings or rebore on the 2286 or tdi
and/or repair the diesel which is exactly what I have done whether you go for the 200tdi or repair the series still,can cost £600+ if you want to strip,down rings and bearings or rebore on the 2286 or tdi
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IDK...
Member
My friend bought a series with no engine and said he'll give me £200 for it and I'm looking less fuel consumption
steve2286w
Well-Known Member
Put in on eBay and get £400
IDK...
Member
I all ready agreed to the price plus he been my friend for over 10 years i dont want make thing worse for him as he looking to rebuild it with his kids.Put in on eBay and get £400
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
Personally I woudn't suggest a 200Di conversion. It'll cost just as much as keeping the turbo and is arguably more work as you have faff about and take the turbo off. Your end result is an engine that probably makes only 5 or so hp more than a standard 2.5NaD engine and no fat torque curve.
