XD Engine Upgrade

[Tin Medic]

Hey everyone, wondering if anyone has installed the Jag AJ41 and a ZF6/8HP out of an LR3/4 into a D1? My XD already had the block replaced at some point with one out of a 97 Defender but the engine as a whole is tired so I am considering this swap.

An LS is always an option but I would like to keep it English as much as possible.

Let me know your thoughts.

Steve

 

[StangGT5]

Hey everyone, wondering if anyone has installed the Jag AJ41 and a ZF6/8HP out of an LR3/4 into a D1? IMy XD already had the block replaced at some point with out of a 97 Defender but the engine as a whole is tired so I as considering this swap.

An LS is always an option but I would like to keep it English as much as possible.

Let me know your thoughts.

Steve

You'd be wading into unknown waters with little to gain over a LS, but I share your British in British sentiment. Keep in mind, the Rover V8 has a GM origin. An aluminum LS from a trailblazer isn't so sinful in that context. Jags also used GM transmissions for decades.

I'd think you would have to run an aftermarket engine management system with either AJV8. It takes a lot to make a factory CANBUS system play nice in a swap, and the trans is going to be looking for speed data from ABS that isn't there. Physically, both V8s should fit.

Of the two, the 4.4 would be easier since it lacks direct injection. A supercharged 4.2 works where a 4.4 does if you want the 5.0's power.

I believe Haltech makes a BMW ZF6 controller. That could work. I doubt the ZF6 bolts to a LT230 though. You'd probably be better off having an adapter made to fit an R380 to the AJV8. The flywheel from a Vantage V8 might work, who knows if a D1 clutch bolts to it though. You could also have a HP22 rebuilt with beefed internals from a 24.

While we're dreaming, I'd love to see a XJR supercharged Jag AJ16 4.0 straight 6 in a D1.

 

[special ed]

I was just looking at this as an option. I have a xjr as a spare spare spare backup car to all the rovers and it would be incredible to swap that engine into a disco and be able to run a 500hp 4.2. The issue is probably going to be valve timing in controlling the 4.2 4.4 engine platform. Everything else is kinda easy to control and do. Transmission HGM compushift can handle that stand alone no problem.

Im now following along to see others input and ideas

 

[Tin Medic]

The LS makes the most sense but I am looking at all my options before I pull it apart.

 

[BlackSpeed66]

As the owner of both a D1 and a 6-cylinder XJR… you’d probably have to “mod” the firewall on the Disco with a hammer lol. That big straight 6 is loooong!

 

[Tugela]

An option that's closer to original is a GEMS 4.6 from a P38. I've spent a bit of time in a D90 with that setup and it had some oomph. You can squeeze a little more performance out of it with modification. You'd probably want to do a refresh of the engine before installing it, since most donors at this point are also tired, and this seems to run a bit counter to your idea. Also, while the 4.6 will be more powerful than the 4.0, it's not in the same league as a 4.4.

 

[Tin Medic]

In the end it will probably be an LS just due to availability of engine, price of parts and reliabiliity.

 

[roverchef]

OM606(All Mechanical). It's really powerful when tuned and ECO-friendly. It even pays for itself since you can drain the engine oil and dump it right into the gas tank.

 

[Howski]

Just build a Rover V8. Can address a lot of its shortcomings if building from ground up

 

[kris812]

My 2 cents for whatever it's worth.

LS swap and this thing will be easy to work on for the next 20 years.

Keep it Rover, and it'll be authentic, rare and probably worth more to collectors. However your son in 20 years won't be able to get parts when he trys to fix it.

We already can't get decent Cam shafts or timing chains, it's only going to get worse. A Rover swap may end the vehicle someday.

 

[special ed]

My 2 cents for whatever it's worth.

LS swap and this thing will be easy to work on for the next 20 years.

Keep it Rover, and it'll be authentic, rare and probably worth more to collectors. However your son in 20 years won't be able to get parts when he trys to fix it.

We already can't get decent Cam shafts or timing chains, it's only going to get worse. A Rover swap may end the vehicle someday.

Everything is available for the RV8 engine and once rebuilt and top hatted it will last as long as anything else out there, can produce as much power as you will ever need, be original and will cost less. Plus your statement about getting parts, you just bastardized a hodge podge of limited production parts into a car that who knows down the road what they came from or whether they will be available. My first RV8 i built 18 years ago is in its 3rd disco and still running strong. Back then it cost me 2500 to do a whole engine with top hats, perfromance cam... now the cost went up a bit but you can still build a great motor for under 5000$

 

[kris812]

Everything is available for the RV8 engine and once rebuilt and top hatted it will last as long as anything else out there, can produce as much power as you will ever need, be original and will cost less. Plus your statement about getting parts, you just bastardized a hodge podge of limited production parts into a car that who knows down the road what they came from or whether they will be available. My first RV8 i built 18 years ago is in its 3rd disco and still running strong. Back then it cost me 2500 to do a whole engine with top hats, perfromance cam... now the cost went up a bit but you can still build a great motor for under 5000$

My reason for stating this is that you can not get a single Rover engine part from local USA part store (AutoZone O'Reilly etc) and basically everything must be ordered. And reading on new cams and chains, people end up using their old chains with 180k on them as the old is better than new...

This same reasoning has been taken on by at least 1 other and 1ton Ford axle swapped their rovers. Not for strength, but for availability of parts while using his Rover across the country.

Now I'm not saying a Rover engine isn't any good, they last 200k on their own. But breaking down in some 2 bit town, I'd 100% prefer Ford axles and an LS engine Everytime as every parts store has parts.

Man I'm just saying I've needed parts for my Rover and EVERY I mean EVERY shop in Tucson laughs at me with the one exception being falconworks as all they work on is Rovers and charge accordingly. So I wait week/weeks for parts to come in mail.

 

[Tin Medic]

I think I am going to build a 4.6 with the knowledge that we might move to the UK in the next few years.

 

[Tin Medic]

Anyone ever built a 4.8 stroker?

 

[p m]

But breaking down in some 2 bit town, I'd 100% prefer Ford axles and an LS engine Everytime as every parts store has parts.

The LS engine and/or Ford axles aren't going to break (I wonder what do you mean by Ford axles) - but the one-off parts that connect them will. And no parts store will have them.
A "bulletproof conversion" requires far more than pondering which bits and pieces to use. Nick Markiw, a very thoughtful and meticulous guy, has gone through many iterations until he had a stable configuration of LS/6L80E/LT230/factory axles in his D90. He's had his share of failures as well.

Anyone ever built a 4.8 stroker?

Without going to exotic configurations, you can build a 4.6 out of what you have. Just keep in mind that CV joints in a D1 are barely adequate for 32" tires and any traction diff. I broke two with a TruTrac, and I am not a leadfoot.

 

[StangGT5]

For what it's worth, I once bought a crank sensor for a D2 at Oreilly's when mine failed on a weekend. It's probably the only part I've been able to buy at a local store.

But yeah, if your transmission is healthy throw a 4.6 in there with 4.0 pistons, a cam (I like Crower, but I'm starting to think their lifters aren't the best), heavily ported heads, matched intake (at least lower, maybe trumpets if you're frisky), headers and Volvo/Bosch injectors. It will be as much spice as you want with stock axles and a hp22.

As for that vs. exotic Jag/AJV8 swaps you started fantasizing about...


(but not worth it)

 

[roverchef]

Anyone ever built a 4.8 stroker?

I built a 5.2ltr out of a 4.0/4.6 block 15 sum yrs ago. It's still running strong. It was a $h!T ton of machine work and alot of Buick 400 parts. I only built it cause the client asked for it. There's alot of better solutions to your problem nowadays.
I got a studded/sleeved 4.6 long block wrapped up on a stand in the back of the shop if you want need it. PM with your details for shipping.
I also have an OM606(all mechanical) with the adaptor for your ZF(HP22/24) if you choose to go the "Oil Burner" route.

 

[p m]

I built a 5.2ltr out of a 4.0/4.6 block 15 sum yrs ago. It's still running strong. It was a $h!T ton of machine work and alot of Buick 400 parts. I only built it cause the client asked for it. There's alot of better solutions to your problem nowadays.
I got a studded/sleeved 4.6 long block wrapped up on a stand in the back of the shop if you want need it. PM with your details for shipping.
I also have an OM606(all mechanical) with the adaptor for your ZF(HP22/24) if you choose to go the "Oil Burner" route.

I heard of 4.0 upgrade to 5 liters without any machine work - do you know what's involved?

 

[Tin Medic]

I was reading Kurt Schley's article on Dan Lagrou of D&D Fabrications and what he considered a "basic stroker". It seems like something that would be worth looking into.

 

[roverchef]

I heard of 4.0 upgrade to 5 liters without any machine work - do you know what's involved?

Either talk to RPI or D&D if that is the route you wish to take.