| Author | Message | ||
     Alan Cranney (Rzr) New Member Username: Rzr Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2003 |
Does anyone have any information on doing an engine transplant on a '96 Disco? I would like to place a Chev 350 in it. I would probably replace the transmission with at TH400 at the same time. Working on the original seems fruitless. Low power, low mileage. I don't mind the low mileage but not with the lack of power. Oil leakage seems to be a common problem and mine is no exception. It will probably be summer after this if I really do it. I have done similar things with other outfits but never with a Rover. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) New Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 27 Registered: 10-2002 |
Have you ever wondered why (to my knowlwdge) no one has done this conversion Despite the fact that the motor is a virtual "drop in"? Here's what you need. A complete wiring harness from an existing Chevy LS1 otherwise you and/or mechanic/electrical genius will spend many, many months of hair pulling and frustration trying to hook up. Next you will need a Motec system at the very least to control the whole thing. A replacement transmission; Nothing less than a Chevy 4L80E. An adapter kit to mate the trans to the motor. You could contact Marks 4x4 Conversions in Australia and see if they have a conversion kit yet for the LS1 (they didn't 6 months ago when I enquired) (they do have a kit for the old iron block 350). Next you will probably have to fiddle around with baffles in the sump. Street chevy's are not designed for a lot of low speed hill/rock climbing, so oil pick-up could be a problem. Then its time to change your axles to heavy duty ones such as Maxi-Drive or McNamara. The bottom line is that, yes it can be done but you will probably be like Captain James Kirk of the Enterprise, 'to go where no man has gone before' and you better have very big pockets fill with money. Let me know how you get on if you go ahead as this was a project I seriously looked into but decided that stroking and supercharging was a far better alternative and I'm very happy with my choice. | ||
| Perrone Ford (Perroneford) Member Username: Perroneford Post Number: 53 Registered: 02-2003 |
Quite a number of people have done this conversion (at least on the RRC which is essentially the same truck) with good success. It is neither easy nor cheap. I looked at doing it myself and still might if I keep this truck until the engine dies. You'll need to be mindful of emissions inspections if you live in a state with them, and you will need to decide if you want a computer controlled setup or not. I'd suggest looking at John Purnell's site as he has some of the info that I gathered on this subject a couple of years ago. You also might want to talk to Overfinch in the UK who make a business of swapping 350s into Rovers and have been doing it for many years. Good luck. | ||
| Zach Jaggers (Mountenn) New Member Username: Mountenn Post Number: 27 Registered: 03-2003 |
Buy a Chevy. "Land Rover" means L-A-N-D R-O-V-E-R. Zach | ||
| Justin hiehle (Vanroth) New Member Username: Vanroth Post Number: 6 Registered: 02-2003 |
Skip the LS1... It's a car motor and does have the complicated oil baffles and large oil pan. Most states make it illegal to put a used car motor into a truck and vice versa (assuming you are in the states). Also keep in mind it is often illegal to put in a motor that is older than the transplant vehicle as well. Just a fyi. The current GM truck motors are essentially the same as the LS1 except they have better cams suited to trucking as well as having a stronger cast iron block. A true 350 shouldn't be too hard (depends on your definition of hard) and is probably cheaper in the long run (i.e. life of the vehicle). And the performance/durability will likely make it very worthwhile. Zach, Doesn't "Land Rover" then mean B-U-I-C-K or B-M-W?! And soon to be F-O-R-D? The stock motor is not the end all be all. Regardless how much I like my Disco, the Chevy 350 is the best all around motor and makes for one of the best transplant motors in most any vehicle. | ||
| Land Rover Certified Used A**hole (Jason) Senior Member Username: Jason Post Number: 407 Registered: 04-2002 |
Your main issues are going to be transmission and engine mounts. Once these are fabbed up, bolt the engine and transmission in, and worry about the rest of the details (ancillaries, radiator, etc). The main "fear" is that this is a not too common conversion and few people know a lick about it, much less any other engine conversion. Even with the info that is out there, every conversion is somewhat unique and will require some custom parts. Do not be scared of induction woes. You will probably be seeking an EFI system of some sort to continue to pass emissions. EFI is not hard to understand, and when you have a good conceptual understanding of all the components, it is fairly easy. You could either use an existing EFI induction, wire harness, and computer from a late-model Chevy, or you could pursue EFI kits from Edelbrock or Holley, among others (the whole Motec thing is great if you are looking to push 500+ HP...there are so many cheaper alternatives out there it's silly to suggest Motec is the only way to go...hmmm...SDS, Electromotive, Wolf, Haltech to name a few). The sure-fire way to pass emissions despite the induction is catalytic converters...you will need to have a new exhaust fabricated. But as somebody else mentioned, certainly check with your state's DMV/DOT and inquire about the legality of engine swaps plus reinspection. Finally, you need to consider weight over the front axle. If you go with an iron block, it will be much heavier than the Rover engine. The alu blocked Chevy's are a little heavier...not much. You will need a stiffer spring-rate, and likely a stiffer damping rate on the absorbers. I say good luck and do it. | ||
| Perrone Ford (Perroneford) Member Username: Perroneford Post Number: 54 Registered: 02-2003 |
The only thing I'd add to what Jason mentions here is the added weight over the front axle. Some people seem to think it's brutally heavy, when in fact we are only talking about a couple hundered pounds. It's about the same difference as adding a winch and a winch bumper. Requires different springs/shocks to be sure, but no major issues beyond that. If you also intend to add a winch and winch bumper, you'll be looking at adding what would be HD rear springs to the front, and shocks to match. Good luck, and let us know if you decide to proceed. It would be good for someone to document the process from start to finish. -P | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) New Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 28 Registered: 10-2002 |
Like I said in my earlier post, "Captain James T Kirk"! Do not for one minute think that this is an easy conversion. It might be easier if you know what you are doing, but if you have to rely on others (who probably have not done anything like this to a discovery) you could end up throwing a lot of money at thing. If you try to take the cheap route you will get into trouble. | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) New Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 30 Registered: 02-2003 |
A better match weight and power wise is the 4.3 v6 which is six cylinder version of the 350. One person who tried it got it going but it never worked right and was consigned to the graveyard. So vote don't do it! | ||
| Land Rover Certified Used A**hole (Jason) Senior Member Username: Jason Post Number: 417 Registered: 04-2002 |
No conversion is easy, Roland. The biggest set-back is having the engine and transmission mounts fabricated and getting the engine in there. Once the engine and transmission is in, the only thing that is left is to get it running. The Chevy aftermarket and resource is so huge, a monkey could get it running. If this person is seriously considering the engine swap, has the engine and the transmission already to go, start looking to find a shop specializing in custom modifications (e.g. hot-rodders and customs, off-road customs, etc) to fab the mounts. The cheapest route is to tell them you will bring the vehicle to them without an engine or transmission in it, but with the engine and transmission mounting points clearly marked. The shop will then have to mock up the engine and transmission and fabricate the mounts to bolt the components in. Don't expect to find a LR specialist who is willing to help you. Roland is correct that there are probably few if any who have done this to a Disco. That aside, it doesn't matter. A custom shop does custom work...if they know their chit, they could put a 350 into anything. And keep in mind, a 350 has been put into just about every vehicle ever made; each of these conversions requiring no more complexity than your Discovery. Again, I say do it. Have a plan, otherwise you'll fail. | ||
| Norm Orschnorschki (Norm) New Member Username: Norm Post Number: 26 Registered: 02-2003 |
Time = $$$$ Why not save yourself a lot of time and aggravation and just (literally) drop in a Rover 4.6 (or a 5.2) and rechip the ECU? Believe me, the 4.6 is a BIG improvement over your 3.9. The motor may cost a bit more at the outset, but it just bolts on with no "make fit" parts. In the long run, you'll save a lot of time, money and aggravation. ---Norm | ||
| Eric Lenser (Eric_l) New Member Username: Eric_l Post Number: 2 Registered: 02-2003 |
Check out the marks 4wd adaptors info- http://www.marks4wd.com/rangeroverindex.html | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) New Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 29 Registered: 10-2002 |
Last time I checked (Nov 20020), Marks had not made an engine/transmission adapter to suit the LS1. I agree with Norm. Go the 4.6 or 5.2 and if you want that extra, supercharge. | ||
| Land Rover Certified Used A**hole (Jason) Senior Member Username: Jason Post Number: 425 Registered: 04-2002 |
Roland, you are the only person on this thread who has said anything about an LS1. Can you read??? Or do you know personally that Alan was planning on using an LS1??? Given the link Eric posted, there is enough info on that page to move forward and plan the engine/transmission swap. In fact, given there exists pre-fabricated parts to do BOTH THE ENGINE SWAP AND TRANSMISSION SWAP, if you performed the swap yourself, you could do it cheaper than what RPi advirtises a 5.2 short-block for (4000 pounds!!!). 350's and TH400's are a dime a dozen. 4.6's are not all that powerful (e.g. compared to a 350, much less one that has been modified), and 5.2's are asking a lot of $$$ just to be a smaller and less powerful engine than a 350 (unless you plan on having custom head-work, then you may get the same power as a 350 that costs even more $$$$)...then suggesting supercharging??? That's adding another $1500+ to an already expensive engine...it's kinda easy to suggest this when your not spending your own money. Alan, I hope you are realizing there are enough resources out there to perform this swap. It's all in the planning!!! | ||
| Alan Cranney (Rzr) New Member Username: Rzr Post Number: 4 Registered: 03-2003 |
Thanks all...like I mentioned, it will probably be summer after this. I do plan on a cast 350 w/TH400 behind. I have done a conversion about 10 years ago in a different rig. Granted, there was a lot more available and many more done for that one (Land Cruiser > 350). I am seeing if there is much info or experience in doing this one. When I do it I will document it well in case anyone else is interested in the same. Thanks for all your responses and more are welcome. | ||
| John Davies (John_davies2) New Member Username: John_davies2 Post Number: 21 Registered: 02-2003 |
I am curious - why do you want the T400? A built 700R4 would make a lot more sense to me. I recall that first gear is lower, and then there is the overdrive, which would be a shame to do without. I had a T400 in a big block Suburban. That •••••• was very stout, but I would have loved an overdrive. And why the heck does •••••• always get turned into dots....can someone answer me that? | ||
| Alan Cranney (Rzr) New Member Username: Rzr Post Number: 8 Registered: 03-2003 |
Nothing is in stone as of yet. 700R4 is a possibility. I am familiar w/TH400 with the last conversion. That is the only reason. I guess that is why I put out the thread to see suggestions and consider options. Thanks for the suggestion. | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) New Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 35 Registered: 10-2002 |
Yeah Jason, I just assumed that Alan was considering an LS1, because here in Oz we don't have the huge & cheap availability of 350 motors, crate or otherwise, and bearing this in mind and considering the expense in fitting a 350 in OZ, the LS1 would be a more logical choice. PS. I'll try not to assume in future, OK! | ||
| Land Rover Certified Used A**hole (Jason) Senior Member Username: Jason Post Number: 428 Registered: 04-2002 |
Sorry for jumpin' on you, Roland. My problem is the past attitudes others on this BB have expressed about engine swaps. Financial factors are keeping me from swapping engines (that and my wife...), but I'll keep considering it since my RR has a Torqueflight 727 and bellhousings are easy to come by, and there are so many options for induction whether it's a Chevy or a Ford. (I'm leaning more towards a Ford so Kyle won't yell at me...). | ||
| Keith Kreutzer (Revor) Member Username: Revor Post Number: 171 Registered: 11-2002 |
A 350 has been put in a Rangie... Biggest problem with the early SBC's is the dizzy but then the LSI doesn't have one does it. Then there's that oils pan thing get one from a Blazer and you should be fine... Now run a Stick ••••••...NV4500 and you can get an adaptor from Timm... The problem with ANY american autobox is going to be the pan... It is just too flat and wide to clear the front output.... I've thought about the LSI motor very seriously hey it's aluminum and it is low profile... Build it the way it works best for you and stuff it in... After lots of research it really is too big it would be a giant PITA to do anything under the hood but with a year 2000 100,000 mile before tune up engine you might not have too... Check out the dimensions at advance adaptors they have one ready to drop in!!!!! To bad you don't live in CO i'd love to help!!!!! | ||
| Keith Kreutzer (Revor) Member Username: Revor Post Number: 172 Registered: 11-2002 |
Oh yeah in Co the emissions laws prevent you from putting in anything older but you can put in anything newer provided all the emissions control stuff is intact.. I can legally put a 2000 488 dodge V10 in my 97 disco if I kept all the right stuff (and it would fit) | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) New Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 37 Registered: 10-2002 |
A Dodge V10 in a disco! I just had an orgasmmmmm......ahhhhhhhhhhh | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 598 Registered: 09-2002 |
Kevin, [S-word] to bring it on again - the full size Wagoneers from 66(?) to 79 with Dana 20 t-case and 73-79 with Quadratrac had a TH400 - the clearance on the front driveshaft is tight, but it never hit the pan. FWIW, they also had pass. side front and rear drops on the t-case and differentials. Jason, i can't say it for sure, but the chances of RR-spec 727 to match any U.S. engine bolt pattern (maybe, short of some Buick V8s) are slim. Dodge V10... Chrysler of late has an amazing ability to produce big-cube engines that just doesn't run right. They are heavy, too. | ||
| Land Rover Certified Used A**hole (Jason) Senior Member Username: Jason Post Number: 432 Registered: 04-2002 |
Gotchya Pete...if it came down to that, I'd probably find a US spec'd 727 at a pick'n'pull (probably in better shape than mine) and locate an adapter... | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 600 Registered: 09-2002 |
well, i thought about that... 727 came behind a variety of motors, only few of them being worthy looking at. Unless, of course, you're a die-hard AMC enthusiast and want to build a killer 360 - in which case I can give you one or two cores  IMHO, a combo of plain-jane GM 4.3V6 and 4L60 (700R4) would make a nice setup for a Disco. The 700R4 and its later variety have 3:1 first gear, overdrive, and lockup torque converter that can be wired to a switch (reportedly, you can't lock it in the 1st gear). The only other combo I'd consider is Ford's 4.0V6 with the transmission from an Exploder/Ranger/Aerostar. | ||
| Daniel Covaciu (Danielcovaciu) Member Username: Danielcovaciu Post Number: 84 Registered: 10-2002 |
Gag! What an awful idea. A ford 4.0V6 from an exploder in a DI? May such a thing never happen! I think Peter should be banned from discoweb at least temporarily for uttering such blasphemy. Step away from the computer Peter. | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 603 Registered: 09-2002 |
Daniel, i've had an AWD Aerostar with the 4.0V6, and it was a better engine than the D1's 4.0V8. Top it off with a better-matched transmission gear ratios. I don't know what transmissions were used on Ranger and Exploder, so I can't vouch for those. IMHO, using a 350SBC on any 4x4 is a blasphemy |
