| Author | Message | ||
     jan (Umsuja) New Member Username: Umsuja Post Number: 21 Registered: 01-2004 |
hi! my old diesel 2,25 just had enough. its time to rebuild/swap the engine. How much work is it to put in an older rover V8 (one without ECU) to an SIII? how's this rover V8+LT77 and original (LT??) SIII tranfecase? is it possible ? or do i stick to my old 2,25 diesel and rebuilt it? my primary target for this car is summer use to do some easy offroading, beach trips and so on. did do some search on "search" funktion, but didnt find what i wanted. do anyone know, how to go futher? thankfull for any hints! --J-- | ||
| millheaven (Chrisseries1) New Member Username: Chrisseries1 Post Number: 29 Registered: 03-2004 |
i would suggest to find a used 2.25 petrol engine and swap that in there. that should be a days job. and you should be back on the road and ready to wheel again. where as you will probablly be all summer trying to hunt down all the components for this v8 conversion. and the cost will be triple of the gas engine swap. and now you have all this power increase. so the old power train is it going to stand up to the increase inhorse power? again the old series half shafts are prone to break even with a four cylinder rover engine and now a v8 in there. you will have to up grade the axles now. or be very tame in how you applly the throttle. so it is up to you on what route to take. cost reason and time wise i would suggest to take a used gas or used deisel swap. | ||
| eric johnson (Eric2) Senior Member Username: Eric2 Post Number: 300 Registered: 05-2003 |
Where do you live and how much $$ do you have to spend on the project? I ask 'cuz there are prolly <5 folks in the U.S. with a Rover V-8 + LT77 powering old Series rigs. I've never seen any post on any of the major Rover sites, where someone was going to do that swap. Maybe in the U.K. The best V-8 swap, in the U.S., is a Chevy small block, like a 350, with an NV4500 gearbox, and the suffix D and later Series transfer case. Also will need a Salsbury rear end to take the extra power, for now anyway. | ||
| jan (Umsuja) New Member Username: Umsuja Post Number: 22 Registered: 01-2004 |
living in scandinavia. Rover V8 engines are cheap from 100usd and up! got allready salisbury rear end (someone said that's its equal to dana 60...) and plenty of old rusty RR from -70's available! (and they are cheap) well i look. read and learn so maybe we come up to something! | ||
| inceiptiant spin (Chrisseries1) New Member Username: Chrisseries1 Post Number: 36 Registered: 03-2004 |
well then i think your in business. i wish we had the aviability of those old rover parts here in the americas. good luck with the conversion. | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 3089 Registered: 02-2002 |
David Gage at the Thatched Roof Garage put a Rover V8 in a 190 that he had; it was a really nice rebuild that he did. However, it was into a 6-cyl, instead of a vehicle that was originally a 4-cyl... the 6-cyl is set up such that it's easier to put a V8 in. The Rover V8s aren't running too much power, so the stock drivetrain could handle it, much easier than a Chevy 350 would be on it. Given gas costs, another option would be to look at putting in some other diesel. Again, David pulled a 2.5 diesel out of a Rover and put an Isuzu diesel in instead.... it's scary how easy the swap was... Try popping at UK boards, you could probably find more info regarding the Rover V8s if you really want to go that route, or the other diesels... it's just not so common in the US..... IMHO, FWIW.... -L | ||
| Jaime (Blueboy) Senior Member Username: Blueboy Post Number: 943 Registered: 02-2002 |
we have a 4.0V8 in our 109 and as Leslie mentioned, it was originally a 6. our's is mated to the R380 vs the LT77. we had a choice of staying with the part time transfer box or a LT230 which we did instead. its a blast to drive and handles the interstate highways without any problems at 70to75mph. nice thing about a SIII is the breakfast is already forward so you can run a viscous fan if you want. our's is a IIa so we ended up with an electric fan due to room constaints. it definatly changes the personality of a Series truck. imho its a great way to go. Jaime  | ||
| jan (Umsuja) New Member Username: Umsuja Post Number: 23 Registered: 01-2004 |
ok! know a guy near my place that have over 30 RR in the backyard! from early -70's till today! =)) how are import regulations of rover engines/parts to US? maybe do some trading...? ok! now i think im gona hunt down an good shape 3,5 V8 rover engine and a gearbor to it! is it difficult to mate original tranfecase with R380? do i need an adaptor? can i manufacture it by myself? i read too that driveshafts needs to be custom due changed geabox length... | ||
| Jaime (Blueboy) Senior Member Username: Blueboy Post Number: 946 Registered: 02-2002 |
jan, go here http://www.eastcoastrover.com/5speed.html for some additional information. keep in mind 87 and 88 RRs imported into the US had the 3.5V8 with fuel injection so that motor already is here. Jaime  | ||
| Eric E. Yang (Ericnovember) New Member Username: Ericnovember Post Number: 28 Registered: 11-2003 |
Does anyone know any realistic costs for engine swaps from experience, perhaps to a Turner 2.25 or something along those lines? | ||
| kay tell (Chrisseries1) Member Username: Chrisseries1 Post Number: 58 Registered: 03-2004 |
if you keep it simple it should only cost you the amount of the engine. if you are going to start a conversion than it can get pricy. i am not sure of the cost of the turner engines. but if you all ready have a petrol engine installed then this is just a matter of one out and one in. | ||
| David Woo (Davidwoo) Member Username: Davidwoo Post Number: 97 Registered: 01-2003 |
In October of 2000, I put in a Turner HO 2.25, a rebuilt series 3 synchro transmission and new clutch in my 1967 2a. The engine and trans shipped together on the same pallet, from England: ordering and shipping just took two weeks. Cost for air shipping, customs, broker etc.. was about $800. The engine was $3k and the trans from Ashcroft was $1.5k. Had a shop do the swap, about $2.5k in labor and misc. parts (new mounts, hoses, belts, hydraulics..). If I were to do this today, would probably get a R Davis iron duke engine. ymmv, DW | ||
| Eric E. Yang (Ericnovember) New Member Username: Ericnovember Post Number: 29 Registered: 11-2003 |
Yowza David. My idea of a "fun hobby" in my Rover is turning into an expensive endeavor! I still love it though. Anyway, my engine is still in great condition. It was rebuilt at 50k and only has 88k on it now (~130 c.r. on all four cylinders), so its pretty much a baby. I'll probably focus on replacing my transmission which is seemingly on its last legs. David - by the way, what are the specs on the Turner HO 2.25? EY | ||
| Michael Slade (Tawayama) New Member Username: Tawayama Post Number: 34 Registered: 11-2003 |
IMO you should find an older RR that has the carburetted 3.5 AND the LT-95. The LT-95 is a 4-speed transmission AND 2-speed transfercase in one package. They come already installed as that package in early 80's RR's. Since Rover parts are easy and cheap to get over there, you shouldn't have that hard a time finding that combo in reasonable working shape. If you were in the states I'd have different advice for you...  | ||
| David Woo (Davidwoo) Member Username: Davidwoo Post Number: 98 Registered: 01-2003 |
Geez, you think I can remember? Too old for this, let's see: polished and ported, 2.5 cam, head work for higher compression, hp went up to about 90. Now they also make a 2.5l lump. http://www.turner-engineering.co.uk/ Here's some info on Robert Davis' engine: sounds sweet. http://www.fourfold.org/LR_FAQ/Series/FAQ.S.options.RDconversion.html DW | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 778 Registered: 07-2002 |
Basically, besides the obvious upgrades to ignition and electrics. You move the grill forward 2.5" and cut off the old engine mounts, put new ones on (in the right spot!!) and you are done. You will need to be a little creative with fitting all the ancillaries in, but a few extra cuts on the inside of the fenders and you will be able to fit the filter, intake, etc. Seen it done a few times. Or, get an old RR, cut a couple inches out of the frame, and mount the entire '72 body onto the RR frame. I am toying with this second option on my SIIa. It is more work, but for the price of an old RR as compared to the price of a new/rebuilt SIII or better trans, and a V8 install - well, it's not much different. | ||
| Brian Rubin de la Borbolla (Brian___) New Member Username: Brian___ Post Number: 7 Registered: 01-2004 |
Or you can just buy the adapter kit from RPI Engineering (http://www.rpiv8.com/) to drop the Rover v8 into the Series. You will still have to do the mods to the bulkhead, but that shouldn't be too bad if you are handy with a welder. Give them a call. They are pretty helpful. Brian... www.stlrovr.com | ||
| Jaime (Blueboy) Senior Member Username: Blueboy Post Number: 957 Registered: 02-2002 |
into what Series does one just drop a V8 in? even LR had to modify the 109 to make the Stage 1 feasible. and it was a SIII. just mods to the bulkhead? mine looks pretty good without a welder being taken to it. anything can be done to vehicle. how long and reliable is it let alone the maintainability of the beast really is an issue. at least it is if its driven. | ||
| Brian Rubin de la Borbolla (Brian___) New Member Username: Brian___ Post Number: 8 Registered: 01-2004 |
You can drop a v8 into any Series Rover that you want. It's just a matter of how much work you want to do and the level of quality you want out of it. Since the engine bay is pretty much the same for Series II, IIA and III, the main differences are within the bulkhead configurations. Since the bulkhead of a 6 cylinder 109 is a bit different than that of a 4 cylinder 109 or 88, modifications to the bulkhead might not be necessary or as extensive. Because Jan has a 2.25 diesel in his rover and if he wants to stick in a Rover v8, he will have to modify the bulkhead. There really isn't a good way around that. The breakfast is a different story, too, in that the Stage 1 has a Defender front clip. Most Series even IIIs have the breakfast set back a bit, so Jan has a couple of options there as well. Brian... www.stlrovr.com | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 3102 Registered: 02-2002 |
Don't forget, tho', that the V8 is offset a bit such that you can put a V8 in a RHD vehicle easier than in a LHD.... you have to move the motor forward a couple of inches to clear the steering on a LHD..... it's possible, but, it's a lot more work than a RHD requires. FWIW.... -L | ||
| Jake Hartley (Jake) Senior Member Username: Jake Post Number: 267 Registered: 03-2002 |
rebuild the diesel. you will find the fuel consumption of the V8 appalling. for what you describe you will be doing with your Rover, the diesel will do fine. |
