Range Rover Classic engine upgrade

[markb]

Hi All,
I am currently doing up a 1987 Range Rover Classic 3.5 5 speed Manual. The current motor and gear box are getting a bit tired. Gear box is alittle noisey motor very thirsty and gutless.

Was possibly considering increasing engine size to 4.6 litre and a gas conversion or transplanting a landrover diesel of some description. Would be very grateful of any advise or experiences.

Cheers Mark

[Marc 1]

Just a leftfield thought - if you are after something reliable and a little leftfield why not look at the 3.9lt Isuzu diesel? Was sold on the 110 land rover counties (many years ago) and army 110's. The engines seemed strong but very agricultural (lots of rattle and vibration).

[gibpeewee]

if your motor is tired just reconditioning the one youve got may make a big improvement, the early efi 3.5s are actually the most fuel efficient of the rover v8s.
if youve got to go diesel dont use a landrover diesel theyve never made a good one, the 3.9 isuzu allready mentioned is a good idear. but dont forget a diesel engine may be heavier than the v8 and may need a change of front springs which will affect the ride of the car, also a diesel will not rev out as much as the v8 so will limit youre top speed unless you change the gearing.ever heard the phrase high speed tractor ?
do you intend to recondition the gearbox or fit something different?

[Muckinhell]

You could look round for a wrecked discovery and pull the running gear out of that being either v8 or a tdi. But you should take the gearbox that is with a diesel for the gearing. The diescovery is built on a range rover chassis so will be just bolt in etc. Stick to the 300tdi engines of you go that way i reckon, or there was in 4wd monthly there a year or so ago some guy transplanted a toyota 1hz into a rangie and it was army colouring if i remmeber that looked all right and would go well i reckon.

[The Low Ranger]

All depends on what kind of money you've got to play with. I know you can get the 3.5's bored and stroked out to 4.5 and with fuel injection and aftermarket engine management system you can extract a lot more power but with better fuel efficiency.

[markb]

Thanks guys, I think I might be better off staying with the rover v8 as it is a light weight engine (and sounds great). I just need to work out what size i should increase it to. I have been told that you can buy a brand new 4.6 litre block and just put my current head and feul injection on top. But i think that may be a bit pricey.

I do like the 5 speed gearbox but I have heard they are a bit weak especially if you put alot of power in front of them, any one heard similar and if so is it possible to make them a bit stronger?

[jeeptheone]

markb,
So far my 5 speed has not let go behind a 350 chev but I reckon it will one day with too much currie. Good gearing but my mates swear by the 4 speed with intergral xfer case.

You could always go the zf auto if you want some lazy 4x4ing!

JTO

[Muddydigger]

I had a 89 3.5 The air flapper unit crapped its self, so I was going to buy a new one. SHock horror at the price. I did a ring around and got a complete engine, computer and wiring for a 3.9 for $3000. It was a low KLm unit so Thats the route I took. I couldnt beleive the diffrence between the two. The 3.9 is a huge improvment on the 3.5. It will just bolt straight up, theres no major concerns at all.

[jeeptheone]

There is a 4.6 on ebay for around $3500 I think. If all else fails go a 350 chev!

JTO