Engine/transmission Survey
- Thread starter madscientist
- Start date
madscientist
Well-known member
A lot to be said for swapping a Land Rover engine for a newer Land Rover engine as it usually cost less and makes the job pretty easy. 200 or 300 TDI's are a no go for me. I've owned, tuned and tweaked too many to know that they are still under powered on the mountain highways and they smoke at high altitude. The cost for full width inter cooler, turbo and other upgrades is some of the most expensive horse power and torque per dollar gains around. On the other hand I do dozens of LS and LT GM engine swaps and to me its too much power. I currently have a Defender 90 build with a Gen 5 LT1 8 speed with 460/465 and it makes me giggle like a fool every time I drive it. Yes its fun but its too much.
Electronic fuel injection is a must, full emissions is also a must today. Inline 4/5/6 cylinder engine with good torque 300 to 350 lbs ft would move a Defender nicely. The V8 almost revs to quickly, yes it can be driven sanely but the temptation is always there to be a hooligan
Electronic fuel injection is a must, full emissions is also a must today. Inline 4/5/6 cylinder engine with good torque 300 to 350 lbs ft would move a Defender nicely. The V8 almost revs to quickly, yes it can be driven sanely but the temptation is always there to be a hooligan
RDavisinVA
Technical Excellence Contributor
We just put a 3.0 liter 4 cylinder in a 90 and it is very quick.
Think the 2.5 liter version was built until 1993.
The 3.0 liter looks identical to the 2.5, but puts out around 140HP and bolts to a short or long 4 cylinder Rover transmission.
A 1.4 transfer-case is recommended.
We have manifolds for the Holley Sniper and it would be very fast with a turbo which the sniper could accommodate.
Think the 2.5 liter version was built until 1993.
The 3.0 liter looks identical to the 2.5, but puts out around 140HP and bolts to a short or long 4 cylinder Rover transmission.
A 1.4 transfer-case is recommended.
We have manifolds for the Holley Sniper and it would be very fast with a turbo which the sniper could accommodate.
MountainD
Technical Excellence Contributor
Between the two, I want the R2.8. My last post was just after talking to CO emissions in Denver telling me they still won’t allow it. Poopy-buts. I‘m 100% with you Oliver—the 200 doesn’t cut it. If anyone knows of a 292 offered in a model from 1992 or later I could explore that but I believe those ended in1990.
If the R2.8 was available as a diy drop in. I would be tempted. Too much fab and figuring out ancillaries to make it a viable option for many. The 300tdi is such a pleasure offroad and driving on the highway is a pleasure. The downside is mountain passes as others have noted. I frequent the sierras often and have gotten used to hanging with the semis.
Zero figuring out of ancillaries. All included and mounted on the engine except a/c compressor. A/c compressor mount is included with crate engine. Compressor is $220 from Cummins.
I'd convert to electric right now, but the range isn't there. I think I could pack enough batteries into a 110 to get 400 miles, but it would be very heavy, and when you are done with the 400 miles, you have to charge someplace. A lot.
There is a slight temptation to convert the Series to an EV, but it's not something I'm really thinking of. Maybe the RRC? Hummmmmmmm.... As a commuter/run-about.
There is a slight temptation to convert the Series to an EV, but it's not something I'm really thinking of. Maybe the RRC? Hummmmmmmm.... As a commuter/run-about.
RDavisinVA
Technical Excellence Contributor
We have a yard full of project series vehicles.
madscientist
Well-known member
Axis has just about everything you need to drop the 2.8 right into your Defender. Register it at your Montana LLC and skip the Denver emissions insanity
erover82
Well-known member
Among the two choices provided, the R2.8 is the obvious answer to your specific question.
Many here seem to be answering a more general question. Here's my take:
I don't want to turn the Defender into something it wasn't intended and engineered to be. Our family enjoys two modern vehicles that meet our 2020 needs. The Defender fills the void that the others leave.
Speed, I don't need it to be faster, as it was never designed to fulfill a busy commute, high-speed highway travel, or to perform sports-car impressions on country roads.
Power, I don't need much, as power beyond what the rest of the packaged components are engineered for results in breakages. "As slow as possible, as fast as necessary." Limited power also serves to protect oneself (and the vehicle) from performing unsafe and cavalier stunts when off-road, as we're occasionally tempted to. There's a fine balance between limiting risk and providing sufficient power to do the job without struggling.
Weight, unfavorable to vehicles and off-road performance in many ways, is not a strength of most older engine options other than the maligned RV8.
Simplicity, as with it's forebears, runs as a theme throughout the Defender. Extended to the engine bay, it's hard to beat the simplicity of NA engines and mechanical diesels.
Character, the Defender exudes it. All its quirks that result from its time and place in history are part of the experience. Any number of engine swaps may objectively perform better, but none will own the identity and character of the original options to complete the quirky puzzle that makes a Defender.
Reliability, it's highly variable depending on your luck, prior (often unknown) maintenance, usage, and inherent design strengths and weaknesses of a particular engine. Most of us are familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the various LR engines, but less so with the various swaps.
There's no single best answer, as all engine options involve some sort of compromise. You just have to select what your is personally. I wish there was an option as light as the RV8, with the power of the Td5, and as simple as a 2.5D, but it doesn't exist as far as I know.
I wish you the best of luck if you choose to go that path.
Been there, tried that.
I took the road less traveled and it has made all the difference.
madscientist
Well-known member
Installing a Cummins 2.8 in a 110 right now. Not to bad so far, just a little slow getting parts. Not as many options available as the GM engine family
Using the 8spd ? Working on a different option with Chad right now.
We just put a tdci engine in a truck. Going to do some camparisons between the two the next couple days.
madscientist
Well-known member
Tremec in this 110. Thought I would do more of a purist type Defender vs all the Gucci Rovers I have been building. I had a factory Puma truck here for a while. 2.2 tdci 90 with about 700 miles on it. Not keen on the throttle pedal at low speeds felt like when you let off it wanted to keep going. Never got into 6th gear even on the flats around here
The R2.8 throttle pedal is more sensitive, so pulling off requires the driver be smoother.
Cummins 2.8, R380 - though I'd take a six if it were available.
madscientist
Well-known member
Cummins will grind up the R380