You want it? You got it! Enjoy!
Last edited:
Zero interest here. I don't understand the appeal of making something into something it's not.
What, you mean installing a modern all aluminum GM V8 into a galvanized British chassis? How blasphemous!!!!! Who would do such a thing???
I don't really see a stock 5.3 as a hot rod thing. I mean a stock chevy tahoe weighs about the same as a kitted 110 and no one would ever call that a hot rod.
I will second what Ben is saying. If you need more power than what a 4.6 has to offer, then you bought the wrong vehicle. I get the appeal of a LS swap, I have no interest in one.
As a totally anecdotal side note, the only thing that has left me stranded in my Defender was the GM HEI ignition module (fitted by a previous owner).
I'all make an equally definitive statement then...the Rover V8 is grossly underpowered on 7% grades, strong headwinds, and loads required for glamping out west.
It's perfectly adequate for Cars and Coffee or whatever that's called, trips to Martha's Vineyard, and crawling at your local "off road" park.
I would love to take my D90 on a snowboard trip to Vermont. I won't do it with the diesel but with the LS, I would.
I consider it a resto mod.It is just modernizing the truck to keep up with a stock Tahoe or 4Runner or Wrangler on the highway or beach. Both in speed, and drivability and reliability. I would leave the engine stock or nearly stock. Cost, since I do my own work, will be no more then any Rover V8. I can sell my 200TDI for a couple grand. I am thinking $5-$6000 all said and done. I would love to take my D90 on a snowboard trip to Vermont. I won't do it with the diesel but with the LS, I would. I know two people with LS swaps in other cars/truck. They said it was one of the best decisions they've made.
Sorry, "Resto mod"?
A resto mod would be to fit a period specific, rebuilt 2.5, 200-300tdi. Resto mod...? Shit.... Just say you love it and you want some fucking POOOOWWWEEERRR!! There's no other explanation and that's fine but don't call it a fucking "resto mod". Fair?
In addition, if you're, "modernizing the truck to keep up with a stock...", add some fucking air bags, power door locks/ Windows...
Reliability. Really? No comment.
You won't take a snowboard trip because you don't have an LS? Fuck, really? No comment.
So if it has a 270hp slightly tuned 4.6 that gets 12mpg it's ok but if it has a 300hp 5.3 that gets 18mpg it's a hot rod.