The LS Engine Swap Section

AdamSanta85

Well-known member
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JoBSJEbv1vs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Oopjtys_ygM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_-0uDvHRM9M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nNuPGyrsRM8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IT6KX1vt77s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mMoXZoI-2VI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 

BenLittle

Well-known member
Callsign: KE7BEN
Zero interest here. I don't understand the appeal of making something into something it's not.
 

BenLittle

Well-known member
Callsign: KE7BEN
What, you mean installing a modern all aluminum GM V8 into a galvanized British chassis? How blasphemous!!!!! Who would do such a thing???

Ha.. I totally appreciate the craftsmanship and forethought that goes into retrofitting engines like this and quite honestly I don't even know if I could do it.

For me, this kind of feels like a 'hot rod' type thing. I've grown up with a father who builds 'hot rods'; many of them with LS engines.

I just look at this and think, 'why'. What is the goal? To drive really fast in an aluminum box? If I wanted that I'd buy a Porsche or something. I mean, my goal is to drive off road to see cool shit and have fantastic experiences with a few of my brothers.

I digress; I'll gladly sit by and look at all the pics of the blingy LS aluminum adapter plates. I love that shit.

BTW, fixed it for ya...
 

4wdtravel

Well-known member
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.
 

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
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).
 

BenLittle

Well-known member
Callsign: KE7BEN
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.

.........You're right - no one would, because it came stock in the Tahoe ;) No one is retrofitting the LS into a Tahoe - they fit them into 40s - 70s 'hot rods'. Vehicles that were never meant to have that engine.

The 110 didn't come with an engine even remotely comparable (2.5na, 200/300tdi LOL), so fitting the LS is literally identical to the hot rod fitment.
 

SMac

Well-known member
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.
 

javelinadave

Administrator
Staff member
This is a "whatever floats your boat" mod. I'm kind of a purist so I went with a 300Tdi but I see nothing wrong with an LS swap. Also does an LS swap make the truck registerable in the Republik of Kalifornia?
 

AdamSanta85

Well-known member
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.
 

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
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 haven't spent much time driving 3.9L Defenders, but I have no problem keeping up with traffic in the hills with my D90 that has a 4.6L. That includes driving through the Rockies when driving across country. I actually preferred my 300 Tdi 110 in the mountains of Va over the 4.0 in my Disco 2.

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.

What is stopping you? I can see if your engine is poorly maintained and in generally bad condition, but a Tdi should have no issues in Vermont. Its not fair to compare a worn out Rover motor to a new LS motor.
 

BenLittle

Well-known member
Callsign: KE7BEN
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.

Where to start. So much here....

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.
 

AdamSanta85

Well-known member
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?

I used the wrong term. I could have swore that is what they call it on Overhaulin or all those other shows where they put LS's or new Mustang engines, modern brakes, coilovers etc in older cars. My bad. Yes more power but also fuel injected, reliable, good power delivery.

In addition, if you're, "modernizing the truck to keep up with a stock...", add some fucking air bags, power door locks/ Windows...

I put a cage on it. I wouldn't feel safe adding air bags aftermarket.

Reliability. Really? No comment.

Yea reliability. These engines can go 150k miles with nothing more then the occasional oil change while making a quiet 320hp and getting 24mpg on highway.

You won't take a snowboard trip because you don't have an LS? Fuck, really? No comment.

Not LS specifically, but a modern engine. The diesel is noisy as shit. I am not driving at 70mph for 4.5 hours each way for over a 2 day period dealing with that. There are also long hill climbs with tractor trailers going 80mph. I don't like being the 4000lb 109hp truck up crawling up the hill. An EFI V8 Rover engine would be fine too, but for me, the cost of a swap is about the same.
 

4wdtravel

Well-known member
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.
 

javelinadave

Administrator
Staff member
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ygBP7MtT3Ac" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 

Ash

Active member
Lots of feels in here.

The term resto-mod isn't fitting for the LS conversion itself. An engine swap is an engine swap. If you're restoring a truck to like-new condition and adding a mix of modern components, such as an LS, then that's far more along the lines of a resto-mod.

All of the engines available to us have their merits, and while I'm of the opinion that the LS is a very large improvement for most applications, I'd much prefer to be in a Tdi powered truck in the back country where simplicity and field serviceability take major precedence over driveability and comfort.

-Ash
 

4wdtravel

Well-known member
So jimjamz how would you feel about a 5.0 AJV8 swap in a 110? I bet that's more palatable even though the end result is the same.....
 

mgreenspan

Founding Member
The cost if you do the work yourself is $10-12k including engine and Trans. Depending on which engine you may spend more. This is direct from Nick when he emailed me the build sheet parts list based off his build sheet excel file.
 

BenLittle

Well-known member
Callsign: KE7BEN
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.

Haha, yes! I don't make the rules, man! The Rover gods set forth the truth and I'm just here to abide, (dude)!
 
Top