The Dro
Illustrious
Cuanto dinero?We have a set of engine mounts as we have already built some.
Now that is funny.
You and Pedro should have your own TV show.
Yankee Pete and Cuban Pete
Cuanto dinero?We have a set of engine mounts as we have already built some.
Now that is funny.
You and Pedro should have your own TV show.
Updates from the week ending 6/2/18...
In all cases the short belhousing Land Rover transmission is required (short LT77 or R380 stumpy).
If you are using this conversion in a V8 vehicle, you have to swap to the seat base and the tunnel and floors that were used in an early 4 cylinder vehicle.
The only transfer case recommended is the 1.22.
There are 3 different inline 6 cylinder GM/Chevrolet engines that can be used: 1.) 230 cuin 3.8 liter, 250 cuin 4.1 liter, 292 4.8 liter.
The first batch of kits are scheduled to be available June/July/August 2018 and will ONLY FIT the 292.
We plan to offer kits for the 230 and 250, but not until later this year.
The basic kit will contain the motor mounts, engine, adapter, pilot bushing, thermo switch for electric fan, and thermostat coolant outlet.
The following ancillary mounts we be available:
You'll need my kit with the adapter, mounts, and ancillaries, but the mounts for the PS pump, alternator and AC compressor won't be ready until later this summer. There will be several combinations:
RHD with manual steering - none needed
RHD - PS & alternator needed
RHD - PS, alternator, AC compressor needed
LHD - with manual steering - Alternator needed
LHD - PS & alternator needed
LHD - PS, alternator, AC compressor needed...
To perform a 292 cu in conversion I must change the transmission?
Do I have to change the transmission for the smaller displacement GM inline sixes? I ask because the 292 is taller than the other inline sixes. I'm not sure why an LT85 and 292 wouldn't work. In other words, there's a conflict but is it between LT85 and GM inline 6 or is it something else?
Yes. The LT85 is too long and the engine won't fit in the engine bay.
The easier option is to get a 3.9 or 4.0 from a Discovery and put it in. That is a fairly simple swap from the 3.5. They are plentiful in wrecking yards.
This conversion is best for people that have the pre-300TDI 4 cylinder engines. With those trucks, it is a quick and easy conversion.
NMEXPAT, If you want to drop in a 292, it's no problem, it will bolt right in, but you will have to change the transmission to one with the short belhousing 4 cylinder bolt pattern.
The rest of this post will explain why.
Johnny B (Red90) is correct in that all the Rover V8 engines (which I am no fan of) will bolt right up to your LT85. The reason the LT85 won't work with a 292 is (as John mentioned) the belhousing is too long and the engine bolt pattern is very different.
Pre-1993 Land Rovers had 2 belhousing patterns V8 and 4 cylinder.
The V8 belhousing was longer than the 4 cylinder.
During this period, the shorter 4 cylinder belhousing had the same basic size and pattern as the 1958 - 1984 Series II & III 88 & 109, the Defender 2.25 and 2.5 diesel and petrol 4 cylinder engines, and the 200 TDI.
I fitted the 292 into a 1987 110 that originally had a 3.5 V8 and LT85 (same as you) as a drop in conversion.
In order to accomplish this drop in conversion, I removed the 3.5 V8 and T85.
Then installed an R380 stumpy in place of the LT85 which has a much shorter 4 cylinder belhousing.
Then the 292 bolted right up to the stumpy transmission and fitted right to the original frame via the motor mounts we made.
The good news is you have the correct radiator and fan shroud for the 292 and we have the conversion parts required for the drop in.
The V8 transmission tunnel and floors need to be swapped for the 4 cylinder ones that are generally easy to locate.
We have only fabricated the AC compressor mounts for the 292 in a LHD 110, so think in a RHD (assuming this is your spec) the mounts will clear the steering box, but we have yet to verify this.
I think you'll find that your transfer case is a 1.4 LT230, not a 1.22, but could be wrong as you should verify.
And why the 292 over the other engines?
RDavisinVA,
Thanks for the clear explanation for a defender newb! Good to know it is both a length clearance and bolt pattern issue for the LT85 transmission.
My Aussie defender is RHD. I rechecked the manual that came with the truck. I misread the specification sheet. It is supposed to have a LT230T, but the gear ratio is different between 90 and 110 series. 1.22 for 90 and 1.4 for 110. Again thanks for pointing that out!
I totally get why the inline 6 is a great option. I don't want / need LS power. I also don't want to drop that much money for a conversion.
I just want something more reliable than a rover v8, some more reasonable torque & power and easier to work on.
I'll be sending you a PM.
Over the counter parts support is just as big. As mentioned earlier, the starter went out. Finally replaced it today. It took 8 minutes and that included rounding up the tools I needed. Bought the starter locally for $69 with a 1 year guarantee. It was in stock.
Do you live in small town?
In Houston you're way more likely to find a rover starter on the shelf in the closest autoparts store than a 292.
Here I've had to drive across town to get an HEI cap. Just in time supply chain has taken the old iron components off the shelf.
Again you have no idea what you chimed in on and obviously add no value and the place where I live has no bearing on the parts availability which is generally in stock world wide regarding this particular starter.
.
yes it does, larger cities will have a centralized warehouse and keep low volume sales items there rather than occupy smaller store shelves. Availability is not instantaneous. Maybe counterintuitive, but thats how it go.
Houston has what 3, 4 rover dealerships? Its full of v8 rover engine vehicles that see regular service. Its not full of 292s. I have a car with a 250, I'm well aware of its parts availability.
I dont want to distract you from your mile per gallon calculations
Dude I solved your efi folly. Ive been plenty supportive and held back my opinions on this swap but to think an engine that was all but dead before 110s were even made has worldwide immediate availability is crazy. You can look at store availability on just about any parts store website if you care to. Youre acting like a douche