Series 3 restomod

please don't hate me!!
i'm a very bored engineer at present and need to get the brain working. i have a 2005 TD5 double cab as a daily driver fully restored.
i like the series 3 look and thinking of getting one to restore ground up BUT want to put a semi modern V8 petrol in it. poss a lexus v8 as wiring and ecu is very simple. who and what has been done in the past. what conversions required to manage the drive system etc.
many thanks for a point in the right direction.

justin king said:

please don't hate me!!
i'm a very bored engineer at present and need to get the brain working. i have a 2005 TD5 double cab as a daily driver fully restored.
i like the series 3 look and thinking of getting one to restore ground up BUT want to put a semi modern V8 petrol in it. poss a lexus v8 as wiring and ecu is very simple. who and what has been done in the past. what conversions required to manage the drive system etc.
many thanks for a point in the right direction.

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I wouldn't say it is a great idea, to be honest.
One of the main reasons Series are sought after at the moment is that all except the last few years of production are now eligible for Historic Vehicle registration, which qualifies them for free tax, No MOT, classic vehicle insurance, and LEZ/ULEZ exemption.
And I think a Japanese aftermarket engine will disqualify the vehicle from all that.
You will have to look up the exact letter of the law for yourself, but I think engines from some other Land Rovers are a good option. 2.5 petrol are good in a Series, as are Rover V8s, although I am not sure how they affect historic status.

Given enough time, money and willpower anything is possible but a Lexus v8 engine will be too much for a series gearbox. This means you will have to mate a different box to the engine, many folk seem to like the idea of auto. The trouble you will have is keeping the four wheel drive cos you will have to do away with the transfer box probably. The other thing to consider is that a series 3 is like a vehicle from the 50's in that brakes, suspension and steering are pretty primitive, although all of those can be modernised. Essentially a series is happy at 40-50 mph and the standard engine suits that. If you stick a powerful engine in and drive it at motorway speeds, bits will be falling off and failing. Some series had V8 engines from the factory so you might be better off going down that route. Most old v8's are pretty worn out but being an engineer, you might get a lot of satisfaction from reviving one of those. In any event, good luck and let us know how you get on. Remember, if you go too far, you will no longer have a series but something that looks like one.

Col

Colthebrummie said:

Given enough time, money and willpower anything is possible but a Lexus v8 engine will be too much for a series gearbox. This means you will have to mate a different box to the engine, many folk seem to like the idea of auto. The trouble you will have is keeping the four wheel drive cos you will have to do away with the transfer box probably. The other thing to consider is that a series 3 is like a vehicle from the 50's in that brakes, suspension and steering are pretty primitive, although all of those can be modernised. Essentially a series is happy at 40-50 mph and the standard engine suits that. If you stick a powerful engine in and drive it at motorway speeds, bits will be falling off and failing. Some series had V8 engines from the factory so you might be better off going down that route. Most old v8's are pretty worn out but being an engineer, you might get a lot of satisfaction from reviving one of those. In any event, good luck and let us know how you get on. Remember, if you go too far, you will no longer have a series but something that looks like one.

Col

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Good point!!! Might have a look for a worn out V8 version and refresh the engine..

If you are looking for a V8 series then the "Stage one" Land rover may interest you as it was a factory built type. Not that common but some still about.
Made from 1979 - 83.
There was also a factory V8 90/110 in the 1980's

justin king said:

please don't hate me!!
i'm a very bored engineer at present and need to get the brain working. i have a 2005 TD5 double cab as a daily driver fully restored.
i like the series 3 look and thinking of getting one to restore ground up BUT want to put a semi modern V8 petrol in it. poss a lexus v8 as wiring and ecu is very simple. who and what has been done in the past. what conversions required to manage the drive system etc.
many thanks for a point in the right direction.

Click to expand...

Some people have put the Lexus lump in a 90/110. There are few adaptor plates kicking about to mount to a Rover 5 speed gearbox. Else you'd need a Toyota box and somehow adapt to an LT230 or replace the entire drivetrain with yota bits.

In a Series this is going to be a lot harder. The stock gearbox, transfer box and axles are not really up to the job. Nor probably the steering or brakes. It is certainly possible, but you won't have much Series left at the end of it. So much so that in the UK you'd probably end up on a Q plate technically.

If you want a V8 in a Series a Rover 3.5/3.9 would be the way really. Proven conversion and while it will push the gearbox, lots of people run this setup.

Bad idea, and potentially very dangerous unless there's nothing left of the Series except the body, which means Q plate. If you want something resto-mod 4x4 I think its better to start with a "Defender" (I mean 90/110) as you get coils, disks, PAS already and the mods won't push you over into a Q plate.

Be a great project.
Start with the tyres then redesign the wheels and hubs for the extra power along with every nut and bolt till you get to the new engine. That way you may not kill someone as it disintegrates on a motorway.

the American site have all the details

jeepownersclub.com

rob1miles said:

Bad idea, and potentially very dangerous unless there's nothing left of the Series except the body, which means Q plate. If you want something resto-mod 4x4 I think its better to start with a "Defender" (I mean 90/110) as you get coils, disks, PAS already and the mods won't push you over into a Q plate.

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I agree, it might be possible to alter the front end of a 90/110 to look like a Series 3 (recessed Rad panel and grill). Space would then be at a premium in the engine bay but a V8 shouldn't be much longer than a straight 4.

wireman said:

I agree, it might be possible to alter the front end of a 90/110 to look like a Series 3 (recessed Rad panel and grill). Space would then be at a premium in the engine bay but a V8 shouldn't be much longer than a straight 4.

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If you recess the front end like a Series, the V8 is harder fit in.
The factory V8 Series used the flat front end that would later be used on Ninety/One Ten, to allow for the V8 and a radiator.

Turboman said:

If you recess the front end like a Series, the V8 is harder fit in.
The factory V8 Series used the flat front end that would later be used on Ninety/One Ten, to allow for the V8 and a radiator.

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Yes but if you mate a V8 to a 'stubby LT77 or R380 that would give you a little more wiggle room. The Stage 1 V8 used the LT95 with a standard long bellhousing. If, and its a big if, you could find an LT95 from a 101, they had shorter bellhousings so would again give you more room. The Lt95 would cope with power and torque from a modern V8 better too.

wireman said:

Yes but if you mate a V8 to a 'stubby LT77 or R380 that would give you a little more wiggle room. The Stage 1 V8 used the LT95 with a standard long bellhousing. If, and its a big if, you could find an LT95 from a 101, they had shorter bellhousings so would again give you more room. The Lt95 would cope with power and torque from a modern V8 better too.

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There are various ways you can go with it. Six cylinders used a different bell housing and transmission tunnel, to move the engine back an inch or two in the engine bay, make more room for the engine, and a larger rad. On the other hand, I imagine those are thin on the ground now.
It is possible. When I first had Land Rovers in the 80s, there were quite a few V8 engined Series triallers around, but to be honest, it was a long time ago, and I can't remember what bellhousings and gearboxes they used.

tottot said:

If you are looking for a V8 series then the "Stage one" Land rover may interest you as it was a factory built type. Not that common but some still about.
Made from 1979 - 83.
There was also a factory V8 90/110 in the 1980's

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sounding expensive to start with....

So from the apricated comments it would seem the best options are.
1.find a series with a V8 as standard
2.modify a standard landi and add a v8 rover 3.5 / 3.9 i guess these would be from a P38 range rover?
As said not looking to modify a 90/110 as already have 1 i use daily.

justin king said:

So from the apricated comments it would seem the best options are.
1.find a series with a V8 as standard
2.modify a standard landi and add a v8 rover 3.5 / 3.9 i guess these would be from a P38 range rover?
As said not looking to modify a 90/110 as already have 1 i use daily.

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Yes. You did say you were looking for a challenge, well, maybe not in so many words but owning a series is a challenge in itself.

Col

Colthebrummie said:

Yes. You did say you were looking for a challenge, well, maybe not in so many words but owning a series is a challenge in itself.

Col

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thing is my td5 pretty much needs nothing now. not sure why people complain so much about td5's and leaks. mine now has no water leaks in and no oil out. lol
need a real challenge.

justin king said:

So from the apricated comments it would seem the best options are.
1.find a series with a V8 as standard
2.modify a standard landi and add a v8 rover 3.5 / 3.9 i guess these would be from a P38 range rover?
As said not looking to modify a 90/110 as already have 1 i use daily.

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3.5 and 3.9 V8s are found in lots of Range Rovers, Classics and P38s among others, and Discoveries, 1 and 2, or if you really want some challenge, you might find one out of a Rover Sdi, they are more powerful.

I once fitted a V8 and LT95 from a Range rover into an 80" trials truck along with parabolic springs and a Salisbury rear axle. Ran the thing for five years with few problems even though the rear prop was only about 18" long.
It was great fun to drive, had servo assisted independent rear brakes, would climb slopes like nobody's business. Its down fall was side slopes, the soft bouncy springs would result in it taking a rest on its side now and then.

I honestly can't see the point of restomoding a Series. Some vehicles lend themselves to it, usually those that are already low and quite fast. But a Series? All the things that are the essence of a series are the things that the restomod gets rid off. Why not just 3 print a Series body over a Range Rover? My point remains the same - restom OK, but why start with a Series?

justin king said:

So from the apricated comments it would seem the best options are.
1.find a series with a V8 as standard
2.modify a standard landi and add a v8 rover 3.5 / 3.9 i guess these would be from a P38 range rover?
As said not looking to modify a 90/110 as already have 1 i use daily.

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The rover V8 is a nice engine tbh. Not the most powerful, but plenty in a Series. Assuming you want to keep it being a Series.

I know a number of people with V8 Series vehicles. There should be loads of info online if you Google.

The 3.5 is/was a common fit engine as there were loads about at one time. Although the RV8 is getting rarer and more pricey these days.

Most 3.5's are carb with 137-155hp (claimed). Come from Rover cars (P5, P6, SD1), also found in Range rover Classics and EFI ones in Disco 1s and RR's. Used by Triumph TR7 and MGB as well as TVR.

The 3.5 is the least powerful RV8. Although can get to 200-230hp with some simple mods.

3.9 is all EFI, although many run carbs on them in a Land Rover. 182hp rated. Which is a good power level for a Series. Any more than this and the drivetrain is unlikely to cope very well.

3.9's found in Disco1, Range Rover Classics. Early ones use vee belts like the 3.5, latter ones are serpentine belts.

4.0/4.6 are the last development of the engine. Cross bolted mains, different oil pump, serp belt. The 4.0 is actually the same displacement as the 3.9, just branded as 4.0, these are in Disco2's and p38a's. The 4.6 is only found in the p38 in the UK.