Engines and gearboxes???

Is there a general rule as to which engines mate up with which gearboxes and which gearboxes are better than others, I know series three's are syncromeshed but are lt95's and do they only fit v8

Don't know whether to fit a petrol 2 1/4, 2 1/2 or v8 or a diesel 2 1/4 2.5 n/a td or 200di all advice is more than welcome

What have you people got, don't be shy

Give a chance first .....

What do YOU intend to do with it .....

local pottering

long distance touring

How original is you series

How important is originality

do you prefer petrol/diesel

does fuel economy matter

????


I should say ....we've 5 series

2.5 transit Di powered S3 88"

2x Box standard 2 1/4 petrol 24v S3 109 FFR's

200 Tdi/Lt77 powered S2

19j powered S2a 109 SW (Currently going 300TDi power

Most of my Land Rover running has been 2.25 diesel for economy reasons. I did run a 110 Boingy with V8, smooth and lovely but very thirsty. Both on standard gearboxes.
Think hard on what use it will get before committing to a swop.

I think it'll be local'ish mooching about as I'll still be keeping me tratter which is a 300tdi, from what I've read a v8 mpg isn't that much different to a 2 1/4 petrol it's just some of the gearboxes I've seen on ebay state 2 1/4 petrol and I didn't know if they are the same as fitted to a 2 1/4 diesel. I have got a R380 out of a disco complete with transfer box sat on my drive but I have read that these are an arse to fit so that's not going in, also it's obviously permanent 4wd.

I'd like to keep it fairly original looking though

if you can get a good 2.25 diesel it might be best,i ahve put 200tdi's in but they are dead noisy

peter8315 said:

if you can get a good 2.25 diesel it might be best,i ahve put 200tdi's in but they are dead noisy

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The alternate there if you don't want to deal with the noise and the pipework on a TDi is the 2.5D. Pretty simple to fit, better power than the (god I hate those engines) 2.25D and simple to maintain.

I have one in my 110 and my 109 (ex-Diesel originally) is going to get one as well. Nice bulletproof engine.

Alan

I personally wouldn't bother de-tuboing a TDi.... It leaves them flaccid and very unpleasant to drive.

IF You're not bothered by economy but want quiet original looking power... A well sorted 2 1/4 petrol with a Turner head.
If you want power and economy TDi with 300 mounts and a proper exhaust can be pretty civilised.

Betsy has a standard 2 1/4 petrol but is mated to a series 3 gearbox with full syncro.

She also has an Overdrive fitted & FWH's. Suits me as most of my travel is local runs.... that said she did herself proud running from Weymouth to Luxembourg. Running at average 20-24 mpg presently.

Like others have said, it really depends what you want to achieve.

A nice running 2.25 petrol is quite a smooth and refined lump, very "Rover" (Rover cars) if you know what I mean. Ok it's no rocket ship, but they are more than enough to pootle about with.

The 2.5P is a nice upgrade that gives just a little more and a pretty easy bolt in upgrade.

2.25 diesels are perfectly fine, but slower and more noisy than petrols. And not significantly better on fuel. The 2.5NAD is another option, but TBH the power difference is so minimal it's arguably not worth the effort vs cost.

The old 19J 2.5TD is quite a nice upgrade. But Tdi's are better and there is no real money to be saved going the older TD unit these days.

200Tdi's aren't quite as easy a swap, but mostly bolt in. A 300Tdi requires a little more work. Only real downside is, this level of power and you may want to consider other upgrades too.

Stock series gearboxes should be fine for the most part. LT-77/R380 swaps are possible, but require fabrication and you end up with a tiny rear prop if it's an 88. Disco bell housing would be no good though.

V8's are quite nice, but tbh more work and effort than fitting a Tdi and no real gain in performance. MPG should be similar to the 2.25's.


Other options (assuming you want to stick LR). Are the O-Series 2.0 DOHC petrol. A fairly straight forward swap, even more so if you can find a Disco MPi as a base. The O-Series makes more torque than the 2.25 does (even at low rpm) and more HP than a Tdi, in fact similar HP to a stock 3.5 low CR V8. They are also lighter than the Tdi's.

2.0 L-Series diesel. Probably slightly more involved than some of the other swaps, but a nice way to get a more modern and fuel efficient diesel into a Series. Probably not as pokey as a tuned Tdi, but smoother and better on fuel.

At the other end of the spectrum, my 88" S3 runs a 3.9 serpentine EFI V8 on LPG with standard late S3 box, Fairey Overdrive, and Range Rover diffs. I use it for towing large stationary engines and vintage tractors about the place, usual load on tow is around 2 tonne. The old S3 will happily maintain 60 up hills with this set-up. Gearboxes do not get eaten as many say they will, and in 15 years I've yet to break a half-shaft. I guess it just comes down to driving style and being gentle with the old girl, you can't rush a gear change on one of these, and be soft with the clutch.

Fuel economy on LPG when not towing is around 15mpg, but cost wise (LPG at 60p per litre, and petrol at £1.16p per litre) around 25mpg so quite acceptable.

Oh and then there is the noise

I am a fan of the 2.25 petrol. With a bit of insulation and a decent exhaust you can get to a level of noise where you can hold a conversation or listen to the radio whilst driving at speed. In standard trim they run well - with the later DMTL carbs and a skimmed head you can get better MPG and more speed. A 2.5P would be nicer but I've yet to find one...

dominicbeesley said:

I am a fan of the 2.25 petrol. With a bit of insulation and a decent exhaust you can get to a level of noise where you can hold a conversation or listen to the radio whilst driving at speed. In standard trim they run well - with the later DMTL carbs and a skimmed head you can get better MPG and more speed. A 2.5P would be nicer but I've yet to find one...

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+1 I bought one expecting to hate it and throw in a 200tdi at the first opportunity.

I was in love with it before I got home

A well sorted 2 1/4 is a truly lovverly engine to drive ...AND with the addition of a Turner stage head is even better .

IF fuel economy isn't an issue for you ...

Either of the 2 FFR's with 2 1/4 petrol power will return @11mpg with the camping loaded sankey behind and the dogs on board .

The 19j powered station wagon returned @22mpg on around 1500 miles around Scotland last year (Fully loaded with dogs/Camping gear and full length extended roof rack .

200Tdi/LT77 powered 88 returns @35 fully loaded even with the Cheltenham caravan behind it

Transit powered 88 returns @35 no matter what you do with the damn thing BUT any savings are used up buying ear plugs .

The 2.5 petrol out of a defender would be a simple enough swap for a tired 2.25 petrol. Likewise swapping a 2.25D for a 2.5D. A tdi will have more than enough power available, but might be a bit noisy due to the direct injection clatter.

Thanks all, the new project has arrived on my drive and there's a gearbox in it, I don't know what state it's in but I think I'll keep and eye out for a petrol engine to throw in as my Defender is doozil. I'm just trying to get my head around what parts to buy first as I'm doing it on a limited monthly budget

I've put some pics in the members vehicles page if you're interested

Marmaduke said:

Thanks all, the new project has arrived on my drive and there's a gearbox in it, I don't know what state it's in but I think I'll keep and eye out for a petrol engine to throw in as my Defender is doozil. I'm just trying to get my head around what parts to buy first as I'm doing it on a limited monthly budget

I've put some pics in the members vehicles page if you're interested

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The v8 boxes dont fit the diesels or the 2.25 petrol or diesel. You just need a milner adaptor tho to put a v8 on a disel or series box. By far easiest option for something different is to keep the series box and mate a 200tdi or rv8. 2.25 petrol is a nice engine and mine was bulletproof and so reliable. But they are still a bit slow. A late s3 suffix d box with od and a 200tdi will be super driveable and not a massive task. Same box and rv8 is more work but more fun and lets face it, v8s just have something no other engines do.
Some say 88s don't suit a v8 but I think that might be bollox personally. Its all down to taste. Good luck buddy

FlyingPete said:

The 2.5 petrol out of a defender would be a simple enough swap for a tired 2.25 petrol. Likewise swapping a 2.25D for a 2.5D. A tdi will have more than enough power available, but might be a bit noisy due to the direct injection clatter.

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+1 the 2.5 is **** easy and is a nice engine.

I used to have a Lightweight with a 2.5 petrol engine in it 'til I blew it up at a pay and play day

mistericeman said:

200Tdi/LT77 powered 88 returns @35 fully loaded even with the Cheltenham caravan behind it

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Not that I want to disbelieve your claim, but 35mpg from a Tdi while towing....

An 88 isn't hugely different to a 90 when all said and done. And LR only claimed mid 20's for a Tdi WITHOUT towing. I think the only way you'd get 35mpg is by having an inaccurate mileage reading from the taco or a miscalculation.

300bhp/ton said:

Not that I want to disbelieve your claim, but 35mpg from a Tdi while towing....

An 88 isn't hugely different to a 90 when all said and done. And LR only claimed mid 20's for a Tdi WITHOUT towing. I think the only way you'd get 35mpg is by having an inaccurate mileage reading from the taco or a miscalculation.

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my disco 200tdi owners handbook states 40mpg is attainable, i'll guess that is driven sedately and not towing, that did surprise me quite a bit

my 200tdi engined 88" bitsa has got close to 40mpg driven sedately on 7.50 SAG crossply tyres, 3.54 diffs and no overdrive, mpg will vary between 200tdi engines to a degree, then tyres and then driving styles and the way the vehicle is kitted, my bitsa lost 5mph off it's top speed the moment i fitted a 3/4 tilt