Chevy in a 90

Ive done some significant searching before my post and could find some but not all the information.

Im looking for some more power and the small block chevy seems a sensible route price wise compared to a expensive rover. What i can't find is if i need a bell housing adaptor plate to connect the chevy to the LT85 box. A friend said he thinks it just fits? I recently saw a rolling chassis with LT85/Chevy engine for sale on eBay and asked the seller what bell housing plate was used and he said there wasn't one making me think its a direct swap.

Other than that and welding or buying some mount adaptors, is there anything else significant that needs changing... bulkhead mod etc.

Cheers

Which engine specifically are you talking about? Personally I'd say avoid the older cast iron "classic" 350 SBC. The newer alloy LS1 is a far superior engine. But it's not a 350, it's a 346, however still known as an SBC.

In terms of fitment. Not sure, I thought the LT85 was the same bolt pattern as other LT transmission like the LT77. If so, these don't bolt up to an LS1.

There is an adapter which will allow you to make it to an LT-77:
http://www.marks4wd.com/engine-conv...adaptors/land-rover/ls-series-v8-engines.html

I 'think' this should work with an LT-85, although at least gives the LT-77 as an option. Although neither transmission is really rated for such an engine.

If you are looking at the older gen engines, the 350, then there are some auto box options too as well as a manual:
http://www.marks4wd.com/engine-conversions/bell-housing-adaptors/land-rover/chevy-v6-v8-engines.html


Other options would be to use a gearbox that does mate to the engine and get an adapter to mate the transmission to the LT230 transfer box.
http://www.marks4wd.com/engine-conversions/transfer-case-adaptors/land-rover.html

Although if you want a manual transmission you might need to see if any of those adaptors are suitable or can be converted. GM transmissions will mate with the V8's.

The next step is looking at different transfer boxes and run one that mates to a GM gearbox. But you might struggle to find one with a centre diff. And of course all the while the ££££ will be racking up.


If you are looking at alternative engine options. Another route to go is for a Ford 5.0 V8 (the new DOHC one), this will mate directly to the 6 speed box in a Puma. So you could just use the drive train from a modern Defender.

The Jag V8's are also really cheap in the UK to buy. They will mate to the 6 speed box used in the diesel Disco 3's. But you'll need to fab up somekind of flywheel I believe. And then then either use the D3 transfer box or fab up something to mate it to a LT230.

Sensible? in a 90?
I should think your insurers will love you - but then you only live once

Thanks 300bhp/ton I had seen some of them links before but like you say, I'd not considered which engine... Just not the LS3.

Cost is and issue and perhaps simply as possible. The main reason for thinking of moving on from the rover is that it's power is pretty low by today's standards and 300hp it of a Chevy is pretty standard.

Is the classic 350 so bad compared to the rover?

Now you're talking Mordzy! With greatest respect to other poster I think you'll be fine with an old school SBC - best advantage of old school is lots of performance parts at reasonable prices. If you go slightly newer you could get one with TBI [Throttle Body Injection] Which is nice old school simple electronics. Any adaptor required must be available as IIRC the 6.2 diesel is the same bolt pattern. I'm interested as have been considering the GM V6.
Don't go Ford ["I'd rather push a Chevy etc"]
Anyway GOOD LUCK and keep us posted,

These are the pics from the auction I mentioned. I can't see a bell housing adaptor.!

I went to the classic car show with my dad last month and one of the stalls in the trade section was a small firm that made bell housing adaptions from "anything to anything" because I'd seen the old Chevy bolted right on I didn't ask...



@waldamar it had always been in the back of my mind to be fair... Next hop up if not to a bigger rover...

I wonder if it's a custom bellhousing, rather than an adapter? But honestly it's only a guess.

As for the older 350SBC. The are fine, but remember they trace their direct lineage back to the 1950's/60's. And are of that era of design. They are also cast iron and fairly hefty lumps compared to a Rover.

They can certainly make good power, but they are not HP monsters out of the box. GM's most powerful production variant was the very last LT4 version in the last of the line C4 Vette's in the mid 1990's with 330hp. Many other applications they are more like 200-250hp engines and early ones are sub 200hp in standard trim.

The LS range of engines came out in 1997 with the C5 Corvette. The alloy block makes them weigh only marginally more than a Rover V8. They also make around 320hp stock as a minimum. The performance aftermarket for LS engines is massive, and due to being a current engine, is actually arguably bigger than the old SBC market these days.

On this note, GM phased out the 350 a long time back as a production engine. Think it remained in a truck or SUV for a bit before the LS based LQ took over. And you can get them as crate engines still. But this means in the UK, a used 350 is likely to be an 'old' engine. A LS engine may not actually cost much if any more to get.

And while the 5.7 LS1 and 5.7 350 seems simliar in spec, they share no components, not even the firing order. The LS engine was pretty much a clean sheet design in the mid 1990's. Which is why it's still the main production V8 for GM today.


As for Rover engines. A nice 4.6 with a mild cam and a good exhaust/intake should make plenty for a 90. And not cost the earth if you do it right. If you go BIG power with a Chevy V8, remember the rest of the Land Rover may not cope with it very well. From axles and diffs to gearboxes. And maybe even some consideration for braking and handling.

thanks @300bhp/ton very informative. i think my main issue here is getting it all working together regardless... while the chevy does make it somewhat unique and 'cooler' a larger rover may be more sensible for both the truck and my skill set. I've just read so much about the rovers being underpowered and old tech etc etc etc. Mind you, at the classic car show there are so many clubs and traders that sell the RV8 and recommend them for there kits etc.

the LS1 would be amazing but i think I'm being a little to ambitious

what about the Rover V8 thats were used in the TVR's they pop up on eBay from time to time.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-400-S...ica-Trumpet-Base-thermal-Plate-/141938722459?

Rover engines are a nice engine for 200-250hp. Anything more than that and they are really expensive.

TVR engines.. By and large mostly based off regular Rover ones. The 4.0 litre is very unchanged. Although there have been different variants over the years.

Nothing wrong with going for a TVR one, but they often carry a silly premium just for the name. Personally I'd rather go modded 4.6 than stock TVR 4.0

It also depends what you want to achieve. If you want to tow, go off road or have a flexible grunty power delivery, you might want to look for milder cams that promote mid rpm gains, rather than high output higher rpm motors. A Land Rover is heavy, and while a screaming motor might be fun on a test drive or a blast out, they can be hard work and less deployable on the road in real world driving situations.


No idea what your plans are or budget. But you can probably buy a nice 3.9/4.0 or 4.6 off ebay for £250-700, chuck in a wilder cam and new followers. Descent exhaust and air intake and get it running right and it'd probably be a nice motor and a relatively easy fit.

If you want more power, then you could look at Nitrous Oxide kits or turbo or super charger conversions.

A Chevy engine is likely to you back more money initially. A Ls1 is probably £2-4k depending spec/condition. A 350 cheaper, but you might need to do heads and cam on it. Either way it'll be a lot more money.

If you are aiming for 300-400hp, then the Chevy will probably work out cheaper, or at least no more expensive than a Rover build. If you are aiming at 200-250hp, then the Rover should be a lot cheaper.


If you fancy some R&D, then figuring out how to make a Jag AJV8 work in a 90 would be pretty awesome. J&E engineering offer complete vehicles or conversions, but at HUGE cost.

But you can buy a 4.2 Jag engine (290hp+) for about £300 on ebay. Even supercharged ones are pretty cheap. But it's a matter of stringing it altogether and making it work that will require the effort. Suspect it could be cheaper than a Chevy engine, but a lot more R&D.

In terms of use. It's going to be used in road exclusively as my second car, and primary car during the winter when 4x4 is required. I'll occasionally tow but nothing heavy, 2 or 3 motocross bikes on a trailer... I want it nippy as possible really.

I mailed jrv8.co.uk the guy how supplies pilgrims and he said they only work with the 3.5 blocks these days as the 4+ are hard to source and have liner issues...

is it easy enough to wire in a EFI? provided harness are provide.

I was going to follow this guide.

Hi there, I have put a Chevy v8 in a defender 90 before! We put a zf4HP22 stage 2 box on the back, we did have to use an adaptor plate to fit the box to the engine, all from real steel if I remember correctly, but don't hold me to that! But might be different as a Manuel, but I know you can get adaptor plates! It was a new crate engine and all we had was timing problems, oil leaks, and the high torque two bolt starter motors that are adjusted by shims are crap!! I'm pretty sure the alternator needed adapting, unless you use rover ancillaries, witch is a pig, and in my honest opinion, you can get the same power out of a 4.6 rover v8, top hat liners, rebuilt, with a high torque camshaft, and a nice 500cfm edelbrock carb! But it's personal preference, the Chevy just seemed alot more work for not alot more benefit! Also, how old is your defender?? What year? Tom.

tom1disco.300 said:

It was a new crate engine
my honest opinion, you can get the same power out of a 4.6 rover v8
the Chevy just seemed alot more work for not alot more benefit!

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You've made some rather bold statements there about the performance. But one has to ask what sort of crate motor, what engine type exactly and what state of tune.

The Chevy V8 has been available since the early mid 1950's, in many difference guises, displacements and power outputs. So yes, a 220-250hp variant won't seem massively more powerful, although more torque.

But anyone spending big money converting a Land Rover to use one of these engines and then uses a stock crate motor is rather missing the point.

A stock 5.7 Ls1 will make 320hp with cats and easily 340-360hp in a conversion with no engine mods and around 370ft lb. No Rover 4.6 will get close to this performance for similar money. If you want to do some engine work, then 450hp+ is quite possible, even for an engine intended for a 4x4

it would be extreme if you were able to fit a road ranger box to a landrover.



Tony.

waldamar said:

Don't go Ford ["I'd rather push a Chevy etc"]

Click to expand...

pick up an mgzt260 for under 5 grand and see what you think of ford then. The flatest torque I've ever driven. 30-155mph in 5th or 20-130 in 4th pulling like a train all the way. iirc 310lb ft and 260bhp 4.6 modular 2 cam. Never missed a beat in my 3 year ownership and I really want another, but my other half was scared of it and I need 4x4

The ZT260 was cool, as are sn95 Mustangs that use the same engine. But the old modular 2v SOHC 4.6 is a boat anchor. It's physically larger than a 1960's big block, just as heavy and makes way less power than the Chevy LS1, which is small and light. The 4.6 also responds poorly to na tuning and costly to mod. The handle boost well, but that's not really a cheap option.

I have a 350 in a disco 1 for sale on ebay at the moment. The conversion was done by the previous owner. It has a rebuilt Ashcroft gearbox with 007 torque converter. You can unbolt everything and stick it in your defender may be?

Personally I would use a Yank gearbox as they are stronger with large aftermarket support. There are adapters available to mate Chevrolet automatic and manual gearbox's to the Land Rover LT230 transfer box.

Nothing wrong with the old small block 350 if you are on a budget, it should provide more than adequate power and you can always upgrade to an LS style motor at a later date should you so wish.

FFS!
This will give Aaron more ideas
Please delete this for his safety, I feel this will be the final straw for his long suffering Neighbors
Fence or no fence, they will f**k him up!