Engine types

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
R

Rocky2

New Member
Posts
9
Location
Somerset
Can anyone please tell me how I can (easily) tell the origin of the engine fitted to a particular vehicle? (VIN Number?)I have my eye on a petrol P38A of around 2001 vintage and I'd like to know who made the engine with a view to conversion to LPG.

Many thanks
 
Errr.... Rover.... !!!!

The early engines are nicknamed GEMS and use the Lucas Engine Control System and the later engines from 1999/2000 onwards are nicknamed THOR and use the Bosch/Motronic engine control system....the engine origin remains the same - Rover.

To tell the difference, GEMS had a square box on top called a Plenum Chamber and THOR had a bunch of bananas on top as the intake manifold...

Pics Attached:

GEMS
GEMS.jpg


THOR
Bosch.jpg
 
Not to the P38, but they did fit a BMW diesel engine. Which if you have any sense is the P38 you will buy. :);)
 
As Wammers says above the P38 came with either the Buick derived Rover built 4.0 or 4.6 V8 GEMS or THOR petrol engine, both convert well to LPG

Or the BMW M51 2.5 I6 Engine.

Wammers is a dyed in the wool Oil Burning Champion and will always advocate the Diesel option over the V8's

Yes the V8's are needlessly thirsty and I have to say if going the petrol route the 4.6 is the better option...I have owned a 2.5 and now currently run a 4.0 alongside my L322 4.4 V8 and the performance difference between the 2.5 and the 4.0 is negligible and as for running cost, with the 4.0 on LPG the costs are comparable with the Diesel!
 
I have always prefered the petrol V8, more power and a good engine will do many miles. Mine is a Thor 4.6 it has done 190,000 plus miles after it was replaced after 80k with an engine from a firm that took over the Land Rover V8 production.

But you need a good one whatever you choose. Not all Diesels are in good condition and they are bad polluters, you only need to look through this forum for the many faults they have.
 
stopover said:
I have always prefered the petrol V8, more power and a good engine will do many miles. Mine is a Thor 4.6 it has done 190,000 plus miles after it was replaced after 80k with an engine from a firm that took over the Land Rover V8 production.

But you need a good one whatever you choose. Not all Diesels are in good condition and they are bad polluters, you only need to look through this forum for the many faults they have.
Click to expand...

Don't be silly if looked after any diesel engine is far more reliable than any petrol engine. Particularly the Rover petrols.
 
wammers said:
Don't be silly if looked after any diesel engine is far more reliable than any petrol engine. Particularly the Rover petrols.
Click to expand...

My father had petrol cars (no choice after the war and had a petrol Morris with over 400,000 on the clock before the MOT did it in.) and diesels on his farm. All the farm stuff, tractors etc, were diesel for reliability and red diesel fuel cost! Most I had to maintain. No problem with that and after dad had a diesel Volvo 240- the most noisey smelly unreliabe turbo/diesel 6 cylinder we ever had. I got into using the series one Land Rover we also had, fantastic fun!
Yes I agree a well Looked after diesel should go forever. But a P38 diesel is, in my opinion, underpowered in that car. As you say a well looked after........ whatever p38 should provide a reliable car. This chap is looking for a petrol car he can convert to LPG so he (unless you can convince him to go diesel = and why not) needs to find ideally a V8 converted to top hat liners (Think Mozz Smith is selling his?? 4.6 2001 v8) or a well maintained low mileage Diesel with all history.

As it happens my V8 has the XM prefix to the engine number meaning it was manufactured by Mitchel Cotts a company who took over manufacture of the venerable V* from LR - see http://forum.lro.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=23779

so look for this frefix if purchasing a later V8

ps I am not silly - that was unessessary. I am just passing an opinion,
 
Last edited:
stopover said:
My father had petrol cars (no choice after the war and had a petrol Morris with over 400,000 on the clock before the MOT did it in.) and diesels on his farm. All the farm stuff, tractors etc, were diesel for reliability and red diesel fuel cost! Most I had to maintain. No problem with that and after dad had a diesel Volvo 240- the most noisey smelly unreliabe turbo/diesel 6 cylinder we ever had. I got into using the series one Land Rover we also had, fantastic fun!
Yes I agree a well Looked after diesel should go forever. But a P38 diesel is, in my opinion, underpowered in that car. As you say a well looked after........ whatever p38 should provide a reliable car. This chap is looking for a petrol car he can convert to LPG so he (unless you can convince him to go diesel = and why not) needs to find ideally a V8 converted to top hat liners (Think Mozz Smith is selling his?? 4.6 2001 v8) or a well maintained low mileage Diesel with all history.

As it happens my V8 has the XM prefix to the engine number meaning it was manufactured by Mitchel Cotts a company who took over manufacture of the venerable V* from LR - see Land Rover Owner • View topic - New replacement Range-Rover V8 engines; 'Original' design

so look for this frefix if purchasing a later V8

ps I am not silly - that was unessessary. I am just passing an opinion,
Click to expand...

I was just passing an opinion about you being silly and facts about diesel engines. :D
 
But everyone's terms of ownership are different I don't own a P38 because they are reliable - I own one because like them - I don't own a TD coz I think they are nosey vibey underpowered lumps for what's supposed to be a luxury SUV. 4.6 V8 every time for me - if it blows up I'll get another one! I really couldn't give a rat's do dar about fuel economy - I love V8s++ Fuel economy and ultimate longevity may be at the top of some people's priority list - they ain't at the top of mine! ;)


++ Warning other opinions may differ...
 
StuckAgainSteve said:
But everyone's terms of ownership are different I don't own a P38 because they are reliable - I own one because like them - I don't own a TD coz I think they are nosey vibey underpowered lumps for what's supposed to be a luxury SUV. 4.6 V8 every time for me - if it blows up I'll get another one! I really couldn't give a rat's do dar about fuel economy - I love V8s++ Fuel economy and ultimate longevity may be at the top of some people's priority list - they ain't at the top of mine! ;)


++ Warning other opinions may differ...
Click to expand...

My diesel is reliable, it doesn't vibrate overly and is pretty quick. I don't mind V8s i have a proper one in the Porsche. :D:D:D
 
StuckAgainSteve said:
But everyone's terms of ownership are different I don't own a P38 because they are reliable - I own one because like them - I don't own a TD coz I think they are nosey vibey underpowered lumps for what's supposed to be a luxury SUV. 4.6 V8 every time for me - if it blows up I'll get another one! I really couldn't give a rat's do dar about fuel economy - I love V8s++ Fuel economy and ultimate longevity may be at the top of some people's priority list - they ain't at the top of mine! ;)


++ Warning other opinions may differ...
Click to expand...

+1 Absolutely.
As already said though, the Rover V8's convert very well to LPG to give equivalent running costs to Diesels - no contest in my mind.
4.6 gives good power, refined drive, quiet, the thor gives extra torque.
As you can see though, opinion is greatly divided on this subject.:rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Spridget
TDV6 or SDV6? and EGR blank
Replies
7
Views
1K
lynall
L
W
Engine identification
Replies
7
Views
536
Dippypud
Dippypud
B
300tdi fuse box in engine bay
Replies
4
Views
614
Wolf Pack
W
S
300Tdi coolant leak from Engine block
Replies
12
Views
642
Singr07
S
L
Replacement chassis
Replies
11
Views
931
MrF
M
Back
Top