Looking into buying a 90 v8.

Hello, after wanting a proper lr for as long as I can remember, my wife is going to treat me for my 30th. We already have an l322 rangie v8 which is spectacular and very comfy and capable, but I want a 90 and an old 3.5 v8 at that.

I know there is a lot of knowledgable folks on here so I'm hoping you can give me some advice as regards buying one and a good'un at that. Budget is approx 5k. I will be using it everyday as daily transport approx daily mileage of 12ish miles to my works and back so 50ish miles a week.

I want something I can chuck my tools in the back of at the end of the day enjoy a v8 soundtrack home in discomfort.

No I don't a diesel and no I don't want disco etc.

Cheers, look forward to replies,

Tom

Slooooowwwwwwww

I've always fancied a V8 90 but they scare me a bit, I'm not sure the performance matches the sound and its a lot of engine to work on.
One day maybe

You lucky bugger. Only 30 years old and already have an L322 with a V8 and want a 90 V8! Kudos to you my friend!

The rv8 is old and under powered, performance upgrades are expensive for gains you get.
If you have money to do a project then chevy engine,jag engine or lexus lump are all good choices

3.5 rv8 carb 137hp and 12mpg on a good day and slooooooooow

Rover V8 is an aged yank lump- not that much power and drinks petrol. I'd take a good tdi or td5 personally. There's always the SA-spec BMW-engined 2.8i. Might be able to track one down over here, or should theoretically be possible to do the swap yourself. BMW power coupled to an auto box would be great to drive

watch what engine you get .

older rv8 on carbs from 80s vehicles can be low compression 85bhp ones.......

top drive said:

older rv8 on carbs from 80s vehicles can be low compression 85bhp ones.......

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So does that mean I can legitimately claim that my 2.5TD has 'V8 power'?

I think the Rover V8 performance matches the limitations of the handling and braking nicely. It was never designed to be a go kart, and you'd need to spend a lot of cash to turn it into one. I found the torque of the V8 meant I could toodle along all day in 4th gear, very relaxing. It was still possible to embarrass some cars at the lights when necessary Having said all that, make sure you get one with a later, high compression 3.5 in good nick.

drive mine at 40 everywhere - slower than a slow thing and couldn't pull my socks off. But with a straight through ss exhaust, the sound is all you need!

reiny said:

You lucky bugger. Only 30 years old and already have an L322 with a V8 and want a 90 V8! Kudos to you my friend!

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Not yet 30 ha ha. Always been a bit of a petrol head. we couldn't buy a diesel rangie, that would never do.

Lots of reasons I like the idea of a v8, easy to work on and lots of modifications available. I'm not opposed to diesels I just prefer a v8 burble even if it is a slow burble. I do about 99% of the work on the rangie myself, hopefully a 90 will be (slightly) easier.

zeaphod said:

I think the Rover V8 performance matches the limitations of the handling and braking nicely. It was never designed to be a go kart, and you'd need to spend a lot of cash to turn it into one. I found the torque of the V8 meant I could toodle along all day in 4th gear, very relaxing. It was still possible to embarrass some cars at the lights when necessary Having said all that, make sure you get one with a later, high compression 3.5 in good nick.

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Quad cam v8 in mine

my mate just brought a 3.9 v8 auto in 90... sounds beautiful and turns heads everywhere he goes, however what i did notice is that when he floored it it seemed to make more noise than it did pull.... still goes everywhere his td5 didnt seem to go and with ease and now he never wants another manual box ever...

Whatever you do decide to get, we demand pics!

I've had a 1990 3.5 V8 from new, done thousands of miles in it, not really fast, but sounds great and turns heads even at 20+ years of age - wouldn't be without it -you need a good right foot to get the best mpg - mines 20+ on average

My last hybrid 100 inch was RV8 powered, it was rebuilt, with a slightly performance orientated cam fitted and the SU carbs were set up nicely, I found it quite nippy and free revving and was able to propel the 100 inch up to 90 mph quite easily. I did keep the ignition system in good order as the 3.5 on carbs needs a decent ignition system and fresh clean oil.
I have a remapped Td5 and I would say, yeah the Td5 is more powerful with more torque and it does double the MPG, but diesel Vs V8 petrol engines with straight pipe for the grin factor there is no comparison to be made.

Just don't drive through deep water, and don't bother with LPG either it's crap.

telsy said:

I've had a 1990 3.5 V8 from new, done thousands of miles in it, not really fast, but sounds great and turns heads even at 20+ years of age - wouldn't be without it -you need a good right foot to get the best mpg - mines 20+ on average

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20+ MPG? Best I ever got out of mine was 12, hehe, my Td5 is getting at best 26.

will most certainly post some pictures up when i get one, just got to find a good one that is'nt full of holes now.

Agreed about lpg, i have it on the rangie, good for long distance driving but not a fan around town, the throttle seems dull on gas. but at 50p a litre...

Its a shame really that Lr did'nt do a autobiography style homage to the runout model Defenders with a 5.0l supercharged l405 engined version. now that would be quite a machine

Cheers.

Quick question, maybe a bit daft, but do 90's use metric or imperial tools?

The easy answer is - depends. Depends on how old and what the PO has been up to. My 1985 has mostly metric fastners.

cheers, thought as much.