Hi Guys
OK, its my first post here - so here goes.
I've got a 1986 110 3.5L v8 running on twin Strombergs which I do most of the straightforward work to myself incl. servicing, fitting twin fans, refitting the interior, etc.
Now she's done 165k+ miles, and even though she gets regular oil changes she's really beginning to show her age. She is very very thirsty and as I want to convert her to LPG, I thought it'd be a good time to get the engine sorted (I also want to fit an auto box as I drive her mostly on the road).
So, engine options are as follows;
Plan A is to keep the same 3.5L and simply fit a pair of SU's (which coincidentally I've already got off eBay), then fast road cam and stainless steel exhaust
Plan B is to keep the same 3.5L and fit a new Weber 500 carb, fast road cam, SS exhaust
Plan C is to transplant the 3.5L with a 3.9L EFi unit, then cam and exhaust plus gearbox from a donor vehicle, probably an old Range Rover which I could test before I buy.
So what do we think? Is the 3.9L unit worth going to the extra expense of paying a garage to fit it? Will it give much more power and efficiency than the other options and then give further tuning options? Are the electrics a pain in the arse? Or a lesson worth learning?
I won't be able to fit the gearbox either as I don't have the equipment so it may be worth getting the engine and gearbox swap done at the same time? I've heard that a 3.9L v8 with auto box is a pretty standard change - how much time does this on average take in your experience?
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys.
OK, its my first post here - so here goes.
I've got a 1986 110 3.5L v8 running on twin Strombergs which I do most of the straightforward work to myself incl. servicing, fitting twin fans, refitting the interior, etc.
Now she's done 165k+ miles, and even though she gets regular oil changes she's really beginning to show her age. She is very very thirsty and as I want to convert her to LPG, I thought it'd be a good time to get the engine sorted (I also want to fit an auto box as I drive her mostly on the road).
So, engine options are as follows;
Plan A is to keep the same 3.5L and simply fit a pair of SU's (which coincidentally I've already got off eBay), then fast road cam and stainless steel exhaust
Plan B is to keep the same 3.5L and fit a new Weber 500 carb, fast road cam, SS exhaust
Plan C is to transplant the 3.5L with a 3.9L EFi unit, then cam and exhaust plus gearbox from a donor vehicle, probably an old Range Rover which I could test before I buy.
So what do we think? Is the 3.9L unit worth going to the extra expense of paying a garage to fit it? Will it give much more power and efficiency than the other options and then give further tuning options? Are the electrics a pain in the arse? Or a lesson worth learning?
I won't be able to fit the gearbox either as I don't have the equipment so it may be worth getting the engine and gearbox swap done at the same time? I've heard that a 3.9L v8 with auto box is a pretty standard change - how much time does this on average take in your experience?
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys.