Series engine choice? Opinions please

Its time for another landrover, Im have the choice of either a s1 or s2, both have no engines and it would not be cost effective to try and restore them, and personally I fancy something a bit different.

Im stuck between a good old V8 or a 300tdi conversion.

A few points:

• Im not really into off roading as a sport but do live deep in the countryside where 4x4 is extreemly nessesary some times
• I love landrovers
• I wont do lots of miles (I have a car and work van for daily use)
• Much like above, mileage is low so comfort is not a massive issue in a noisy leaf sprung series

V8: Good

• The noise
• Its a V8!!!!

V8: Bad

• MPG - Or would it actually no be that bad in something as light as an S1?
• Insurance? I have 7 years no claims waiting for this landrover policy and live in a low risk area with gararge. But Im 28 and a V8 conversion may scare a broker?

300tdi: good

• Ive had a 300 defender for 8 years and know every bolt, nook and cranny
• Reliable - I could easily do a long trip if I fancied with out worrying
• Good MPG (well better than V8 probably?)
• My dad has an s3 109 which he converted to 300, so I know what it 'feels' like and have all his knowledge on the matter (hes a landrover mechanic!)

300: bad

• Boring noise
• Its not a V8

I really am 50/50 on this, I guess what im hoping is to hear peoples experiences and can help make a decision from that.

Basically my head says 300, my heart V8.:doh:

Steve Parker V6 conversion just to give you something else to consider

What sort of Series 1? Prices are starting to get quite high on these, so if you feel fine hacking one about then I'd go for it over an S2, unless you want the space.

If it's primarily a road vehicle, what other upgrades are you planning?

Drum brakes and stock suspension are not good mixes with higher HP ratings. You might also want to consider replacing the windscreen with laminated glass too instead of the standard toughened glass.

What gear box are you thinking of?

If it's an 80" then space is a premium for all the oily bits.

V8's are nice, but in reality a Tdi is a much better power plant than a low CR stockish 3.5 on carbs. All the V8 offers is the noise and far worse fuel economy.

Trouble is, upping the power means standard axles and gearboxes probably won't like it much, which means more cost £££


I'd work out how many miles a year you think you'll do in such a vehicle.

A 3.5 V8 on carbs will do around 17mpg motorway and nearer 12mpg hooning about. Giving a realistic average of 15'ish mpg. If you run a decent EFI setup like Megasquirt you'll get maybe 17-18mpg ave.

Tdi should see highs of 30-32mpg if driven really careful on road tyres. And lows of around 21mpg. Realistically 24-28mpg range.

but if you only do 3000 miles a year:

Tdi @ 26mpg = £734 a year or around £66/month
V8 @ 15mpg = £1237 a year or around £103/month

Basically for this mileage, a V8 would cost you an 'extra' £40 month more than a Tdi.

Only you can say if this is too much or not. And do remember, if you are doing more miles a year in it, then the cost gap will only increase.


BTW - if it is just for road use maybe consider a couple of other engines.

Keeping it Land Rover you've got the 2.0 MPi unit. More racey than a Tdi and more power, you could also use the turbo variant as used in some Rover cars. An easy 200+hp and more potential if you beef the engine up, lighter and better on fuel than a V8 too, although without the soundtrack.

Td5, might be a tight squeeze in an 80. But better sounding than a Tdi and an easy 170hp available with a remap.

BMW 2.8 S6 as used in the South African 90's.

Or maybe look at non Landy engines such as a Jaguar XJ16 4.0 S6 or a Lexus LS400 V8.

Even something like a Rover KV6 2.5 might be interesting, although requiring a bit more R&D maybe.

Another consideration giving adequate performance and very good mpg , also more comparable engine dimensions fit is a Perkins prima esp in series 1 . V8 in a series 1 major mods needed , in a series 2 still quite a lot of mods structural and dynamic . JMHE

Put a Cummins in it

Keep the series 1 original.

200tdi then no chassis mods needed so can be changed back if needed.


Lynall