Whats the best engine to use in a tri axle?

stuckinthemud82621 · Jul 31, 2019

Whats the best engine to use in a Tri Axle 170 inch Defender Camper, some have said the TD5 can cope with the 5000kg weight and other have suggested engines like the Chevy V8, Does anyone have any experience of how the TD5 performs with such a heavy vehicle or any experience of the Chevy ?

Paul

marjon · Jul 31, 2019

Yes and No

I have no idea about the TD5, it may cope but could be slow in certain circumstances.

The Chevy would definitely cope

but brings a whole host of other drivetrain concerns/issues/problems. All doable.

Have you considered the 3.5 or 4.0 rover as this is pretty much a standard fitment to defenders ( well perhaps not the 4.0). Bit both would have parts and advice readily available.

Good luck

J

Henry_b · Jul 31, 2019

A tuned up TD5 would cope..

Be careful with chevy V8s most assosiate them with HP but that isn't the case, if it's a standard Small block 350 out of a 4x4 or agri application you'd be lucky to see 190hp and 370nm. so no.

However a "built" Small or Big block would get my vote if MPG isn't a concern.

Rover V8 stage 3 4.6 would cope well enough too.

Thor 1950 · Jul 31, 2019

Henry_b said:
A tuned up TD5 would cope..

Be careful with chevy V8s most assosiate them with HP but that isn't the case, if it's a standard Small block 350 out of a 4x4 or agri application you'd be lucky to see 190hp and 370nm. so no.

However a "built" Small or Big block would get my vote if MPG isn't a concern.

Rover V8 stage 3 4.6 would cope well enough too.

A 5.0 coyote V8, 385 hp would work nicely,

marjon · Jul 31, 2019

Thor 1950 said:
A 5.0 coyote V8, 385 hp would work nicely,

I am sure there is loads of those with all the drivetrains kicking around Devon cheap

with lots of mods needed to stick in a defender.

@Henry_b I stayed away from the 4.6 cos of the gems trickery. The earlier Hotwire is easier

(I think)

J

Henry_b · Jul 31, 2019

marjon said:
I am sure there is loads of those with all the drivetrains kicking around Devon cheap with lots of mods needed to stick in a defender.

@Henry_b I stayed away from the 4.6 cos of the gems trickery. The earlier Hotwire is easier (I think)

J

You can stroke an early Dizzy equip 3.9 quite easily turning into a 4.6

throw carbs on and etc

Merlin heads etc etc

Thor 1950 · Jul 31, 2019

marjon said:
I am sure there is loads of those with all the drivetrains kicking around Devon cheap with lots of mods needed to stick in a defender.

@Henry_b I stayed away from the 4.6 cos of the gems trickery. The earlier Hotwire is easier (I think)

J

adapter for the bell housing, and should fit right in weight is 500lbs and same dimension as 4.6

Henry_b · Jul 31, 2019

Thor 1950 said:
A 5.0 coyote V8, 385 hp would work nicely,

A 406 small block 450hp with a fully manual valvebody Turbo 400

Hmm.

stuckinthemud82621 · Jul 31, 2019

marjon said:
Yes and No

I have no idea about the TD5, it may cope but could be slow in certain circumstances.

The Chevy would definitely cope but brings a whole host of other drivetrain concerns/issues/problems. All doable.

Have you considered the 3.5 or 4.0 rover as this is pretty much a standard fitment to defenders ( well perhaps not the 4.0). Bit both would have parts and advice readily available.

Good luck

J

I would much rather use a LR engine so Ill take the suggestion to my customer, what about the TDV6 would you use that ?

Thor 1950 · Jul 31, 2019

Henry_b said:
A 406 small block 450hp with a fully manual valvebody Turbo 400

Hmm.

Ford will eat it up. has the potential of 600hp

Henry_b · Jul 31, 2019

Thor 1950 said:
Ford will eat it up. has the potential of 600hp

489ci Big block chevy 675hp

Henry_b · Jul 31, 2019

stuckinthemud82621 said:
I would much rather use a LR engine so Ill take the suggestion to my customer, what about the TDV6 would you use that ?

NOPE!!

If it has to be diesel the TD5 all day long..

231hp and 400ft/lb is possibe with stock internals.

I'd still build a monster though

Thor 1950 · Jul 31, 2019

Henry_b said:
489ci Big block chevy 675hp

size and weight a disadvantage, along with MPG and keeping it cool. that ford will get you 22-24mpg with 3.55 rear diffs

marjon · Jul 31, 2019

stuckinthemud82621 said:
I would much rather use a LR engine so Ill take the suggestion to my customer, what about the TDV6 would you use that ?

Depends on the customers depth of pockets I suppose, if they are deep enough for a TDV6 then there are better options available. But you are getting in to electrickery now

maybe not the best for a camper out and about in the nowhere land

J

Henry_b · Jul 31, 2019

Thor 1950 said:
size and weight a disadvantage, along with MPG and keeping it cool. that ford will get you 22-24mpg with 3.55 rear diffs

An all Ally Brodix 630ci Tall deck big block 1000hp

With Holley Fast EFI

Nice and light with oomph

Stick highway gears in the back, and ahh peace!

marjon · Jul 31, 2019

Henry_b said:
You can stroke an early Dizzy equip 3.9 quite easily turning into a 4.6 throw carbs on and etc

Merlin heads etc etc

The reason I suggested something reasonably standard was it’s a camper and may need to be attended to by “joe” at the local garage

But I know what “can be done”

Henry_b · Jul 31, 2019

marjon said:
The reason I suggested something reasonably standard was it’s a camper and may need to be attended to by “joe” at the local garage

But I know what “can be done”

Can't get much simpler than a Carb'd RV8

marjon · Jul 31, 2019

Thor 1950 said:
adapter for the bell housing, and should fit right in weight is 500lbs and same dimension as 4.6

And to what box is that then

J

Thor 1950 · Jul 31, 2019

marjon said:
And to what box is that then

J

?????

marjon · Jul 31, 2019

Thor 1950 said:
?????

Gearbox?

J

Whats the best engine to use in a tri axle?

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