Date: Thu, 14 Jun 90 08:43:51 BST From: Simon Lewis To: lro@stratus.com cc: scrl@hplb.hpl.hp.com Subject: 109" Engine Conversion. bellas@gamma (sorry, don't know your `real' name), writes about wanting to swap the engine in his father's 109" from the 2.6 to something else. It is true that a lot of people put the (Buick derived) Rover 3.5 V8 engine in Land Rovers. This engine is a standard option in the current range of Land Rover products (90, 110, Discovery and Range Rover), but all of these have the transmission to cope with the increased torque. That said, an ordinary 'old' LR transmission will cope provided the vehicle is not abused. Conversion kits for the engine swap (includes adaptor plates, remote oil filter, heater connections, exhaust etc. etc.) are available from many specialist suppliers in the UK. I can supply addresses if anyboy is interested. *HOWEVER*, unfortunately for you, I believe that it is said that the most awkward engine swap to do is 2.6 --> V8. Therefore, you might like to consider something else... As this is my first message, how about a quick potted biography? I`ve been involved with LRs (and RRs) since about age 10 when my father bought an 88". I had a SIIA 7 seater for about 8 years until I swapped it for a brand new V8 90 last year. Unfortunately this vehicle has developed an oil consumption problem, so I have 5.7 litre Chevy engined Range Rover on loan at the moment. For those of you `Stateside', the 90 and 110 are the current Short and Long Wheelbase offerings from Land Rover Ltd (now part of the Rover Group, which is owned by British Aerospace). The 90 and 110 look almost exactly like LRs did when last they were imported to North America, but underneath they have the mechanicals of the Range Rover (full-time 4WD with centre locakable diff, 5-speed gearbox, *coil* springs, disk brakes etc. etc.). The Range Rover you all know about of course, but you probably haven't heard of Land Rover's new vehicle, `Discovery'. The is the vehicle with which LR are fighting the battle for the leisure 4WD market. It costs about half what a Range Rover does, has all the same mechanicals (apart from a brand new diesel engine), but a different body. It is proving extremely successful in Europe, and I expect you'll be seeing it in N. America soon. That's it for now. If anybody needs addresses etc. of UK LR suppliers, just let me know; I'd be happy to oblige. Simon Lewis, Bristol, UK.