What engine would you put in a 72 SIII?

[alaskantinbender]

I don't know how much your elevation is affecting the power of the 2.25. We just acquired a 73 S3 88 for my wife to drive with a 2.25 and its a very peppy ride at sea level. No problem at 55 and pushed will do 65 on the flats. The only thing not stock is a single barrel webber carb.
If its in fact your elevation the rover turbo diesel would be my recommendation. Less fabrication problem's changing engines with more torque and fuel economy.

Good luck and take lots of pics for us

Well, yes, I did read her website in more detail and hmm, she had to do a lot of work! Mine is more a case like that kenscs wrote about. The old 2.25 petrol engine is just not cutting it any more. It'll need a valve/ seals/ bore job etc soon as the blue smoke and wet plugs tell me. The compression is low. The power is low, especially as I live in a mountainous area and I drag up hill at 30mph if I'm lucky with the traffic backed up.
I've done a good tune up recently and that didn't help.
So I'm just doing some research into options. I like the idea of more strength on the hills and a good running speed of 55 mph is fine.
Perhaps it's as simple as a rebuilt engine or even just a new 2.25? Friends suggest I put in a diesel if I go that route.

[sleam]

Well, yes, I did read her website in more detail and hmm, she had to do a lot of work! Mine is more a case like that kenscs wrote about. The old 2.25 petrol engine is just not cutting it any more. It'll need a valve/ seals/ bore job etc soon as the blue smoke and wet plugs tell me. The compression is low. The power is low, especially as I live in a mountainous area and I drag up hill at 30mph if I'm lucky with the traffic backed up.
I've done a good tune up recently and that didn't help.
So I'm just doing some research into options. I like the idea of more strength on the hills and a good running speed of 55 mph is fine.
Perhaps it's as simple as a rebuilt engine or even just a new 2.25? Friends suggest I put in a diesel if I go that route.

[kenscs]

I have been doing some work on this lately myself since I just dont have enough pull with the original 2.25 petrol in my '71 SIIa. Even with 8:1 compression and new Weber carb, it still isnt enough to get me around town. I am currently working on the issue that it might be something other than engine, because when I put the choke on a bit, it get more uphill power. Anyway, to YOUR question, here is what my digging around forums had let me.

For simplicity sake, you can stick to an engine with same block as what is likley your 4 cylinder, so moving to a 200DI or if you want a little more the right 200 TDI Turbo. If you get the right Turbo, you dont have to do too much, and from what I read, it makes a healthy difference. I doubt you will be doing 0 to 60 in 8 seconds, but someone else who runs that setup may know more what the relative transition is. To make life easy in this transition, there is a short bell housing you can mate to the R380 transmission so you also get syncro in all gears.

After the 200TDI, what I ascertained was, it aint going to be too easy and I might as well get out a very large check book or make this my FULL time hobby for a few months to do the necessary work to change mounts, etc, for a new engine block. Others with more expereince here can correct me if I am off base, but if you search on "engine swap" or "200TDI" in this forum, there is a ton of very helpful info. Also try Googling the same. Rovers North, our hosts, can help you track down an engine as well as a place in Atlanta.

[greenmeanie]

I like the suggestion Teriann had in another thread about a Ford engine. It sounded like it didn't affect everything else just more power and good handling.
What do you think?

I think you might want to go to her website and see the changes she's done to her truck and then reconsider your statement. Now she makes the valid point that gearbox to TC adapters are now available off the shelf so things are easier these days but you'll still end up swapping the entire drivetrain, making bulkhead mods for most V8s and the thousand other detail changes that go wih an engine swap. Bar one or two bolt in replacements (Even they require some work if you're going from petrol to diesel) it will change everything.

Mark makes a very valid point. Change for change sake won't be very satisfying.

[SafeAirOne]

What are you trying to achieve with a different engine? It'll help folks recommend LOGICAL candidates.

What's wrong with the existing engine, in your view?

[sleam]

Hello folks, after chatting to some friends about my Series, I'm looking into getting a new engine in the SIII> what would you do? Bear in mind, it's beyond my skills so a mechanic will be doing this for me! I like the suggestion Teriann had in another thread about a Ford engine. It sounded like it didn't affect everything else just more power and good handling.
What do you think?