2.5 petrol replacement pros and cons

[NickDawson]

Hey gang,
I'm still shopping around...the good is that I think I've become a more educated consumer

I've seen a few listings that boast 2.5l petrol "upgrades". In one case I was told the engine was rebuilt and from a later model defender 90. What does this group think about those 2.5 ... are we getting into bista territory or is that a nice thing to have (assuming its in good shape)?

Any issues servicing (and finding parts for) that 2.5 vs the standard 2.25?

Thanks as always!

[Eric W S]

Depends and No.

[scott]

eric must you ramble on so?

i don't know the 2.5. my 2.25 resently rebuilt with a few tricks should muster up about 90+ hp. i wonder what the hp of the 2.5 is. i haven't had to look for parts but i did put a 2.5 cam in mine and it was easy to find. 2.5 is probably a 5 mb. i wish my 2.25 was. i hear the later 2.25 had 5 mb

[NC Rover]

I can't say my 2.5 L feels more powerful than my friend's 2.25 as I've never had a chance to drive his, but I can tell you that his engine looks almost identical to mine.

[Tim Smith]

I've swapped a 2.5 for a 2.25 and can tell you that they are very very similar. I don't remember having any issues with the engine mounts or anything.

The 2.5 was a lot more powerful than the 2.25 but it had developed a bad knock and was leaking worse than the Valdez. The 2.5 had the ACR power package installed and the previous owner said the motor was good for over 100 hp. The 2.25 is pretty much bog standard and I can tell you that the driving difference between them is obvious. One is smooth, slow and sane while the other was rough, fast and obnoxious. If it weren't for the ACR kit and having been driven like a stop light dragster, the 2.5 probably would have been a great motor for daily driving.

[NickDawson]

Very helpful - thanks guys!
Sounds like a 2.5L swap is no reason to shy away from a truck...

[sven]

The only thing about the 2.5 I dont like is the weber crab. Its expensive to replace and a bi-atch to take apart. Otherwise its a great motor and Id go for it

[Firemanshort]

I forgot where I got these numbers but...

2.25 Liter (2286cc - Late Model)
---------------------------------------------
Vehicles used on:
Series III (88" model, 1971 - 85)
Series IIIB (109" model, 1971 - 85)

4-cylinder : 90.47 x 88.9mm 2286cc
compression ratio : 8.0:1
carburettor : Zenith
horsepower : 70bhp (net) at 4,000 rpm
maximum torque : 120 lb ft at 1,500 rpm

2.5 Liter (2495cc)
----------------------------------------------
67 hp / 116 ft-lb (NA Diesel)
85 hp / 150 ft-lb (Turbo Diesel)
83 hp (Petrol)

[NickDawson]

Hey Gang,
Doing some research and notice that our hosts have parts for 2.25l petrol and 2.6l petrol engines (for the Series trucks)...for defenders its the TDi and V8

is the 2.6l the same as the 2.5l? 2495ccs is actually just shy of 2.5l so I suppose not...but I am trying to understand what availability of parts looks like for a 2.5l engine. Or, given NC Rover's comment is it just the displacement and things like gaskets, wiring, filters, etc will be the same as the 2.25l?

Thanks!
-N

[sven]

Its more similar to the 2.25. Head parts like valves, guides, seats are exactly teh same. Head gasket is the same too. But waterpump and t-stat are specific to the 2.5

[NickDawson]

Its more similar to the 2.25. Head parts like valves, guides, seats are exactly teh same. Head gasket is the same too. But waterpump and t-stat are specific to the 2.5

Many thanks Sven!
This filter and carb setup ought to be interesting...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickdawson/3573311494/

Guessing thats an older Ford filter on top of the factory webber...

[Eric W S]

Hey Gang,
Doing some research and notice that our hosts have parts for 2.25l petrol and 2.6l petrol engines (for the Series trucks)...for defenders its the TDi and V8

is the 2.6l the same as the 2.5l? 2495ccs is actually just shy of 2.5l so I suppose not...but I am trying to understand what availability of parts looks like for a 2.5l engine. Or, given NC Rover's comment is it just the displacement and things like gaskets, wiring, filters, etc will be the same as the 2.25l?

Thanks!
-N

The 2.6 is a six cylinder engine. The 2.5 is a four cylinder.

Parts aren't an issue for the the 2.5. It's a 2.25 that was modified by LR for a bit more power the coil sprung 90. The cam was re-clocked, the displacement tweaked, and manifolds were changed to the weber,...