Where do I start??

[yorker]

http://gunsandrovers.yuku.com/topic/5339?page=1

[kevkon]

Really the possibilities are endless, but what's a practical driver for power while keeping it Rover? I'm not looking for a full resto, I like creative.

The answer to that lies entirely with each Series owner. I think each of us have gravitated toward the Series for our own reasons and as such the extent of that which we alter is dependent upon how we see the truck. I love customizing and that has been my background, but in the case of my Series I'm not so sure I want to get away from the basics. I knew the limitations of this truck when I got it and I think in a strange way it's very basic simplicity and it's weaknesses as well were a large part of the draw. From an objective position, my opinion on power options is that whatever one chooses it must be done with the entire picture in mind. In other words; more power should be accompanied with stronger drive train components, better suspension, and increased braking. Beyond that, I say whatever floats your boat!

[greenmeanie]

I think the best place to start would be to write down what you want this truck to do for you and then use this to develop a spec. It gives you something to look at to remind yourself why you are buying the parts you have chosen. You can also pull it out later and have a laugh when you see what you thought you wanted vs what you built.
Knowing the above you can shoot for the mild to wild. Cummins 4BT/6BT SOA monster trucks are out there as well as far more subtle builds like Mercedes Jim’s MB powered 109. Is diesel important to you? A used 350 can be had much cheaper than most Rover engines and delivers way more power. Your power plant choice may dictate your drive train, gearing and axles. Stopping power is always a good thing. Generally the Rover engines are more expensive than the domestic lumps. Some offer bolt in solutions but which is an advantage.
Spend some time reading the threads and you’ll find reference to:
Ford 302, T18, Series TC
Ford 300 +?
Chevy 350, LT95
Chevy 350 to stock series g’box
Cummins 4BT & 6BT
Chevy Vortec 4.8L with 4L60E auto box.
Chevy 4.3L, NP3500 (?), series TC
Chevy 151/250/292 to series gearbox & TC using a Scotty’s adapter.
Chevy 292, Ford NP435, Series TC.
Mercedes diesel to series gearbox and TC
Mercedes diesel to Ford NP435 and series TC.
Izuzu 3.9 plus LT95.
If you want to keep it LR then there are:
Rover V8
200TDI diesel to series drive train which is probably the most desirable Rover diesel swap.
300TDI, LT77 or R380 and LT320 TC
2.5NA diesel to series drivetrain.
THat doesn't even get into axle options.
I am sure I’ve missed some but these are what I can remember off the top of my head. A lot of these installations need the bulkhead tweaked for clearance which is something to bear in mind before spending money on repairs. Most also need revised engine mounts and various tweaks to the chassis which is a lot easier if the chassis has not been galvanized first. I don’t think any of the replacement chassis people sell them in bare steel so you’re left hunting for a used item or paying someone willing to weld galvy.

[JChinch]

To everyone... I just want to express a huge Thanks.

I had absolutely no idea that my few posts would have generated so many responses. So really, thank you very much. Over the next few weeks I'll do exactly what you suggested Greenmeanie, although I have done it in ways already I'll search through the threads to see what works with what keeping in mind the obvious things such as susp and brakes.

I look forward to asking for more help, I almost wish I waited until the 109 was in my hands! Had I known this would have been so helpful so quick. Without a doubt one of the best forums I've been on, and that goes for all my vehicles.

Thanks guys! I'll let this one fade away until I ask some more blood boiling questions, Until then.. I promise I won't put an Alfa Romeo engine in a Land Rover. Yet.

[yorker]

To everyone... I just want to express a huge Thanks.

I had absolutely no idea that my few posts would have generated so many responsesWithout a doubt one of the best forums I've been on, and that goes for all my vehicles.

The US LR community has changed a lot over the last 10-15 years. A while back you'd have been burned at the stake for even talking about changing a Series LR. Now people are much more forgiving and willing to say

"hey it is your truck do what you want!"

[Tim Smith]

I still stumped on putting a Milano Verde 3 liter in a series truck.

[JChinch]

Haha, one of the better videos for sound quality. . I do love Alfa's. . .

It was a terrible joke I know It would be an unreal challenge though. . . One of those things that sounded better in my head than it did coming out of my mouth. Worse things have been though up, like buying a second Alfa Romeo.

[Tim Smith]

Haha, one of the better videos for sound quality. . I do love Alfa's. . .

It was a terrible joke I know It would be an unreal challenge though. . . One of those things that sounded better in my head than it did coming out of my mouth. Worse things have been though up, like buying a second Alfa Romeo.

When you first mentioned it, I immediately thought of the old PVR (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) V6's which were absolutely delightful if you ask me. I remember driving some friends to the airport in an old 505 V6 via Manhattan and have vivid memories of the taxi's getting out of my way well in advance. My passengers were speechless. Low end torque and high end power were both very good so I always believed one of these would make a decent conversion engine. Probably too much power for the rest of the drive line though.

Your alfa 3 liter is probably like my old fiat. Spastic and useless below 2000k. I can only think that transplanting that engine into a series truck would result in lots of smoke with broken bits guiding your walk home.

If you want to make a hybrid, I say go for a slow running-high torque power plant that is middle of the road. For example, I'm soon to be installing a Mercedes 617 turbo diesel into a project truck (just like MercedesJim's truck) and from what I can figure it will be a great replacement. Lots of torque down low, power up top and it spins faster than a standard 2.25 which is what you have. So you could expect to keep up in traffic without fear of blowing it up and truck along the trails without lugging it.

I still think a weekend getting your current truck running would be time well spent. You could at least prove that the mechanics work and if nothing else, it would help you sell off the parts to pay for the new toys.

Do let us know how it goes. If for nothing else but to keep up the heated debate.

[Nium]

I think it's about time someone put a turbine in a Series. Now there would be some power!!

Belated Welcome Aboard! Can't wait to see which power plant rebuild route you decide on.

Cheers

[Tim Smith]

Just so you know, my 109 project was originally slated to be an electric hybrid with a backup generator for long distance. Lots of ideas were tossed around about the generator including using a small turbine to power it.

The electric power is the easy part but trying to figure out how many KWH it takes to make a series truck go down the highway was too much math for me. When the wind is with you the math works one way. Otherwise... well lets just say I'd rather be in recess. Any way, on the trails, you'd either be starting forest fires or steaming ahead with smokey the bear running for cover.

Feast your eyes on this (not so small turbine) minivan.

[Nium]

Tim,
Your picture didn't turn out nor the one for post #36, well at least for me they didn't, I would like to see a mini van turbine powered (Tim "Toolman" grunt's here). I remember reading once that Jay Leno had a turbine driven motorcycle. He said when cars would crowd him at lights he could watch the front bumpers melt.

[Tim Smith]

Here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R2EmW-00d4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrskWK-H29Q

Just playing around. It's a quiet Friday night.

[Tim Smith]

Always had love for the pulse jet idea though...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U-grFuXZ9U

[Nium]

Good Stuff! Thanks Tim.

[JChinch]

Really what I was going to aim for with a conversion was a BioDiesel. At least a diesel to start, just because I like the idea with the option later of going the BioDiesel route. I am starting to drool over the Benz conversion I keep reading so much about. Man Oh man. . . it's going to be a LONG holiday season this year.