bankz5152 wrote:

Likeomg wrote:

I was promised a 350hp, 600nm engine... think that's substantially more than a td5?

My td5s 230bhp and 530nm. Bigger airbox and theres scope for ALOT more. So no not worth it, if you doing an engine swap go bigger.

Likeomg wrote:

I was promised a 350hp, 600nm engine... think that's substantially more than a td5?

bankz5152 wrote:

M57s arnt worth it imo, barely more piwer than a tuned Td5.

Shroppy wrote:

Personally, I've opted for the 4.6 Rover V8 primarily because I dropped on a new one very cheap but also because most parts are 'factory' and they're comfortably capable of 300bhp .

Philip wrote:

LS is the obvious swap answer, it’s the proven choice - nothing else has the parts and knowledge backup, they’re cheap, common, compact, light etc (and they’re not all 600 bhp).

Cheap and common in the UK....

mrfirepro wrote:

Hi all,

I've been lurking here for some time, a couple of years ago a bought a N reg defender 90. I've really enjoyed owning it. I'm about to finish my last project (1991 Lotus carlton resto) and been thinking about my next project.

I've decided I'd like a full blown restomod...

LS3 (525 BHP)
T56 Magnum (I like manuals)
Air suspension
Big Brakes
Uprated drive chain
Interior
ICE

The works

This leads to two problems..

1. I dont know anything about Defenders
2. Don't really want to lose the use of my Defender

Hopefully you guys will help me with 1 and today I bought a 2007 Puma to solve item 2.

It's still very much early days and the project is still in the planning stage. I'm open to any advice at all, particularly not knowing anything about Defenders. I apolagise in advance for my silly questions, hopefully I'll learn quickly.

I've spent days reading through threads on LS3 builds but would be particularly interested in any buuild threads or other resources you think I should see or any general advice.

I'll post updates as soon as I'm more concrete on the build, but for now I intend to start stripping down the Puma when it gets here at some stage next week.

I'll post up some pics as soon as the Puma arrives.

How are you going to resto mod something that isn't old enough??? Anyhooo


LS sounds like an awesome swap. Although I honestly don't think 525hp would be all that usable in a 90 if I'm honest. And certainly not on UK roads.

Happy to be proven wrong.

I've got an LS V8 in a Camaro. And in a lower state of tune. It is arguably too quick for UK roads. But at least the Camaro is stable and capable at high speeds. Which I doubt would ever be true for a SWB Defender.


LS swaps also seem to be hugely expensive to achieve. And I'd think to make it fully usable, you'd need to upgrade everything. Although I see little point in ICE or interior upgrades. NVH will always be due to the simple fact the body is made from loads of panels bolted together, which ultimately are bolted metal to metal on the chassis.

No amount of £££££££ will solve this fundamental bit of design. Plus leather pimped up seats just look gash and completely tastless in a Defender.


For me, the biggest issue with the LS is gearbox choice. There are options for Automatics, but these are just boring IMO and totally blunt the fun factor of such a setup.

A manual is where it is at. But I've never really seen anything that works. Not saying it isn't out there.Marks Adaptors do an R380 to LS adaptor. But I should think it the R380 has a life span of mins with such an engine.

If you end up changing the axles, gearbox, transfer box, engine, suspension etc etc. You have to ask, how much Land Rover is actually left.

I would also suspect strictly speaking you would also likely end up on a Q plate. As the vehicle would loose it's ID and need an IVA.

However, if you do know of a good solution to running a manual box on the LS and retaining the LT230. I'd love to know.

Chicken Drumstick wrote:

mrfirepro wrote:

Hi all,

I've been lurking here for some time, a couple of years ago a bought a N reg defender 90. I've really enjoyed owning it. I'm about to finish my last project (1991 Lotus carlton resto) and been thinking about my next project.

I've decided I'd like a full blown restomod...

LS3 (525 BHP)
T56 Magnum (I like manuals)
Air suspension
Big Brakes
Uprated drive chain
Interior
ICE

The works

This leads to two problems..

1. I dont know anything about Defenders
2. Don't really want to lose the use of my Defender

Hopefully you guys will help me with 1 and today I bought a 2007 Puma to solve item 2.

It's still very much early days and the project is still in the planning stage. I'm open to any advice at all, particularly not knowing anything about Defenders. I apolagise in advance for my silly questions, hopefully I'll learn quickly.

I've spent days reading through threads on LS3 builds but would be particularly interested in any buuild threads or other resources you think I should see or any general advice.

I'll post updates as soon as I'm more concrete on the build, but for now I intend to start stripping down the Puma when it gets here at some stage next week.

I'll post up some pics as soon as the Puma arrives.

How are you going to resto mod something that isn't old enough??? Anyhooo


LS sounds like an awesome swap. Although I honestly don't think 525hp would be all that usable in a 90 if I'm honest. And certainly not on UK roads.

Happy to be proven wrong.

I've got an LS V8 in a Camaro. And in a lower state of tune. It is arguably too quick for UK roads. But at least the Camaro is stable and capable at high speeds. Which I doubt would ever be true for a SWB Defender.


LS swaps also seem to be hugely expensive to achieve. And I'd think to make it fully usable, you'd need to upgrade everything. Although I see little point in ICE or interior upgrades. NVH will always be due to the simple fact the body is made from loads of panels bolted together, which ultimately are bolted metal to metal on the chassis.

No amount of £££££££ will solve this fundamental bit of design. Plus leather pimped up seats just look gash and completely tastless in a Defender.


For me, the biggest issue with the LS is gearbox choice. There are options for Automatics, but these are just boring IMO and totally blunt the fun factor of such a setup.

A manual is where it is at. But I've never really seen anything that works. Not saying it isn't out there.Marks Adaptors do an R380 to LS adaptor. But I should think it the R380 has a life span of mins with such an engine.

If you end up changing the axles, gearbox, transfer box, engine, suspension etc etc. You have to ask, how much Land Rover is actually left.

I would also suspect strictly speaking you would also likely end up on a Q plate. As the vehicle would loose it's ID and need an IVA.

However, if you do know of a good solution to running a manual box on the LS and retaining the LT230. I'd love to know.

You’ve gone to a lot of effort to on another guys parade here. How about a bit of positivity and embracing the fact that we’re all into different stuff. This is a huge project to take on and this forum is generally about supporting those willing to push the boundaries.