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FD7



Member Since: 16 Feb 2021
Location: Midland
Posts: 170
2006 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Auto Chawton White
V8 Ninety / V8 Defender guidance required
Hello all....

I've always liked the idea of a V8 90 or Defender, but recently found myself increasingly in want of one... I'm a little familiar with TD5 / TDCIs, but V8 Ninety or V8 Defenders are more new to me.

So thought I'd ask if any members could point me in the direction of a guide / resource area (aside from the forum, which is great Laughing ) you've come across to allow me to become a bit more informed on them?

I suppose quite interested in the original V8 90 and then perhaps Defender V8s.


Happy for anyone to PM me too, even if you happen to have one you may sell Thumbs Up Smile
Post #948479 7th Apr 2022 1:22pm
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Lodelaner



Member Since: 04 Feb 2010
Location: Lambourn
Posts: 633
United Kingdom 1988 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Shire Blue
I love a good book - and have a few!


Click image to enlarge

I'd probably point you towards the James Taylor books:
Land Rover One Ten and Ninety specification guide
Land Rover 90 and 110 Range - 30 years of the Coil-Sprung 4x4 models

I'm not sure if you can still get it - but the Land Rover 90 110 Defender Gold Portfolio 1983-1994 by Brooklands Books has some good reading and reviews of the early V8s.

I'm also a bit of a detail nerd, have had a factory Ninety V8 CSW, 50th Anniversary and have now another 3.9 V8 soft top. JB

@Lodelaner Instagram

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Post #948481 7th Apr 2022 1:40pm
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JOW240725



Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7908
United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
I was going to mention James Taylors book.

But really you just need to buy one! Thumbs Up James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers
Post #948482 7th Apr 2022 1:42pm
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Chicken Drumstick



Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 761
United Kingdom 
Re: V8 Ninety / V8 Defender guidance required
FD7 wrote:
Hello all....

I've always liked the idea of a V8 90 or Defender, but recently found myself increasingly in want of one... I'm a little familiar with TD5 / TDCIs, but V8 Ninety or V8 Defenders are more new to me.

So thought I'd ask if any members could point me in the direction of a guide / resource area (aside from the forum, which is great Laughing ) you've come across to allow me to become a bit more informed on them?

I suppose quite interested in the original V8 90 and then perhaps Defender V8s.


Happy for anyone to PM me too, even if you happen to have one you may sell Thumbs Up Smile

What do you want to know?

By and large they are still a Ninety or Defender. i.e. most of the bits are the same still. Although by the time of the Defender name (i.e. TDI introduction), very few factory V8's sold, esp in the UK until phased out.

Normally the V8's have a 4 pin rear diff, even if they have drums. And the gearbox is usually an LT-85, although not sure if they ever used the LT-77S of R380 on latter examples.

The 50th Anni model is a V8 and nice, but big premium. They are all auto.

NAS are nice, but also big premium these days.

True factory V8's are tall geared and low on power. Nice, but no rocket ship when compared to a tuned Tdi or newer diesel.

Any with a 3.9/4.0/4.6 EFI swap will go way better however. Pretty easy conversion if you find a tidy diesel of any vintage.
Post #948492 7th Apr 2022 3:10pm
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Lodelaner



Member Since: 04 Feb 2010
Location: Lambourn
Posts: 633
United Kingdom 1988 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Shire Blue
https://www.lrukforums.com/resources/early-90-buying-advice.132/

A forum to forum link, but it does have some pertinent info. Ref the V8.

LT85 was used up to around 1990, then LT77, then R380 from 1994MY.

Agree that they’re overgeared - I ended up with a 1.4 tbox on my Ninety and 50th Anniversary. I have a 1.2 in my manual serpentine 3 .9 V8 now. JB

@Lodelaner Instagram

Youtube greenlaning and other LR related content
Post #948497 7th Apr 2022 3:56pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10383
United Kingdom 
I’m partial to a v8 Wink
Post #948522 7th Apr 2022 5:39pm
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mikeh501



Member Since: 07 Jan 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1142
United Kingdom 
Smiles per mile
Post #948539 7th Apr 2022 7:22pm
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Ranger 6



Member Since: 17 Jan 2019
Location: Yorkshireman trapped in a Surrey postcode
Posts: 205
United Kingdom 1988 Defender 90 V8 Petrol CSW Rimini Red
JOW240725 wrote:
....But really you just need to buy one! Thumbs Up


This!! Thumbs Up 90 V8 CSW - 1988
Post #948632 8th Apr 2022 1:41pm
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defender9



Member Since: 12 Mar 2016
Location: Fylde Coast
Posts: 1629
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
My V8 has the normal 3.5 carb engine with the 5 speed LT85, it’s definitely no rocket ship but doesn’t need to be. Of course you can go for one of the later Works V8’s which LR produced if you can find one and have around £150K or thereabouts lying around Whistle However I’m happy with my Old School V8, just enough power and a nice burble from the exhaust.



Click image to enlarge
Post #948764 9th Apr 2022 10:39am
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10383
United Kingdom 
V8 rag. It’s the ultimate. (Even more so with an auto).

This hit the streets this week, 3UZ (manual). Lovely car, really nice owner.



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Post #948768 9th Apr 2022 11:29am
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Chicken Drumstick



Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 761
United Kingdom 
defender9 wrote:
My V8 has the normal 3.5 carb engine with the 5 speed LT85, it’s definitely no rocket ship but doesn’t need to be. Of course you can go for one of the later Works V8’s which LR produced if you can find one and have around £150K or thereabouts lying around Whistle However I’m happy with my Old School V8, just enough power and a nice burble from the exhaust.



Click image to enlarge


Looks fab. If you have a burble from the exhaust, it must be aftermarket though. Stock exhaust is very quiet and mutes the V8 a lot.
Post #948985 11th Apr 2022 10:11am
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defender9



Member Since: 12 Mar 2016
Location: Fylde Coast
Posts: 1629
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
^^^ yes aftermarket stainless steel with s/s manifolds, think it was from Double S.
Post #949033 11th Apr 2022 4:22pm
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FD7



Member Since: 16 Feb 2021
Location: Midland
Posts: 170
2006 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Auto Chawton White
Thank you all for the insights, I've been having / continue to have a very good read indeed! Thumbs Up Thumbs Up Thumbs Up Glad I asked, as always credit to the forum Very Happy

I think a V8 rag top / pickup or CSW would be more in keeping for what I'd like.

I just fancy trying something a little different for a while and not necessarily expecting a rocket ship just an all round nice vehicle with a more pleasant engine note. Then see where that takes me..... (Usually getting onto track days would keep me entertained, but I'm unlikely to get that time commitment, so would be nice to get out on the road and enjoy this instead)

As far as engines go, learning plenty already and would be great to eventually build a project to my own spec, but I think as I'm so unfamiliar with their characteristics (replies have been very insightful however), its probably wise that I start getting some experience under my belt with one.
Post #949053 11th Apr 2022 7:10pm
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FD7



Member Since: 16 Feb 2021
Location: Midland
Posts: 170
2006 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Auto Chawton White
well, I've been reading and reading. Searching and searching, but that doesn't appear to be an easy task. Seems like something that requires a bit of a time perhaps Confused


How are these engines for general running / behaving well?
Post #949890 19th Apr 2022 9:19pm
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Lodelaner



Member Since: 04 Feb 2010
Location: Lambourn
Posts: 633
United Kingdom 1988 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Shire Blue
Fine if serviced and looked after. Sensitive to missed oil changes and overheating if neglected like any other engine.

But, they’re smooth and will tolerate quite a lot of wear to cam and valve train without sounding like a bag of spanners.

To drive they’re great off and on road. The low speed driveability is unlike a diesel and they even tolerate running backwards on a failed hill climb.

What books did you get in the end to satisfy your thirst for knowledge? JB

@Lodelaner Instagram

Youtube greenlaning and other LR related content
Post #949893 19th Apr 2022 10:11pm
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