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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7908   
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I'm afraid I can't help with technical stuff, but my first Defender was 3.5V8 90 and it was awesome!
Good luck, sounds an awesome project! Keep us posted  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 |
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7th Apr 2018 7:45pm |
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| PumaPhil Member Since: 26 Oct 2014 Location: Bridgend Posts: 201  
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Thanks
I will do a proper build thread when I start. I'm looking forward to that V8 soundtrack! |
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7th Apr 2018 8:33pm |
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| defender9 Member Since: 12 Mar 2016 Location: Fylde Coast Posts: 1629 
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A 3.5 is a nice conversion. Mine is a factory built 3.5 with the LT85 and is a nice set up if slightly agricultural.
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7th Apr 2018 8:53pm |
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| PumaPhil Member Since: 26 Oct 2014 Location: Bridgend Posts: 201
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Was the LT85 standard on early V8 90’s? Most threads i’ve read on the conversion are also converting to auto - usually lifting a complete engine and transmission from a Discovery or Range Rover. I’ve yet to find any info on keeping the LT77 ‘box. Although apparently an LT77 is the go-to gearbox when putting a Rover V8 into a kit-car.
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8th Apr 2018 7:36pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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The LT85 was introduced because the LT77 wasn't up to the job of a V8 in a Land Rover. Kit cars are a lot lighter and so less of an issue.
I'm pretty sure that the LT77 was used in the TRV8 but again, a much lighter car. Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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8th Apr 2018 7:58pm |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2709 
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You’ll need an LT85, or a R380/LT77 in V8 spec with the correct V8 input shaft. And with Defender shifters, which means having it made up or adapted unless you get very lucky and find one (most V8 boxes come out of Discos). Then you’ll need a bellhousing to suit, the LT85 has its own type and fits V8s no problem but LT77 and R380 bellhousings to fit V8 are pretty rare. And they differ in length because the boxes & input shafts differ in length. I made that mistake.
You’ll then need to use the later wide gearbox tunnel, seatbox and floor plates in order to fit it underneath. Or suitably modify your 4cyl ones. And new propshafts too. Finally you will, depending on the age of your vehicle, potentially need to widen the tunnel in the bulkhead to suit. However that would give you a ‘factory’ setup
Alternatively you could leave the transfer box, gearbox etc. in the standard 4cyl position and use custom mounts for the engine. This would mean custom pipework etc. as well though that’s usually not a big deal. An LT77 should fit under the 4cyl tunnel in this position, but no guarantees with the other boxes. LT85 is a bigger unit. |
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9th Apr 2018 7:43pm |
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| PumaPhil Member Since: 26 Oct 2014 Location: Bridgend Posts: 201
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Great, thanks Retroanaconda. Just the answer I was looking for. So if I understand that correctly, a Discovery V8 to LT77 bell housing and input shaft on my gearbox would allow the V8 to fit without bulkhead modification? Just the engine mounts and plumbing to sort then. Happy to do all the mechanical and welding work, but would like to keep it all related to one component. So all mods around the engine, leaving body and gearbox location standard (at least it seems to make sense in my head to do it that way).
Landroveranorak - I seem to recall the reconditioned gearbox I fitted is an LT77S, and so slightly stronger? This Land Rover will be relieved of all towing duties, and I’m not really into heavy off-roading so I’m hoping that the LT77 will stand up to the job. |
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9th Apr 2018 8:54pm |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2709
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If you use a Disco V8 LT77 (with shifters changed to Defender spec) then I think so yes. The bulkhead aperture is quite tight on the 4cyl (200Tdi and earlier) models and the V8 box would be about 2" further back than 'normal', however the V8 bellhousing is a lot longer than a 4cyl one and so the 'bell' bit of it is further forwards.
Unfortunately the only real way to know for sure is to try it. |
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10th Apr 2018 1:55pm |
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| PumaPhil Member Since: 26 Oct 2014 Location: Bridgend Posts: 201
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Thanks again for the info 'anaconda. As you say, the only real way to know is try and see. Any photos of your build, or a build thread on here?
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10th Apr 2018 5:21pm |
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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2238 
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Interested in what you mention about the bulkhead aperture. I have just fitted a 3.9 with R380 into my 90 and bulkhead aperture is identical to tdi's and my TD5. The 90 it has gone into is a very early one.
I have changed the 'diaphragm' which is attached to the bulkhead though which I wonder if you are referring too. You are quite correct with the other things you mention though. Only other thing I can add are a different radiator and hoses Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread |
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10th Apr 2018 6:36pm |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2709
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There’s a build thread on the LR4x4 forum, it’s a long way from finished though.
Some bulkheads have a changeable diaphragm which makes things a lot easier as you just fit one to suit the tunnel/floor you want, however some have a fixed welded on flange. |
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10th Apr 2018 6:54pm |
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| charcoal Member Since: 28 Jul 2014 Location: Hampshire Posts: 942 
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The LT77s was fitted to factory v8 Defenders from 1991 to 1994 being replaced by the R380 if I remember correctly so it should be up to the task. If you get the bellhousing and input shaft for a v8 you can keep the current LT77 and just replace those giving you the factory position of the v8. 1999 Land Rover Defender 110 td5 station wagon 1998 Land Rover Defender 110 County Station Wagon ~ Sold 1995 Land Rover Defender 110 V8 Station Wagon ~ Sold 
1985 Land Rover 110 ex mod project Tithonus ~ Sold |
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14th Apr 2018 12:43am |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2709
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It won’t give the factory position of the V8 because the transmission is mounted in a different position in the chassis on early 4cyl vehicles. The engine would be about 2” rearwards from factory.
But easily worked around in terms of pipes etc. |
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14th Apr 2018 6:41am |
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| PumaPhil Member Since: 26 Oct 2014 Location: Bridgend Posts: 201
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Thanks both. Hopefully with the engine 2 inches further back it will still leave enough room to clear the bulkhead - I have read that some conversions mount the engine so far back that the rocker covers cannot be removed.
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14th Apr 2018 12:01pm |
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