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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 896

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black
110 V8 Advice
So . . . V8s Whistle

I’ve decided that my fast approaching next project is going to be a V8, and probably a 110 V8.

Would those in the know be able to give me some advice on what to look for, any specific issues, is mileage a concern, et cetera, et cetera please?

I’m well versed in the generic Defender issues of rust, galvanic corrosion, and leaks of all sorts.

What would be even better is if someone knows of a good one, or has one, for sale!

Thanks in advance. Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #940060 29th Jan 2022 6:07pm
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v8bob



Member Since: 14 Mar 2018
Location: Midlands
Posts: 317

United Kingdom 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
I have recently bought a 109 stage 1 v8. I rather like it.
It starts out with £300+ worth of free fuel.
Once you take into account zero road tax and no mot cost👍
What’s not to like.
Bob


Last edited by v8bob on 29th Jan 2022 10:25pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #940083 29th Jan 2022 8:50pm
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JOW240725



Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7906

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Highly recommend the 3.5V8 not the most powerful but just lovely. Cool 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 #940096 29th Jan 2022 9:30pm
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kenzle8a



Member Since: 12 Feb 2020
Location: None
Posts: 1074

 
My oldest mate has had a 3.5 110 in their family since 1988, fantastic thing that we have had many an adventure in. The only down side is every time he takes it out OPEC have to raise oil production Laughing
Post #940104 29th Jan 2022 10:20pm
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 896

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black
Yep I’m aware the fuel consumption is akin to that of an oil tanker, probably actually more in all seriousness Laughing

With a few tasteful mods, it looks as though the 3.5 can be made mildly more zesty Whistle Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #940108 29th Jan 2022 10:56pm
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Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
An early 110 V8 is a lovely thing but I would personally look into swapping the 3.5 out for a 4.6. There is a little bit of wiring to sort but nothing major, and it will yield a power gain of around 200%. If the 3.5 is the original, pop it under the bench should you wish to refit in the future.

The Rover V8s are great engines and can run and sound well despite significant wear. Whilst a rebuild can be completed relatively cheaply, components such as good quality lifters are getting harder to source. Roland at ACR is very highly regarded in the RV8 world, a proper old school engineering firm. 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #940142 30th Jan 2022 9:56am
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 896

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black
Good tip, Shroppy! Would you go for an essentially new 4.6 or a good take out? Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #940145 30th Jan 2022 10:05am
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Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
Having had many V8s apart, I would suggest a remanufactured 4.6 from ACR or similar. I was very lucky and happened on a new 4.6 by chance which I am currently tweaking to around 260bhp and similar torque (lb/ft). Most of the 4.6 engines on the market are removed from scrap P38s and in need of refurbishment so a remanufactured engine makes sense if you're planning to restore the vehicle?

It's also worth considering gearbox / transferbox upgrades at the same time. Most of the early 110s will be fitted with either an LT95 (4 speed) or LT85 (5 speed). Whilst very strong they are agricultural and lack the relative finesse of later boxes. I have elected to build a 'HD' spec R380 and ATB equipped LT230 to go behind my 4.6 which should give a more pleasant driving experience.

If you go down the 4.6 route, the GEMS engine management system is excellent and relatively fuel efficient (unless you're Greeni Rolling with laughter ). You will need a manual flywheel with trigger ring (assuming you don't want to run an auto box), second hand ones are akin to rocking horse poop but new ones are available from Rakeway.

Appreciate this is now in 'restomod' territory but these upgrades are the best 'factory' ones available imo and only the Eagle eyed will know. Thumbs Up

There are a few of us on the forum who have ventured down this road - Greeni, Hufflepuff and myself to name a few. All will be happy to offer advice I'm sure. 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"


Last edited by Shroppy on 30th Jan 2022 10:34am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #940150 30th Jan 2022 10:17am
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 896

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black
That’s some great info there, Shroppy. Thank you!

I am a bit of a sucker for a manual, so I would need to consider an upgrade to an R380. I know Winchester now offer a rather comprehensive HD version.

I first need to find a vehicle before I can start worrying about dropping a fat V8 lump into it!

There’s a 110 on the market that’s been through the forum a couple of times, so I might go and have a look round that in the next few weeks. Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #940155 30th Jan 2022 10:31am
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10382

United Kingdom 
My ears were burning

If you want a reasonable amount of power, go for a 1uz/3uz Lexus swap.
Far from original, I know, but more power than a Rover and certainly cheaper than an ACR turnkey.

If you want a lot of power, go the LS way, I should have done this, but i don’t regret the 4.6 (driving a ‘sorted’ LS powered 110 with a 6L80e is an experience to behold).

In my personal opinion, being a ‘sucker for a manual’ is my ‘thing’’ too. Except in a Land Rover. In a Porsche, Audi RS etc etc I’d go for manual…because Porsche, Audi RS etc etc don’t have an r380 and a big daft squeaky clutch pedal.

You’re welcome to poke around my Ninety and I’d be happy to take you for a spin in it too.

Another point to add, a ‘hot’ td5 will worry any Rv8… but, v8 for life
Cool

Edit to add… my auto is an Ashcroft HP22/24 hybrid ‘monster’ box and transformed the scumbag into an absolute delight, it surprises many at traffic lights and cruises beautifully at 70-90mph (when in Mexico).
Post #940245 30th Jan 2022 6:24pm
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Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
I must confess, the 1UZ / 3UZ would be my choice had my engine not cropped up at the right money, simply lovely. 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #940246 30th Jan 2022 6:31pm
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mikeh501



Member Since: 07 Jan 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1142

United Kingdom 
Can’t beat a v8 Thumbs Up . Mines a 4.6 too. No regrets but auto does cross my mind now and again. Mine is a hopped up remanufactured unit from RPI with a late r380 running Megasquirt ECU.


Click image to enlarge


Me and Greeni aren’t too far away in staffs shroppy, be good to have a v8 meet Mr. Green
Post #940247 30th Jan 2022 6:35pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10382

United Kingdom 
We do the v8 ragtop meet often

Click image to enlarge
Post #940249 30th Jan 2022 6:43pm
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 896

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black
You’ve got my mind spinning now, Greeni Laughing

I already have a spicy Td5, with all the AlliSport and Td5INSIDE toys. Hence why I want to get into the V8 life!

I hadn’t considered a Lexus conversion. Maybe that’s something I need to investigate Whistle

I’m not sure now whether to find a nice and sorted 3.5, run it until I get bored and then swap out the motor, or find a rot box and start with a fresh V8 . . .

I’m only certain about the fact that I’m after a 110, or perhaps a 4-door RRC. Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #940251 30th Jan 2022 7:01pm
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 896

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black
I’ve seen this one, and it’s caught my attention.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1984-Land-Rover...635-2958-0

What do the V8 aficionados reckon?

I know it’s been through the forum a couple of times already, but does anyone have any first hand knowledge of it? Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #940252 30th Jan 2022 7:05pm
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