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Shax



Member Since: 05 Oct 2010
Location: London
Posts: 391

England 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
DIY LS3 V8 conversion
Has anyone done a d.i.y. LS3 install?
I'd love to pop one under the bonnet of my 90XS, with a manual transmission.. Can't stand auto boxes!
I know Wildcat can do one for 28K + vat and my existing engine as a PX... Seems a bit steep when you see the retail cost of the engine and gearbox etc..

Now that the world and his dog are anti diesel, this might be the only option! Wink ... ,-------,
.. I [__][_]|__
.. I __ |"_|"__|
.. "(o)====(o)"
^^_-^-_^-^_^^^^^--^^^^
PAUL
G7ALW 14.200 USB
26FB458 / 27.275 SSB
Post #621797 4th May 2017 10:45pm
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psimpson7



Member Since: 20 Nov 2013
Location: Gold Coast, Qld.
Posts: 221

Australia 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Loire Blue
Yes. me albeit auto. Link below to my Gen1V and 6l80 swap

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic49239.html 2001 90 HT 6.0LS/6spdAuto.
2003 90 td5 soft top.
2014 90 XS SW 2.2.
Post #621803 4th May 2017 11:17pm
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Kit



Member Since: 12 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 1110

United Kingdom 1993 Defender 90 200 Tdi SW Scotia Grey
Re: DIY LS3 V8 conversion
Shax wrote:
Has anyone done a d.i.y. LS3 install?
I'd love to pop one under the bonnet of my 90XS, with a manual transmission.. Can't stand auto boxes!
I know Wildcat can do one for 28K + vat and my existing engine as a PX... Seems a bit steep when you see the retail cost of the engine and gearbox etc..

Now that the world and his dog are anti diesel, this might be the only option! Wink


Whats your experience of projects like this and what kind of workshop facilities do you have?

Bear in mind that psimpson7 industry is in mechanical engineering.

This is a time lapse of an LS3 build:

 1993 200 Tdi 90 CSW
1956 Series 1 Hard-top
1958 Series 1 Soft-top
Post #621809 5th May 2017 1:04am
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Pickles



Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3748

Australia 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green
Kit, excellent video,..."565hp" ...that is a big spec LS3. Which company did the job?
Any more info, dash, interior etc?...I couldn't get any sound on that video, but I wouldn't mind hearing it,...drive by!
Top top job, but very complex, and a LOT of dollars, but IMHO,...the ultimate power plant.
There's starting to be a few LS3 powered Defenders in the UK now from what I'm reading, ...no wonder, it's the ultimate powerplant,.....if ya've got the " wherewithall"!
Pickles.
Post #621810 5th May 2017 1:35am
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psimpson7



Member Since: 20 Nov 2013
Location: Gold Coast, Qld.
Posts: 221

Australia 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Loire Blue
To add to Kits comments, in no way is this an easy job. Don't think you will be able to knock it over in a week for 10 grand. I spent $25k AUD and everything bar about 1200$ for labour on the exhaust was parts only.

Doing a one off I would be surprised if you could come in more than a few thousand cheaper than that quote from Wildcat, and if you make mistakes it may be more.

I am lucky to have some very good friends who have various CNC machines which helped me out no end, along with similar experience to me and we could troubleshoot stuff between us.

if you are mechanically minded you can definitely do it though Smile

The guys in the States have it easiest due to access to the parts, I would say in Australia its pretty straight forward too as the Gen1V powertrains are still used in new production cars. L77/LS3/LSA etc. I dont believe it will be quite that easy in the UK.

You will get stung by customs on everything from the States as well. 2001 90 HT 6.0LS/6spdAuto.
2003 90 td5 soft top.
2014 90 XS SW 2.2.
Post #621811 5th May 2017 1:44am
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datcullen



Member Since: 15 Aug 2013
Location: UK & Italy
Posts: 153

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Java Black
Top Hat Classics - you can see a whole load of pics of this vehicle on http://www.tophatclassics.com/gallery/

Agree it's a shame there is no sound! 110 UW - '15 2.2
90 - '85 V8 soft-top
RRC - '84 5 door, Option Pack C, 33k miles from new
---
Elise S1 - '00 Millennium SE
Elan +2 - '68 kit built by my dad
Panda 4x4 - '87 in Italy
Post #621846 5th May 2017 8:15am
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Likeomg



Member Since: 29 Jun 2012
Location: Lake District / Newcastle
Posts: 2623

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
don't forget drive line / brakes / suspension...
Post #621990 5th May 2017 7:29pm
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Shax



Member Since: 05 Oct 2010
Location: London
Posts: 391

England 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Ta for the replies chaps... That's exactly what I thought....

Oh well, WeBuyAnyCar and S3 Quattro it'll be then!! ... ,-------,
.. I [__][_]|__
.. I __ |"_|"__|
.. "(o)====(o)"
^^_-^-_^-^_^^^^^--^^^^
PAUL
G7ALW 14.200 USB
26FB458 / 27.275 SSB
Post #622742 8th May 2017 7:07pm
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Pickles



Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3748

Australia 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green
Make that an "R"S3, and you won't regret it,...400HP will be insane!
Pickles.
Post #622791 8th May 2017 10:12pm
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Shax



Member Since: 05 Oct 2010
Location: London
Posts: 391

England 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
"Make that an "R"S3, and you won't regret it,...400HP will be insane!
Pickles."

Hey Pickles, if I could afford the £49k for the RS3, I'd get the LS3 transplant done to my Defender instead!
Nice idea tho! Wink ... ,-------,
.. I [__][_]|__
.. I __ |"_|"__|
.. "(o)====(o)"
^^_-^-_^-^_^^^^^--^^^^
PAUL
G7ALW 14.200 USB
26FB458 / 27.275 SSB
Post #622989 9th May 2017 8:01pm
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BigRuss



Member Since: 15 May 2010
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 2785

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
What car say save your money and buy the cheaper BMW 140! Russell
2011MY 110 XS USW Black
Post #622994 9th May 2017 8:15pm
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Likeomg



Member Since: 29 Jun 2012
Location: Lake District / Newcastle
Posts: 2623

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
Someone say rs + v8 + defender?

Click image to enlarge
Post #623011 9th May 2017 9:03pm
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Shax



Member Since: 05 Oct 2010
Location: London
Posts: 391

England 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
BigRuss wrote:
What car say save your money and buy the cheaper BMW 140!


BMW 140??? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

That's almost as bad as saying px a Defender for a Mercedes G Wagon!!!!

Subaru WRX STi or Audi S3 Quattro are today's front runners for me... ... ,-------,
.. I [__][_]|__
.. I __ |"_|"__|
.. "(o)====(o)"
^^_-^-_^-^_^^^^^--^^^^
PAUL
G7ALW 14.200 USB
26FB458 / 27.275 SSB
Post #623033 9th May 2017 9:53pm
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Kit



Member Since: 12 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 1110

United Kingdom 1993 Defender 90 200 Tdi SW Scotia Grey
I really don't like the 1 series, looks like a damn shoe! Laughing

Love Impreza... I would like to get a Hawkeye STi as my next car. 1993 200 Tdi 90 CSW
1956 Series 1 Hard-top
1958 Series 1 Soft-top
Post #623039 9th May 2017 10:33pm
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diduan



Member Since: 13 Oct 2016
Location: Central Balkan
Posts: 260

Bulgaria 
I have a question...why LS3? Especially for the puma defenders, that already have the mustang gear box, is it not easier to put the ford mustang 5.0 v8? Everyone seems to go for the LS3, maybe for a reason...am i the only one not knowing the secret? Wink Defender 110 SW MY2011 2.4tdci decat, no EGR
Jeep Wrangler YJ 1990 4.0. Front 78' Dana 60, Rear CUCV 14 bolt


Last edited by diduan on 10th May 2017 7:38am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #623074 10th May 2017 7:08am
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