Chicken Drumstick wrote:

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....

Chicken Drumstick wrote:

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 .

300hp from a n/a 4.6 RV8 is not likely cheap or easy. Plenty might claim this, only to see more like 26-280 on a dyno IMO. although that would still make a Defender fly.

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.

Top banana, looking forward to seeing this come to life. Good luck

Philip wrote:

Chicken Drumstick wrote:

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....

What a surprise, don’t let your cowboy hat fall off. A used 5.3 Vortec with its 6L80 will be a small part of the cost of a proper conversion.

Regarding prop lengths - you can keep all driveline positioning as standard.

Likeomg wrote:

I think it's a great project, just research the t56 before you jump onto one, im pretty sure the conversion to make it work the route I chose was 2x the gearbox price.

For me, having driven a ls3 90 in 430hp trim it made a great noise but still wasn't that fast, I did speak with twisted at length and rakeway (who helped them fit the first ls3 into that matte grey 110 with a manual) it was a 520hp truck and was a bit rough in a defender hence they now install 430 engines.

don't mind the fun police above seems to be his thing going between threads and bringing doom and gloom to everyone.

Defendermatt wrote:

If you're set on a manual gearbox you also have the option of the 6 speed GS6-53 from a range of BMW's. Arguably a better box than the T56 and much cheaper and easier to source here in the UK.

Shroppy wrote:

Surprised to hear that the 430bhp LS3 variant wasn't that fast? Having said that, an engine that produces peak bhp and torque at high revs isn't necessarily suited to a defender unless you're racing

100inch wrote:

I would look for a engine around the 300bhp (not American HP)

mrfirepro wrote:

Thanks for all the comments and support, it is much appreciated. I am really happy to hear opinions for all angles whether they match mine or not, as not knowing about defenders it's really good to hear all.

The major thing that attracts me to the Defender is the flexibilty and the endless options with good support, I've never done anything like this before and for me the fun is in the challenge of making something that is personal and unique to me.

However I also want the path of least resistance and having researched this over the last few months to me it seems like the LS3 is the most common options with lots on the road and no real horror stories (that i can find anyway).

The project vehicle is going to be the Puma

I'm a huge fan of the LS engines. It was one of the main reasons for buying my Camaro. I'm on my 2nd one now.

If you have the money to throw at the project. Go for it. But whenever I've looked, it has been well beyond the means of my own bank balance.

In the USA were you can rock up to a junkyard and get all the bits you'd need for $1000 it is obviously more viable. But I've heard of guys spending £20,000+ on such conversions in the UK.

Also part of me says a Jaguar AJV8 5.0 with supercharger would be keeping it more 'in house' as it were. Although these aren't easy to get working with a manual either. But you could lift and shift the entire engine and drivetrain from an RRS/FFRR into the Defender. Then just work out how to connect the axles up to the transfer box. I'm not entirely sure how Land Rover have done this with the factory ones, but it would potentially mean there are some official factory parts to support this setup.

mrfirepro wrote:

The IVA is a good point and something I've not considered. I've not seen any of these builds on Q plates so was not on my radar, I'll do some research but does anyone know the criteria.

All comments are helpful please keep them coming.

Chicken Drumstick wrote:

100inch wrote:

I would look for a engine around the 300bhp (not American HP)

eh?