Discovery II Talk about the Land Rover Discovery II within.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Another Rover Performance Thread

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 6, 2024 | 07:18 PM
  #1  
Americanlion's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Default Another Rover Performance Thread

I'll make it quick, I'd like to get some opinions about swapping my 2002 Discovery 4.0 V8 with a Rover 4.2 Supercharged V8. I realize this would involve getting the entire drivetrain (engine, transmission, transfer case and last but not least the computer(s) Of course I anticipate there would be other parts/modifications needed but I thought I'd run it past some folks. I have access to a 2006 donor vehicle but I'd like some opinions. Has anyone done this or considered it? I'm not looking to make my Discovery a fast *** rover but, I want to get it past that 70's Malaise Era performance
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2024 | 08:01 PM
  #2  
Alex_M's Avatar
Camel Trophy
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 985
From: Southwestern Virginia
Default

I think if I were going thru that much trouble I'd just LS swap and then pick my desired power number. 6.0 with a cam is 450 HP NA, mate to a 4l80 or NV4500 depending on preference. Alternatively a 4.8 or 5.3 and a 4l60e or NV3500 for a lower power, lower cost option. Square body transfer case is passenger drop or adapt the Rover tcase. If youre thrifty and you do the work yourself, you can be into the swap for around $3-5k.
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2024 | 09:17 PM
  #3  
Best4x4's Avatar
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,985
Likes: 2,497
From: Beaumont, TX
Default

The Jag engine is probably WAY to wide for the RRC/D1/D2 frame width. Those Jag engines being DOHC are wide engines vs the old school LR V8. I agree if you are going with another power plant I'd look at an LS 4.8/5.3/6.2L if you're gonna basically gut it and go full on custom.
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2024 | 11:02 AM
  #4  
sqlbullet's Avatar
Mudding
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 230
Likes: 111
Default

I completely agree the easy button here is an LS swap.

But, I think it would be really interesting to swap a Buick 3800 L67 or L32. It has lineage that leads back to to the Buick V8 that became the Rover 4.0/4.6. The supercharged 3800 makes the same to slightly better torque, and much more power. It offers the promise of better fuel economy, though who knows once you strap it in a brick with off-road gearing. You can amp up the power and toque quite a bit with a simple pulley swap on the supercharger.

A 3800 swap offers to preserve the spirit and soul of a Buick engineered power plant, moderately more power that probably won't over-stress the driveline, about the same weight, maybe less, and probably better to much better fuel economy.
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2024 | 01:43 PM
  #5  
whowa004's Avatar
Pro Wrench
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 944
From: Denver, CO
Default

Originally Posted by sqlbullet
I completely agree the easy button here is an LS swap.

But, I think it would be really interesting to swap a Buick 3800 L67 or L32. It has lineage that leads back to to the Buick V8 that became the Rover 4.0/4.6. The supercharged 3800 makes the same to slightly better torque, and much more power. It offers the promise of better fuel economy, though who knows once you strap it in a brick with off-road gearing. You can amp up the power and toque quite a bit with a simple pulley swap on the supercharger.

A 3800 swap offers to preserve the spirit and soul of a Buick engineered power plant, moderately more power that probably won't over-stress the driveline, about the same weight, maybe less, and probably better to much better fuel economy.
now that's an interesting direction. and those motors are super reliable in my experience.
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2024 | 02:53 PM
  #6  
rikkd's Avatar
Rock Crawling
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 445
Likes: 134
From: sf bay / western oregon
Default

If I had all the time and money in the world I'd love to do that.
 
Reply
Old May 11, 2024 | 08:00 AM
  #7  
PickleRick's Avatar
Rock Crawling
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 482
Likes: 175
From: Top secret government location
Default

The 4l80e is an amazing heavy duty transmission that can take just about anything you throw at it. The only issue is the kick out oil pan that will interfere with the passenger drop prop shaft. You MAY be able to get a custom thin prop shaft to work with enough lift and clocking of the lt230

The 6l80 is the solution here but it's $$$ and the controller is $$$. The lt230 adapters for this are readily available and I things it's zero gravity can't can supply you with the trans, adapter and controller. Plan on spending 7 to 10k just for the trans set up. I've done many diesel conversions in Toyotas and never spent half that, make it an unrealistic swap for many due to the costs. Sourcing your own used 6l80 could make it a much more reasonable price. Reliability seems to be an issue with the 6l80 but seems easily rectifiable so long as you get and upgrade the torque converter before it goes bad
 
Reply
Old May 11, 2024 | 10:45 AM
  #8  
RA122125's Avatar
Banned
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 260
Likes: 181
Default

The Range Rover (L322) in Europe came stock with the BMW M57 Turbo Diesel (TD6)

US based BMW M57 engines can easily have 300hp, 600ftlb tq, 8spd transmissions, and get 30-35mpg in their vehicles. No noise, no vibration, no stink...just crazy power, great reliability, and great gas mileage for large heavy vehicles. Sounds like a perfect fit for our beasts to me. The parts are comparable or cheaper than LS swap parts, and companies in Europe can provide all that's needed computer and wiring wise to make the swap even easier than an LS, from what I understand.

Seems like a good idea, on paper anyway?
 
Reply
Old May 11, 2024 | 01:14 PM
  #9  
Americanlion's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Default

My 4.2 Supercharge pipe dream.

Many thanks to all who responded. All of you had valid points which is what I needed. I realized there are too many road blocks in installation and final cost $$$$ .My best and only choice would be to leave things the way thing are. I'm capable of rebuilding the old engine (when needed) I'll just have a shop install the Top Hats and the rest will be a breeze. I just found it funny that a modern (half the displacement) Turbocharge 2.0 Discovery produces 280 H.P. And for the record I have NO intentions of putting a 4 cylinder engine in my Discovery. That would be a crime.
 
Reply
Old May 11, 2024 | 02:35 PM
  #10  
whowa004's Avatar
Pro Wrench
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 944
From: Denver, CO
Default

Originally Posted by PickleRick
The 4l80e is an amazing heavy duty transmission that can take just about anything you throw at it. The only issue is the kick out oil pan that will interfere with the passenger drop prop shaft. You MAY be able to get a custom thin prop shaft to work with enough lift and clocking of the lt230

The 6l80 is the solution here but it's $$$ and the controller is $$$. The lt230 adapters for this are readily available and I things it's zero gravity can't can supply you with the trans, adapter and controller. Plan on spending 7 to 10k just for the trans set up. I've done many diesel conversions in Toyotas and never spent half that, make it an unrealistic swap for many due to the costs. Sourcing your own used 6l80 could make it a much more reasonable price. Reliability seems to be an issue with the 6l80 but seems easily rectifiable so long as you get and upgrade the torque converter before it goes bad
a trans controller is a grand or run an gen 4 LS ECU with the trans controller built in. I'd argue that the trans set up is far far below 7-10k to run a 6l90. Plus the benefit of the gearing is you can achieve very low gearing if leveraging the t-case and diff ratios correctly in low range.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:50 PM.