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We've been working on an LS conversion for the Discovery 2 for the last year. All adapters were made in house and utilize the factory transmission and transfer case. We are using a stock GM LS 5.3L Vortec engine. This engine came straight from a junkyard with 120,000 miles and very few modifications. We're using a GM engine computer to run the LS, while the Bosch runs the transmission and everything else. Everything has been working very well so far. Going to do some more testing in the coming weeks.
Update: Just completed a 300 mile trip with the LS-powered Discovery. Mostly highway driving at 70-80 mph. It ran flawlessly and all the dash lights stayed off. The A/C, traction control are all working as expected. I didn't get a fuel economy calculation, but it seems a bit better than a stock Discovery and I was running regular gas.
The driving experience is, for the most part, the same as a normal Discovery. There is noticeably more torque, so even on fairly steep grades the transmission doesn't downshift to maintain cruising speed, which is a nice change. The biggest change is now when the sport mode button is pressed, the LS comes alive and pulls hard. More than enough power to keep up with traffic (and pass) on the interstate.
In the beginning, I was a little concerned in the beginning about using the stock radiator, but it seems to be perfectly up to the task. I sat in traffic with the A/C on with the ambient temperature in the mid 90s and the temp never went over 203. Highway cruising with A/C the temps sat between 194-198. The GM thermostat is a 195. The Land Rover viscous fan and trimmed radiator shroud are working good.
I'm going to continue to daily drive it. After 154,000 miles, the original shocks are long gone, so we're going to order a 2" lift kit this week. We're also starting to work on a 2002 Disco this week.
The 03-04 have the 4HP24, which was used behind the big BMW V12s in the 90s. Those made just as much torque as this LS, so it should be okay. The transfer case is solid. Rears should be fine. The power stats on the engine are 300 hp 335 ft-lbs.
So, when finished, is there a plan to sell a kit with everything needed, minus LS engine?
Yes, if there is enough interest. We've designed it to be completely bolt-on and something that an enthusiast could do in their garage. Fits into the factory motor mounts. Only welding should be connecting the cats to the manifolds or headers -- and a local exhaust shop could do that easy.
Other than the wiring/ecu, what parts have you made/are required? Is there an adapter to make the LS fit the D2 transmission?
As of now, if you want an LS conversion, you have to pay one of 2 places for a complete install, because they won't sell you the parts to do it yourself.
As junk as the Bosch engines are, vs how good and readily available LS's are, I'm sure you could sell a few kits initially. From there, you may get more business than you imagine.
I just spent over $2k in parts to rebuild my 4.6
I could've gotten a junkyard LS for wayyyy less.
07-11-2018 | 08:45 PM
Discovery 2 LS Conversion
