Hey everyone,

Thought I might throw this out there and get some opinions.
We have our block in the shop right now and waiting for the verdict wether good or bad so we are looking at options just incase. Marks4WD has an adapter for putting Chevy power in front of the factory ZF4 but I was wondering how the factory tranny would be controlled.
Now have any of you heard or done this conversion before?
Myself coming from Jeeps with no TC or HDC I wouldn't miss them if a swap was done.
I am also looking at diesel, possibly Cummins 4BT or Rover but still need to explore this more.
Being new to Land Rovers, what possible problems could we expect from the factory ZF4?
My wife and I love the Discovery but, get nervous when it comes to reading postes about tranny issues, overheating issues, various electrical and engine codes. We bought are D2 for $1500 in 8/10 condition but with a bunk engine so it leaves room for fixing and still be under market value (hopefully).

Your thoughts are very welcomed

 

Ashcroft makes a very expensive stand alone transmission controller. You could also go back to an older non-computer controlled transmission like from a D1. Another option would be to use a Chevy transmission and buy the transfer case adapter from the same place instead of the transmission adapter. Another option might be to trick the Bosch engine computer into working on the Chevy engine, then you could just keep all of the stock computers intact. I figure the cam sensor and the crank sensor might be the biggest challenges, tooth counts and what-not.

 

Keep the dream alive. Many have asked, some have wished for it, a few have started. We have seen conversions into older Series Landys, and a few Mercedes diesels have been done. Hvae not seen a full write up with pictures of a chevy conversion on this site in last two years.

With a D2 having an electronic tranny that communicates with the engine ECU for a wide variety of parameters, it won't be a drop in chevy conversion.

You would think that if ten guys had done this, one of them wouild have had a camera.

 

I am definitely no stranger to engine conversions, custom fabing and stand alone ECM's so I do see this as a challange but far from dificult.
The wife and I were just out walking the dog and discussing our options and one she said that is manditory was it stays automatic, I agree.
This is still all very premature as we don't know the status of our block but, hey nothing like being prepared.
The biggest factor here is reliability, we travel deep into the backcountry and always having to worry if you get back wears thin on you.
Our D2 has the CDL which we would lose if we go all Chevy (engine, tranny, t-case)but that could be solved with ARB lockers later.
I will take some measurements and check mounting locations and see what I'm up against then go from there.

 

You may also find that DIY head gaskets and top hat block (machine shop does that) and a 180f thermostat would provide a reliable engine. There have been write ups on that, and costs are under $3000. The newer a Rover gets the more it depends on interface between multiple computers and systems for all the bells and whistles. Once you divide off the ECU then you have to deal with tranny, body control unit (BCU) and on and on.

Consdering that a D2 puffed out an impressive 187 HP (4.0) or 217 HP (4.6); it is unlikely that the ZF and sum of other parts is built for what a small block Chevy can produce with moderate tuning.

Not saying it is impossible. Most guys just either live with it or buy something else. See https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...ht=Proof+Chevy 7000+ have viewed it, but no pix yet of a finished conversion. I suspect that once SWMBO sees the money pit getting wider the plug gets pulled.

 

Also, see ::: Drag Racing Online ::: Columns - Agent 1320 - 3/3/2008

Has the famous Rover dragster photos, plus the aftermath of that power taking the old Rover into the wall and squashing it. All five wheel studs snapped off at about 90 mph.








You can do anything, with enough funding and time.

 

Yes, you could do the Chevy conversion but Lord will it cost you, plus you would have to replace both diffs cause the standard spider gears won't handle that power.
As for the Diesel, first check and see if it will be legal in your state.

 

I keep seeing these threads, and I understand the desire (I really do!), but it just doesn't end up being monetairly practical. The ONLY conversion I've seen is to a BMW V-12. You'll probably come to the same conclusion as most everyone else...just not worth the cost. That is unless you're willing to go with a carbbed set-up.

At the low end, fix your block (if it's repairable) & pin the liners. For more money, the top-hat rebuilts from AB are tough to beat. For a tad more, you can have more perks from Great Plains Rover or D&D Fab (both reputable!).

That said, I'd like nothing more than for one of these conversion threads to actually happen!

 

I would wager a few frothy adult beverages that even if someone does a conversion, it will be so far past what could be done under the home shade tree that only a very few will do it. Growing up in the US, where factories built lines of cars with multiple engines this was a lot easier. The humble Doge Dart could boast a 225, 318, 340, 383, or even be stuffed with a 440. A few 426, but no space to work on them. Same over in the Chevy garage, a whole family of similar engine blocks waiting to be swapped about.

But Rover put in what works in a broad variety of applications, and once you have a working engine the extra mods, like lockers, roof rack, tires, etc. become what makes the weekends fun. Not too many Rovers on the drag strip, but frequently in the parking lot.

 

I do have to agree as I did more research into just the electronics and the mutiple computers to run the Rover it could be a very expensive and head bashing idea.
Like I said before this is our first Rover and working mainly on Jeeps (including dropping a Hemi into a YJ) the Rover's electrical architecture is something the space shuttle would be envy of.
We have decided we will stay Rover and have just got of the phone with one of the fellows at Great Plains Rover's about there rebuilds. There engines are sleeved as well as cammed and studded which makes total sense. This might be our option, keep you posted.

Thanks everyone for your input.