We tried to use as many off-the-shelf components as possible. We designed and fabricated the adapter that goes between the LS and the ZF and the torque converter. The motor mounts are also custom. We've also made adapters that let you reuse your factory alternator bracket and AC/Power Steering bracket. That way the A/C doesn't have to be recharged and you can reuse your power steering pump and alternator. The LS has no internal modifications -- just a different oil pan and throttle body.

The wiring and ECU were difficult to figure out. I wanted to use the GM ECU because it is very easy to tune and get more power and efficiency. However, most of the Rover sensors are completely incompatible with the GM and cannot be simply wired together. Some sensors are duplicated, for others I had to use a simple microcontroller that feeds certain signals from the LS CAN over to the Bosch. The Bosch feeds everything else - BCU, TCU, SLABS - so they remain operational.

With the price I have in mind and a cheap junkyard LS, an enthusiast could do this swap for significantly less than a Turner shortblock. It would depend on options - i.e. headers or manifolds, and the engine choice. But in the end, you would have a lot more power, reliability, and cheap, plentiful parts.

 

There is definately a market for a kit.
Once you get it all sorted out, please post pictures details, and price.
I think you would immediately sell a couple kits, and it would take off.
Not alot of love for LR engines.

 

Had I not just rebuilt my 4.6 I'de be beating your door down wanting an LS kit, lol!

 

We'll get a parts list together -- which will give a good estimate on total price -- and an install picture guide. It's a fairly easy install - no more difficult than a Rover V8.

 

Thank you sir!
I just spent way too much in my D2, but I'm still interested in a kit. It would give me confidence to keep this thing long term.
Several others here recently looking for engine alternatives as well.

 

Aye !

 

Would this be emission legal in CA? I think I know the answer but I can hope!

 

You'd have to goto a referee and make it all legit but if the engine is stock, has cats etc it'll probably be fine. Also depends on where you live since some county's don't require smog

 

If the smog test station in CA knows what a Rover V8 should look like, it wont pass the visual inspection.

But with all the emissions items in place, don't know why it wouldn't pass the OBDII port test.

 

The GM ECU controls the check engine light and a second OBD2 port is added. As long as the GM ECU is happy, then the check engine should go off. As far as I understand it, regulations typically specify that swaps are legal as long as the engine is of the same or newer model year as the chassis it's going into and it is the same vehicle type (i.e. light truck to light truck) and all emissions equipment must be brought from the vehicle the engine came out of to the new vehicle. I don't know much about California though.

I'm confident that it could pass emissions in states that use the OBDII plug scan because it shows no codes. It has the Cats, O2s, and EVAP hooked up now. I'll look into emissions more, but it seems to be different on a state by state basis.