Couldn't agree more on the LS swap @Best4x4. That would be my preference as well as Rover engines become more scarce. Unless you go with the full Turner treatment - Cam, gas flowed heads, etc. (and pay mightily for it) the Top Hat motor just gets you back to square one power wise with a little more insurance. A 4.8 LS is a great option, and all those items you list are a huge plus. I think there is something cool about the Rover V8, but that will wear off pretty quickly once cores are few and far between and they just get more expensive.

On a cool note, I was racing a few weekends ago (my day job is selling an electronic product for motorsports - so I get to the track and still get to drive a good bit) at Charlotte Motorspeedway on the infield road course. It was with one of the cheap endurance racing leagues where you see all sorts of crazy cars on track. There was a Triumph TR7 with a 3.5 Rover V8. They complete all 15 hours at race pace. I went and talked to them and they said the Rover motor has been super reliable. It was cool to see something so unique out there. They were not fast, but it was cool.

Personally I'd prefer to go the R2.8 Cummins route, but it's just not affordable yet. Also being someone who can do basic maintenance but not major projects makes me weary of a swap in general since finding a good shop to take on such a project for reasonable money seems like a big ask.


Another route that I have considered is buying a rusty D2 with a Top hatted motor. I've found a few of those where the owner spent big time money on the top hat engine, but the truck has sat for a while and accumulated rust and other issues, and the truck is worth 25% of the price of the motor. Buy the truck, park it, and then yank the motor when needed. Seems like a good option to me, especially since the truck is still drive-able and can be a parts truck for other items as well.

 

Was thinking about my disco I just sold got a bit emotional if that makes sense to some of you. Kicked myself in the *** but it was the right thing to do at this stage of my life
when I get more financially well I will try my luck with a defender. I like the rugged look and don’t really care how it drives. But I think one day I will buy my old disco back.

 

@redwhitekat I 100% get it. I talked so much about my old D1 that my wife was finally like "Just get another Disco!"

I've been kicking myself for selling my 5 speed D1. I was 22 years old I think, and my dad offered to help me buy a car, which other than my first car hadn't been an offer that was on the table. So, I agreed to sell the Disco to help fund my portion of the purchase. Long story short, I think I ended up getting $4k maybe for it? It was pretty rusty, but in all the typical areas, and no frame rot. Looking back, it was worth more than $4k if I had just kept it and stuck it somewhere for occasional use... Bummer.

 

[QUOTE=arains44;741165]@redwhitekat I 100% get it. I talked so much about my old D1 that my wife was finally like "Just get another Disco!"

I've been kicking myself for selling my 5 speed D1. I was 22 years old I think, and my dad offered to help me buy a car, which other than my first car hadn't been an offer that was on the table. So, I agreed to sell the Disco to help fund my portion of the purchase. Long story short, I think I ended up getting $4k maybe for it? It was pretty rusty, but in all the typical areas, and no frame rot. Looking back, it was worth more than $4k if I had just kept it and stuck it somewhere for occasional use... Bummer.[/

im in Canada the discos are not really a big thing here from time to time a good decent one comes up for sale but if they are asking more than 6 k cdn it just sits there
there is one right now 2004 with only 98000 kilometres guy wants 17 cdn for it. Those will just sit
the ones that go fast are the 2-4 k but need work.

 

@OP
no regrets on my end, but interesting to see yours. do you see yourself getting back into a pro racing team?

 

@ThePolarBearExpress I run a business that sells motorsports data hardware, and I also do a lot of driver coaching in semi-pro series. I still get behind the wheel in a race 3-5 times/year, and behind the wheel at a track day 2-3/ times/ month. Unless one of my clients wants to go pro racing, I doubt I’ll get back into a pro series. It’s enormously expensive and almost ever series is dependent on driver backing unless you’re one of the lucky few with a factory affiliation. Not to mention it’s very similar to being any other type of pro athletes, it takes every ounce of energy you have to be successful, and I get paid a lot better to be a coach!

 

fascinating! most of us, or if not a lot of us, can only dream of being in those environments and being involved with these sort of things. my dad and uncle have been in auto repair and body work / paint their whole lives, but my dad was out of my life from a young age until I was about 25 or so, and as such I haven't been around cars like them for the majority of my life. now as i'm past 30, I wish I was more involved in cars, and in the hot rod community like them, but it's not too late right? i'm getting myself involved as the years go and started turning my own wrench a few years ago.

 

I’ll tell you what I don’t regret is the $40 extra a week in fuel and the constant parts orders from various suppliers lol

 

@redwhitekat haha, that's something we all low key regret... But, when I see the Disco in the driveway I don't really care.

Life is too short to drive boring cars...

 

I've owned more vehicles than years on this planet, and no regrets selling any if then. Just pieces of metal to me. Yes, some were more enjoyable to drive...but truth be told...when l was done with them...l was done with them and never looked back. Never been a "relive my youth" type of guy by buying old muscle cars, owned so many back in the day...corvettes, camaros, firebirds, etc...that l just have no interest in them. There cool, don't get me wrong...but owning one for myself...nope. Went through the 4 wheeler stage, had some cool trucks...but no desire to have another. Dabbled in german stuff for a while, now british stuff...how long will it last?...l'm not sure and don't care. The Land Rovers have been fun to build and fulfill a couple areas of my enjoyment, 4 wheeling takes you to wild places and the foreign brand "learning curve" repairs and maintenance needs. Enjoy learning about the different brands, how they do things, engineering wise. Got pretty bored with American stuff, no disrepect, just bored.

Been selling off my Porsches and my wife can see my interest in LR fading...she asked...what's next? I'm like...l'm really not sure? At the moment...a 912, old FJ40, 69 Mustang or old series...would be the only thing that would raise an eyebrow of interest. They'd have to be project, just owning them to drive wouldn't interest me for long...and they'd be gone.