V8... Is it worth it?

[Jonny_5]

Hi, I've just been given a Rover 3.5 V8 with holley carbs and am contemplating fitting it in my '91 D21 pick up. What do you guys think?

 

[makeitfit]

They do sound bloody awesome but not really that powerful, however I'd let it off just for the sound The only issues I've seen with the V8s offroading, is they hate water and get hot easily
So if you can keep the wet out and get some good air flow , go for it :naughty
That said I'm not familiar with the D21, is it a live axle up front? The old V8s are quite heavy I think HP to Kg that is :thumbs

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

rover ex buick v8 was certainly a popular swap in the hilux,
i'm presuming a similiar size engine bay.

always thought it was supposed to be light weight being
an aluminium block...

outputs were low by todays standards, think my classic
range rover of '74 vintage kicked out 130bhp, but thats
4x4 detuning back then. think when the 3.5 gained
thottlebody injection output waent to 165bhp, the 3.9i
was much better for torque and offered about 190 bhp.

that said i recall a fast car mag from late 80s building a
rover sd1 as a (sierra) cosworth beater project was
saying 200+bhp from carbs to match the jelly moulds
then 204bhp in first whale tail incarnation. guessing this
would be with a fast road cam etc.

 

[makeitfit]

Well, put it this way, I reckon I'm at around 160 BHP before the LPG goes in the hole Switch that on and there's a good 175 bhp and the clutch used to give up the ghost :lol I think Timbo has his truck over 200 BHP :naughty
These motors have a lot of torque and that's what I use bunches of when off road, saves all that gear changing
The weight of the V8 is low ish but so is the relative power. I know you can mod them and produce awesome power , but damn that's expensive.
LPG on mine about 200 quid all done :naughty

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

agreed v8s were from an era when the only diesels were the lr 2.5 na
or the the perkins conversions.

i recall the early conversions to jap diesels including nissan units, folks
then said would never go back to petrol. does seem bit pointless now
we know what a turbo diesel can do.

best place for v8 is in a competition/trials motor where can play with
the power and not worry about insurance costs on road motor....

 

[Jonny_5]

I've decided against the V8... not worth the money or time when in all honesty I was only doing it for the sound.
So new topic... What can I do to a '91 2.7TD? Obviously K&N filter, but has anyone had them rebored to 2.8 or 2.9? Bigger turbo's? Any ideas appreciated as I want to vastly improve the pick up more for road than off road.
Cheers

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

make it fit and timbo, come in please!

theres various chip upgrades, m.i.f. has got lpg injection
assisting the diesel, akin to nos on a petrol.....

 

[makeitfit]

I'm guessing a '91 TD is non intercooler and non ecu
So first of all make sure the engine is actually sound before setting out to give it more grief :augie
I'd blank off the egr. Fit a custom down pipe off the back of the turbo and then a good open exhaust at least 2 1/2" bore. K&N air filter in the box or an induction kit if you're not off roading.
Turn up the fuel pump for some extra juice :sly
More fiddly options include fitting a good size intercooler across the front.
Then possibl;y a modified turbo eg a different compressor vane to ram more air in the engine.
Best of all though is I think to add on some LPG injection, it's got to be the most bang for bucks going :naughty
Enjoy

 

[Jonny_5]

The D21 actually comes with the TD27 non turbo'd?? but I swapped the engine and gearbox from an early terrano. I think I'm gonna take her off the road and give her some renovation... along the lines of (but probably not to the extent of) Flying Torquewrench's project Troll. I'm looking at getting both engine and gearbox reconditioned as then I know they are sorted. Make It Fit if you don't mind I may P.M. you in the new year to find out some more on this LPG injection?
Have a good New Year everyone

 

[Jonny_5]

Sorry Make It Fit you are right it is non ECU and non intercooler:doh

 

[BIGSEAN]

anybody tried retro fitting the TDI intercooler to the TD model? Would be interesting to see if you recoup some of them extra horses after all that mod shouldn`t need much extra work and it would be nice to see if the extra electronics on the TDI actually contribute much (apart from grief that is)

 

[makeitfit]

Probably easy ish to do , there's plenty of the bits around to do it. I'd opt for a bigger one though and front mount it:naughty