I am looking at purchasing Range Rover Classic. I want the short wheelbase with the 3.9 but I don’t want the chain driven T case. My question is whether the 3.5 in the older Range Rover is really that much less powerful then the 3.9. If so, how easy and what is required to swap in a 3.9 or a 4.2 into a 3.5 Range Rover.


Thanks

I would suggest getting a late model Range Rover. Like a 95 for instance. They come with the larger motor etc. However you will need to replace air suspension with coils for a lift kit, unless you go something cu$tom. Someone once told me the 95 came with the LT230 and not the Borg Warner chain driven t-case. Also if my imformation is wrong, it would be a hell of a lot cheaper to replace the t-case than a motor. I am sure someone will chime in and let us know for sure if the later model Range Rovers came with an lt230

Way

Someone is wrong Adam, only the 87 and 88s have the 230. What are you wanting to do with the vehicle? The 3.5 is much less powerful in my opinion but swapping the motors is a bolt in job as far as the 3.5, 3.9 and 4.2 goes. I'd rather put in a t-case than a motor of course so a later model makes more sense like Adam suggests. Just be sure to get the shift tower along with the 230 if you go that route. If you want a 3.9 and the 230 a Discovery is the way to go but I like the Range Rovers better.

I'll be using the Rover for wheeling and yes I like the Rover more ( I already have a disco). What I'm thinking is that if I buy an older Rover with a lot of miles I will need to rebuild the motor one day anyway. So getting an older (read cheeeeper) Rover might make more sense.
Regarding the engine swap. Can I use my FI on the the new motor?

Thanx:beer:

The wiring for the engines is pretty much the same, you might have to change a wire or two and put a different PROM in the ECU but other than that it will go together. It all depends on the final cost of either a newer model that has some engine life + a LT230 or an older cheaper 87 or 88 that would need a motor right away. If you're not doing all the work that makes a difference too. Be sure to take into account the transmission condition and mileage as these aren't cheap either. I'd probably get a 92-95 or so with some life left in the engine and transmission, pick up a 230 for $1000 or so and start wheeling.....after I spent another $10000 on aftermarket parts that is. :rolleyes:

I would say the best to find is a 92. They can be had with no abs, and are still coil. Also they come with the lt230. If you can't find that, then go with the 89-91. The B/W is only in the 89-90, but as long as it works, it works well.

I have been recently toying with buying a second one to have as a parts car, and there are several for sale here in the colorado area. Most of the Rangies here NEVER go off road, seems like they all have fancy shiat on them though, (gotta look like you do)so they seem to be pretty sound in the drive-trains.

I still have some contacts for the colorado dealers, so if you want to check a history on one from here (service) I might be able to get that done for you.

j

Thanks for all the info. I'll let you all know when I find my next Money Pit.

Cheers:beer:

Ciocc wrote:

I would say the best to find is a 92. They can be had with no abs, and are still coil. Also they come with the lt230. If you can't find that, then go with the 89-91. The B/W is only in the 89-90, but as long as it works, it works well.

Dudes,

Respectfully, that's an incorrect statement! After '88, there were no more LT230 Tcase for the RRCs. All RRC came with ABS after '91. The '95 had a BW too. I dunno about the new shape RRs though. You can still get a "hunter" edition RR that had no frills like ABS and sway bars. However, these are hard to come by. So that makes the '90 a good choice for simplicity.

Check out www.rangerover.net for more info.

I'm in the market for a white LWB RRC so drop me an email if someone spots one!

Thanks.
:flipoff2:

Ali,

Are you planning to come work for me with that White LWB????

If not, you'd better not be buying one because I'm looking for another one too! :flipoff2:

Hehe.

Oh Shiat, everyone wants one of these! Ok, I'll come work for you. Can I have one now?

Well, OK.

But, it has to be a '95. If it's a '93 or '94 I'll be mad 'cause those are the only years I'll buy! :flipoff2:

Oh, and you have to make the wheels black, get a black ARB roof rack and throw a winch on the front. OK???? :smokin:

I like that moss green you could get in 93-94 lwbs

Ron