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Engine swap - What effects does changing the weighting have?

General Tech Talk

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Engine swap - What effects does changing the weighting have?

Post by TuffRR »

I am in the process of narrowing down a new motor to put in my RR. Everyone has a different opinion but a common thing i here is "don't put that in, it will stuff the balance up".
Currently the 3.5 V8 weighs approximately 144kg. This is apparently "well balanced". Lots of people suggest going to the 4.6 which weighs approx. 190kg. No one mentions weighting problems with this. However, start talking Holden/Chev motors weighing approx. 218kg and people think this is a problem.
What difference to drivability/trailability does a heavier motor have?
By the way the LS1 weighs approx. 185kg and is looking like a winner at the moment. :lol:
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Post by HSV Rangie »

I dont find any handling issues caused by having a heavier engine in it.
Rover fitted a deisel and a petrol engine both different weights.
Just sort out the springs so the ride hight is correct all will be welll.

Michael.
Mitsubishi 2010 NT DID Pajero wagon, Factory rear diff lock, Dual batteries, ARB bar, winch, Mt ATZ 4 rib tyres.
1986 RR.
Custom suspension links etc.
HSV 215 engine.
4.3 diffs.
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Post by 2car »

A mate of mine has a Mark's kit for the Chev for sale. See 'For Sale' forum. I think he wants too much for it and it won't sell, so make an offer. I helped him do the conversion about 1 year ago and the kit is in good nick.
74 FJ40, 307, Hilux DBC, 35 Claws, welded rear.

'''_ ______
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Post by planb »

have you considered the lexus V8 ?
they're lite and can be picked up from $1600 with low kms
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Post by greg »

TuffRR,

i would imagine that the heavier engine would have an effect on your suspensioin - i added a winch and bull bar to the front of my sierra and found that i would feel the bumps a lot more. plus, just like adding any weight to your car, it would have to affect the handling, stopping distance etc... plus it would also have some affect on your weight transfer in the bush right? e.g. too much weight in the back would make the front light when hill climbing, so i'd imagine that weight at the front would help keep the front down? right?

hope that helps?
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Post by bj on roids »

planb wrote:have you considered the lexus V8 ?
they're lite and can be picked up from $1600 with low kms

is this with computer and gearbox?

COMPLETE and running?

where have you got a ph number? ##
hands and mums dont count!!!
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Post by bj on roids »

the difference would be:

rover = cheap
LS1 = expensive,

the biggest weight saving with the LS1 is how much money you spent on it, now your wallet is empty and the car is lighter..... these motors can give you a really sore a$$, or as nirvana puts it "rape me" i was pricing some and damn..... dont go there
hands and mums dont count!!!
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Post by TuffRR »

4.6 Rover upgrade = at least $12k installed. High fuel consumption, good performance.
LS1 upgrade = $6000 engine + wiring loom and other ancillaries. Probably $9k installed. Good fuel consumption, great performance.
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Post by bj on roids »

TuffRR wrote:4.6 Rover upgrade = at least $12k installed. High fuel consumption, good performance.
LS1 upgrade = $6000 engine + wiring loom and other ancillaries. Probably $9k installed. Good fuel consumption, great performance.


holy crap.... $1000 is a LOT of money to me....id just roll with what you got!! what have you got? 3.5?
hands and mums dont count!!!
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Post by TuffRR »

Yeah $1000 is a lot of $$$ for me too. One major reason for putting in a new engine is the fact that i'm putting in a GQ g/box. Rangie Spares in Melbourne install them but it is quite involved (read costly!). I don't want to spend a lot of money stuffing around mating it to my 3.5 if i will be replacing it in the near future. It's done a lot of kays and is uneconomical to keep fixing the POS up.
I'm sure all this would be a lot easier and cheaper if i had a workshop in my backyard and the skills to match, but unfortunately i have to rely on other people doing most of the work for me.
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Post by N*A*M »

Why not just sell the RR and buy a GQ? Both the petrol and diesel models go pretty well.
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Post by TuffRR »

I doubt i'd get anywhere near enough for mine to make it worthwhile. For some reason when you spend thousands of dollars on four wheel drives their value goes down instead of up. :?
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Post by N*A*M »

If you're in a sinking ship, jump!
You're gonna pour many thousands more into something that'll still lose value? And there's no guarantee a swap will turn out good. Don't forget about engineering costs too. Just my thinking.
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RR Swap

Post by LOCKY »

Welcome to drive my Chevy engined rangie for ideas and comparison
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Post by Carl Coight »

Bloke i did alot of home work on this subject when i had my rangie. If you convert to a chev, Holden or even a Windsor, you will increase reliability, reduce fuel costs and maintenance and get heaps more POWER.
I spoke to heaps of blokes with "real" V8's in their Rangies and they could not be happier!!
If you go the Nissan box and 307-327 Chev(cause there is an addaptor kit in the for sale column), then change your diffs to Nissan, you will have a bloody good truck.
If i was able to keep my rangie this is exactly what i was gunna do. :D
Good luck and don't worry about the bit af extra weight, you just put in 220lb springs in the front, no worries.
You'll probibly find the car will sit alot better on the road. :wink:
Live fast, die young and have a bloody good looking corpse.
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Post by Strange Rover »

In terms of being able to drive up and over stuff I think that the more front weight you can get the better. Although the trade off is more strain on the front axle.

Sam
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Post by Carl Coight »

If you go the GQ diffs that won't be an issue.
Live fast, die young and have a bloody good looking corpse.
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