Red 308 v8 into NL

[Ian Sharpe]

Ok guys, does this sound doable??

My NL 3.5l will be heading up to 25ok soon, so since I have poured all this $$$ into it, namely 3.15 gears, front & rear lockers , I am thinking to replace the motor rather than get rid of it. I lost so much on the trade over of my previous NK, it wasnt funny.

I have a HQ Prem 308 with lpg sitting up in my paddock.

it used to go well a couple of years ago, but probably needs to be recoed now or at least blow out all the spiders & hornets crap.

The red 308s had heaps of grunt & lacked all the pollution sapping crap that came later.

Anyway, if I could physically get the thing into the engine bay & adapted to the NLs auto trans this would be a great swap.

If I had it running on lpg only, I could get around the emmision law stuff etc. & be paying less for fuel. The 308 had hardened valves & seats so it went pretty good on gas.

But , would this be a step backwards from a modern FI motor , back to a carby type setup. My NL sure is smooth as silk BUT man the 308 reds have grunt.

& how the hell would I get the motor talking to the tranny, if the Pajs tranny wasnt electrically operated it would be easier.

What do you guys reckon , doable or just dreamable??

[NCpaj]

oohhhh do it, if you could get ti to work it would be great.

[Joe]

I know that someone in NZ did a V8 conversion, so there are some tracks to follow. Snoop around the web, perhaps visit the Pajero Club forum, and I am sure you will pick up the contact details and some info.

Interesting project though and one that I would like to follow – my NJ has over 300k on the clock now and I am looking for ideas as well.

Good luck.

[Ian Sharpe]

Yeah that was Chris Robertson from NZ, I think he put a Leyland 4.4l into a Gen 1.

[NJV6]

HI, talked with Chris just the other day. Yes it was a Gen 1 and 4.4 V8. I am sure these are smaller in dimensions (same as Rover 3.5) than a 308.

Why replace the 3.5? I know you say it has 250 k but is that a problem or is it noticeably down on power and or using more and mroe oil?

But yes Go the V8

[j-top paj]

dont you have to pass anti polution or some crap?
i thought an older engine cant be put into a newer car???
anyone know if this is the case?

[Ian Sharpe]

In the ACT you can get away from that bt running straight lpg. I remember enquiring about this a couple of years back.

My 3.5 still goes great but its not getting any younger, these are only thoughts at the moment anyway.

NL shortys blower would have been agreat alternative but thats been sold now, I believe.

cheers

[-Scott-]

You can go an older motor if it meets the emissions requirements of the original motor. This generally falls into "too hard" so nobody bothers.

Scott

[hudson44]

You may have issues with the auto changing. From what i understand the "kick down" is measured using the Throttle Position sensor and not a cable.

Gabe

[-Scott-]

Now that I've caught up and read the entire thread I think you're crazy. A carb motor in your Paj? Why put in crawler gears if steep slopes aren't an issue for you? At the very least, fuel inject it.

Personally, I'd sell the 308 and spend the cash on Ben's supercharger.

Scott

[88pajero]

If its running straight lpg steep slopes wont be a problem as lpg doesnt sit in the fuel bowl like fuel does. but on that note efi woul be better, more grunt etc etc. Id say give it a go but im not the one paying for it.

[NLShorty]

Interesting thought Ian, not sure it would be a step in the right direction though going back from efi, but would definately give you a big boost in torque with the V8.
I thought of a few options before i started on my supercharger conversion, one of them was getting my 3.5 motor rebuilt to the same specs that Geoff Pickering uses in his offroad racing paj, but was gonna be pretty expensive, similar price to doing the charger conversion (which blew out big time in budget anyway).
V8 would definately be unique though, have you thought about maybe the Lexus qaud cam V8?

Ben

[Ian Sharpe]

Now that I've caught up and read the entire thread I think you're crazy. A carb motor in your Paj? Why put in crawler gears if steep slopes aren't an issue for you? At the very least, fuel inject it.

Personally, I'd sell the 308 and spend the cash on Ben's supercharger.

Scott

Yeah, well people have been telling me that for years now, but I dont believe them, anyway I dont see what crawler gears have to do with carbied vehicles. I had a S2 LandRover with a 202 Holden in it & man I went places & slopes in that , that I wouldnt even point the Paj at.

Had no problems at all with carbies & slopes.

cheers

[-Scott-]

anyway I dont see what crawler gears have to do with carbied vehicles.

I guessed you installed the crawler gears for tackling steep slopes, which is something carburettors don't normally like.

It is a decision for you and nobody else, but you did ask for advice. I expect it is doable, but I don't think you'd be that happy with the end result. Why not try dropping the 308 into something older (and cheaper) to make a play toy, and keep the NL in better condition? Kits are available to put Commodore V6s into Gen 1 Pajeros - could you use one of those to drop in your 308?

Good luck,

Scott

[fool_injected]

Yeah i reckon your crazy too, but so too am I

go the red motor back it up with the turbo box adapted to the transfer case

there is no subistution for cubes, or so they say
But the best thing is the sound of a V8

[Adomw]

Ian

I'd be thinking about a DID from a newer Paj

THe 308 isn't going to like the short gearing in the paj - on road at least unless you fitt 38' tyres. I think you'll end up having to fit a non electrical 'box too - turbo 400 or similar.

From your avitar , I guess the overheating won't be an issue, 308s tend to be hard to keep cool in shoe horn engine bays.

If it was me I'd refresh the 6g74 and be happy

Ado

[DougH]

I guessed you installed the crawler gears for tackling steep slopes, which is something carburettors don't normally like.

A propaned or lpg rig is a total different ball game. That sucker should be able to run upside down.

[Bitsamissin]

I personally wouldn't do it.
The carby/gas system has to be set up absolutely perfect and only then are they ok but even then the Paj EFI system is still way superior.
I'd be doing up the 3.5 with a few mods.
How much power do you really need ?
What size tyres are you running ?

[Ian Sharpe]

Hey Frank,

You know I'm always looking for something to spend money on, no seriously whilst the Paj 3.5l was OK say 10 years ago, it just doesnt cut it anymore.

My mate just bought a new Navara ute, 4.ol , man that is some motor.

198kw & 385 nm. Make the Paj a bit pale, I reckon.

But as always motor swaps these days are a big headache, not like the old days when you could drop a red motor in a Landie on your own in a weekend. I did it once but those days are long gone...


cheers

[J Top]

why not a 3.8 out of a Diamante, or a GDI 3.5 @ 185kw. Probably far less work and less resale loss.
J Top

[South]

The only reason I could see you needing more torque than the current spec is for towing something heavy. Off-road you hardly need oddles of torque to trott around the place.

With your current low range you should be able to stomp on the loud pedal and bag it up in any gear. 3rd High in the manual will easily spin the wheels in a gravel or muddy pit...

You a crazy mofo