HSV Rangie the story:
Part 1 repower.
Car: 1986 Highline RR Caspian blue.
3.5 lt Rover V8 EFI.
LT77 5 speed.
LT230 t/case 1.192-1 high range.
3.32-1 low range.
3.54 Diffs.
Range Rover alloys 7x16 fitted with 205 Michelins.
Purchase condition: clean tidy with around 150K on the clock.
Had LPG duel fuel conversion fitted (what a PIA that was) very unreliable.
Fitted a set of peco star (real ones) white spoke wheels (100mm back space) with 31*10R15 mud terrains, these required the guards to be trimmed so I fitted a set of Rangie spares flare kit, at the same time fitting a set of 220x17 lb springs to the rear and swapping the rear springs into the front this gave a 50mm lift. Removed bouge unit.
In this guise it performed its duties well enough, all its problems can be attributed to the gas conversion (crap never again).
Playing on a track near the slate mine up the Howqua track near Jamieson.
On road absolutely brilliant to drive just gutless.
Off road it performs very well on all trips easily surpasses toys nissans ect in its ability and comfort.
But its limits were soon found.
Speedo now reads 250K after a few years.
The time to improve this RR has arrived.
Why modify this one and not purchase new:
1: New RR at that time 130K.
2: New Toy L/c 50-70K.
3: New Nissan Patrol 40-60K.
4: I own it.
The above options while sound were expensive and they still would not achieve what I wanted, all would need at least 10-15K spent on them after purchase.
So I decided that spending 10-20K on it would give the car I want and be many $ in front of a new purchase.
What mods should be entailed.
1: Performance severely lacking, gutless on road, hates towing, need a week and many Ks of clear road to overtake a car also the legendary RR fuel economy.
Engine replace or rebuild:
The options:
Petrol:
Rebuild RR engine.
Upgrade to 3.9, 4.2, 4.6, 5.0 and all the way to 5.2 lts.
4.6 drive in drive out $11-13K.
5Lt 250KW ,mmmmmmmmm 12 K for engine.
5.2 lt almost 300 KW $20K for engine. This I wanted just expensive.
Holden engines 5Lt torque to far up rev range for what I wanted.
Chev 350 almost made it torque perfect about $5.5K new engine.
LT1 Gen 3 $6.5K but from the info I could find torque was to far up rev range and no conversion kit available bell housing bolt pattern is different.
Then noticed an add for a HSV 215 (stroked 308) 355 CI.
Research determined that the specs were:
215 KW @ 4800.
475 NM @ 3600 with 400NM available @ 1200rpm. (Now I’m smiling at this)
Diesels well I just couldn’t. (ones I thought about, 6.5 chev, LR tdi, 4lt BMW 6 cyl)
The 215 was on sale for $6.5K new crate motor comes with comp, clutch, exhausts and starter.
The 215 Holden I ordered.
Let the works begin:
Other items needed to make engine run.
Wiring loom: (new Holden VT engine loom).
Ignition module:
O2 sensors x2:
W/pump pulley:
Crank pullies:
Hi volume high pressure fuel pump (HSV std Item)
The above items including engine purchased from Bay City Holden Frankston. (very very Helpful with all info required)
Power steering pump: S/Hand from VS V8.
Alternator 120 amp: new from Enhanced Auto electrics Dandenong also all wiring.
Speed sensor and speedo correction, Howard Instruments Geelong.
The conversion:
Conversion kit Marks 4x4 adaptors: (hmmmmmmmmmmmmm)
Adaptor kit from marks 4x4:
Fitted perfect, but small print in instructions say temporally fit engine, note where distributor hits fire wall, remove engine and panel beat fire wall to fit. NO, Remove engine and move gearbox forward 25mm solved all clearance problems, at the same time gave it a 50mm body lift. And not one sender/sensor adaptor they provided was of any use.
ECU fitted up under dash shouldn’t get wet up here.
ECU problems:
After fitting engine and ecu Marks tell me I will need a body control module and speed sensor. BCM $750.00 not amused, off to HSV dealer talk to him and technician Yep need BCM but Tech says he can reprogram chip says will just delete the requirement for BCM and anything else not required. $150.00 Done. Should have had him raise KW to 250 (soon).
Engine fits in perfect now:
Manifolds Exhaust: Had std HSV VT manifolds left side fit perfect, right side straight through chasy. Find another manifold to suit now all is well. HPC coated should hell keep under body temp down.
Exhaust is 75mm mandrel bent, with full flow 75mm cat fitted.
Supplied and fitted by Johnny mac exhausts.
Radiator:
New aluminium radiator from Race Radiators Dandenong.
This radiator lasted 12 months not happy here, used the corrosion inhibitor recommended by race rads and Holden, leaks around both the inlet and outlet looks like cracked welds or epoxy to me, Just down $800.00 and no one admits fault.
Would not recommend an aluminium rad now.
Currently have stock rover rad back in car with temporary pipes made up, will fit rad from Aussie desert coolers ASAP. $450.00.
Cooling taken care of by Ford EL electric fans. To date there have been no cooling issues, these fans are brilliant. Highly recommend.
Hoses: Bottom VT V8 perfect, Top: Vt V8 perfect.
Sump:
Required a rear drop pan, purchased s/hand H/Q sump removed windage tray from original sump fitted to H/Q but not happy with oil retention on inclines. Speak to High Energy Oil Pans Dandenong, Get a Pro Eliminator Sump made up full windage tray, baffles and trap door. (Overkill but I have no oil starvation issues)
Power steering:
Std holden pump and mount from VS engine.
Had to raise mount and move back aprox 25mm now uses middle pulley on crank.
Fitted to Std location with only these mods to bracket.
Alternator.
From Holden had to fab new mounts as the std mounts used front pulley on crank and would not allow access to A/C drive. So moved Alt to use rear crank pulley.
A/C: Fab mount in conjunction with Alt bracket. Now drives off front of crank.
AC plumbing and regas by Advanced auto elec Dandy.
Fuel Pump:
Kept R/R intank pump as it is similar to Holden unit. HSV run 2 pumps with this engine so fitted HSV pump at right rear wheel made cover to protect from mud etc Run new heavy wire to front connecting to both pumps.
Engine mounts:
Supplied Marks 4x4. Uses R/R engine mounts, but should fit V12 jag ones.
Air cleaner:
Modified RR unit to increase air flow not happy with it. (looks terrible) Will fab S/S unit to take Std holden V8 air cleaner element. Also building 2 snorkels to supply air. (Still not done).
Finally all is fitted and the time comes to start engine.
Engine is turned over for 5 mins until oil is seen in Rockers.
Coil is hooked up.
Turn key and it launches into life smiles all around. Damn it sounds good.
We let it run and watch temps climb then the elec fans cut in things looking good.
Put it into gear no crunches all works smoothly slowly release clutch and we have movement smiles again, backwards forwards in the shed.
First drive!!!!!!
Out the doors, turn left down Hammond Rd, plant the foot and my god!! the power this thing has is unbelievable, performance all through the rev range pulls away from 30ks in O/D just accelerates niceeeeeee. Far better than I ever thought.
Problems:
Gear box is noisy wont last long. hopefully 6-12 months. NOPE 3.
Decide to fit R380 none available at the time next option is a ZF 4 speed auto duly purchased and fitted so smooth to drive.
Trip to Shepparton average about 25 mpg at 110-120. Excellent.
Never let anyone convince that rovers have adequate power THEY DON’T.
Power, performance and economy solved.
Now
2: Suspension mods in progress details soon.
3: Drive line mods in progress details soon.
As it now stands:
Repowered.
Now an auto ZF.
4.3 diffs.
Transfer now 1.1-1.
Tyres Silverstone MT117 35 inch or BFG 265/75/16 at.