Engine Swap thoughts.

Calling @rdavisinva

There is an auto conversion for the td5 as well.

The short-lived BMW affiliation spawned interesting Defenders with BMW 2.8l inline sixes. I bet ZF was providing slushboxes at that time too. That opens up a lot of possibilities…

He new Grenadier uses the ZF eight-speed. That is as good as autos get these days. Bomb-proof and silky smooth. They also use BMW engines come to think of it…

rdavisinva said:

Couple of trial fits.
The torque converter we had made matches the stock Chevy flexplate and fits the crank bore, so we are spot on for the prototype fit for the Chect 4 bolt pattern to the ZF HP 22 and into a Defender.
The first prototype will be the Chevy 250 automatic.
Next will come either a V6 or V8 vortec.
It should be a direct bolt up if my calculations are correct.
Click to enlarge
Fits the stock (rusty) Chevy flex plate. Note the 3 torque converter "feet" to match the stock Chevy flexplate instead of the 4 needed on the stock Rover V8 setup. This elininates the need for extra machine work.
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View attachment 486115
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Fits the Crankshaft opening and seats all the way.
View attachment 486116

The ZF in the stock position has a 12 degree slant to allow for the right driveshaft clearance.
We'll have to be cognizant of this clearance during the mock install of the protype fit up with the 1.2 LT230.

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Thank you for sharing this information.

rdavisinva said:

Well Well Well.
Look what arrived by DHL this afternoon that I had built.
Now to start the next steps to get it between a Chevy engine and an HP22.
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Click to enlarge.
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Darn. Should I stop working on my conversion? THAT is what I really want.

I don't have a realistic timeline of when this will be available as the process just started this week.
This is breaking new ground and could encounter some glitches.
For example: the 250 is long and may require the ZF HP22 to be further back than it was with a V8 in the Defender.
This could mean a cable shift for the transfercase.
All this adds time to any release date for a kit.
The engine may need to be tilted 10 or 12 degrees to provide propshaft clearance.
All these things are unknown at this time, but will be discovered during the first mock install.
We shall see how it goes.
I put this up only because the question was asked regarding a 250 automatic, but after I know more will start a Chevy engine to ZF HP 22 auto thread.
So to answer your question: "Should I stop working on my conversion?"
Don't know at this time because you might be further along than I am and not sure exactly what your conversion entails.

ZF4 auto conversion would be my suggestion. TD5 auto swaps were piloted back in the early 2000s so if the old forums over in England are still around, there should be tons of info. Between that and parts D1s and D2s everywhere, hardware should be easy to come by.

The TD5 engine is a great engine. While there are better engines out there, you gonna spend a ton of time, money, and effort to go around your elbow to achieve your goal.

A rule of thumb is for every dollar you spend on (new) parts, its a dollar of labor. So if you buy $30,000 of engine, transmission, and hardware. Then you gonna spend about another $30k on installation. So just a transmission conversion that will bolt up to the LT230 (and probably the TD5 bell housing) will save you all kinds of headache.

LR Max said:

ZF4 auto conversion would be my suggestion. TD5 auto swaps were piloted back in the early 2000s so if the old forums over in England are still around, there should be tons of info. Between that and parts D1s and D2s everywhere, hardware should be easy to come by.

The TD5 engine is a great engine. While there are better engines out there, you gonna spend a ton of time, money, and effort to go around your elbow to achieve your goal.

A rule of thumb is for every dollar you spend on (new) parts, its a dollar of labor. So if you buy $30,000 of engine, transmission, and hardware. Then you gonna spend about another $30k on installation. So just a transmission conversion that will bolt up to the LT230 (and probably the TD5 bell housing) will save you all kinds of headache.

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Thank you!

That makes great sense. It has been a great engine honestly, great MPG and cruises at 75. Like a brick, but it does cruise.

Have you guys seen that 3.6L 4 cylinder with the LS3 head 300hp and 500 ftlbs of torque. Blue Print Engines is working on it.

Z06801 said:

Have you guys seen that 3.6L 4 cylinder with the LS3 head 300hp and 500 ftlbs of torque. Blue Print Engines is working on it.

Blueprint’s New LS-Headed Four-Cylinder Crate Engine Prototype

We check out Blueprint Engines’ LS3-headed 3.6-liter four-cylinder, with the potential to make well over 300 hp—and even more with power-adders.

www.motortrend.com

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Check out this thread: Another idea for a potential Series engine swap?

I’d be down for a 233 Hemi…

rdavisinva said:

I am and not sure exactly what your conversion entails.

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I'm going the 4.3 Vortec route, via Scotty adapter into standard r380.

Well based on my calculations what I am working on will fit the back of the Chevy 4.3 Vortec.
Exactly where the whole thing fits the frame, bulkhead, and what else is required to make it all work is still unknown on this end.