LS3 conversion; I'm learning a lot.

41437 Views 301 Replies 35 Participants Last post by volleymdut, 34 m ago

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · Sep 16, 2019 (Edited)

I have a 1991 D110, currently with a 200Tdi and LT77 5 speed manual. I know very little (i'm sure this is now disgustingly obvious to all of you reading this), but I am so excited and scared (mostly excited) to move forward with this project. I already have both feet in. This motor is toast. I need my defender to be quiet, be able to routinely drive highway speeds, and be an automatic. The only off-roading it will do is on the dirt roads of colorado that get me to my fishing holes (but it will do a lot of that), and of course it will get a lot of work in deep deep snow. I realize I'm transforming it into a machine that purists may despise, but I've dreamt of having this as my daily driver since I was a kid. This will be my dream come true.

The LS3 430hp engine is on the way with a "connect and cruise" 6L80E automatic transmission. I chose the LS3 with the 6L80E based on its compatibility with the LT230 by using the products developed at RW-eng.

I look forward to hearing from you, and I'll keep you up to date on the project if you want.

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261 - 280 of 302 Posts

Davis

· #261 · 5 mo ago

I had Dakota ship me the bezel and I had it powder coated and shipped back to them. The assembled it from there. They
are super helpful— give them a buzz!

Reactions: 1

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #262 · 4 mo ago

3

One pic with lights working…
Then I did more trial fitting of the dash to make sure I could sequester everything behind it.
Then, with the lighting done, I wired and plumbed the windshield wiper fluid reservoir and installed it. I waited for a long time on that, because it’s way easier to work on the lights with the reservoir uninstalled. Both pumps work!

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mattarm

· #263 · 4 mo ago

Do you have the part number / source for that washer fluid reservoir?

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #264 · 4 mo ago

mattarm said:
Do you have the part number / source for that washer fluid reservoir?

this is from the RoversNorth website

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volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #265 · 3 mo ago

Started it up this week to calibrate the speedometer and heard the worst knocking/banging/rattling. I thought it was coming from the oil pan, but the truck shifted perfectly. Finally, I found it was coming from the catalytic converter. Disappointing on many levels. It’s only been driven about 5 miles. I know nothing about exhaust systems. This is Nick’s Y-pipe. Anybody else had this issue?

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #266 · 3 mo ago

I drove a few miles, the rattle in the cats completely disappeared. More news, i have a leak somewhere at the fuel tank/fuel line junction. I'll chase that down next. And my brake lights work great... when the parking lights are turned on. face palm.

NateB

· #267 · 3 mo ago

Keep up the good work!!! You keep me going!
Right now I’m one step forward six steps backwards…..

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #268 · 3 mo ago

NateB said:
Keep up the good work!!! You keep me going!
Right now I’m one step forward six steps backwards…..

No joke! This is the second time i have a leak in the fuel tank/lines area. It's a brand new fuel tank, aftermarket pump and super pricey fuel lines! maybe i need your sweet high capacity tank.

Reactions: 1

sgo70

· #269 · 3 mo ago

I find it really weird that the cats were making noise, I didn't think there was anything in there to rattle?

Keep it up, I chased a problem for three months assuming I did something wrong only to find out Speartech programmed my MAF wrong. Sure was satisfying to figure it out in the end. Hopefully we'll both be driving soon!

Sean

Reactions: 1

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #270 · 3 mo ago

sgo70 said:
I find it really weird that the cats were making noise, I didn't think there was anything in there to rattle?

Keep it up, I chased a problem for three months assuming I did something wrong only to find out Speartech programmed my MAF wrong. Sure was satisfying to figure it out in the end. Hopefully we'll both be driving soon!

Sean

I was confused as well when the transmission guy called and assured me it wasn't coming from the transmission. I thought, "What could be broken in a catalytic converter?" Oh well. Thanks for the encouraging words!!

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #271 · 3 mo ago

A perfect colorado day!!! So I go mudding in the defender that is drivable!!!!

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volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #272 · 3 mo ago

Speedo, tach, fuel level, battery, coolant temp, oil pressure all calibrated and looking good!

Reactions: 1

sgo70

· #273 · 3 mo ago

Sounds great!

Sean

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #274 · 3 mo ago

I’m mating the Ministry of Defender @Puma Upgrades to my genuine Puma dash. I’m finally getting to the wiring, and now it has power!! All three blower settings work. I haven’t wired the A/C yet. I’ll also have to adjust the turn radius on the temperature dial, as it’s excursion isn’t exactly the same as the Ministry of Defender dial. Should be fun!

Reactions: 1

AGloverThiel

· #275 · 2 mo ago

Exciting progress! (I've been offline a while now).
I ended up sending my '87 Ninety Hardtop to a shop in Vegas to have my swap done. It's getting closer - driveshafts get ordered this week.
I can feel Summer approaching, and the thought of having the truck ready for some coastline and Mountain cruising is so exciting

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #276 · 2 mo ago

AGloverThiel said:
Exciting progress! (I've been offline a while now).
I ended up sending my '87 Ninety Hardtop to a shop in Vegas to have my swap done. It's getting closer - driveshafts get ordered this week.
I can feel Summer approaching, and the thought of having the truck ready for some coastline and Mountain cruising is so exciting

PLEASE post pics and let me know how it all turned out!

AGloverThiel

· #277 · 2 mo ago

5

I don't have any current photo's but decided on a 2018 Grand Sport LT1 with 10L80E, a Toyota HF2A transfer case and LandCruiser axles. Still buying parts. Had a second rover gas tank installed on the opposite side with a fabricated connecting reservoir with baffles between the two tanks (maybe an inline or additional pump? - can't remember what they did there).

I haven't heard the growl yet, but they've had it running well off a remote fuel cell. Fingers crossed she'll be ready to pick up late April/early May.

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AGloverThiel

· #278 · 2 mo ago

I'll get into body and accessories etc. once I have a working truck to play with. It's been so long.

sgo70

· #279 · 2 mo ago

Looks like some other cool stuff in the shop. Your engine bay looks so clean and empty compared to mine lol.

Sean

AGloverThiel

· #280 · 2 mo ago

sgo70 said:
Looks like some other cool stuff in the shop. Your engine bay looks so clean and empty compared to mine lol.

Sean

Yeah, they used to do more American Muscle swaps - putting LT5's ++ into massive engine bays. They've done a couple L83 and L87 swaps into defenders before, and were keen to do a dry sump LT1. The engine bay will get crowded enough soon, I'm sure

261 - 280 of 302 Posts