The "mods" are pretty much what we are all running on 80's anyway .... no mention of a brake servo upgrade , OME springs while OK are not the best as we all know ( I still run them but would swap to Slinky progressive in a heart beat if I had the money )
I have been looking into a Chevrolet v8 swap for my 80 (the existing 4.5 sadly needs a rebuild or replacement and a rebuild is very expensive). I got an estimate from an outfit which specialises in putting LS3s in Defenders and the cost, for a crate LS3, gearbox and adaptor for the transfer case would be in the region of £45k. The swap can be done using parts available off the shelf from Australia but there remains the problem of engine management and integrating the loom into the existing Toyota electrics and getting aircon to work. I'm now back to finding a replacement 1FZ that's not been run on LPG.
That was fully fitted and was an estimate rather than a quote. It's a big job and the first time they would have done it. Given the prices of the LS3 defenders they sell completed it lined up. I'd love to do an engine swap but these engines just aren't readily available here second hand. I guess in the states used LS engines can be had from scrapyards a lot cheaper.
No it didn't, but suspension and a big brake kit would have to be done too. A fully sorted 80 with double the power from a lighter engine with better fuel economy would be an awesome thing!Does the estimate include uprating of brakes, suspension and the rest of the transmission? A standard LS3 puts out around 430bhp with similar torque figures, way too much for standard 80 running gear IMO, plus if they've never done an 80 before they're bound to hit unforeseen problems and teething problems which will add to the labour cost. I agree an upgraded and fully sorted LS3 equipped 80 would be a very nice vehicle though!
