Conversions-chev

Adapters available from Gilo's Engineering
Engine mounts need to be cut off and re-welded
A good replacement for the original 4 cylinder Land Rover engine
Radiator upgrade is not necessary
Very robust and simple
Engine sits VERY far back so a long cowling needs to be made.
Locally available including parts (Engine comes from a Chev Nomad

Chevrolet 3.8, 4.1 and 4.9 Straight 6 Petrol

Adapters available from Gilo's Engineering
Engine mounts need to be cut off and re-welded
Differentials must be changed or an overdrive must be fitted
Radiator upgrade is recommended
Front springs may need attention

Engine is smooth and responsive with plenty low down torque.
Very robust and simple
Locally available including parts

A relatively cheap, extremely powerful option, locally available
Transmission will need an upgrade, gearing will need checking
Fuel consumption is similar or better than the Rover 3.5 V8

Chev 4.1 Ownership

1972 SIII LWB station wagon with tropical roof and roof rack. Bought it with a Chev 4.1 already in.
LR gearbox with Fairey overdrive. New engine mount welded onto chassis and chassis front cross-member moved forward
about 10cm. Thicker core radiator. Power and responsiveness was fine, could run at 140kph. Original owner had detuned the motor and bent the temperature gauge needle to get it to run "cool". Fitted new sender and gauge and retuned motor. Manifold gasket caused problems from the beginning. Replaced exhaust manifold with a branch and Rochester with Weber 38.
Now it goes better than a Boeing.

- Donald Abbot

Chevrolet 6.2 and 6.5 (Turbo) V8 Diesel 6.2 L V8 Diesel into a Range Rover

120 kW @ 3800 rpm
400 Nm @ 1800 rpm
300 Kg dry mass.
Adapters for Rover Gearboxes are available but need modification
Adapters for Chev gearboxes to LT230 Transfer are made on request
Engine mounts on Rover V8 chassis can be used
Gearbox must be replaced if LT77 or R380 manual with Chev or similar manual or auto
Radiator must be replaced
Oil coolers must be fitted
Suspension must be upgraded
Exhaust branches must be made and the rest of the system must preferably be replaced
Air cleaner must be replaced

The engine is all cast iron and uses a duplex chain for the cam drive and gears for the injector pump drive
It is indirectly injected by a Stanadyne rotary injector pump through Bosch injectors.
The engine uses 12V glow plugs for pre-heating which is around 5 seconds.
The engine fits comfortably into a 110 with reference to the height but the right hand cylinder head is fairly close to the firewall.
On a Range Rover, the engine fits very well width wise but it is fairly cramped height wise.
A remote air cleaner is needed with a low profile air inlet into the manifold.
There is just enough space to fit a fixed blade fan behind the thicker radiator.

These engines are rapidly gaining in popularity but conversions are very expensive if you want to do it properly due to the replacement of all systems.

Engines are fairly large but compact, very powerful but also very economical to run. Engines are simple to repair and can last well over 200 000 miles between overhauls.
Engines are imported from USA, parts are freely available from importer at good prices.
Brand new 6.5L engines are available on order but be prepared to pay.

Land Rover - Chev Conversions