stevema Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 HiSome parts of this has been covered in other threads which I've seen but some were quite old.I've taken on a project S3. It's currently a rolling chassis that has been refurbished & has most panels lying loose but no engine nor gearbox.As this will be a toy with little use I want a V8 in there and as there's no gearbox now my choice would be the R380. However I've read on other threads here that the gearlever is too far back on the R380. However if it was used on the 90 surely it can be convinced to fit a S3? I know this would mean a one-off (short) propshaft.Also should I be OK with the Series rear diff or is it worth changing?Maybe irrelevant but in order to keep a classic status & almost free road tax I need to keep the leaf springs. Is there anyway to fit disc brakes?Thanks for any thoughtsSteve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremlin Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 For discs view my treads.............. Also if you want to retain the gear lever in the same place, use a 4 cyl lt77 or a stubby r380 (spendy) and use a v8 adaptor like milners used to make, that will keep the box as short as possible especially if its a swb. For the rear diff.....errr, if you get frisky with the skinny pedal then expect carnage, shafts will let go first, followed by some spiders or cross shafts.. a salisbury migth be better, but it will make the prop shaft even shorter. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Worth saying you can't just change the rear diff for a coiler one as when you engage 4x4 the back will be trying to go 30% faster than the front! V8 + R380 + LT230 is doable, it's what I run in the 109 but there's more propshaft space there. In an 88 you may need to move the engine forward, cut the back off the radiator panel & run a skinny (but wide) rad. Using a serpentine-belted V8 (later 3.9's, 4.0 or 4.6) will also shave a few inches off the nose. Here's the space in my engine bay, minus a rad and front cover, there's actually a big gap even with it all fitted: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_grieve Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 The four cylinder LT77 with short bellhousing and Milner adapter as Gremlin says above is what I would say too, this gives a total length of 32" from front of adapter to rear of hand brake drum. This can be shortened by nearly 3" with a Rakeway short rear shaft and housing. 813mm and 70mm for the Metrics amongst us. Hope that's of some help. I have Santana axles and discs on mine, not much help maybe but if you want something measured let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevema Posted May 7, 2013 Author Share Posted May 7, 2013 Thanks for the feedback and offers of help. I need to think this through carefully. Having a bare chassis anything seems possible but reality bites back Gremlin any chance of meeting up sometime for a look at your Landy? Thanks Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremlin Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Yes sure, I live in siggiewi, just PM me, usually weekends i am a bit free, and next week landy will have some works on the front axle to resolve a swivel oil seal leak. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremlin Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Ah just re read your original post, no way will you be able to keep classic status if you change the engine and box, just be careful what you want to do, keeping just the chassis and leafs will not make it eleigible for classic status (ask me how i know!), I suggest you contact TM, they are very strict in regards! G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 DO you have similar regs in Malta to us in the UK, then, Grem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremlin Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Hi Nick, no not the same but stricter i belive, when you apply for a classic status. The vehicle will go for an inspection to a board of inspectors who will scrutinise the vehicle and assign points, anything below 60pts from a 100 will not cut it, It must be as original as can be and that all items are age related. Over here there is a lot of abuse on car licences since they are expensive, so they try to curb this making sure its original as possible. My series qualifies for the classic status on age (35 years from dtd of mfg), but for the rest there is no way it will ever qualify! G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Ah, so it's much like trying to retain the tax exemption on a vehicle built before 1973 over here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevema Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 Hi G, will do thanks. I'm aware of the TM system as I squeezed a Spitfire through it last year. I guess i'm looking for a 2.25 petrol then cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevema Posted May 9, 2013 Author Share Posted May 9, 2013 slight change of plan. I found a 5-bearing 2.3 petrol runs very sweet so I bought it thanks for the ideas on here. pics to follow next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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