JMZ153 Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Hi guys, So I need help with ideas! I have a 90 which is my off-road competition vehicle here in Malta as well as the occasional weekend vehicle. It currently has a 300 tdi with the r380 fitted.. I am seriously considering removing it and fitting a 3.9 with an automatic box. I need pros and cons for this conversion...!!!! I know a manual box will be more 'fun' than an auto one but for off-road use I think the auto is better.. I'm a massive v8 fan hence why I want to do this conversion.. Please share your thoughts and opinions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 I'm a massive V8 fan too. I had a 3.9 auto in my 90 for many years and loved it. I've never owned a diesel Landy, so hard for me to compare engines. However the auto over manual was a huge help to my dodgy left knee, and superb off road too. Seemless gear changes on steep climbs can help too. I never had any concerns re lack of downhill engine braking. I say DO IT, just be sure to do everything well, and you'll have a lot of fun. Any bodgy wiring, or use of half knackered parts will only spoil your experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 This pretty much sums up the imminent internet argument: And... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 V8 or nothing.... Every time I hear a piston slapping, coal burning diseasal I need to hold my hands over my ears while shouting la la la la la...... I understand the argument for diesels re fuel returns etc, but who ever bought a defender because they are cheap to run?! If you want economy buy a Prius. If you want smiles per mile stick the v8 in and roll the windows down. Music 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMZ153 Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 Ok. Thanks for the response. Now the main question is manual (r380) or auto.. I do often compete in local competitions otherwise it's a weekend car. A lot of people have told me that auto is best for off-road as manuals often tend to stall... Although that's up to the driver in my opinion... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid_From_Hell Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Auto (IMHO) Expensive oil changes DO NOT like ANY water ingress Lack of engine braking down hill (can be learnt)Soaks BHP Damage = prob loss all gears Can't bump start MUCH kinder to drivetrains MUCH So easy to drive More relaxed Manuals R380 - stiill oil costs !If something breaks ususlaly have something left More gears than ZF4 speed, so low box lower Engine braking More control (peeps will argue than one) Less fussy with water ingress Rougher on drivetrain Possibly a stronger unit vs a ZF22, but get ashcroft to build ZF24 internal into a 22 ! Nige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 I've never found MTF94 or Dexron III to be a major expense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reiny Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 It's not a major expense but an auto box uses LOADS of it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Though to be fair, manual boxes need it changing more often.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 I think manual versus auto is as personal as tyre choice etc. I prefer the gears changing when I DECIDE. Not when it decides.. That being said, if I spent a lot of time in traffic jams............................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Autobox may soak some BHP, but it also puts the engine right in the torque band from the get-go, no waiting for it to get over 1800rpm before it does anything, this also kind of nullifies the low box being lower, as lotsa torque available at 1mph. I also love the ability to just let my foot off the brake and have the truck crawl over stuff at idle, I have idle set a little high exactly for this reason (about 850-900 IIRC.) Oh and 2 feet + 3 pedals = messy! Anyways, back in my box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 no waiting for it to get over 1800rpm before it does anything No, he said he's got a V8, it works from idle. The line that swung us to manual for Mouse was "no-one's made an autobox yet that can see what's coming". But agree, it's entirely personal preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Yep true, they do, I still see it as a major advantage that if in first gear in a manual, at 600rpm, you only have minimal amount of torques available, compared to an auto-boxed engine that jumps up to 2000rpm the moment you touch the loud pedal... That was what I referring to, thank goodness he has one thing right, and not plumping for a stinky diesel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco-Ron Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 I have a 3.9 auto in my rtv truck and I'm pretty sure that it helped in me winning yesterday's trial. .. being able to maintain drive at 1mph by holding it on the brakes works wonders for creeping over obstacles. ... be prepared for mind numbing fuel consumption though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad_pete Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Both good choices behind a v8. I've had both and I prefer the auto as I like an easy life. (Not that the manual is that hard work but the auto is so easy going) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMZ153 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 thanks everyone for their input on this topic. its a done deal now.. swapping my 300tdi and r380 for the 3.9 and auto box next week... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Nooooooooooo not an auto..... I dunno. You try and tell some folk....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMZ153 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 i have been getting a whole mix of suggestions.. my friends here in malta mainly run auto's.. im going to try the automatic box and see how it goes... if it drives me mad since i love manual boxes ill just swap it out... another question... are there any modifications to be done to the main shaft of the automatic box to change from a 1.2 transfer box to a 1.4 transfer box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 You may need to swap it out, just one bolt, Ashcroft have the part, is the replacement transfer box has a cross drilled input gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMZ153 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 yes the input gear of the 1.4 transfer box is literally brand new and cross drilled.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 If all your mates have autos, then fit a manual and walk away from them on the road.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMZ153 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 hahahaha... we will see how the auto goes and if its carp and not what i want, it will be swapped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Discovery 0-60 times for auto and manual are identical: http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/land-rover/discovery/station-wagon-1989/ I wish there was a thumb-to-the-nose smiley Take some time getting the kickdown adjusted right so it revs properly to 5500 and you're golden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Parkers! Pah! What the hell do they know... Never trust magazine or manufacturers 0-60 times. There meaningless. Trust me the old generation autos are miles slower than there manual counterparts. They sap so much power as Nige has already alluded to. Now the latest generation autos are totally different beasts but back in the old RV8 days there was no comparison. I'd still prefer one if I was in heavy traffic every day though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Whilst autos are best suited to grannies shopping car, there is a case for bolting them to the back of a v8 to play more seriously off road ? Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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