V8 Conversion
- El_Freddo
- Master Member
- Posts: 12626
- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Bridgewater Vic
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Anything's possible if your pockets are deep enough! There's a mini getting around in the UK that's got a range rover V8 running on the standard box!! The thing looks standard from the exterior until it's fired up or the bonnet is lifted. Not a lot of space available under there!!
Retaining the hi/lo gearbox will be near impossible without extending the nose of the L forward, making the thing look weird. Someone's also mentioned the weight over the front axle issue. The best way to do it would probabily use the X8 system that holden used from subaru - getting it all to fit would be the thing to work out though. It would be a mean piece of kit if you could get it all sorted. Let me know when you get it engineered as I'd like to know about it!
Cheers
Bennie
Retaining the hi/lo gearbox will be near impossible without extending the nose of the L forward, making the thing look weird. Someone's also mentioned the weight over the front axle issue. The best way to do it would probabily use the X8 system that holden used from subaru - getting it all to fit would be the thing to work out though. It would be a mean piece of kit if you could get it all sorted. Let me know when you get it engineered as I'd like to know about it!
Cheers
Bennie
You could widen the transmission tunnel, fabricate mounts and linkages and move the gearbox aft, but then the front diff would be too far from the front hubs. To keep four wheel drive you'd have to use a different box and transfer case.
Might be easier to plonk a Sube body on a chassis from something else. It's been done with a Brumby body on a Hilux chassis with a Commodore V6.
Dane.
Might be easier to plonk a Sube body on a chassis from something else. It's been done with a Brumby body on a Hilux chassis with a Commodore V6.
Dane.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
1993 EA82/EJ18/EJ22/EJ22/EJ20/EJ22 L Series perpetual project
1993 EA82/EJ18/EJ22/EJ22/EJ20/EJ22 L Series perpetual project
no because theres a mutual respect between you and your subarus unlike other members on here.TOONGA wrote:ouch
so if i was to put a V6 into my brumby that would upset you Alex?
TOONGA
alex
my07 Outback
my13 Hyundai i45(shhhh)
my02 Gen3 Liberty limited ed.
previously
L-series wagon, LSD, EJ20turbo, 29in tyres, 'wanky wagon'
2000 gen3 outback, lifted, otherwise stock.
my13 Hyundai i45(shhhh)
my02 Gen3 Liberty limited ed.
previously
L-series wagon, LSD, EJ20turbo, 29in tyres, 'wanky wagon'
2000 gen3 outback, lifted, otherwise stock.
- Gannon
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4580
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Bowraville, Mid Nth Coast, NSW
Why would anybody bother putting an V6/V8 in a Subaru when for what you would spend on chassis modifications, you can very easily fit a worked STI motor in and get just as much power out of it.
Current rides: 2016 Mitsubishi Triton GLS & 2004 Forester X
Ongoing Project/Toy: 1987 RX Turbo EA82T, Speeduino ECU, Coil-pack ignition, 440cc Injectors, KONI adjustale front struts, Hybrid L Series/ Liberty AWD 5sp
Past rides: 92 L series turbo converted wagon, 83 Leone GL Sedan, 2004 Liberty GT Sedan & 2001 Outback
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Ongoing Project/Toy: 1987 RX Turbo EA82T, Speeduino ECU, Coil-pack ignition, 440cc Injectors, KONI adjustale front struts, Hybrid L Series/ Liberty AWD 5sp
Past rides: 92 L series turbo converted wagon, 83 Leone GL Sedan, 2004 Liberty GT Sedan & 2001 Outback
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- TOONGA
- Elder Member
- Posts: 5339
- Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 10:15 am
- Location: Mandurah where they divided by zero
- Contact:
Suparoo wrote:Why would anybody bother putting an V6/V8 in a Subaru when for what you would spend on chassis modifications, you can very easily fit a worked STI motor in and get just as much power out of it.
the same reason Im going to get an ej motor to run with a distributor and a holley carby
because I can

TOONGA
- subybrumby
- Junior Member
- Posts: 870
- Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 5:03 pm
- Location: Toowoomba
Well, this thread has caused some heat...
Ok..Suparoo has hit the nail on the head..Subaru motors develop much more horsepower than most small V8's as a virtual bolt in proposition,.
There is a thread on this in the states I was looking at the other day and the guy was trying to put a fairly hefty V8 into a WRX..The project was finally abandoned and he was trying to sell the rex as an unfinished project...result, no takers...(I'll try and find the link). Looking at the photos, the car was an abortion and the project a disaster.
The only viable prospect as mentioned earlier would be the 3500 (3.5l) rover alloy V8. These motors are fairly cheap and easy to aquire and are alloy. But still, there would be inherent problems in shoe horning the engine into the space and I would think that the four wheel drive option would be out of the question. IF ?? a project were to proceed, the most likely prospect for success would be the rover V8 to be inserted with its matching gearbox and the unit moved as far back as it would go and linked directly to the tailshaft and rear diff. But what would you achieve?? These engines do not develop anywhere near the horsepower that would be developed by an EJ20T and the only gain would be, ok it sounds like a V8 and the curiosity value at a meet.
We are not even looking at the engineering requirements and the chance of having the thing certified for road use (QLD). I 'm pretty sure that in Qld, you are not allowed to insert any engine that is older than the car. In other words, any donor engine must come from a vehicle that is of the same age or younger than the transplant vehicle.
There are some good sites on the net that show the Rover V8 as the engine of choice for repowering of MG sports cars, but these also have a longer engine bay.
For your information, the rover V8 is 650mm wide and 770mm long. Get the tape out and have a look, let me know if you are prepared to spend hours lying under the thing wondering is this gonna work, or should I just go EJ.
http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/engine-mo ... -swap.html
Ok..Suparoo has hit the nail on the head..Subaru motors develop much more horsepower than most small V8's as a virtual bolt in proposition,.
There is a thread on this in the states I was looking at the other day and the guy was trying to put a fairly hefty V8 into a WRX..The project was finally abandoned and he was trying to sell the rex as an unfinished project...result, no takers...(I'll try and find the link). Looking at the photos, the car was an abortion and the project a disaster.
The only viable prospect as mentioned earlier would be the 3500 (3.5l) rover alloy V8. These motors are fairly cheap and easy to aquire and are alloy. But still, there would be inherent problems in shoe horning the engine into the space and I would think that the four wheel drive option would be out of the question. IF ?? a project were to proceed, the most likely prospect for success would be the rover V8 to be inserted with its matching gearbox and the unit moved as far back as it would go and linked directly to the tailshaft and rear diff. But what would you achieve?? These engines do not develop anywhere near the horsepower that would be developed by an EJ20T and the only gain would be, ok it sounds like a V8 and the curiosity value at a meet.
We are not even looking at the engineering requirements and the chance of having the thing certified for road use (QLD). I 'm pretty sure that in Qld, you are not allowed to insert any engine that is older than the car. In other words, any donor engine must come from a vehicle that is of the same age or younger than the transplant vehicle.
There are some good sites on the net that show the Rover V8 as the engine of choice for repowering of MG sports cars, but these also have a longer engine bay.
For your information, the rover V8 is 650mm wide and 770mm long. Get the tape out and have a look, let me know if you are prepared to spend hours lying under the thing wondering is this gonna work, or should I just go EJ.
http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/engine-mo ... -swap.html
1989 Subaru Brumby - EA82T 5speed box. 4wheel disc, electric Windows plus other goodies.
Future Plans- Seat upgrade and Possible EJ20T implant.
Daily Driver Stock 1991 Brumby.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Future Plans- Seat upgrade and Possible EJ20T implant.
Daily Driver Stock 1991 Brumby.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
this one would fit
http://www.moyermade.com/chevyV8.html
http://www.moyermade.com/chevyV8.html
saw this a few years back before i was on ausubaru.32ford wrote:this one would fit
http://www.moyermade.com/chevyV8.html
very happy to find it again thanks.
im so tempted to do some modeling like this, already thinking of a flat 4
if im needed for anything [email protected] and ill try and get back to you.
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- RSR 555
- Elder Member
- Posts: 6951
- Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2007 10:42 am
- Location: ATM... stuck in Rockingham
hahahaha.. love it !! Just need a miniture '32 to put it in32ford wrote:this one would fit
http://www.moyermade.com/chevyV8.html

You know you are getting old when the candles on your birthday cake start to cost more than the cake itself.
RSR Performance
Home of the 'MURTAYA' in Oz
Subaru Impreza WRX based Sportscar
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Disclaimer: Not my website but hyperlink here to Subaru workshop manuals
RSR Performance
Home of the 'MURTAYA' in Oz
Subaru Impreza WRX based Sportscar
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Disclaimer: Not my website but hyperlink here to Subaru workshop manuals
i want to do an ej207 conversion to my HQ GTS. I want to use the STi 6 speed box and make it awd.
i also want to do a strait thru 4inch exhaust with twin 6inch cannons on the back, paint it wrc blue and have gold rims.
opinions?
i also want to do a strait thru 4inch exhaust with twin 6inch cannons on the back, paint it wrc blue and have gold rims.
opinions?
my07 Outback
my13 Hyundai i45(shhhh)
my02 Gen3 Liberty limited ed.
previously
L-series wagon, LSD, EJ20turbo, 29in tyres, 'wanky wagon'
2000 gen3 outback, lifted, otherwise stock.
my13 Hyundai i45(shhhh)
my02 Gen3 Liberty limited ed.
previously
L-series wagon, LSD, EJ20turbo, 29in tyres, 'wanky wagon'
2000 gen3 outback, lifted, otherwise stock.
hahaha post that on oldholdens.com and watch the reactionsKeffa wrote:i want to do an ej207 conversion to my HQ GTS. I want to use the STi 6 speed box and make it awd.
i also want to do a strait thru 4inch exhaust with twin 6inch cannons on the back, paint it wrc blue and have gold rims.
opinions?

Dane.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
1993 EA82/EJ18/EJ22/EJ22/EJ20/EJ22 L Series perpetual project
1993 EA82/EJ18/EJ22/EJ22/EJ20/EJ22 L Series perpetual project
- RSR 555
- Elder Member
- Posts: 6951
- Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2007 10:42 am
- Location: ATM... stuck in Rockingham
You must have the 8" tacho with the super blinding shift light screwed to the centre of the dash with roofing tek screwsKeffa wrote:i want to do an ej207 conversion to my HQ GTS. I want to use the STi 6 speed box and make it awd.
i also want to do a strait thru 4inch exhaust with twin 6inch cannons on the back, paint it wrc blue and have gold rims.
opinions?

You know you are getting old when the candles on your birthday cake start to cost more than the cake itself.
RSR Performance
Home of the 'MURTAYA' in Oz
Subaru Impreza WRX based Sportscar
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Disclaimer: Not my website but hyperlink here to Subaru workshop manuals
RSR Performance
Home of the 'MURTAYA' in Oz
Subaru Impreza WRX based Sportscar
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Disclaimer: Not my website but hyperlink here to Subaru workshop manuals
- TOONGA
- Elder Member
- Posts: 5339
- Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 10:15 am
- Location: Mandurah where they divided by zero
- Contact:
I fell off my chair when I read that (truely I did) and Im still laughingKeffa wrote:i want to do an ej207 conversion to my HQ GTS. I want to use the STi 6 speed box and make it awd.
i also want to do a strait thru 4inch exhaust with twin 6inch cannons on the back, paint it wrc blue and have gold rims.
opinions?
even with the power of an EJ20T Im pretty sure a HQ wouldn't move
But hey Im pretty sure it would sound better than a 202
TOONGA
- Gannon
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4580
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Bowraville, Mid Nth Coast, NSW
Yeah,... why do young car enthusiasts put big tacho's in their cars, even if the car already has a factory tachometer? I really dont see the point.RSR 555 wrote:You must have the 8" tacho with the super blinding shift light screwed to the centre of the dash with roofing tek screws
Current rides: 2016 Mitsubishi Triton GLS & 2004 Forester X
Ongoing Project/Toy: 1987 RX Turbo EA82T, Speeduino ECU, Coil-pack ignition, 440cc Injectors, KONI adjustale front struts, Hybrid L Series/ Liberty AWD 5sp
Past rides: 92 L series turbo converted wagon, 83 Leone GL Sedan, 2004 Liberty GT Sedan & 2001 Outback
------------------------------------------
Ongoing Project/Toy: 1987 RX Turbo EA82T, Speeduino ECU, Coil-pack ignition, 440cc Injectors, KONI adjustale front struts, Hybrid L Series/ Liberty AWD 5sp
Past rides: 92 L series turbo converted wagon, 83 Leone GL Sedan, 2004 Liberty GT Sedan & 2001 Outback
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- Outback bloke
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2103
- Joined: Fri Sep 30, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Morayfield - Queensland
- Contact:
This is the original post. Must be some thing wrong with my eyesight, I can't see it written any-where asking for opinions on what you think of the idea.drof351 wrote:Hi, Has anyone put a V8 into an L series? Keeping the 5 speed hi lo?
Pointing out that it isn't viable is fine but bagging the bloke for asking is not on.
Very well said.Outback bloke wrote:This is the original post. Must be some thing wrong with my eyesight, I can't see it written any-where asking for opinions on what you think of the idea.
Pointing out that it isn't viable is fine but bagging the bloke for asking is not on.
I would love the idea of dropping one of my favourite engines (327 Small Block) into one of my favourite cars (L Series/Leone)
For me it would be like having the best of both worlds.
I know it would probably cost anywhere up to $35,000 to do but if I had the money I would
To answer the OP's question, sure it can be done, but be prepared to spend your life savings doing such a thing. Anything is possible if you have the $$$
* 1990 L Series Sportswagon (Daily Driver)
* WTB 1982-84 MY 4WD Wagon (Any Condition)
* WTB 1982-84 MY 4WD Wagon (Any Condition)