Club 80-90 Forums

Can you still get the V8 Rover to VW transaxle conversions that were around in the 80's?

Have a hankering for another........my other plan is to stick this decent body onto a Rage Rover chassis and build a kind of forward control similar to the 101 Landie

The vehicle you seek is known as a Syncro and doesn't need a V8 - put an Audi 5cylinder in the back - almost the same noise and you can actually fit it in there without too much cutting and shutting.

Oh and if you haven't seen a Syncro on proper treads and in the mud I'd keep quiet with any 'but the Range Rover's much better' nonsense until you have seen a proper 4x4 (a Syncro) getting a work out.

Nah, would rather have a V8....for a street van anyway. I am no fan of highly tuned 4(or 5) cylinder motors.......like they say you cant beat cubes and you'll never be late if you've got a V8

The Rangie idea was just a thought when the mechanics have worn out.
No havent seen a synchro in action so cant comment. I take it they have a different suspension set up to my van though, as this doesnt have a deal of axle travel. To be honest the Rangie and 90/110 are considered the ultimate suspension set up but I find them a bit limiting and end up fitting dislocation springs and extended shocks to get everywhere I want......cross axleing is the worst limiting factor of a 4X4.........I tend not to drive on mud without drop offs each side


So back to the original question....can you still get the Rover adaptor plates?

A Syncro is the vehicle you seek.

Who cares about getting cross-axled when you've got difflocks as standard?

Defenders are only considered the pinnacle of off roaders by mis-guided Land Rover devotees. You'll note that many comp-safari motors are now going independent..... oh just like a Syncro.

OK...when the mehcanics of mine have worn out I will look round for syncro bits then....do you recon they will cost much more than the £500 for a decent Rangie


BUT.........can I still get a V8 adapter plate please ......aint offroading this yet, just want a V8 street van and having had numerous Rover V8's haven't seen anything to touch them for size power weight and price yet.......plus even though they are a Buick motor, they were British built which eases my concience a bit from buying foriegn.


Please this is a genuine request and not intended to stir anything up

Stop distracting yourself with all this talk of V8s - you blatantly want a Syncro, stop side-stepping the real issue here - you obviously have the ravingmusthaves for a Syncro that are clear to everyone but yourself - this talk of V8s is just a red mullet.

I mean jeeeeeeez, if only you'd scroll down the forum, or just use the fahking search facility you'd see what you seek.

hint, it's about the 15th topic down on this forum

Kennedy still make adaptor plates I think - I have an adaptor kit for mine that uses the rover flywheel and clutch with the rover starter motor - It also uses a special gearbox input shaft to convert from the rover end to Vw box - I have almost finished building my v8 ( 3.5 with .20 overbore 9.75-1 pistons, hurricane cam , arp bolts everywhere and rebuilt ported heads) Should be installing it later this month if you want pics of how its done

Alex

Alex that would be great cheers..........have 4 cylinders too few at the moment

Hmmm Rover/Buick V8 s good engines but the Audi 5 cylinder engines are cracking engines, powerd many a rally car .. I run a 1.9tdi in mine more than anough in my humble view the best engine for a type25 power/fuel consumtion (40mpg)

Apparently the Audi V8 will fit nicely, and reportedly weighs less than 500 lbs, accessories included:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/McTavishPac/V8/V8.html

Looks neat, have you had to move the gearbox at all and what adaptor did you use to bolt to the gearbox?
John