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Engine Conversions

Not all engine conversions are the same, or built to the same quality, or the same costs. It is our responsibility to inform you of the costs, benefits, and draw backs associated with various engine conversions that we do and often are immitated by others. By publishing costs, (which no one else does) we aim to charge you, Joe, Jane, Steve, and Paul all the exact same. We can only do this because we have gained an understanding through repetitive practice of the following conversions. 

Diesel's are great! But they are terrible for short distance driving and commuter cars. While they can certainly live in this environment, it is common knowledge that these engine's suffer premature wear in these conditions. As such if you have a short commute it would be of far more interest to swap over to a gasoline engine. Little known fact, a 300tdi @65mph will return between 22-24mpg, however @75mph that figure is between 18-19mpg as the RPM increases drastically and you are running the engine at higher RPMS than we recommend. If prolonged distance driving is desired, we recommend a Mercedes 3.0L Turbo diesel. A vastly superior unit to the 300tdi, German quality, German parts, world wide praised and known as a "million mile engine". Whilst the 2.8L cummins diesel craze is starting to settle down a bit based on the various reviews and endless warning's, it is a new alternative to any of our remanufactured options. The crazed LS3 swaps out there are bit to rich for our choosing, Yes we will gladly build one in, but understand that a basic LS3 drivetrain (new only) runs $18K+ and we will still require all the addons required with the LS swap and we will also have to remanufacture the remnants of the drivetrain with uprated parts to cope with the power provided. This really is opening a can of WORMS, and ends up nearly always being in the $45K+ range due to the necessity for uprating everything well beyond the noted below.     

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Some important points:

  • THE FIGURES BELOW ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON A ROW RHD 300tdi 110 in original format without any aftermarket add-ons. 

  • LHD vehicle, please be advised that there are spacing issues due to the steering box. To resolve this, add 10% to the figures below.

  • We charge you to take winch bumper's, roof racks, and all other accessories off that are needed to do the conversions.

  • Lifted trucks, great.... ad $10 per hour for every 2" of lift @135 hours.

  • AC if installed.... bbbbbrrrrrrrrr..... we have to redo it entirely, brackets, new compressor, condensor hoses, fittings, gas, and labor. Add $2500 to the total below.

  • If you have a 3rd world knock-down, aka Otokar, etc... we only work on those vehicle on a per hour basis while doing these swaps. We have no interest in the endless hassle these cars create and feel it fair to warn you in advance that doing the below specified conversions tends to be thousands upon thousand of dollars more expensive due to the cheap nature or lack of maintenance of these 3rd world vehicles. 

  • "supposedly" restored vehicles, fall into the same category of per hour work, as we are simply running into many of these vehicles being shyster jobs that we prefer having no hand in at all. We are a restoration shop that restores these cars @$65 per hour which is as competative as it gets world wide, and are simply tired of delivering endless bad news because of European/3rd world shyster's.

  • Please be advised that we are not responsible for other state regulations, when it pertains to engine swaps. You as the owner are responsible for updating registration and knowing what is and is not legal in your state of residency.

  • Since COVID....  A friendly reminder, we don't make most of these parts and are dependent on a supply chain, this has become a bit of a nightmare, from shifter's to radiator, tires and computers... everything is affected and TIME FRAMES we are no longer entertaining because of it. 

  • The figures below for each individual build are "rough" figures and should be seen as guidelines not final exact figures. There are to many things going on in the current world situation which are having an effect on pricing and supply chains, which we cannot keep up with. Unlike other places, we do everything for our conversions "AT COST", that means we share links to the parts that we order online so you know what you paid for and what part came from where so as to make it as transparent as possible and make for a far easier interaction. 

  • Finally, for those who think they are adding $$$$$ to their resale value, we are frank in saying that investing in cars for a financial return is not smart, we build cars for people to enjoy, not for people seeking to gain a return on investment.

  • PER JANUARY 1st 2023, we are no longer entertaining USED, or doing conversions on USED FRAMES. We have tried over and over again, but simply are done trying to explain what NO WARRANTY MEANS!     

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New/Remanufactured Engines

Land Rover 300tdi Turbo Diesel

Off/road + Leisure cruising

111hp + 185lb ft. torque

  • Engine $9500 - ($1500 core cost not included)

    • Fully Remanufactured Engine.

    • German made internal bearings ​

    • New Injectors (Bosch)

    • Reman Injection Pump

    • New Turbo (standard)

    • New Ancillaries

    • Upgraded INA timing belt kit

    • Upgraded U.K. made Clutch

    • E.U. parts used throughout our Engine build (where applicable)

  • Gearbox $2800

    • Ashcroft imported uprated R380​

  • Radiator/Intercooler $550.

  • Custom exhaust unless 300tdi chassis $800

  • Various bits (Tunnel Clutch slave, hoses, fluids, filters etc..) $1000 

  • Labor $2200  

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= $16750 + Delivery Fees and applicable taxes. 

The tried and true standard Land Rover Engine swap. The 300tdi is a fantastic engine for leasure use. We do however not recommend this for prolonged highway driving as RPM's at 70-75mph+ are sustainably to high for prolonged engine life (in our opinion). We build our 300tdi's like they would have left the factory with OEM or better internal parts and various upgraded ancillaries. 

Mercedes 3.0L

Turbo Diesel

Long Distance Road Applications

99% on road 

275hp + 400lb ft. torque 

  • Engine $10000

    • Complete remanufactured block including ancillaries.​

    • Manual Pump upgrade

  • Gearbox $5000

    • Mercedes Automatic Gearbox rated upto 500hp.​

    • Or Uprated Manual 5 or 6 Speed. 

  • Adapter's to connect Transferbox to Gearbox $1500 

  • Engine Mounts $250

  • Alternator Relocation Kit $250  

  • Custom Radiator/Intercooler $2000. (made for us)

  • Custom Propshafts for uprated HP and Torque $1400. (made for us)

  • Strengthened Remanufactured LT230 transfercase $2000

  • Additional Parts needed, all custom $2500 including exhaust. 

  • Labor $8000 

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= $32900 + Delivery Fees and applicable taxes. 

Known as one of our "million mile club" Engine's that we use in our conversions. This engine should outlast the vehicle's life span (10 years) multiple times over and is the best option in our professional opinion for the money. Option's to increase the horse power are available to the tune of 400hp, albeit the same rule of thumb applies with upgrading axle's beyond the 250hp limit. Please note that this is the engine we choose in our "Forever Defender" builds and as such should speak volumes for it's self. 

Cummins 2.8L Turbo Diesel

Mixed use off/road on road

20/80%

161hp + 310lb-ft torque

  • Engine $9000

    • New Crate Engine​

  • Gearbox $5000

    • New Gearbox​ 5speed or 6speed

  • Adapter's to connect to Transferbox $1800 

  • Custom Radiator/Intercooler $2000. 

  • Custom Propshafts for uprated HP and Torque $1400. 

  • Strengthened Remanufactured LT230 transfercase $2000

  • Additional Parts needed, all custom $3000 including exhaust. 

  • Labor $8500 

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= $32400 + Delivery Fees and applicable taxes. 

The data is still out on this conversion. Being one of the newest additions, we cannot state anything to it's longevity. It certainly does not mean that it will not be a good engine, it simply means that we have no input, nor are willing to buy into the bla bla of this setup. Please be advised that not all Defender's are legally able to receive this engine. If your vehicle was imported as a "passenger vehicle" and not as a "light duty truck" then the vehicle cannot be younger than 1993. For further details see Cummins website and reach out to NHTSA/EPA/DOT on further clarifications. 

Remanufactured Gasoline Engine's 

GM 6.2L LS3  Gasoline

Corvette Power on a budget

430hp + 425lb ft. torque

  • Engine $6500

    • Fully Remanufactured including new ancillaries. ​

  • Gearbox $4500 6 Speed Automatic ​

  • Adapter's to connect Gearbox to Transferbox $1300

  • Engine Mounts $250 

  • Stand-Alone ECU + Harness $1000  

  • Stand-Alone TCM + Harness $1000

  • Custom Radiator $1200.

  • Custom Exhaust $800 (cats additional)

  • Custom Propshafts for uprated HP and Torque $1400. 

  • Strengthened Remanufactured LT230 transfercase $2500

  • Transmission Tunnel, hilow plate, shifter $1500

  • Additional Parts needed, all custom $2500. 

  • Labor $8500 (it takes 125-145 hours on average) 

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= $32950 + Delivery Fees and applicable taxes. 

GM 4.3 Gasoline

The common sense conversion

195hp + 260lb ft. torque

  • Engine $4500

    • Remanufactured long block​

  • Gearbox $1800 4 Speed automatic

  • Adapter's to connect Gearbox to Transferbox $1300

  • Engine Mounts $250 

  • Stand-Alone ECU + Harness $1000  

  • Custom Radiator $1200.

  • Custom Exhaust $800 (cats additional)

  • Custom Propshafts for uprated HP and Torque $1400. 

  • Remanufactured LT230 transfercase $1000

  • Transmission Tunnel, hilow plate, NAS style center console $1500

  • Additional Parts needed, all custom $2500. 

  • Labor $7500 (it takes 105-130 hours on average) 

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= $24750 + Delivery Fees and applicable taxes. 

Ford 5.0 Coyotte (new)

460hp + 420lb ft. torque 

  • Engine $9869.99

    • New Crate motor from Ford 

  • Gearbox $5750 + Clutch Package 

    • New 5 Speed  (strengthened)​

    • Correct Cluth Plate ancillaries

  • Adapter's to connect Engine To Transmission $2000

  • Engine Mounts $250 

  • Stand-Alone ECU + Harness $1800  

  • Custom Radiator $1375.

  • Custom Exhaust $2200 (cats required)

  • Custom Propshafts for uprated HP and Torque $1400. 

  • Remanufactured LT230 transfercase + uprated internals for excessive HP and Torque $2500

  • Transmission Tunnel, hilow plate, NAS style center console $1500

  • Additional Parts needed, all custom $2500. 

  • Custom Front + Rear Axle's (Re-engineering of frame + mount locations) $12000

  • Labor $8500 

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= $44250 + Delivery Fees and applicable taxes. 

USED ENGINES

Yes, we can install used engine's, but do not recommend so! We check the state of the engine's and make sure they run correctly, however these engines are sold without any warranty. Our engines do get serviced where applicable. Please understand that the horse power and torque figures cannot be predetermined on a used engine, so we give the new HP and Torque figures below but are well aware they they will trend lower as engines wear over time. When a used engine conversion leaves, our property that is where our warranty ends. The old saying "you get what you pay for' applies here. After 7 years, we will no longer be doing USED, per January 1st 2023. 

(USED)
Land Rover 300tdi
Turbo Diesel

Leisure cruising

111hp + 185lb ft. torque

  • Engine $4000​

    • Engine is at least 21 years old ​

  • Gearbox reuse original gearbox (only if R380, if no R380 add $3000 for gearbox and $1000 for tunnel and labor to total below) 

  • Radiator/Intercooler $550.

  • Custom exhaust unless 300tdi chassis $800

  • Various bits (Clutch, timing belt, hoses, fluids, filters etc..) $1000

  • Transmission Tunnel, hilow plate $750 

  • Labor $2200 (conversion early vehicles)

    • If engine swap like for like $1000  

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N/A

(USED)
Mercedes 3.0L
Turbo Diesel

Long Distance Driver

99% on road 

174hp + 244lb ft. torque 

  • Engine $4000​​

    • good engine, inspected and tested (not a junkyard find) ​

  • Gearbox $1500

    • Mercedes Automatic Gearbox 

  • Electronic Standalone ECU $1400

  • Adapter's to connect Transferbox to Gearbox $1500 

  • Engine Mounts $250

  • Alternator Relocation Kit $250  

  • Custom Radiator/Intercooler $1000. (custom fit of the shelf)

  • Custom Propshafts for uprated HP and Torque $1400. (made for us)

  • Transmission Tunnel, hilow plate, NAS style center console $1500

  • Additional Parts needed, all custom $2500 including exhaust. 

  • Labor $6500 

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N/A

  • Engine $2500​

  • Gearbox $2000 ​

  • Adapter's to connect Gearbox to Transferbox $1300

  • Engine Mounts (Weld-in) $250 

  • Stand-Alone ECU + Harness $1000

  • Stand-Alone TCM + Harness $1000  

  • Custom Radiator $1200.

  • Custom Exhaust $800 (cats additional)

  • Custom Propshafts for uprated HP and Torque $1400. 

  • Transfercase that came with vehicle (if applicable $400 if used needed).

  • Transmission Tunnel, hilow plate $750

  • Additional Parts needed, all custom $2500. 

  • Labor $6500 

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N/A

Corvette Power on a budget

USED GASOLINE ENGINE'S

USED

GM 4.3 Gasoline

The common sense conversion

195hp + 260lb ft. torque

  • Engine $1500​

  • Gearbox $1000 ​

  • Adapter's to connect Gearbox to Transferbox $1300

  • Engine Mounts (Weld-in) $250 

  • Stand-Alone ECU + Harness $1000  

  • Offshelf force fit Radiator $400.

  • Custom Exhaust $800 (cats additional)

  • Standard (new) Propshafts - no warranty. $400. 

  • Transfercase that came with vehicle (if applicable $400 if used needed). 

  • Additional Parts needed, all custom $2500. 

  • Labor $6500 

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N/A

USED
GM 5.3L or 4.8L Gasoline

320hp + 335lb ft. torque

Ford 2.3 Ecoboost & 2.0 GM Turbo

Currently under-development.

Recommended Upgrades along with your engine conversion when going over 300BHP and/or 400lb.ft torque. 

Including Fitting

  • Rear 24 spline half shaft, HD limited slip differential. $3500  

  • Centre heavy duty limited slip differential, fully rebuild front axle, front HD limited slip differential, HD CV joints, drive flanges and half shafts $7500

  • Wilwood 6pot front caliper and 4pot rear caliper upgrade including caliper and rotors + bearings in conjunction with the above 

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