Land Rover Defender LS

Project Overview

This Defender came to us already a proper off-roader, with a healthy lift and ready for the trails. What it lacked was the right engine. The owner wanted to fit an LS V8, and together we chose a GM L92.

Why the L92?

The L92 is the 6.2-litre Gen IV V8 from GM's trucks and SUVs, such as the Cadillac Escalade and the GMC Yukon and Sierra Denali. It is built the same way as the LS3 found in the Corvette and Camaro SS. The aluminium block, the 4.065" bore and the 3.622" stroke are all the same. Both engines use the same high-flow rectangular-port cylinder heads.

The main differences are:

• Variable valve timing: the L92 has a cam phaser (VVT), which the LS3 doesn't. This gives the L92 a broader torque curve, which works well in a heavy 4x4.
• Camshaft and compression: the LS3 has a more aggressive cam and slightly higher compression, so it makes a little more peak power from the factory.
• Truck intake and accessories: the L92 comes with a tall truck intake manifold and truck-style ancillaries. These are easy to swap for car parts.

The L92 is also usually noticeably cheaper than an LS3 on the used market. You get essentially the same engine, often for a lot less money, and that leaves more budget for the rest of the build.

Phase One: The Swap

We fitted the L92 with a Corvette intake manifold. It is lower and flows better than the stock truck intake, and it fits much more easily under the Defender's bonnet. We also kept the snorkel fully working, because this truck is still meant to go through deep water. Customer didn't want 8HP this time, he wanted raw experience, so we decided to go with BMW 6spd manual.

Phase Two: While We're At It…

High-mileage donor engines can hide surprises. During testing, a few things about this engine didn't seem right, so we took it apart to check. It turned out the L92 was due for a proper refresh.

With the engine already in pieces, the owner started thinking bigger. What began as a freshen-up has turned into a much more ambitious plan, and that is the phase this build is in now.