Land Rover Series SU Conversion - Part 1

Converting the 2.25 petrol engine to run an SU carburetor. The vehicle is a 1983 109" with 5 main bearing engine .

[@angeloc700]

Old video, but thanks for posting this! I purchased an engine from a shop who had a customer that converted from a 2.25 to a TDI...the engine came to me equipped with this exact setup. Thanks to you I found and downloaded the instructions on how to set everything up on their website. Cheers!!

[@GeoffreyCroker]

Thanks for the vid man. Looks good. Was just looking into second hand zeniths to replace the damaged carb I'm dealing with now. Might go down this route instead.

[@steamwally]

Worth every penny IMO. The Zeniths are OK but have their weaknesses. I started rebuilding an original and half way through decided to go for something better. I was on the second Zenith as it was, they seem to last a year or two and then warp...

[@whorayful]

SU carbs are a beautiful piece of kit, they appear so simple but are a very clever design and infinity adjustable. The oil damper is the equivalent of an accelerator pump in a conventional carb, the heavier the oil the slower the piston rises and the GREATER the acceleration enrichment due to the higher air speed over the main needle. Haynes do an excellent manual on the SU Carburettor their book number 299 this lists all available damper springs, needle sizes and tuning / maintenance tips. After your experiences in an English summer you may now understand why standard landrovers struggled in Australia with summers over 40 Deg C for weeks on end ;-) most of them ended up with locally made 6 cyl Ford or GM engines fitted after a few years. Good luck with the new job, Ray

[@steamwally]

Hi Ray, thanks for the tip off regarding the Haynes book, I'll track down a copy if I can. Even just after basic set up I'm impressed, it would be great to see how I can get more out of it. Certainly do understand the problems of hot weather now - lets face it, for the distances you guys travel something a bit more gutsy probably doesn't hurt either! Thanks, looking forward to starting the new job, working for a firm who restore vintage aircraft. Once in a lifetime opportunity, Phill.

[@whorayful]

Sounds like an excellent job! Your skills at restoring parts and attention to detail will come into their own and be appreciated I'm sure. Ray

[@odc43054]

nice conversion. Sounds like it's running a whole lot better.

[@steamwally]

It's a world away from what it is, smoother, more powerful and just generally a hoot to drive.

[@ColinTonkasdad]

nice conversion, not cheap but something i would of done... cheers ..look forward to see it finished .

[@andyg3]

where did you get the manifold? i cant find anything about that new one

[@wesleyconn620]

loved all your videos. and this SU set up is great a great idea that i might copy as i have a HIF 44 lying around. would you mind telling what needle and spring is it running? thanks

[@anzukadotani8953]

great! i put a little weber on mine , low end power is not so good, im going for the su!! the weber is too small for the engine ,like the idea of the carb on the side rather than over the exhaust manifold... and free back box too??

[@Lfig012]

3 in one oil...... is what i always use....su is de best carb ever made

[@steamwally]

Ah ok, how does that affect the throttle response? I've put engine oil in mine as instructed.

[@mattluszczak8095]

Where did all the kit come from guys?

[@lukeharding4215]

Where did you get the stuff from/have a list of what you got as I would like to do this to my land rover.

[@ChristianBorrman]

nice video, where do you think the power additions came from? 50 flat out to thinking 80 possible is quite a difference! how much of that is carb, how much the porting you did? also has it done anything to consumption?

[@JoshKilen]

nice job.

[@adamfilmore6358]

Do you have any idea where I might find the fitting that goes in the manifold for the servo pipe? I managed to get the bent pipe itself but I cannot find the fitting to attach it to the manifold anywhere :/

[@soledweller]

hi there im running the same system on my 88.but the blanking plate on the exhaust manifold (seen at 6.59 on your video) is blowing again( iv previously stripped it down and fitted a new gasket a few years ago)however the plate is now getting thin and corroded so i need a new one with gasket( tho i do have gasket material to make a new one if needs be) .the car came with this system fitted when i bought it so dont know were to source a new plate ,could you help advise where to look.

[@steamwally]

You might get one from ACR, who as far as I'm aware, still supply the kit. Failing that, make one - very simple to cut out and drill.

[@soledweller]

@@steamwally cheers, ordered one just today.. all good. Thanks for reply 😊

[@jamesjaxtell]

Thanks for a great video. What needle and jet are you using?

[@amerabbasi2076]

Nice work Mr Philip but what is benefit from this conversion

[@projectdalekmark]

I've heard brass bolts are best for the exhaust manifold if you need to remove it in the far future.

[@Darwinion]

Was the Zenith the 30IZ? I have a Reliant that was fitted with 30IZ Zenith as standard and peeps say a Weber ICH is an upgrade, but in the confines of the Reliant engine bay that can suffer from vaporisation as well. (Good for trikes though) So I was thinking of fitting SU from an 850cc Reliant engine (mines the older 700cc). You reckon it will be OK?

[@steamwally]

The Land Rover uses a 36IV. The Webber is certainly not considered an upgrade in LR circles, though they probably seemed like one if you had put up with a clapped out Zenith for any length of time! The SU gives a better throttle response than the pump jet type carburetors, the engine runs so smoothly - it didn't misfire before but it's just silky smooth by comparison. The SU set up doesn't seem to like cold weather, even with the heated manifold, once warmed up it's great. You should consider how you might heat the manifold.

[@rich3500]

I've watched pretty much all of your videos on WRD and that's the smoothest I've heard it run. What with this and electronic ignition I doubt if it can be improved any more now and is probably better that when it left the factory even if it does use a bit of oil. Are Zenith carbs a problem in general? I only ask because I'm reminded of the Zenith carb on the old Suffolk mower engine which I think was eventually replaced with a far better Dell Orto unit. I could never get them to tick over smoothly! Anyway it'll be good to see a test drive when the conversion is finished, happy motoring! Rich :-)

[@steamwally]

Thanks Rich, yeah it's going quite nicely now, I'm actually happy with it at last! I think Zenith carburetors have the same probably as many others - they are easily tinkered with. The 36IV as fitted to the Land Rover is one of the better carbs' fitted from standard but they do warp eventually it seems. They are a much simpler instrument than the SU though - I would happily rebuild one at the side of the road, not sure I'd do the same with the former.

[@MalcOfLincoln]

SUs a much better carb Phil. You'll see better mpg as well. Years away yet, but the only problem they have is dashpot sticking up. Simply clean any corrosion from around the piston. Some of the Ford lads used to do this swap on their 1200 Anglias and Cortinas. Came as standard with most BMCs of course (grin).

[@steamwally]

It's a world away from the Zenith, Malc. I should imagine better MPG will be possible, though I need to make an adapter to use the oil bath filter - the induction noise is very addictive.. Thanks for the tip! Phill.

[@MalcOfLincoln]

Never understood why constant vacuum carbs weren't used more widely. SU being much better than the Stromberg......so much better than constant choke. Of course today with computers controlling injectors, they've become obsolete.

[@graemelliott3942]

Where did you buy the SU Kit Steamwally?

[@steamwally]

Google Automotive Component Re-manufacturing Ltd. It isn't cheap by any standards, but I have to say the improvement in performance has to be felt to be believed - very much enjoyed the drive to work today!

[@graemelliott3942]

Thank you kindly. Its for my 1964 Series 2A 109.

[@jefflink9187]

Auctiongram Malik Hi if you want a SU carb and manifold I am selling one just email me mine has never been used but it's cheaper than buying a new one just email me at [e-mail]

[@victoriagain8854]

i have gone back to the old me how are you?

[@amerabbasi2076]

Hello Mr Philip Su carb is fit Land Rover engine 2.5

[@m3zov]

You would be better feeding the engine breather back into the carb inlet and not into a oil trap, The oil heavy air is good for upper cylinder lubrication and and you wont have a pot of toxic gungy oil to get rid of

[@steamwally]

Certainly does avoid the need to empty a catch can, however from the point of view of performance increase - it is better vented to atmosphere. I wouldn't really want to vent spent oil into the carburetor, the standard set up is only engineered that way to satisfy the emissions regulations of the time.