$24,900
SBC 350 V8
Defender SBC 350 V8 & 4L60E Conversion Kit
A complete, US-engineered small-block V8 installation kit. Matched carbureted powertrain, transmission integration, cooling, fuel delivery, exhaust system, ancillaries, and all installation hardware — built for North American roads and classic-inspired Defender builds.
What's Inside the Kit
ENGINE
Chevrolet - Small Block 350 V8
Carburetor Assembly
Mechanical or Electric Fuel Pump
TRANSMISSION & ADAPTER
GM 4L60E / 700R4 Automatic Transmission
RRO - Transfer Case Adapter
RRO - Transmission Crossmember
Transmission Cooler
Stainless Steel Braided Transmission Cooler Lines
PROP SHAFTS
New Front and Rear Prop Shafts (Includes Hardware)
ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLIES
Simplified Ignition System
Starter & Alternator Wiring
RRO - Proprietary Mounting Hardware
GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
Gear Shifter - LoCar Shifter w/Indicator Strip
RRO - Proprietary Mounting Hardware
RADIATOR PACKAGE
High-Capacity Aluminum Radiator
Radiator Hoses
Mechanical or Electric Cooling Fan
RRO - Proprietary Mounting Hardware
EXHAUST SYSTEM
RRO - SBC-Specific Header System
RRO - 3" Std Aluminized Steel Center Silencer
RRO - 3" Std Aluminized Steel Tailpipe
FUEL SYSTEM
Carbureted Fuel Delivery System
In-Line Fuel Filter
Gates Fuel Line Connections
AUXILIARY COMPONENTS
Electric/Hydraulic Power Steering
Optional A/C Integration
What This System Is Not
• Not a junkyard small-block drop-in
• Not a universal carbureted swap
• Not an unengineered mount kit
• Not a shortcut around cooling design
• Not a driveline geometry afterthought
This is a complete integration platform — developed through real-world Defender builds.
Investment
System pricing varies based on:
• Transmission selection
• Drive orientation
• Installation pathway
• Optional upgrades
Installed conversion projects typically range:
$45,000 – $65,000
Final investment determined during structured consultation.
Ready to Modernize Your Defender?
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Overview
The Rad-Rover SBC 350 Defender Conversion System delivers classic small-block V8 performance with structured integration engineered specifically for the Defender chassis.
This is not a universal carbureted swap.
It is a complete, platform-specific system refined through more than 100 Defender and Series conversions — developed, tested, and hand-built in Ames, Iowa · USA.
The SBC 350 Platform
The Chevrolet Small Block 350 remains one of the most time-tested V8 platforms in North America.
Simple. Mechanical. Serviceable.
Typical Output:
275–350 horsepower
350–380 lb-ft torque
Characteristics:
• Immediate low-end torque
• Mechanical throttle response
• Simplified electronics
• Broad parts availability
• Straightforward long-term serviceability
It transforms a Defender into a classic American V8 machine — retaining analog character while improving drivability over factory diesel platforms.
Engineered for Defender Chassis
The Defender platform presents unique engineering challenges:
• Limited frontal airflow
• Tight engine bay packaging
• Steering clearance constraints
• Transfer case alignment sensitivity
Our system addresses these directly.
Mount placement, cooling capacity, and driveline geometry are developed specifically for Defender architecture — not adapted from generic small-block swap kits.
Carbureted simplicity does not eliminate the need for proper engineering.
Transmission Options
4L60E Automatic
• Overdrive highway cruising
• Improved drivability vs factory 5-speed
• Reduced sustained RPM
• Ideal for daily-driven classic builds
700R4 (select configurations)
• Mechanical simplicity
• Compatible with certain build goals
• Proper linkage and geometry integration
Transmission integration includes driveline alignment and transfer case compatibility.
Why Rad-Rover
Few engineer them properly for the Defender platform.
Rad-Rover combines:
• In-house fabrication
• Structured cooling solutions
• Refined driveline geometry
• Clean electrical integration
• Real-world installation experience
Engineered + Hand-Built in Ames, Iowa · USA.