50+ years of engine conversions: an hour with Motor & Diesel Engineering

50+ years of engine conversions: an hour with Motor & Diesel Engineering

In this week's episode, Land Rover Monthly editor Martin Domoney grabs an hour with Ben Barker at Motor and Diesel Engineering. From the very early days of Perkins diesel converting classic Range Rovers to developing the latest complete drop-in conversion kits for all manner of Land Rover including fitting ULEZ-compliant petrol engines into Defenders. Ben mentions his early Land Rover One Ten County Station Wagon, which may well be giving its 2.25 petrol four-cylinder for rather more modern power, while the mods will remain fully reversible. The 300Tdi gets some serious upgrades at Motor and Diesel, with one of their most popular conversions being a conversion to 2.8 litres – more power and torque especially when combined with one of M&D's variable nozzle turbochargers. Ben is also quick to sing the praises of his Discovery 4 – on 170,000 miles on its original engine and driven hard every day, despite needing yet another park brake module... As always, we love to hear your stories and get your feedback and questions – send us an email on editorial@lrm.co.uk [editorial@lrm.co.uk] – and enjoy the episode.

Beer Tent Special Pt2! (Powerful UK, Defender Defender, Nick Dimbleby, Haddow Hales-Lavercombe & Helen Tait Wright)

In this episode, Martin and Steve are back in the beer tent at LRM Live 2026 for another round of great guests on the Salmon Sofa! Simon from Powerful UK and Russ from Defender Defender are first up to talk old Land Rover problems vs. new Land Rover problems, and how the Defender L663 is becoming a big part of the enthusiast scene despite the parts availability challenges of owning one. The guys talk the logistics of the Ministry of Defence demobbing their entire Land Rover fleet and how the influx of Defenders coming on to the market will evolve and change the fantastic Land Rover culture that continues to thrive and grow. Which rival will get the new MOD contract? Nick Dimbleby returns to the Podcast to talk post-Himalayas life with his Freelander, and seeing the vast spread of Land Rover models throughout the LRM Live event. Steve questions Nick about when the legendary 100-inch wheelbase TEW might see the light of day at an LRM event soon. Haddow Hales-Lavercombe also joins us to talk factory-registered Land Rovers and his involvement with the CVC Register. Plus we get a first-hand account of what it's like to drive a 2.25 diesel Series III for hundreds of miles. Helen Tait Wright joints the boys on the sofa to talk about her experience following on from her Dakar adventure and what the build process was like behind Purdey, her Td5-powered 110. As always, we love to get your feedback and questions – send us an email on editorial@lrm.co.uk [editorial@lrm.co.uk] – enjoy the episode!

Meeting the next generation at LRM Live! (Beer tent special Pt1)

In this week's episode, Martin Domoney and Steve Miller take to the stage in the beer tent at LRM Live! The boys are joined by a 9-year-old fan, Ted, who talks to the guys about his ideal Land Rover, his favourite part of the show and how he's trying to persuade his parents to buy a Discovery 2. Later in the episode, the boys hint at potential winners of the LRM Awards, sponsored by 4x4 Tyres, and disclose what goes into the makings of a magazine cover car. Land Rover Monthly magazine Sub Editor, Brett Fraser, is over from Australia and joins the boys for a chat, and Greg King also hops on the sofa for a yarn following a crushing Carkhana defeat. Thank you to everyone who joined us at LRM Live 2026 – we had a fantastic weekend, and hope you did too. See you at The Big Land Rover Fest in July! As always, we love to get your feedback and questions, so please send us an email on editorial@lrm.co.uk [editorial@lrm.co.uk] Enjoy the episode.

LRM Live is THIS WEEKEND! Arena attractions, awards, original Land Rovers and buzzards

In this week's episode LRM Editor, Martin Domoney, and Publisher, Steve Miller are gearing up for LRM Live at the Three Counties Showground at Malvern. They run through the arena attractions that will be keeping you all entertained over the weekend of 16-17 May, and hint at some of the other great Land Rover goodness that's going to take over the showground this weekend. There's still time to book your tickets ahead of the weekend and save money – https://www.landrovermonthly.co.uk/information/lrmlive [https://www.landrovermonthly.co.uk/information/lrmlive] In other news, Martin contemplates his next project, Steve gets ready to thrash out a load of jobs on his Ninety and a buzzard attack is witnessed. As always, we love to get your feedback and questions – send us an email on editorial@lrm.co.uk [editorial@lrm.co.uk] – enjoy the episode.

LRM Live traders announced! Plus great UK adventures, Discovery Safari saved and Lightweight trivia

In this week's episode, Martin joins Land Rover Life editor Neil Watterson as he prepares his Land Rovers for the trip to LRM Live on 16-17 May – less than 2 weeks away! Neil hints at the winching demos he has planned for the LRM Live arena, and tells us about the Discovery 1 Safari that he has recommissioned for the road. What do you know about Lightweights? Neil also tells Martin all about the differences and details that set them apart from the standard Series III Land Rovers. Finally, Martin runs through the list of confirmed traders that will be joining us at the Three Counties Showground at Malvern on the 16-17 May. Find out more and get your tickets here: https://www.landrovermonthly.co.uk/information/lrmlive [https://www.landrovermonthly.co.uk/information/lrmlive] As always, we love to get your questions and feedback – send an email to editorial@lrm.co.uk [editorial@lrm.co.uk] if you've got something to say! Enjoy the episode.