Project Blackout: A 326 Horsepower Daily Driven Defender 90

When a 430 horsepower, 6.2L V8-fed beast is too much, a 'less' powerful 326-hp engine will do.

The reality is, that not every customer interested in their own customized Defender needs a 430-hp LS3 6.2L V8-powered beast. Many of East Coast Defender’s clientele use their creations as daily drivers, and considering half of the shop’s customers are women, a more manageable powertrain has proven to be a popular choice with female drivers seeking reliability and a pleasant driving experience.

Enter the latest project by EDC — Project Blackout. Powered by a 5.3L Corvette LC9 V8 making a respectable 326-hp and paired to a 6-speed transmission, this is the Florida-based shop’s first build to offer a tire pressure monitoring system. Sitting on beefy 18-inch Sawtooth wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires coupled with EBC Performance brakes, Project Blackout won’t have any issues traversing uncompromising terrain when it needs to.

Project Blackout East Coast Defender badge
Project Blackout. Photo: East Coast Defender
Project Blackout East Coast Defender engine
Project Blackout. Photo: East Coast Defender

Other performance upgrades include stainless steel fuel and brake lines, a Borla exhaust, and a Ron Davis aluminum radiator. Up top, there’s a full roof rack with LED spot lamps with LED lighting throughout.

Inside, this Defender finds heated leather Land Rover seats finished in black leather with four inward-facing jump seats in the rear. Driver front and centre are classic Instruments Moal Bomber gauges with a sound system by Kenwood including an infotainment setup with Apple CarPlay and Android auto, coupled with speakers and a subwoofer by Morel.

Project Blackout is one of several builds we’ve featured by EDC, and we’ll definitely keep our eye out for the next one.

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News Editor
Bringing the latest news including release dates, pricing announcements, product updates. With some glossy concepts and special edition rides in the mix.