Thread: Defender with BMW 2.8i

I drive a Defender 2.8i Hard Top (1997) -- (M52 Engine)

Factory fitted with a R380 gearbox with the same ratios as the Defender Td5 (The Main Input shaft is different)
Factory fitted with the LT230 transfer case. The High Range ratio is 1.667

The Range Rover (P38) which was fitted with the BMW 2.5 Turbo Diesel traight six engine (M51) used the same Bell Housing, Clutch Kit, Dual Mass Flywheel and slave cylinder as the Defender 2.8i (This Range Rover Model was not sold in South Africa)

Bell Housing and adapter - FTC4461 and FTC3424
Dual Masss Flywheel - ERR5205
Clutch Kit - STC50512
Slave Cylinder - ANR2967
Primary Input Shaft (Gearbox) - ??
Pilot Bush - ??

When Dual Mass Flywheel needs to be repplaced we replaced it with a Solid Flywheel (custom made). We then fit the Tdi 300 friction plate with the original 2.8i/P38(2.5 TD) pressure plate

The Defender 2.8i was not fitted with a O2 Sensors on the exhaust (also some earlier BMW 328i's in South Africa was not fitted with O2 Sensors).
The ECU was programmed not to make use of the O2 Sensors.

To Set the CO% the Diagnotics Software can adjust the CO on the ECU by using a Gas Analyser

Hope this helps in someway

Cheers
Abrie

Yeah, I've driven the 2.8 for a little bit...

IMO - It makes a great noise but a big let down compared to the V8. When you add up the (lack of) economy vs power output and agro factor of parts, etc... I'd prefer to go the V8.

That said, if you want to do a conversion, you should be able to get all the parts 'off-the-shelf'.

M

A mate of ours drives one here in Botswana. I would agree that the V8 is a more appropriate match as although it's a LR engine (orignially Buick, 'though) you will find parts at more reasonable prices than for the bimmer block. If you go BMW then you may want to consider fitting a low coolant alarm, as the heads are prone to damage under overheating (more than the V8 from what I understand).

The Beemer motor is great IMHO.

The only thing that will come close to being better is a 4.6 top hat V8. The 3.9V8 will give about the same performance, albeit with peak torque at lower revs.