Thread: 97 130 Defender Engine / Upgrade Options?

Hi lads,
I'm proud to say i'm finally a defender owner, although i only got to spend 98km behind the wheel of my new beast before the clutch let go! It started to slip in 5th gear going over the gateway bridge. Luckily for me i was able to nurse it home in 1-4th without any slipping.

Which brings me to my next question; I've been roaming the internet and various forums for my next course of action.

Currently as it stands, my car has traveled 197,xxxKm and it has the motor rebuilt at 124,xxx at MR automotive with a bill of over $8,000 to show this. The car is still driveable but i don't want a tow ride home just yet! And a host of other mechanical bits and pieces from heavy duty drive lines, new chassis, etc. Except it wasn't maintained in an aesthetic point of view. Lots of dents, lots of rust in the panels, faded paint, missing left rear corner window, seats all torn, no roof lining, dash cracked and broken. So i've got alot to restore!

My options as i see it:
1: - Locate a 300 TDI auto gearbox / ancillaries and install it. Whilst i'm looking for a box, i'll attack the interior with some new seats/dash and sort out the rust in the bulk head and try stop those pesky water leaks. Is it possible to weld the vents below the windscreen shut? And attempt to get the dents sorted and paint the 130 in Santorini Black. Also a timing belt kit.

2: - Locate a Discovery 2 TD5 with an auto gearbox and do a complete conversion with gearbox/motor in one lot. And to do this, as i understand, i will need to modify/cut/weld my chassis to accommodate the new motor, but the gearbox will still bolt up its original location? And i can use my original drive shafts? And will also require a stand alone gearbox ECU and i'll need to source a Defender TD5 wiring harness/ECU ? Or can i use the wiring and ecu from the disco for the engine / box?

3: - Locate a Discovery 3 with a TDV6 and source a 4HP22EH or 4HP24EH and try and get the thing running. Which will require cutting the chassis and a stand alone computer for the engine/gearbox?


Or i try keep it simple for the moment and source the auto ZF 4HP22 from a 300 tdi and get the car running with the interior/bulk head sorted. And also try get the respray done in Santorini Black bit by bit. And possibly a timing belt kit as the motor has nearly travelled 80,000km since the rebuild.


As i see it, if i go with option 2 or option 3, it will require lots of re-wiring and chassis modifications. So i may as well go with option 3 and have something unique in the long run.

Is anyone able to confirm the modifications required to the chassis to fit a Disco TD5/ Auto gearbox in a 300TDI? I tried to find some guides/write up's but have been unsuccessful thus far.


I'll keep you guys posted on the car and try my best to document each step i take with him.

Any advice/Parts locations/Prices would be much appreciated! I'll be doing all the work myself, so labour isn't a factor!

Also, i'm looking to sell the steel tray on there at the moment in favor of an original tub. Any takes? / swaps for a tub?

Ideally i would like to go down the Disco 3 TDV6 option, but for the moment i may settle with a Disco TD5 or a 300 TDI auto gearbox.

Cheers,
Shane

So Pics
You have seen my 130 rebuild coming along. I have a few pics coming soon on my efforts to ensure a dry cab. With the time and space you cant beat the ease of repairing, prepping and painting with the thing in pieces.

Keep the vents, fit new seals.

Id use that 300tdi till it stopped before changing engines.