Thread: The Engine Question

300 TDI
And i've got a complete engine/gearbox for sale

My situation too. My 130 project has me throw TD5 vs 4BD1t around for some months now. Funnily enough it will end up with a rebuilt 300tdi initially ( 2 in the shed) simply because I can't find a motor of either type that is value for money.
I ll get the truck on the road and keep looking.

Plenty of options to tweek the 300 but cost starts making the 4BD1t or TD5 seem a simple choice if staying mechanical or wanting more grunt.

I wanted the Defer and mech injection for simplicity, but won't be phased if a TD5 comes up at the right time.

Originally Posted by Judo

200TDI would be preferred over a 300TDI?? I see others on here commenting the same thing, but why?!

Originally Posted by Sitec

Simplicity. 200ft/pounds of torque as oppose to 300...

What the ...!!!

Both 200 and 300 Tdi's were developed from the earlier 2.5 diesel. The name given to the 200 Tdi came about from the number of changes, many minor, some, like direct injection, major.

The 200 and 300 in the name has nothing whatsoever to do with the amount of torque produced.

The 300Tdi produces a little more power and torque, which is almost entirely to do with a higher setting of the turbo boost pressure - easily fixed in a 200Tdi.

The 200Tdi is a more reliable engine, mainly because the pulleys for the timing belt were made properly, not pressed out of sheet metal, so the timing belt doesn't track-off and wear away, leading to broken timing belts.

The turbo on a 200Tdi is far easier to find a replacement for. Both engines have very old technology turbos, and need replacing by now. To fit a better turbo to a 300Tdi, you need to find an exhaust manifold ...

The injectors on the 300Tdi are 2 stage and no diesel shops in Australia, or most other parts of the world can test them. Thankfully new replacements can be found that won't break the bank.

The downside of the 200Tdi, is that some parts are difficult to find now, but AFAIK substitutions can be made, I'm lead to believe that the replacement cylinder head that has fixed the flaws in the coolant passages for the 300Tdi head, can be used on a 200Tdi. If that is not the case, it is the only reason I would use a 300Tdi in preference to a 200Tdi.

I've had two 300Tdi's and would never have that crap engine ever again. I agree with the other comments about the TD5. They were a very good design, with the exception of a few things that are easy to cure at the right stage. There were issues with porosity in the early cylinder heads, but any of those will have been fixed now.

I'm a big fan of the TD5, I think once tweaked a little it suites the Landrover very, if not extreamly, well. While I like the idea of an engine that'll do a 1000,000,000 km and loads of torque, the general truck like nature of the Isusu does not appeal to me. IMHO an engine that size and weight changes a Landrover into quite a different vehicle, some may like that personally I'm less keen. I'm unsure of why one would require more power and torque than a moderately tweaked TD5 would put out under anything other than competition conditions. Perhaps it is a matter of driving style though. I like my Landrover to be a Landrover, else I'd drive something else.

The whole 'you can't fix it' argument is just BS, and some very good, and in my opinion well informed, comments regarding that issue made previously. Know your engine.

Starting from scratch though, and as much as I love them I would find it hard to part with the cash for a new TD5 engine, and it would be costly / difficult to get a secondhand one (that you could trust). So I would be forced to go the Isuzu. But I would always regret not having a TD5.

Everyone has an opinion, that's mine.

Ian.

Maybe if people put as much effort into maintaining thier vehicles as they did having these silly arguements about which is better maybe thier vehicles would be more reliable?.I would fit the engine that suits your needs and more importantly suits your budget and mechanical ability,the one thing I would not do is an engine mod or do a conversion that needed non standard parts.Personally I think people carry on about which engine does the most miles or which gearbox is stronger or weather thier axles have 10 splines or twenty,I've done too many real miles in the bush to worry about keyboard hero's. Pat

To segue from keyboard hero's..... I like how this is a poll. A very under utilised feature!!! Adds another dimension to the thread.

Some awesome replies! Thanks everyone.

I wasn't intending on this thread becoming a "my engine is better than yours" debate. Rather the pros and cons of them all. I agree with Pat that real world driving and proper maintenance beats banter over the Internet any day...and I've got lots of that over long distances and remote areas with my 200Tdi - it's a great engine and I'd go another one if it wasn't for the issue of parts getting harder to find and expensive.

Definitely not against the TD5 (it's a fantastic engine) and its basic electronics don't worry me one bit, just hadn't considered them because of conversion cost. But it might be in the same boat as the 4BD1T with cost from the looks of it, so maybe I should look at it.

The idea of this project is ending up with a vehicle that is as reliable as possible for long distance exploring in Australia and potentially overseas, using proven parts with as many as possible off the shelf for ease of sourcing replacements, easy track side maintenance with a decent tool kit, powerful enough to deal with a good size load plus 2-3 adults yet economical (something I love with the 200Tdi) and including deep water crossing ability without worrying about killing the engine. Oh and not cost 100k! lol

We thought about going for a new Defender, but for the money think it will be better creating an ideal build using our current one as the foundation. It's going to be an interesting journey over the next few years.

Turner engineering 300tdi rebuilt into a 2.8 International with VNT Turbo, 3" Straight through exhaust, Full length allisport intercooler, alloy radiator, tuned fuel pump...... Sorry Im just dreaming here But that combo would make one powerful 300tdi

Id personally go What I have just said or either the 4bd1t or TD5. My top 3.

Cheers

Pete