Thread: 300tdi Highway "cruising" sweet spot?

Hi traktor, for me 100 kms/hr is plenty fast enough in a Tdi its about 2550 rpm, they will give fairly good fuel economy as well, 110 is about 2800, a bit quick and a fair bit more work for the engine given the aerodynamics. The car feels best at 90 -100 on secondary/dirt roads , the engine is relaxed , even conversation is possible I'm fitting the 1.211 TC soon it will give me 2200 rpm at 100, kms /hr and 2400 at 110, it should be a bit quieter and relaxed.

For a daily driver in the city I find her a bit slow off at the lights, especially with the very low first gear, every one is right up behind me on the change into second, but once your in third its ok. But theres almost nothing slower than me. I drive mine to work a couple of days a week to keep her in good shape.

cheers simmo

110 no problems but it's sweet spot is 100 - 105.

I don't think the 300tdi Defender is necessarily the best choice for daily driving though. Definitely the most interesting Defender (IMO) and they are special things off-road but not really a commuter vehicle. I'd get one for weekends and buy something cheap and modern to wear out during the week.

I took mine up the freeway to Taree a couple of weeks ago and it would do 120 but it does have the Allisport intercooler. But 110 is good. My preference for normal driving is about 100-105. I think it is more economical at the lower speed.


I did go over 120 a few times on the freeway (yes, downhill after topping a hill ) and a buzzer sounded. I cannot see any reference to a speed buzzer, so does anyone know is this standard or has somebody fitted it?

Tom.

Originally Posted by BathurstTom

I took mine up the freeway to Taree a couple of weeks ago and it would do 120 but it does have the Allisport intercooler. But 110 is good. My preference for normal driving is about 100-105. I think it is more economical at the lower speed.


I did go over 120 a few times on the freeway (yes, downhill after topping a hill ) and a buzzer sounded. I cannot see any reference to a speed buzzer, so does anyone know is this standard or has somebody fitted it?

Tom.

If that buzzer goes off three times in any 30 day period you will automatically be reported for Defender abuse and your Defender will be removed from your care and placed with a new family. Be careful!

Best long range cruise on standard tyres for a tray back 300 tdi is 95-100 indicated. About 9.5 litres per 100km. Will do more but not economical. Drop the centre muffler makes a difference.

I highly recommend a Disco trans case. My 1995 110 sits very nicely on 110ks with out sounding like a piston will soon exit the bonnet. Before that, it was scary. Tyres are 750s.

Originally Posted by micksta1973

I highly recommend a Disco trans case. My 1995 110 sits very nicely on 110ks with out sounding like a piston will soon exit the bonnet. Before that, it was scary. Tyres are 750s.

I removed a disco case and replaced with 1.4 Defender case. Much nicer to drive around town. Before that the ratios seemed out of whack.

Haven't noticed a massive difference on the highway. Definitely nicer with the Disco gearing at 110 but I generally sit on 100. Uses a touch more fuel but is more responsive.

Never found it scary

For the last 10,000 km, I have run an LT230 transfer case with ratios of 1.27:1 high and 4.21 low. Like the faster high range. Have been much less inclined to go to change into 5th gear when already in it. Also, slower low first and reverse is also better. This was achieved by getting just ONE part that is presumably nothing like anything supplied by Land Rover made.


Had bought an LT230 that supposedly came out of a Disco but serial number and bits attached to it indicated it came from a mid '80's Rangie with torque flite auto. !.003 high which would be too fast in high first and reverse for a Defender. Got a 22 tooth input gear designed and cut. It drives onto the 44 tooth high range gear on the cluster, rather like the high low setup in a Series transfer box back to front. Replaces the standard 26 tooth gear driving the 41 tooth middle gear on the cluster. Reckon only downside of this box is the sometimes annoying whine at higher speeds in both high and low.


Am currently doing a rebuild of R380 gearbox that should not have been necessary. Did not realise that an oil leak from rocker cover gasket I hadn't got around to fixing was masking another one from the gearbox until it started making unhealthy noises with front gears chewing themselves.


Have located economically priced secondhand input and layshafts for TDI type gearbox. Already had an R380 from a Disco V8. However, input shaft does not suit diesel and first gear is faster. 14 teeth on cluster instead of 13. Want to keep lower speed diesel box first but I intend using the two gears for 5th in rebuilt box though. 0.732:1 ratio from V8 type instead of 0.77:1 in standard diesel version. Approx 5% increase in speed at same engine revs for 5th gear only. Note Ashcroft transmissions normally offer this modification option but apparently recently these gears have been out of stock lately.


Seems to me that this faster 5th gear should be better with light loads at open road speeds but when they get heavier, would use 4th more.