Need advice on possible engine swap

[tourlux]

I am thinking of buying a 1997 Defender 130, but I am not sure about the TDI300 motor having enough power to carry a slide on camper. Is it possible to either power up the TDI300 or swap it for a TD5. If I fitted a TD5 would I get a siginificant increase in power?
:unsure:

[rrturboD]

Consider adding gas (eco-shot), should give you the needed HP increase, and probably costs lots less than the engine swap.

[roverrescue]

This should proof enough the 'ol 300tdi can be a workhorse!
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/33957-towing-big-boats.html

But to answer your question, yes you can "power up" the 300tdi somewhat plenty of info do a search! Injection pump tuning, bigger intercoolers, VNT turbo, diesel gas etc etc

But if you want a TD5 it will always be more economical to just buy a TD5 130.

My opinion is you have chosen the right vehicle - now just get one with the engine you want! 300tdi old tech no electronics will do the job - TD5 newer tech with gains afforded by electronic brain involvement.

Steve

[Vern]

i.m gonna say it, isuzu 4bd1t:D, 300tdi is and will always be a gutless, torqueless LITTLE engine(for heavier loads). Yes its a good reliable engine but not big enough or powerful enough (and before the flameing i do have one in a D1), if your loading your vehicle up, get a bigger cube, torquier motor.:)

[rovercare]

i.m gonna say it, isuzu 4bd1t:D, 300tdi is and will always be a gutless, torqueless LITTLE engine(for heavier loads). Yes its a good reliable engine but not big enough or powerful enough (and before the flameing i do have one in a D1), if your loading your vehicle up, get a bigger cube, torquier motor.:)


Heathen:eek:

[big guy]

i.m gonna say it, isuzu 4bd1t:D, 300tdi is and will always be a gutless, torqueless LITTLE engine(for heavier loads). Yes its a good reliable engine but not big enough or powerful enough (and before the flameing i do have one in a D1), if your loading your vehicle up, get a bigger cube, torquier motor.:)

Not sure if a older motor will be compliant to go in a 97 model car.

With stricter emissions etc it may also be a issue.

As said above, there are simpler ways and keep it original.
I did the intercooler upgrade, pump tweak and d-gas.
The gas made the biggest difference and with current rebate, its not expensive.
If ever in Adelaide, you are more than welcome to take mine for a drive and i can forward you the no of the bloke that installed it. He is also a member here.

My friend has a Isuzu 3.6 in his 89 RRC and its noisy, vibrates like a bitch but yes does have stump pulling power.;)

[Vern]

weren't they made up to the mid/late 90's?

[Vern]

Heathen:eek:
so:p

[slug_burner]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/general-chat/1493d1169365171-towing-big-boats-tow-time.jpg

[Vern]

yeah i'd feel comfortable with a 2.5litre engine pulling that:eek:, IIRC he said it was ok upto 70kph, but more comfortable at 60.:(

[big guy]

yeah i'd feel comfortable with a 2.5litre engine pulling that:eek:, IIRC he said it was ok upto 70kph, but more comfortable at 60.:(

I pulled a boat not much smaller over short distances just like that.

Electric/hydraulic brakes on them are so good, they work like a semi where the trailer slows you down with its brakes.
The pulling was done in low range, hill start was only hesitation and reversing.

[roverrescue]

Vern that really isnt a sensible reply.
You would be crazy to pull 4T much OVER 60kph with any rig that weighs less than 3T+
and in regards to the old 2.5L chestnut, if your only doing 60 stick it in low range and be done with it...

I agree the boat is probably irrelevant to the topic at hand, no comparison to a tray top camper - my bad. Either engine posted originally 300tdi or TD5 will be okay carrying up to a 130s GVM.

S

[Vern]

Sorry Steve, but isn't that what i was implying? Why was my post not sensible, it was in jest:(
Now back to the ORIGINAL post, the 300tdi will do it, slowly, the td5 will do it much better, especially when chipped, but IMHO the isuzu will do it the most comfortably

[big guy]

Sorry Steve, but isn't that what i was implying? Why was my post not sensible, it was in jest:(
Now back to the ORIGINAL post, the 300tdi will do it, slowly, the td5 will do it much better, especially when chipped, but IMHO the isuzu will do it the most comfortably

I think you are right and slightly wrong.
As the Isuzu would do it more comfortably if fitted to a truck as it was meant to with a much heavier vehicle and hence have more weight to balance it out but all 3 motors will do it at least to a certain speed and there is no way you be towing that thing at high speed anyhow.

I think legally we are all wrong as they are limited to 3.5t towing and that boat looks a ripper, and be way over that.
Thank god for a proper chassis otherwise it be a longwheel base now.:p

[Vern]

sorry big guy, was refering to the ORIGINAL post about the tray top camper and his concern about the 300tdi being capable:).
But about the boat (which is a very impressive boat), a small truck would be a better choice, i think the 300tdi is a bit out of its league on that one:D

[vnx205]

Do you already have the camper?

If you have the right camper, it doesn't weigh much more than a four door with all its extra seats and windows - about 360kg.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Blknight.aus]

the stock tdi300 can be pushed up to the same power output level as a stock TD5.

IMHO the tdi300 will be fine for a normal slide on camper on the back of a 110/130. (see above post for a suitable photo of my definition of a "normal" size slide on camper)

slide on camper + a trailer load, might be pushing it a tad.

[roverrescue]

My 95' 130 has a max ATM of 4000kg - in the book - sticker on the A pillar 4000kg on the tow hitch.

Buy the best 130 you can afford, if it has a 300 so be it, if you stretch to the TD5 money then good to. I wouldnt worry about an engine swap for what will essentially be a nothing load for either engine - is that better?

Sure a 4BD1T swap would be nice but probably isnt necessary for a 400kg camper?

peace
Steve

[tourlux]

Hello,
Yes, we already have a camper. A Cameron Canvas Slide-on. It was sold as weighing 480kg, but this was the bare weight. Completely loaded with fridge, power system, full water tank etc is weighs in about 1 tonne. Hence the need for a reasonable sized motor. We really like the camper but our current ute struggles on the hills, so we are looking to keep the camper and upgrade the ute.

28726

Since starting this thread the 1997 130 we were looking at has sold and single cabbed 130 seem to be scarce. Any suggestions how to track one down would be appreciated.

[cewilson]

Look at the various upgrades that some members have done on here to the 300tDi - e.g. turbo swaps, intercooler increases etc.

I tow a Trak Shak camper trailer (approx 1000kg) with my 200tDi Defender - yes it is slow climbing up hills etc, but it keeps on going. I've figured now days that I'm meant to slow down on holidays, so I've stopped worrying about it.


Cheers
Chris