Engine Upgrades....

[jerryd]

I'm considering a Series III as a long term project and am wondering about engine conversions, current engine is a holden. I don't know much about this conversion but have heard they are thirsty and break axles.
So I'm thinking 200tdi or 300tdi as a donor. I've been reading various articles and I believe the 200tdi disco engine is the easiest conversion to do.

However, is the 300tdi much more difficult to install ?? Has anybody done this conversion ?? Would you rate the 200 or 300 ??

Are the benefits worthwhile concerning reliability, economy, wear + tear on other components etc. Looking to hear from people who have done the conversion and get their views etc.

[uninformed]

I know a guy that did a tdi conversion in a SIII swb....I think it was the 200tdi...it went awesome.

for me, (no engine expert) I would go the 200tdi as it has a few advantages like the shorter (much, 200mm) bellhousing... which sits the engine back without moving the gearbox/tcase back...if you are going to the trouble of converting I would do things like full width rad and intercooler. keep engine as far back as possible. vent engine bay (where the intakes are on the 200/300tdi defenders)

plenty of tech guys can fill in all the little bits and pieces re the 2 different engines

Serg

[series3]

Hi Jerry,

Have a look through this thread http://www.aulro.com/afvb/good-oil/92338-diesel-engine-conversion-series-vehicles.html.

Do some searches on the site, there is a myriad of threads concerning the choice of a series motor.

On another note, don't quickly discount the 2.25 as an option. It depends on what you are looking for of course, but it is a great little motor.

Sam

[NiteMare]

i did my 200tdi (disco motor as that's easiest 200tdi) into my series3 88" in under four days (ok one was a very long day of at least 14 hours) and with the bonnet closed and the engine switched off no one knows what i have, i built my own straight thru exhaust out of scrap 52mm exhaust pipes which gives it a nice growl when on the power...

300tdi requires that you move a chassis mount at the very least

don't worry about bellhousings, as i guess you're going to be using the Series gearbox and that "almost" perfectly mates up to the 200tdi FLYWHEEL housing, just one or two locating pegs to remove along with one stud and it will bolt straight up (fit a 9.5" friction plate), no need to worry about lengths really as the 200tdi and series gearbox sit straight on the original chassis mounts...

if you're feeling really adventurous you can also drill the flywheel housing to accept the bolt pattern of the series bellhousing (i didn't bother and i've been using mine as a daily driver for the last 18-20 months)...

here's a link to my build photos
Zebedee pictures by NiteMare_08 - Photobucket (http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/NiteMare_08/Zebedee/)

and a couple of vids of my latest daftness (NSFW or kiddies due to swearing)
29Dec 2010 laning :: w came, we saw, we sank :) video by NiteMare_08 - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid259.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/NiteMare_08/29Dec%202010%20laning/10150370837500401_26247.mp4@@AMEPARAM@@vid259@@AME PARAM@@259@@AMEPARAM@@hh311/NiteMare_08/29Dec%202010%20laning/10150370837500401_26247@@AMEPARAM@@mp4

29Dec 2010 laning :: getting the water back out video by NiteMare_08 - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid259.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/NiteMare_08/29Dec%202010%20laning/10150370843300401_64680.mp4@@AMEPARAM@@vid259@@AME PARAM@@259@@AMEPARAM@@hh311/NiteMare_08/29Dec%202010%20laning/10150370843300401_64680@@AMEPARAM@@mp4

we drove it home within the hour of sinking it :D

you could also google glencoyne (i can't be bothered :p ) as he does a very comprehensive guide to fitting and using the 200tdi minus the turbo (200di installation)

hope that helps, i like swinging spanners and found 99.9% of it so easy i could have done it with my eyes closed, no fancy engineering except a little lathe work to make my exhaust flange and remove the redundant V off the front crank pulley...

also get 4 x 3.5mm spacers/washers to put above and below the engine mount rubbers to assist with stopping the crank pulley from hitting the axle when traversing rough ground, i have parabolics which are supposed to flex more and haven't hit since lifting the engine and turning the pulley, if you don't do this mod in an 88" you WILL end up destroying the front of your crank :eek:

i'm now in the process of rebuilding a '65 109 and fitting that with a 200tdi engine with 300tdi turbo/manifold

[DenmarkSIII]

+1 on that, I am also doing a SIII restoration. The advice I have had so far is that the 300Tdi is the way to go.

Any advice appreciated :)

[justinc]

200Tdi is almost bolt in, fits the series bellhousing. Use a defender engine as the injector pump is lower and gives more clearance.

Don't worry about intercooler, and wind the fuel back as it will have plenty of go, plus you will get awesome fuel economy. I would definately fit an overdrive though.

OR;

300Tdi and Defender R380, and LT230 transfer case ex Disco(Higher high range). Leave the 4.7 diffs as the low range will be excellent still.

This is a LOT more work, but the engine is easily repaired, and the trans is stronger.

Where in Denmark are you?? Spent a lot of time down there as a young'n:)

JC

[DenmarkSIII]

Thanks for that.
We are in Bow River, almost 1/2 way between Walpole and Denmark.
The most peaceful, perfect place...

[justinc]

You're kidding right??? My cousins ( Simpsons) live at Kent River Siding, and just up the valley of giants rd! I have spent some $$$ in the Bow river bottle shop store over the years I can tell you:o

Small world...

JC

[isuzurover]

I have a IIA with a tweaked 2.25D, standard box and standard T-case with suffix B gears (49:1 1st low). I am happy with that setup, but would like a bit more poke, a DI diesel and lower low range for hard offroading.

Because of all that, I plan to fit:
Isuzu 2.8L 4JB1T (jackaroo/rodeo/small isuzu truck) - still need to buy
adaptor plate from one of the two UK companies who make one - still need to buy
200Tdi bellhousing - Bought one from Ashcroft in the UK
R380 - Had one, but lent it to Siska to get him out of trouble - found me another yet Dannie?
LT230 with Maxi-Drive 50% low range reduction (just need to assemble)...

So that is my plan. Certainly not the cheapest or easiest way to go, but should be a very bulletproof setup in the end, and will allow me to keep the rad/grille where it is.

IMHO the 2.8L 4JB1T is much more reliable and desirable than the 200/300tdi

[NiteMare]

+1 on that, I am also doing a SIII restoration. The advice I have had so far is that the 300Tdi is the way to go.

Any advice appreciated :)

the primary reason for fitting the 300tdi rather than the 200tdi is that the 300 was produced for around 15 years against only 4 or 5 years for the 200 so secondhand spares should be more abundant (that's the reasoning in the U.K.)