Motor and Diesel 2.8l 300Tdi

[Shoogs]

Has anyone had much to do with M and D and there 300Tdi upgrade to 2.8l...? Have been chatting with them about a possible purchase, as whilst a good honest reliable motor they are lacking somewhat, and yes have done all the usual upgrades, though now I have a camper in tow a little more power would be appreciated.

Considering the power gains, bolt straight in and overall cost they are still way in front of a conversion and I quite like the 300Tdi for its simplicity and its never let us down anywhere. Will be part of a mid life rebuild thing sort of...

Attached is specs and cost etc... sans freight/duty.

Tim

[Vern]

Chatting to a mate who has had a few of the 2.8's, he said they aren't worth the money for such little gain.
Just do the usual 300tdi mods.

[uninformed]

Have one, blew it up (my fault). Rebuilt twice, awaiting a head gasket at least currently.

Good luck trying to buy an alternator for them. All parts ever needed will need to come from M&D (except some of the shared 300tdi parts.)

For that money id be looking at the TD5. IMO a better engine in design, power and tune-ability, and way easier to source parts.

The 300tdi lacks cooling, a big part of this is intercooling. The HS 2.8TGV is only going to suffer more.

[uninformed]

Actually, after re reading that, I definitely would not!. The genuine HS 2.8 TGV cylinder block was an improvemnt over the 300Tdi. This is using a LR 300 Tdi block. The HS 2.8 TGV also used a proper engine oil cooler and not the radiator. The vacuum pump is fitted to the rear of the alternator. Better than the LR set up, but you cant get alternators any more, not even other brands or models work.(except the modified ones that M&D do) If they are using the 300 Tdi alternator and seperate vacuum pump then thats good for availability. The timing gears are definitely better on the 2.8 TGV, which they use in this conversion.

keep your 300tdi or go TD5 IMO

[uninformed]

btw, I have the actual HS 2.8 TGV in my 110. I dont think they are the hype they were made out to be, much like the talk of 300TDi's towing 2t at 130 on the hwy no problems.... BS!

Mine was let down somewhat by intercooling. Yes I had it upgraded but not front mount. I did have a 3 inch madrel bent exhaust that helped spool up.

Its still just a 2.8 turbo diesel.

[Wicks89]

Shoogs said he had done all the usual upgrades to the 300tdi. I wonder if you are going to be doing a midlife rebuild, if you haven't gone down the VNT route yet might be worth considering, maybe a performance head (if available) and maybe an auto conversion (which may help a lot with the towing).

Interesting to know what mods you already have Shoogs

[Shoogs]

Shoogs said he had done all the usual upgrades to the 300tdi. I wonder if you are going to be doing a midlife rebuild, if you haven't gone down the VNT route yet might be worth considering, maybe a performance head (if available) and maybe an auto conversion (which may help a lot with the towing).

Interesting to know what mods you already have Shoogs

Wicks,

Allisport intercooler, VNT, exhaust, radiator, massaged pump, you name it, all done, except for a new performance head, problem is its a Camel Trophy 110, so a lot more weight than normal with the cage, rack etc...

Auto, is in the thought process as well...

Problem is I like the 300tdi, we put all manner of fuel in it, all over Africa, it just goes and goes, and I know it well... towing with it is quite good, in isolation until you hit a head wind or slope, off road no issue, sand, no issue.

Just thoughts at the moment as in 2021 we are off again up through Americas, hence the midlife over a year or so...

Uninformed, thanks for the info all very interesting and as usual thought provoking, cheers.

[Vern]

For similar or even less money, i'd put an isuzu in it

[87County]

For similar or even less money, i'd put an isuzu in it

That's definitely the answer IMHO - install one of the available turbo options you will have a power plant that will outperform the 300tdi and will outlast you :)

One alternative for a gearbox to get a conversion to refit the R380 (these are available). Other gearbox adaptations have been used in conjunction with the LT230.

[Vern]

I'd just use an LT95 for its simplicity and ease if fitment

[86mud]

Shoogs

Have you had your 300Tdi dyno tuned? how much does your 110 weigh?

135942

Attached is my Dyno tune. This is for my 1998 130 running 285/75 MTZ's with the truck weighing in at about 3t at the time of the dyno tune.

I have all the same mods that you have. I am looking at an external oil cooler now. I don't tow a heavy camper trailer around, but I do tow a loaded offroad box trailer or an offroad dirt bike trailer a lot and find the 300Tdi (With the mods) works well. Plus it is simplistic and easy to get parts.

Stay away from the 2.8 is my opinion.

[Shoogs]

Hi Andrew, Yep dyno has been done and yes similar figures, as I say on its own it fly's, with 1.2t of trailer whilst it doesn't hold up traffic it could do with some more poke.

Isuzu is being considered as well.

Reliability and simplicity are still the forefront of what is important. So all food for thought, though as restrictions on emissions get harder and harder to meet its tempting to put a modern ISF Cummins or dare I say it auto with turbo petrol/hybrid in it, I am bemused when people say you need a diesel in Africa for instance, 9 out of 10 vehicles are Chinese scooters/motorbikes... petrol powered, and I have seen more Corollas in the middle of nowhere than any other vehicle...

Anyway plenty of time and thought really appreciate the responses and information. 2.8l off the list...

Tim

[Wicks89]

Wicks,

Allisport intercooler, VNT, exhaust, radiator, massaged pump, you name it, all done, except for a new performance head, problem is its a Camel Trophy 110, so a lot more weight than normal with the cage, rack etc...

Auto, is in the thought process as well...

Problem is I like the 300tdi, we put all manner of fuel in it, all over Africa, it just goes and goes, and I know it well... towing with it is quite good, in isolation until you hit a head wind or slope, off road no issue, sand, no issue.

Just thoughts at the moment as in 2021 we are off again up through Americas, hence the midlife over a year or so...

Uninformed, thanks for the info all very interesting and as usual thought provoking, cheers.

If it wasn't a Camel Trophy I'd say straight away just dump the roof rack and performance will be greatly improved.

I think if you're looking at keeping what is in it original (as in 300tdi, R380) then another option could be to lower the diff gearing and get an over drive.

I'm not sure of the percentage changes off the top of my head but you may end up with lower 1st through 5th with the ability to over drive and back to almost normal.

If it was any old 110, got to be 4BD1T though. So much grunt, so reliable.