Disco tdi engine conversion

[97discotdi]

I have a bit of a dilema, I would like to buy a 20' caravan and also keep the Disco for pulling it. Therein lies the problem, the 300 Tdi is going to strugle, but I cant find a replacement vehicle that I like as much as the Disco. I was wondering has anyone changed the 300Tdi engine with a 3.0 litre Nissan patrol motor it seems like an obvious replacement 120kw/ 380nm sounds good as long as the R380 gearbox can manage it. Has anyone heard of a good diesel transplant for the Disco?

[Utemad]

I think the obvious choice would be a supercharged 4.6L V8 :cool:

Perhaps a 4BD1-T.

A guy near me had a 300Tdi to tow his twin axle offroad van. I noticed last I went past that the Disco is gone and 100 series of some kind replaced it.

[weeds]

I have a defender and tow a 16ft millard poptop that is 25 years old, it prrobably weighs as much as a modern 20ft'er

For a few hundred $$$ you can tweeked the fuel pump and remove the mufflers for a bit more get up and go and drivability

Yep mine slows down on hills but I can cruise on the flat at 95 no worries which gets me there quick enough

Me would guess a transplant would be costly

Edit.....oops I just read your signature block, you have done what I said plus some

[97discotdi]

The only problem with the Toyota, apart from price is, I have seen 3 of the petrol ones brocken down in the middle of nowwhere waiting for a tilt bed truck to come in and get them out. The price they paid for that I could replace my engine, as for the Tojo 100 series tdi, I don't want to sell my house to buy a car.

[97discotdi]

Thanks for the input Weeds. I agree I have put gas on the 300 and tweaked the p/p also upped boost 2psi. I am probably going to give it a go pulling the van. But I just think the Disco with the Nissan 3ltr would be my dream car. I was hoping someone here has done the conversion.

[justinc]

Thanks for the input Weeds. I agree I have put gas on the 300 and tweaked the p/p also upped boost 2psi. I am probably going to give it a go pulling the van. But I just think the Disco with the Nissan 3ltr would be my dream car. I was hoping someone here has done the conversion.

That 3Litre Nissan motor hasn't been remotely close to the 300Tdi for reliability in the past, and it being common rail and ECU controlled will require a bit of inginuity and a fair amount of adaption to make it work properly. I agree with Weeds, and will add that reliability is more important than climbing hills quickly.

JC

[101RRS]

The Nissan engine has a history of blowing up. Surely the cost of replacing the 300TDI engine with something else is going to be at least $10K so why not sell the 300TDI and buy a TD5 - the changeover will be competitive with replacing the engine and resale will be heaps better - chip the TD5 to suit your needs - better than the Nissan.

Gazzz

[DarrenW]

Disco97,

I've got a 20ft Roma dual axle caravan and just come back from a 12,000 km trip from Melb to Broome and return. I've done no engine mods and partially agree, with no headend I was able to do 90-100km on the flat and no more. I'm comfortable with that as the van weighs over 2 ton. Head winds and I'm back to 4th pushing to do 80kms. The main issue is pulling away and getting up to speed that takes the time.

Interestingly at a roadside stop north of Coober Pedy last week I met a couple with a 300Tdi Auto disco that was towing a 24ft Jayco Stirling. I went over and mentioned that I thought I was the only idiot towing a big van with a disco and he mentioned that he'd just had the diesel/gas conversion done and the performance improved dramatically. He was happy with it and had no thoughts of changing the car.

Also D3 are starting to make an appearence as a tow vehicle although by far it seems you hit 60 and by a Desiel Toyo and a new van ... with a sticker on it saying Bob and Jan UHF 20:D

What sort of perfomance are you wanting ...

Darren

[justinc]

Disco97,

I've got a 20ft Roma dual axle caravan and just come back from a 12,000 km trip from Melb to Broome and return. I've done no engine mods and partially agree, with no headend I was able to do 90-100km on the flat and no more. I'm comfortable with that as the van weighs over 2 ton. Head winds and I'm back to 4th pushing to do 80kms. The main issue is pulling away and getting up to speed that takes the time.

Interestingly at a roadside stop north of Coober Pedy last week I met a couple with a 300Tdi Auto disco that was towing a 24ft Jayco Stirling. I went over and mentioned that I thought I was the only idiot towing a big van with a disco and he mentioned that he'd just had the diesel/gas conversion done and the performance improved dramatically. He was happy with it and had no thoughts of changing the car.

Also D3 are starting to make an appearence as a tow vehicle although by far it seems you hit 60 and by a Desiel Toyo and a new van ... with a sticker on it saying Bob and Jan UHF 20:D

What sort of perfomance are you wanting ...

Darren

And even pushed that hard, you'd be using half the fuel of the Toyota!:D

JC

[97discotdi]

Thanks for the input. I really like the series1 disco, a Td5 just seems too complex for me. I will give the 300Tdi a go, maybe it is time to slow down and smell the roses.:D

[tombraider]

How about considering a hybrid turbo and intercooler upgrade...

Theres a few people who can do it for you and the gains are worth it.

Otherwise, Look at one of Jase's 2.8TDV upgrades.

[PhilipA]

Why not the International 3 litre. Straight bolt in. A bit pricey but cheaper than buying and selling.
Isn't the seller on this forum.
Regards Philip A

[jddisco200tdi]

You could try an intercooler upgrade for your 300 Tdi then get it retuned (more fuel) to suit the increased airflow at the manifold.
Make sure your cooling system is perfect. Remove any driving lights blocking airflow etc.

What size tyres are you running ?? If oversize try going back to the standard 29" ones.

All of this wont cost too much, but if that not good enough then maybe try the turbo and manifold of the international HS2.8tdi.

Cheers

[Ace]

I wouldnt touch a 3.0L patrol diesel, they are pretty well certain to go pop at about 100000km, steer well clear of them.

I agree with the others, spend the cash on a fuel pump tweek, i have seen dyno charts from a rangie with a 300Tdi conversion showing a 62% increase in power alone. Couple that with a larger intercooler and a flow through larger diameter exhaust and you will have an engine with similar power to a standard TD5 i am told.

The only other option is to fit one of Jase's 2.8TD powerstroke Tdi engines, they have oodles of torque from what he says so they should be at home towing a 20ft van

[mcrover]

Last I heard, Jase was having trouble getting anymore 2.8s as they arnt making them any more but contact him if your interested as that was a few months ago when he told me.

LRA do a TD5 transplant for Rangies and have also told me that it would be a good conversion for my 300tdi disco so I would be inclined to get a price off them, it would go very well with your LPG fumigation and would have loads of power but you would still have to have a computer but at least you would have a tried and proven conversion that is all still Landrover for parts availability.

If your running taller rubber, look at changing ratios before you change back to rollerskate wheels as then your restricting where you can go and with changing ratios you are really just restricting your top speed.

I understand exactly why you want to stick with your D1, Im going to keep ours for as long as I possibly can but I would take everyones advice and stay away from the 3.0 TDI Nissan motor as they are prone to all sorts of expensive damage for no apparent reason.

Hope this is helpful.

[matbor]

There was a article in one of the pommy LR mags a while back that listed all the common UK conversion's and what engines went in what nicely, will try and dig it out one day :)

[97discotdi]

Well this thread has certainly pulled the cobwebs out. The International Brazillian at 100kw/320Nm looks a bit sparse for $10,000. I would consider boring out the 300Tdi to maximum 60thou oversize and re calibrating the p/p. the Td5 did not push my buttons when it came out and still doesn't. The discovery 3 is a really nice car(a friend has a tdv6) absolutely beautifull to drive and he is rapped with it.But he is 73yrs old and is not interested in doing the Canning Stock Route next July The reason I put this idea forward was because I thought the series1 with a new generation diesel would be a perfect vehicle. Obviously nobody has chucked in a high tech jap diesel into the series1 body. Well I hope one of you guys are around if the Disco S#!ts itself pulling the van:p

[LRHybrid100]

I Would go the new 3 litre International (300 Tdi upgarde)

This has just been released in Brazil - so I have heard

LRH

[97discotdi]

Has anyone got any info on the motor maybe a website or better still an importer

[mcrover]

Well this thread has certainly pulled the cobwebs out. The International Brazillian at 100kw/320Nm looks a bit sparse for $10,000. I would consider boring out the 300Tdi to maximum 60thou oversize and re calibrating the p/p. the Td5 did not push my buttons when it came out and still doesn't. The discovery 3 is a really nice car(a friend has a tdv6) absolutely beautifull to drive and he is rapped with it.But he is 73yrs old and is not interested in doing the Canning Stock Route next July The reason I put this idea forward was because I thought the series1 with a new generation diesel would be a perfect vehicle. Obviously nobody has chucked in a high tech jap diesel into the series1 body. Well I hope one of you guys are around if the Disco S#!ts itself pulling the van:p

What are you on about, the TD5 is common rail the same as your beloved Nissan boat ancor that has bugger all more power or torque for around the same money as a TD5 to buy but then you have to do a conversion that nobody has yet done so will cost you an arm and a leg.

your question has been answered by every one who posted, no need to kick up because you didnt get the answer you were hoping for.

I do know of a 100 inch defa with a Toymotor in it that I saw an artical in a mag but I dont think the tech was new enough for you so I doubt you would be interested.

[97discotdi]

Hate to be pedantic but the TD5 is not common rail it actually has individual pump injector modules on each cylinder. The information that everyone has given has indeed been most helpfull, it has in fact given me a bit of encouragement to keep the 300TDi and give it a go.

[LRHybrid100]

Has anyone got any info on the motor maybe a website or better still an importer

Jason from this forum imports the 2.8 motor - so guess he will be offering the 3.0 motor soon.

LRH

[loanrangie]

I saw website once that had a write up on a german guy that bored/stroked a TD5 out to 2.8 ltrs, apparently went like the clappers. Update - just found a different link -

http://forum.landrovernet.com/archive/index.php/t-75465.html

[LRHybrid100]

why bother? take the Td5 to its max but leave the basic motor OR use a BMW build TD6!!!

[jase]

the 3.0ltr international in NOT a bolt in replacement for any landrover engine
it's a different block and different back end to the Tdi (unlike the HS2.8) so no better a choice than an say and Isuzu engine and will take major mods to fit
It's also an electronic common rail engine so there goes the "simpleness" of it and it doesn't come with an engine computer (you’ll need an aftermarket)
so with all that yes I can get it BUT I would NOT be recommending it

the HS 2.8 is a bolt in replacement for the Tdi (with some minor mods) but has gone up in $ due to ford discontinuing using it for production of the new model ranger (they now use the 3ltr (and a new g'box) due to new OS emissions regs)


Like others have said intercooler and tune the old tdi maybe even a better turbo (I know it already has gas) it should make heaps of power
Jase

[mcrover]

Hate to be pedantic but the TD5 is not common rail it actually has individual pump injector modules on each cylinder. The information that everyone has given has indeed been most helpfull, it has in fact given me a bit of encouragement to keep the 300TDi and give it a go.

Sorry if I gave miss information but I dont have a TD5 and havnt had much to do with them but it doesnt mean that it isnt High tech like the nissan.

I would suggest that if its just towing power your after then play with your transfer case ratios or diff ratios as you should be pumping out a fair bit of grunt already so with lower ratios you will get more use out of your torque.

Better spending money there than on puting in an engine that isnt prooven in that conversion.

If you were looking for what would be a good conversion that would give you plenty of go would be the Prado/ Hilux 3.0 TDI over the nissan one as they have been pretty bomb proof as far as I have heard but still again I havnt heard of anyone dropping one into a Disco.

[jx2mad]

i too have a 98 Defender (300tdi). I was considering having gas fitted but at 217,000km I am hesitant. Does fitting gas put the motor under more mechanical stress? Is it ok to fit to older motors or could problems arise?

[DiscoDan]

A member in my 4wd club has a 2.8 nissan GU and a 3.0 Nissan GU. Both had the injectors pumps play up at a cost of $4k.:eek:

Now he has a D3 TDV6:D

He did this to tow a van as both Datto's couldn't handle the pressure

[97discotdi]

i too have a 98 Defender (300tdi). I was considering having gas fitted but at 217,000km I am hesitant. Does fitting gas put the motor under more mechanical stress? Is it ok to fit to older motors or could problems arise?
I have gas fitted to mine it. Originally had it set up at 30% gas injection, i wasn't comfortable that the engine would last, but it really flew. Anyway have had it retuned down to 20% and the motor sounds a lot better. It basically is only good for giving better fuel range, the cost isn't worth it for power increase alone:D

[LRHybrid100]

the 3.0ltr international in NOT a bolt in replacement for any landrover engine
it's a different block and different back end to the Tdi (unlike the HS2.8) so no better a choice than an say and Isuzu engine and will take major mods to fit

Like others have said intercooler and tune the old tdi maybe even a better turbo (I know it already has gas) it should make heaps of power
Jase

Bloody LROI Mag - they were leading us to believe that it was a further upgrade of the 2.8 :mad:

Oh well - buy the 2.8 and boost the **** out of it!!!

LRH

[mcrover]

I have gas fitted to mine it. Originally had it set up at 30% gas injection, i wasn't comfortable that the engine would last, but it really flew. Anyway have had it retuned down to 20% and the motor sounds a lot better. It basically is only good for giving better fuel range, the cost isn't worth it for power increase alone:D

They recomend 25% inall the yanky mags on the bigger engines but most of them run it around 40% for the massive power increases but I have no idea how it would translate to the 300TDI.

Buy the way how big is your tank and where is it installed?

Have you had your disco on a Dyno to see what it's putting out?

I ask this as Im looking into pretty much the same engine mods that you already have done to yours as well as some ratio changes.

[97discotdi]

The tank in mine is 22lt useable it is fitted between the chassis rail and sill on the drivers side. I also am running 215x85 tyres which drop th revs about 250rpm in 5th. I haven't bothered spending the money putting it on the dyno, but with 30% injection it climbs all over the back of a Pajero 3.2DiD manual. Like I said I backed mine off because I wasn't sure whether it was my imagination or the engine really was getting noisier. I had to put the boost compensation diaphram back to standard as I was getting excessive fuel knock. the boost was left at 17psi and I think it helps with burning the extra fuel. The exhaust temps have risen slightly since reducing the gas injection. Also the location of the gas diffuser ring in the inlet tract makes a lot of differance. Originally it was installed near the inlet for crankcase vent pipe, then relocated it to just before the turbo inlet, right in the throat of the turbo. Made a big differance.:D