Thread: Disco 4 Turbo Diesel V8

It has been on my curiosity list also, just in case I had a worst case scenario. How did you go fitting the V8 into the V6 hole.. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether or not the D4 8 speed box could be bolted up?

Originally Posted by BernHard

Sure!

In its past life, my Disco only had the front locker installed, which I think is standard. The rear locker was an optional extra on the D4, and its quite rare to find one with it.

While we had the body off doing the conversion, I had a genuine rear locker installed. And while we were uploading the new config for the V8, I had it programmed in too.

Was fitting the rear e-diff difficult? I'd asked about that in the past but the view seemed to be that it was too much trouble to do.

Edit: and a D4 with 80,000ks for $32k seems like a very good price.

Originally Posted by BernHard

Haha, yes a winch is certainly a good substitute for a locker, but if you are ever trying to steal dino dna from Jurassic park and crash in a bog, use the locker instead.

And when I say "lockers" i meant the stock E-diffs. Sorry for the confusion. The reason why is because the "common" definition of a lock is to achieve torque equilibrium through a sliding collet with teeth. But an engineers definition of a lock is to achieve torque equilibrium... whether through sliding collets, or clutch plates, the method doesn't matter. If torque equilibrium is achieved, the diff is locked. And it is therefore, a diff... locking... device... built for the purpose of locking a diff... and therefore is, by definition of its very name, a diff locker.

The reason why there is a community divided between people who say e-diffs lock and people who dont is because e-diffs were originally designed to be used in sports cars and road based awd's. So for the greater part of the e-diffs life, they were designed to increase torque within the diff, but were never designed to achieve torque equilibrium (or a lock). So 4x4 nuts hated it when engineers started using sports car tech for an offroad purpose. Especially after they just paid an arm and a leg to get comparable farm machinery installed.

But... if you beef up the clutch plates, and increase the mechanical load on the motor, you can achieve torque equilibrium just like the clutch in a manual does. This is what all land rover e-diffs do when in offroad mode. When the equilibrium is achieve, the diff is locked, and the symbol on the screen showing a lock is lit up.

So yea, it achieves lock, by using clutch plates instead of a sliding collet. And the best thing about using clutch plates over a "typical" aftermarket locker is that you don't break stuff! The clutch in the e-diff will slip before you snap a CV, and it means absolutely nothing to the mechanics of the thing because they are designed to slip when on road. Just pick a better line and try again. But a collet locker won't slip if you approach the rated sheer torque of your cv shafts. It will just snap them clean and ruin your day.

So if you are thinking about replacing your e-diffs with an aftermarket sliding collet locker that was originally designed for farm tractors, DON'T! Your car already mechanically achieves the same thing, and is far more capable and reliable with the e-diff (haha! That statement will ruffle some feathers! ) But if you don't have one in the back, its a relatively easy install because they come as an option, and your computer is already programmed to use it.

Anyway, im sure ill cop **** for this reply. Not even 24 hours on this forum and some other bloke is already flinging **** at me for not knowing as much as he does about my profession. Just reminds me why Im an intorvert and never did forums.

Regardless of how it's achieved there is no nor ever been a front locker in a Landover product, the fron diff is open and has no clutches. Nice job of the conversion, was that 50k all up or on top of the vehicle cost ?
I'd just go an L322 TDV8 and save the hassle.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Regardless of how it's achieved there is no nor ever been a front locker in a Landover product, the fron diff is open and has no clutches. Nice job of the conversion, was that 50k all up or on top of the vehicle cost ?
I'd just go an L322 TDV8 and save the hassle.

I looked at trading my D4 on one end went away from it. In my opinion the RR just don't have the look of the D4, the accessories or the space. This conversion is awesome for someone like me who is space poor.

Bern... Did you have to put the RR ECUs in, or did you choose too? Im just thinking about the extra cost and work. personally I'd rather it be a D4 with two extra cylinders, is that possible??

Good on ya for stretching the imagination and having a go. You'll be rewarded with a great rig that's for sure!

Originally Posted by josh.huber

I looked at trading my D4 on one end went away from it. In my opinion the RR just don't have the look of the D4, the accessories or the space. This conversion is awesome for someone like me who is space poor.

Bern... Did you have to put the RR ECUs in, or did you choose too? Im just thinking about the extra cost and work. personally I'd rather it be a D4 with two extra cylinders, is that possible??

Good on ya for stretching the imagination and having a go. You'll be rewarded with a great rig that's for sure!

Totally agree with thinking outside the cube.

Years ago 'traditionalists' in the RRC world would say that fitting a 350 would upset the balance of the car and all sorts of other BS.

My response was that I bought it with the 350 already in it and there is no way I would retrofit a 3.5 Rover donk to 'improve' things.

Same sort of logic applies here......... if a D4 came with that V8 would you be pulling it out to put a 2.7 or 3.0 in?

DL

Originally Posted by josh.huber

I looked at trading my D4 on one end went away from it. In my opinion the RR just don't have the look of the D4, the accessories or the space. This conversion is awesome for someone like me who is space poor.

Bern... Did you have to put the RR ECUs in, or did you choose too? Im just thinking about the extra cost and work. personally I'd rather it be a D4 with two extra cylinders, is that possible??

Good on ya for stretching the imagination and having a go. You'll be rewarded with a great rig that's for sure!

True but some AT tyres and a discrete winch and it would be the ultimate tourer come tow vehicle, can get them fairly cheap and a lot less than a converted D4 unless you can do the lot yourself.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

True but some AT tyres and a discrete winch and it would be the ultimate tourer come tow vehicle, can get them fairly cheap and a lot less than a converted D4 unless you can do the lot yourself.

I don't want a 2.7 or 3.0l . I was only looking due to the crank issue.
The only 3.6l I like is the face lift 2010 I think?! When it comes to towing I like the longer wheel base of the D4, just me. Plus the space issue.. My mate has an rrs we put my fridge and a few items in it. Chockers! I see this as a great mix of reliability and capability. Exciting times to come..

I wouldn't do it as an upgrade.. Im the same as the OP. I'd do it as a repair.

But loan, I take your point. They are very capable. I've seen green oval do a great job with a winch inside the car. Not even bolted.. That's confidence

Originally Posted by josh.huber

I wouldn't do it as an upgrade.. Im the same as the OP. I'd do it as a repair.

Same here.