Thread: Convert a rangie to diesel?

Originally Posted by Erik BM

Forgive me if this has been asked before. Can I fit a 300 TDI or TD5 diesel engine and auto box into a 90s Range Rover? I was told that there was a particular year or model that was suitable for a transplant.

Why? Because I have just blown a head gasket in my diesel Disco and if I am going to go to the bother of an engine replacement, I would rather achieve something a bit more interesting.

I love the look of the Range Rover and teh creature comforts, but the thirst of the V8 makes it uneconomical for me.

Send a PM to Justin Cooper (justinc) he converted a RR with a Tdi300 and I think that is for sell.

P38's came out in a diesel option - the DSE, I think it was a 2.5 motor. So presumably with enough perseverance you could retrofit a TD5 into a V8 car. They don't review very well in the P38 though, lacklustre power etc. due to the P38's increased weight over a disco.

edit: nm, apparently the DSE used a BMW M51 TD inline 6

A worthy project indeed

Though the DSE were not imported for sale by LRA there are a couple of private imports running around...maybe even one on this forum.

search Range Rovers ..there was an optimist in the UK who reported that he had gotten hold of a 3 litre BMW diesel from an X5 and was proposing to transplant it into a late model P38... despite a few prompts from interested parties nothing more has been heard for 18m or so ...

...

IMHO a far better option would be fitting an ISUZU 4JB1T from a rodeo/jackaroo. Much more durable than the 300Tdi. The added bonus is - NO timing belt to change (if you get an AU market version and not an import).

Adaptors for the conversion are available here.
Land Rover conversions - M&D Engineering

Unlike the DSE, this engine is very common in AU. I can't see the point of installing a "factory option" which wasn't available here.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

IMHO a far better option would be fitting an ISUZU 4JB1T from a rodeo/jackaroo. Much more durable than the 300Tdi. The added bonus is - NO timing belt to change (if you get an AU market version and not an import).

Adaptors for the conversion are available here.
Land Rover conversions - M&D Engineering

Unlike the DSE, this engine is very common in AU. I can't see the point of installing a "factory option" which wasn't available here.

That is a very good point. The 4JB1T is a great little donk and well proven.

Either way, well worth doing and pretty much a straight swap with the 300 Tdi.
The alloy V8's have dated in my opinion so the diesel is the next best option.