300tdi into a Series 3............

[jerryd]

I've been reading lots of articles about putting the Disco 200 or 300 tdi motors into a series vehicle. I note that most put the defender manifold / turbo on to clear the chassis / wing etc.

So my questions are........is the "defender 300tdi motor" basically the same as the disco 300tdi ?? If not what are the differences and how would they affect putting the defender unit into a series 3 ??

Also does the defender bellhousing mate up to the series gearbox as does the disco one or does it need changing ??

I don't seem to be able to find any articles on putting the defender unit into a series vehicle, is it because they are harder to find ??

[langy]

Try searching for 200tdi into series landrover - as there are a fair number of those conversions in the UK ( Not so much Aust as the 200tdi wasn't that popular here). The main feature of the using a disco 200tdi was the minimal modifications required. With the 300tdi, the bellhousing on the R380 gearbox changed a bit and wouldn't fit a series gearbox. That isn't a problem as if you are going to buy a 300tdi, you may as well take the whole drivetrain. Note that the gearstick on a disco gearbox ends up in the cubby box on the defender. There was a difference with the 200tdi defender timing case that made using it in a series chassis difficult. You can use a 200tdi turbo manifold on the 300tdi, which puts the turbo more towards the front. Others use the manifold to fit an aftermarket turbo. Otherwise there weren't many differences defender/disco 300tdi.

Of course I could be wrong.

See east coast rovers as well
http://www.eastcoastrover.com/SIIITdi.html

[isuzurover]

The main feature of the using a disco 200tdi was the minimal modifications required. With the 300tdi, the bellhousing on the R380 gearbox changed a bit and wouldn't fit a series gearbox.

Actually, that does not seem to be the case. 300Tdis can and have been fitted to series boxes. Slightly more work than a 200, but not that much...

Have a look here:
200Tdi vs 300Tdi bellhousing bolt pattern?

Jerry - not 100% sure. I know that on a 200 disco engine the turbo dump pipe wants to be where the bellhosuing is, but you can fit a disco 200tdi with a custom dump pipe into a series. With a 300, I think disco and defender engines are the same??? (apart from ancillaries).

[chazza]

Some other useful information that Nitemare told me, is that the 300tdi exhaust manifold fits the 200tdi after some stud modification, which solves the turbo hitting the chassis problem.

Have you fitted your 300tdi yet Ben?

Cheers Charlie

[isuzurover]

Some other useful information that Nitemare told me, is that the 300tdi exhaust manifold fits the 200tdi after some stud modification, which solves the turbo hitting the chassis problem.

Have you fitted your 300tdi yet Ben?

Cheers Charlie

No, the disco is too practical as a runabout, and extremely economical! So is staying in one piece for the moment... (despite it being a slug)

Still on the cards though... However the longer I own and work on the 300, the less they impress me. A 200tdi with 300 head and manifold might be a nice beast though...

[jerryd]

However the longer I own and work on the 300, the less they impress me. A 200tdi with 300 head and manifold might be a nice beast though...

Now you are confusing me even more I thought the 300 tdi was the better engine ??

[isuzurover]

Now you are confusing me even more I thought the 300 tdi was the better engine ??

The 200Tdi has a much better timing/belt system. Much of the rest is the same. 200's are rare in AU, and some parts are unobtainable - however can usually be substituted with 300 parts. Power output is around the same.

[NiteMare]

i've fitted the 200tdi engine into both an 88" and a 109...

in the 88" i've cut the inner wing to clear the turbo to intercooler pipe but this can be avoided by "clocking" the turbo output housing and redrilling it to remount the wastegate actuator, i also used four shock absorber washers to lift the engine slightly (1 above and 1 below both engine mounts) i also put the cast iron belt pulley on my lathe and removed the rearmost Vee completely to stop it hitting my front axle over rough ground i also took a couple of milimetre off the front lip for safety, i used a Series alternator mount and spaced the alternator forwards to align it with the crank and waterpump pulley...

in my 109 i've done basically the same stuff but due the the different depth to the chassis rails i fitted a 300tdi turbo and manifolds to allow clearance without scalloping a chunk out of the chassis, on this conversion i also used a TD5 intercooler as it fits nicely between the wings in front of the radiator with just two small pieces of the inner panel removed...

if you do a search for threads started by me you can take a look through my 109 build (Big Ears), if you want lots of pictures to look through i'll link my photobucket pages

[jerryd]

NiteMare, I'm blaming you 100% for making me want to do this conversion

I've read all your posts many times

[NiteMare]

NiteMare, I'm blaming you 100% for making me want to do this conversion

I've read all your posts many times

i don't mind taking the blame as long as i don't end up with a horde of angry housewives hunting me down