Engine swap for the Disco

[disco95]

I'm planning to update the Disco this year. Another option has passed through my mind, swapping the V8 for a Diesel. How hard would it be to swap for a 300tdi?
Keep in mind that I would change GB and TC also, as well as drive shafts if need be.

[101RRS]

Went through the same thoughts myself recently - if you change the gearbox the actual engine swap is OK - quoted about $5-6K for parts only but it is ancilaries that hurt as well - radiator, intercooler, piping, fuel system, pumps, tank?, even getting the tacho to work. Overall when these are all taken into account costs were in the order of $8k without labour and without having to recondition anything.

LPG was the obvious alternative at about $3k for 72l gas and about $3.8K for 140 litre gas but then the cost of sill or other petrol tanks needed to be taken into account - the little 35-40l wheel arch tank is not realistically viable for long distance travel.

Solution was to sell the disco and will wait for a replacement (maybe a D3) in a year or two. The other is that if you add the cost of a conversion diesel plus what you get for the disco and add in a few more $$ you could get into a D2 Td5 with just over 100,000 km for around $18 - $19K. They are there if you are prepared to be patient.

Gazzz

I did see a

[disco95]

I pretty much had the same thoughts about waiting for the right D2 to come along. I've heard of a few people who've had trouble with TD5 autos that tow on a regular basis. Has anyone else heard these stories?

The deisel conversion was just a thought I'd been chucking around my head.
Would be pretty cool to have the only diesel Rosignol around though :wink:

[jase]

I can sell you (cause I import) a brand new HS2.8 deisel for $10k
that's a brand new fully dressed engine (incs starter, turbo, alternator even a viscous fan) just think no engine parts to replace for years cause thay are all already new
HS2.8 is the same block as 300Tdi so basically the same to fit
BUT has same power and torque as 4.6 V8 just a much lower (and more useable) RPM
AND no electronics (no ECU) to stuff up cause its mechanical fuel injection
so you'll never see an engine fault light again
(that's my free plug )

You don't need to replace trans, drive shafts ect only replace the bell housing with a Tdi one (on your same trans)
you can use your petrol radiatior and just buy an aftermarket front mount intercooler (cheaper and a better cooler)
fuel tank is the same (just remove the elec fuel pump) the fuel lift pump is part of the diesel engine (fuel filter is also mounted on 2.8 )
fuel lines & hoses are basic auto store stuff

the diesel alternator has a tacho output so unless they are calibtared differant?? should be ok??

Jase

[disco95]

I do like the sound of that. What about engine mounts etc, I'd be fitting it myself so easy is always best.
Do you have any paperwork on these kits you could send me? How about warranty?

[jase]

you just use std 300tdi engine mounts (they'll bolt straight into your disco)
I actually don't sell kits just engines, I know they sell a kit in the UK but really all they do is collect the parts (all avail, nothing is special) and charge you for the privalidge,
you don't need a kit just get bellhousing, engine mounts ect from LR wrecker or parts supplier (FYI the UK kit is something like 4000 UK pounds + intercooler ect = $10,000 + freight + import duty + GST = would be at least $5000 more than my engines by time you got it here)

FYI Romsey LR repair has fitted a few of these now (for people who I sold engines to) and charges something like $2k + parts, I know he did a deal on the ones he fitted and bought back (took off bill $) the old engines
It normally takes him about 2 days so if you allowed a week to do it yourself (being a first) you should do it easy

FYI I am also working on front mount intercoolers to suit landys, I alraedy have access to a generic cooler but plumbing to make it work was a bit of a pain, otherwise you could buy one of the already avail intercooler kits

I have info on the engines just give me an adress (PM if you like)

unfortunately there is no offical support (warranty) on these engines are as they are sold for aftermerket (repower) application and they (manufacturer) have no control over it's intended use
(this engine is normally built for ford, it powers the south american ranger (F150) pick up) and is built by international engines the same people who still build the 300Tdi for LR for special markets that don't want an electronic (td5/td6) engine
saying that the engine has a B10 rating of 300,000km (B10 rating means less than 10 of 1000 will need more than standard service as per service manual interval, in engines cases oil & filter changes, timimg belt ect) so unless you are unlucky and get one of the 10 you should have 300,000kms + of trouble free motoring (saying that even the 10 should go for a bloody long time and not be major failures)
I am not aware of any engine problems (yet, knock on wood) in aust and the only problems I have herad of world wide are 2 engines both owners admitted to being damaged by overfilling with engine oil (the oil blew up braether and back into the engine causing it to "run" on the engine oil)

Internatinal engines is a massive world wide company and do have a very good reputation, I am sure if you did have a premature failure that was caused by something being defective they would help out somehow

There is a very informative yahoo group HS2800Tdi @ yahoogroups that if you are interested you should check out.

Jase

[p38arover]

I've thought about buying GreyLandy's 300Tdi Defender hardtop and swapping the engine, gearbox etc to my County. Maybe that might be an option for you.

Your best bet might be to buy a wrecked Tdi Disco so that you';ve got everything for the conversion.

Ron

[disco95]

That was what I had in mind if I was going to do a swap, as I said though, it's still at the idea stage, and to be honest the thought of a newer vehicle's still more appealing.