Alternative engines

[Heggs]

I have a TD5 defender and have been tinkering with the concept of dropping in a V8 diesel, I have spoken to Brunswick Diesels and been advised that they are not doing these. Has anybody had any experience with conversions like this. i am aware also that Cummins are building a new v6 and a v8 for the dodge.

Any info advice would be appreciated

[Sith]

I have a mate who ripped his Td5 out of his Defender and put a crate Isuzu 4BDIT in , she pulls harder than a school boy !!

Cost $13 grand for the mototr and kit and 6 weeks of Saturdays to get it sweet

[Blknight.aus]

urm why?

aside from installing a v8 diesel into a car sized engine bay (and the deefers is about the most spacious I've seen in a long time) means you will toast the back end of the engine.

this invariably accelerates the fatiguing of the metal in the block which results in the loss of tension in the head which means blown head gasket and if not caught quickly enough means a takenout engine.

back of the napkin maths shows that if you double the pressure of air in an engine you can make about 2 twice the power of the same sized engine OR the same amount of power as an engine thats double the capacity (of course how the power becomes available is a totally different story with the bigger engine delivering in a "lazier" slower fashion.

give it a bigger intercooler, a bigger exhaust, chip it and you're laughing more power with the same effeciency if you choose to take it easy on the noisey pedal.

(I'm also looking into a VNT turbo for big red with some other rice boy playing at the 200K Km mark)

[CraigE]

Suprises me Brunswick Diesel are not prepared to do it as they have done them in the past, though I believe that they did have problems with them overheating and may be why they are not doing them anymore. I know personally of 3 done.
I reckon the way to go would be the new small block Cummins V8 with a 6spd Allison auto tranny. Would take a bit of work and I would not expect any change out of $20k.
From memory an AULRO member is takling this at present.
Most people that I know that have had the big Chev V8 diesel conversions into Toyotas, Nissans etc have not been happy with the finished item power below expectations and heavy on fuel.

[rick130]

This thread may interest you http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-t...-defender.html

[jimbob]

Hi,, I looked at purchasing a defa 130 with the v8 diesel conversion already done. The guy had spent a fortune on trying to keep it cool. Big oil coolers, thermo fans, altering the water jackets in the heads etc etc. It sounded great but in my opinion NOT worth the trouble. TD5 much nicer to drive ( chipped, exhaust yeah ha.)

[PAT303]

There is a chev powered defender in Kal and it is an overrated POS.It takes off slower than my D/gas Tdi and I'm a mile down the road before he catches back up.It turns like crap,he has cracked the spring towers and it is so tight in the bay you cannot work on it,and it uses alot of fuel for not much gain.There is alot of better idea's out there,I'd work the Td5 and fit a higher high range gear or swap the transfer to a disco one. Pat

[Heggs]

I guess from the sound of it no one has really had much luck with the v8's, i might have a bit more of a look a round then, I have time and dont wont to do something i will regret latter. the td5 I have now is a very good motor very fuel efficient and after 200k it has given great run, I will prob hold off for a while and do more resarch into others.

Brunswick said that they have done defenders in the past but had to many issues so will not be doing anymore,

[PAT303]

The price quoted by Brunswick was around $22K drive away,thats a stupid amount for a donkey engine,the yanks don't even repair them,I found scrap bins full of them on an American auction site that sold for nix. Pat

[D110V8D]

Dont put a V8 diesel in a Defender! I have been there and it's not a good idea. Cooling issues are the main problem, mainly due to lack of space in the Defender engine bay.