Engine Replacement

**Bigbjorn** · 5th June 2009, 12:01 PM

A local modifier/repairer had asked me about repowering a client's Discovery with a GMC/Chev V8 diesel or an Isuzu 4BD1 or 4BD1T. The car in question has a ZF auto. I have not seen the vehicle but from a telephone description it has a tdi engine. He does not like the idea of the GM engine, too bulky, heavy, and likely too much grunt for the ZF. The client is 70 years old and wants a tow vehicle for an extended touring holiday around Oz. I think the Isuzu would chew up the ZF also. Any suggestions? Has anyone on here done or owned anything like this? Any ideas for an engine/transmission combination? Purveyors of after-market kits have kits available to swap the Chev/GM diesel onto a car with a Rover V8 but he says he can't find anyone who does a specific kit for the tdi engine. The client is a retired dentist and not capable of his own heavy repairs.

**Vern** · 5th June 2009, 06:10 PM

both these engines will kill a ZF, my old chev diesel killed a stock turbo 700 which is much stronger than a ZF,if he wants to use one of these engines then a modified Turbo 700 will have to be used.
there are kits from the UK to put a isuzu 2.8 4jbi and a mazda 3.5l sl35 engine infront of a zf, the 4jb1 from a rodeo, and the mazda is from the ford trader, mazda small truck, you can get a turbo manifold for it from turboglide for $400

**LandyAndy** · 5th June 2009, 06:14 PM

Brunswick Diesels do the chev diesel transplant.Have seen a D1 with the conversion,the motor isnt a lot bigger than the rover V8,looked factory,instalation was well done.
Unsure if the auto was retained,pretty sure they use the GM turbo700.There have been several 130s advertised in WA with the conversion, over the years,all were GM autos.
Andrew

**Vern** · 5th June 2009, 06:27 PM

oh forgot about the cooling of the chev, good luck with that one, this was the main reason i gave up on mine

**TwoUp** · 5th June 2009, 06:38 PM

Cooling- am trying a V8 radiator with an extra core. Bit of a build, but I am not doing it I have help. Originally was going to use a truck radiator and major fabrication to extend it out front, but this may not be required.

Drive- removed engine and gearbox mounts to fit direct drive via new mounts. This raises the engine a little but I believe the outcome will be worth the height.

Transfer Case- Ascot gears to reduce RPM vs Km/Hr.

Speculate- another week to competion I guess.

This is for a defender though.

Regards,
PeterW
6.5 Chev in progress

**Vern** · 5th June 2009, 06:50 PM

i ran much bigger copper radiators, in the end i ran a 75mm thick 2 core alumuminium radiator with ford thermo fans and this did the trick.

**PAT303** · 5th June 2009, 07:03 PM

So your going to do an engine transplant that will cost more than what the vehicle is worth?.Just rebuild the Tdi with a VNT and bigger IC or sell it and buy a vehicle with the engine you want. Pat

**Vern** · 5th June 2009, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by PAT303

So your going to do an engine transplant that will cost more than what the vehicle is worth?.Just rebuild the Tdi with a VNT and bigger IC or sell it and buy a vehicle with the engine you want. Pat

wheres the fun in that

**PAT303** · 5th June 2009, 07:13 PM

I spend my days fixing other peoples problems,I don't want to spend my hard earned creating my own. Pat

**Vern** · 5th June 2009, 07:17 PM

your not, somone else is

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