Thread: HS 2.8L TGV turbo Diesel ?

Originally Posted by DustyDisco

Hi All,

Dragging my 93 TDI D1( plus camper trailer ) up over a few hills last week I started contemplating an engine upgrade .

Yes, I find it funny too, but contemplating is the operative word here

basically, the D1 is part of the family and completely set up for us...just lacks enough power to complete the package.

i have been doing a heap of research on 3.9l isuzu v's 300 TDI etc, but the 2.8TGV seems like a winner on paper..I dont mind spending the cash as to set up another landy the way we want it will cost more than the cost of the 2.8 conversion.

Question is, has anyone out there had much experience with the 2.8? I can find a lot about it in the UK but not much here in Aus?

Also, will the manual 5 speed and maxidrive tc stand up ok behind it?

Cheers,

DD

I know what you are saying about towing with a 300Tdi.

The HS2.8TVG is based on the 300Tdi. They made a few improvements along with the displacement increase.

However much of the performance increase is due to the variable nozzle turbo.

IMHO you will be better off $$$wise by upgrading the exhaust manifold and turbo.

There are threads and posts in this forum about the VNT kit from Alisport (in UK) fitted to a Defender 130. This upgrade was originally done because the owner needed more performance for towing a large boat.

If you are determined to do an engine conversion, there are other engine options that I consider before the HS2.8TVG (using an engine that is fitted to vehicles in Australia makes spares etc. easier to obtain).

The late suffix R380 gearbox (after 1999) and LT230 transfer case will stand up to it. But fitting an oil cooler to the R380 is a good move for towing use, because they suffer from heat. I'm not impressed by the strength of an LT77 gearbox though.

Edit: even though the 2.8TGV was based on the 300Tdi, swapping them is not as straight forward as you might think (engine mounts etc.).

I know someone who has an HS2.8TGV in a Defender 110 and was having cooling issues - not sure if it has been sorted.

I'm supprised that no one is making-selling a long throw crank for the Tdi as alot of them are now getting to the piont of needing rebuilding and it would really make a worthwhile inprovement to the driveability of them. Pat

Isn't the HS2.8TVG just s stroked out 300tdi? I've seen a defender in a magazine before, with heaps of aluminium stuff like bullbar, roof rack etc and it had a 2.8 tdi which is still made in Brazil, when they went out of production. Could this be the same engine?

Originally Posted by Hendrik

Isn't the HS2.8TVG just s stroked out 300tdi? I've seen a defender in a magazine before, with heaps of aluminium stuff like bullbar, roof rack etc and it had a 2.8 tdi which is still made in Brazil, when they went out of production. Could this be the same engine?

It is the same engine and i'm pretty sure they have stopped making them, they are pricey and would cost more than a tdi powered vehicle is worth to buy and fit. The VN turbo upgrade would be a good compromise but as always there will be trade offs like EGT's etc.

TRS does sell a turbo upgrade kit for the tdi, not badly priced either for a new turbo. As far as I know, it bolts straight onto the factory manifold.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

The VN turbo upgrade would be a good compromise but as always there will be trade offs like EGT's etc.

Sorry but I don't follow your reasoning here.

Originally Posted by Dougal

Originally Posted by loanrangie

The VN turbo upgrade would be a good compromise but as always there will be trade offs like EGT's etc.

Sorry but I don't follow your reasoning here.

Likewise, a VNT doesn't trade off EGT, etc.

thanks Bush65 - its even worse than you think... i have a 200tdi, I wish I had the towing capacity of a 300tdi

I think you are right regarding parts/ spares with the 2.8L though......hmmm, the disco has every modification you could want and its not going to be sold any time in the distant future....so, off to ponder what to do next. Cheers All for your thoughts