300 Tdi Auto in a 110??

Folks

I am toying with putting a 300 Tdi with an auto box into my 110 hardtop rebuild. It'll be used for long distance trips camping with the family towing a light trailer with a kayak/bikes etc.

Whilst I've had a great response from most, some have said that it would be gutless and don't do it! Anyone done it? Loved it? Regretted it?

The alternative is a 300 Tdi with an R380 manual but I prefer the auto option...

Discussion and advice much appreciated.

You will indeed lose some of the 'oomph' you get with a manual Defender. However, with a little extra cost you can remove the EGR valve, fit a straight through mid pipe (wont really make it any louder) and a K&N or similar air filter. It wont cost loads, but it will help to give you a little extra power for a fairly low cost. If you want even more power, you'd have to look into more expensive stuff such as larger intercoolers and decat pipes. It all depends on how important the auto box is to you. Though as you say, if its mostly road miles, an auto may be a better option.

daddybigcar said:

Folks

I am toying with putting a 300 Tdi with an auto box into my 110 hardtop rebuild. It'll be used for long distance trips camping with the family towing a light trailer with a kayak/bikes etc.

Whilst I've had a great response from most, some have said that it would be gutless and don't do it! Anyone done it? Loved it? Regretted it?

The alternative is a 300 Tdi with an R380 manual but I prefer the auto option...

Discussion and advice much appreciated.

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once t/c is locked at 50 ish its no different to a manual ,edc does make the difference on the disco but without it its still not that bad ,tuning engine of which info is on here will make it a reasonable motor with benefits of auto

As said before its fine to do with all the mods to improve the lack of guts, only real downside is mpg will suffer!

Happy to do a few modifications to start, then intercooler in time if required. I suppose it was the outright don't do it I was struggling with. I'll be happy to fire it into 'D' and just ratchet up the miles but always nice to have a 'bit' if grunt when you need it...

Next stage is buying a suitable engine. Waiting for chassis and bulkhead back from galv so will start to think about the engine/gearbox combo!

daddybigcar said:

Happy to do a few modifications to start, then intercooler in time if required. I suppose it was the outright don't do it I was struggling with. I'll be happy to fire it into 'D' and just ratchet up the miles but always nice to have a 'bit' if grunt when you need it...

Next stage is buying a suitable engine. Waiting for chassis and bulkhead back from galv so will start to think about the engine/gearbox combo!

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ive done quite a few ,and whereas your never going to win a race between traffic lights it will have the same grunt as any tdi ,also auto is same dimension as manual box though mounts differ ,it might be worth looking at nas spec auto defenders for ideas on consol /tunnel etc

jamesmartin said:

ive done quite a few ,and whereas your never going to win a race between traffic lights it will have the same grunt as any tdi ,also auto is same dimension as manual box though mounts differ ,it might be worth looking at nas spec auto defenders for ideas on consol /tunnel etc

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Thanks for this, gives me a bit more confidence. I've owned M3's, S2000's etc and now drive a Golf SDI so assumed I'm now in no hurry. I'll check out a NAS spec for sure, was wondering about tunnels etc. do they work off a different seat box configuration as well or LT77/R380 seat box?

What about offroading with an auto? Safe to say I'm more likely to do a spot of greenlaning with the family in the 110 than full offroad

I appreciate the advice!