Prima Diesel in a 90

Hi Guys,

I'm new here but I'm thinking of buying a 90 and wanted some advice.

I've seen quite a nice blue Defender 90 that has been converted from petrol to a Montego/Perkins Prima turbo diesel engine. It looks like I'll get it for a good price but is it worth having?

What are these like to drive?

Will it really give 32mpg as the seller claims?

Is it a good everyday car?

It's about 80bhp, is that enough?

What do you think? Go or No Go

Justin

80 bhp is more than the 2.25 petrol would give you - it's the torque figure you need to look at - 114 lb/ft ain't brilliant but it should do the job, but might struggle if you're going to do anything seriously off road. For reference:

200/300 Tdi lump is 111bhp and 197 lb/ft
2.5 Petrol is 83bhp and 133 lb/ft
2.5 NA diesel is 85bhp and 150lbs/ft
2.5 TD is 111bhp and 190 lb/ft

Site with some decent looking info on converting them here: Dudleigh Land Rover conversion to the Perkins Prima, Rover Montego, turbo diesel engine.

Cheers,

You can fit an intercooler and tweek the pump.

ADZ, I see your point on the torque figure. I'll read up some more - Thanks

Boxer, Thanks also. I guess I hadn't realised the Prima wasn't intercooled.

It's essentially the same motor as the Freelander diesel but without all the electronic gizzmos so a Hippo intercooler would probably be a good bet along with the standard pump tweek which you can track on the forum I'm sure.