Disco 300TDi into 1987 90?

[chris_mack]

Afternoon all .

My mum has a 300TDI Discovery on a N plate, lowish mileage and I know it has been looked after, not thrashed etc.

She has now decided to get a Disco 3, so I'm considering buying here 300TDI off her, and breaking it for the rear axle (discs all round), transfer box (better for motorways etc) and of course the engine.

My question is, would the engine fit into my 1987 TD 90? Is it more complex than fitting a 200TDI?

Also the disco has an R380 gearbox, where as my landy has the LT77. Would the transfer box still fit?

 

[chris_mack]

By the way, I am aware that there are many guides on the internet for retrofitting a disco 200tdi, but I am just unsure how different it is for a 300!

 

[Adz]

Hybrid girls got a 300 with a LT77 in her '86 90 so it's definitely possible. Don't know whether hers was originally a disco engine or a defender one.

The transfer box for all defenders and discos up to and including the 300tdi is the same, the LT230. The ratios in high range are different depending on defender or disco - 1.410 for the defender and 1.222 for the disco. Low range is the same on either.

 

[CharlesY]

If he does all that it will go like the clappers of muck!

Long legged 90 !

CharlesY

 

[chris_mack]

Charles, Ive noticed you seem pretty clued up about all things Solihull, do you know if the 300TDi fits into a 90 as easily as 200? Also I beleive the later 300s were more electronically controlled than the earlier 300s, this would almost certainly create problems?

 

[HybridGirl]

Oooo! You'll upset im'! Adz knows his stuff too!! If yer anywhere near Bucks yu can ave a look at my 86' Deepender wiff 300tdi so you can see how it fits if that helps. If not. Whatever...

 

[Grippa]

Yeah, Adz do cuz he's a siontist.

 

[chris_mack]

Oh I didn't even see Adz's post, I just scrolled straight to the bottom!

SORRY!

HybridGirl, did you fit your 300TDI yourself? Do you know if it just fits straight in? Unfortunately I'm down in Kent bit far to come and have a look!

 

[Pikey]

Hybrid girls got a 300 with a LT77 in her '86 90 so it's definitely possible. Don't know whether hers was originally a disco engine or a defender one.

The transfer box for all defenders and discos up to and including the 300tdi is the same, the LT230. The ratios in high range are different depending on defender or disco - 1.410 for the defender and 1.222 for the disco. Low range is the same on either.

That's not true my 93 disco's got LT77 with reverse to the left of 1st The 230 has reverse opposite 5th

"edit " ignore me it's too early for my brain. got my gearbox confused with my transfer box

 

[chris_mack]

Hybrid girls got a 300 with a LT77 in her '86 90 so it's definitely possible. Don't know whether hers was originally a disco engine or a defender one.

The transfer box for all defenders and discos up to and including the 300tdi is the same, the LT230. The ratios in high range are different depending on defender or disco - 1.410 for the defender and 1.222 for the disco. Low range is the same on either.

Glad to hear that, fitting a transfer box isnt to difficult is it?

I'm extremely lucky in that a family friend owns and runs a private garage and in exchange for a bit of help on his house hes just bought will let me use the garage so I have a ramp and all the tools I would need, as well as advice and help where necessary!

 

[HybridGirl]

I'm sure Adz will forgive yer!! He's in Kent too. I did'nt fit the engine, was like it when i bought it. It sits quite far back in the engine bay. The pipes for the rad etc have just been extended, quite crudely infact, wiff bits of plastic and metal pipe and jubilee clips. Adz is really an excellent person to talk to about this. I'm blonde FFS! Whaddo I know abart injins!!

 

[chris_mack]

That's not true my 93 disco's got LT77 with reverse to the left of 1st The 230 has reverse opposite 5th

That is the R380 gearbox with reverse down and right, isnt it?

 

[chris_mack]

I'm sure Adz will forgive yer!! He's in Kent too. I did'nt fit the engine, was like it when i bought it. It sits quite far back in the engine bay. The pipes for the rad etc have just been extended, quite crudely infact, wiff bits of plastic and metal pipe and jubilee clips. Adz is really an excellent person to talk to about this. I'm blonde FFS! Whaddo I know abart injins!!

Haha fair play, btw odd question but your not a tree surgeon are you??! just looking at ur pic...

 

[HybridGirl]

No, not a tree surgeon. I am a ranger in a country park. I play wiff chainsaws and drive tractors n stuff. Iss good fun.

 

[Pikey]

That is the R380 gearbox with reverse down and right, isnt it?

yes opposite 5th.

 

[CharlesY]

Charles, Ive noticed you seem pretty clued up about all things Solihull, do you know if the 300TDi fits into a 90 as easily as 200? Also I beleive the later 300s were more electronically controlled than the earlier 300s, this would almost certainly create problems?

My knowledge base is far more general than specific, so in a case like this you should ask the forum gurus like Slob and YellaDisco about this actual conversion.

However, you have the advantage here because you have the car, the old engine that is fitted to it, and the new engine!

You can borrow bits and pieces (mountings etc) from the old engine to make it fit.

I thjink it will fit right in no problems, and when you try it on the road you will be amazed.

80mph cruiser I reckon. Easy way to collect a lot of points!

Do it then sell the old engine!

CharlesY

 

[Adz]

Glad to hear that, fitting a transfer box isnt to difficult is it?

Dunno, never changed one. Certainly not the sort of job I'd want to try in the road outside yer house! As you've got a garage with plenty of space, light, time and tools then it's definitely 'do-able' yerself.

If you're taking the engine out, splitting the gearbox and transfer box while they're off the car would be a lot easier than doing it in situ - might as well take the lot off and then see if the Disco's R380 box will fit onto the defender without too much messing about or whether the LT77 would be easier. Swapping transfer boxes while it's off the car is just a case of undoing the right bolts and making sure everything is really clean and using new gaskets when you put it back together.

Definitely not a job just for one person, unless you're built like Arnie in the good old days, if it's the first time you're doing it - it's going to be ferkin' heavy and will cause serious injury if you drop it on yourself.

Whereabouts in Kent are you?

 

[chris_mack]

Pembury, bout 2 miles from Tunbridge Wells.

 

[chris_mack]

I'm well up for doing it, only thing is I'm not sure if breaking my mums 300TDi is the best idea, its in good nick and it seems a shame to break a tidy motor when I could buy a shabby disco with a solid engine and drivetrain and use that instead.

Any major arguments between going for a 300 or a 200TDi? Also will the rear axle fit straight in with no mods?

 

[Adz]

Disco rear axle and defender rear axle are a straight swap - can't remember if all the disco axles have discs on the rear or not - if they do then it's the thing to do!

300 and 200 tdi's are almost identical apart from the very late 300's which have limited ECU - i.e. more electrickery. There's a few minor bits which are easier to fix on the 200 (eg alternator drive belt is a single belt whereas 300's have a serpentine belt to drive all ancilliaries) but don't let that sway yer decision.

If the disco is as tidy as you say - selling it and buying a 200/300tdi for a defender would probably be a better bet - if there's [/i]anything[/i] wrong with the Disco that would detract from its value, then it depends on which will cost more to replace/repair/fix compared with buying a breaker to swap.

Cheers,