110 1985 200/300tdi engine conversion (link to idiots guide ...) if anyone has one

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farriermatt

farriermatt

Active Member
Posts
200
Location
Norfolk
I seem to be struggling with the search on landyzone and wondered if someone could give me a link to a definitive guide to fitting a 300tdi in my already engineless 110 which would have been a 2.5 at the begining of its life i bought it with engine already removed, so its a blank canvas.
I don't want a v8 monster as the kids will drive it , 200tdi are getting a bit expensive so a 300tdi is the victim of choice. (loved my td5 but don't need that as my first engine transplant) I also want to stick with land rover units.
I know this is a question often asked and i apologise i did try searching the forum first. There is stuff on u tube but there is also hours of not very helpful stuff!
Thanks in advance.
 
What is a 4C? It’s not a nomenclature used in the world of Land Rovers.

There won’t be a definitive guide for a 300Tdi conversion. Because there are many possibilities and bespoke work required. Meaning there is freedom of choice and no single right way to do.

Are you sure about 200Tdi’s? The 200 and 300 Tdi offer exactly the same performance and mpg. The 300 was largely Land Rover making the 200 cheaper to produce while making it fit the Disco/RR and Defender line in a universal manner. Rather than multiple configurations. Personally I don’t know of a single technical reason to go for the 300 over the 200. The serpentine belt is a nice addition over the vee belt arrangement. But hardly a deal breaker.

The 200 swap is by far and away easier and less work. I would be amazed that any saving on buying a 300 engine (is there really a difference?) would even get close to offset the additional work and costs of fitting the 300 engine.
 
300bhp/ton said:
What is a 4C? It’s not a nomenclature used in the world of Land Rovers.

There won’t be a definitive guide for a 300Tdi conversion. Because there are many possibilities and bespoke work required. Meaning there is freedom of choice and no single right way to do.

Are you sure about 200Tdi’s? The 200 and 300 Tdi offer exactly the same performance and mpg. The 300 was largely Land Rover making the 200 cheaper to produce while making it fit the Disco/RR and Defender line in a universal manner. Rather than multiple configurations. Personally I don’t know of a single technical reason to go for the 300 over the 200. The serpentine belt is a nice addition over the vee belt arrangement. But hardly a deal breaker.

The 200 swap is by far and away easier and less work. I would be amazed that any saving on buying a 300 engine (is there really a difference?) would even get close to offset the additional work and costs of fitting the 300 engine.
Click to expand...

I see what you mean about 4c it is a name i see banded about along with 4 cyl which doesn't really help either, i will edit! That interesting on the 200tdi i had thought the 300tdi had 30 changes and was more refined but i am happy to stand corrected i am re-searching for this very reason. Its a shame if there isn't a "correct way" to follow perhaps haynes could do a 200/300tdi transplant book for people such as myself to follow! Thanks for your input, its appreciated.
 
LR claimed the 300 was more refined. But it’s a pretty subtle difference in all honesty.

Both the 200 and 300 are good engines. But there is no denying fitting a 300 in place of a 2.5TD is more work. Which translates into more cost.

Arguably the best way would be to fit it as per Land Rover. But that would mean a new seatbox and an R380 gearbox. So also the most expensive way of doing it.

A 200 by comparison is much more of a direct swap with just some exhaust and plumbing bits to address. The biggest decision being if you use a Discovery configured engine or not.
 
300bhp/ton said:
LR claimed the 300 was more refined. But it’s a pretty subtle difference in all honesty.

Both the 200 and 300 are good engines. But there is no denying fitting a 300 in place of a 2.5TD is more work. Which translates into more cost.

Arguably the best way would be to fit it as per Land Rover. But that would mean a new seatbox and an R380 gearbox. So also the most expensive way of doing it.

A 200 by comparison is much more of a direct swap with just some exhaust and plumbing bits to address. The biggest decision being if you use a Discovery configured engine or not.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your time, i have been looking this morning at u tube videos (its raining) of radiator / bracket alterations to fit disco 200tdi in a land rover , what are the major differences i will find, as the disco 200 is obviously a lot more common and i would like to keep the LT77 gearbox .
 
Biggest difference on a Disco 200 is the location of the turbo. It’s mounted low and has a different manifold. The Defender 200 has the turbo mounted up high above the engine. And actually makes slightly less power.

However it’s pretty straight forward to fit a Disco 200 engine. Google Steve Parker. They do some kits with the bits. Mainly it’s a different down pipe from the turbo.

Depending on your steering box you may have to ditch the viscous fan. But electric fans are cheap. X-engineering do a nice thermal switch assembly and just grab a fan off eBay. No need to spend silly on a kenlowe or similar.
 
300bhp/ton said:
Biggest difference on a Disco 200 is the location of the turbo. It’s mounted low and has a different manifold. The Defender 200 has the turbo mounted up high above the engine. And actually makes slightly less power.

However it’s pretty straight forward to fit a Disco 200 engine. Google Steve Parker. They do some kits with the bits. Mainly it’s a different down pipe from the turbo.

Depending on your steering box you may have to ditch the viscous fan. But electric fans are cheap. X-engineering do a nice thermal switch assembly and just grab a fan off eBay. No need to spend silly on a kenlowe or similar.
Click to expand...

Brilliant i have been trawling all day today for an engine and have a couple of possibilities..also went and picked up a second hand engine crane advertised in the locals , off a guy who had a disco and series he'd been doing up so much chatting involved!!
Although lots of folks seem to do the 300 swap i think as its my first i will take your advice and keep it simple! I Get the land rover home on weds and then i can make a start, thanks again for all the advice.
 
farriermatt said:
Brilliant i have been trawling all day today for an engine and have a couple of possibilities..also went and picked up a second hand engine crane advertised in the locals , off a guy who had a disco and series he'd been doing up so much chatting involved!!
Although lots of folks seem to do the 300 swap i think as its my first i will take your advice and keep it simple! I Get the land rover home on weds and then i can make a start, thanks again for all the advice.
Click to expand...
if your fitting a 300 fit as lr did, thats how i allways fit them and it uses std parts
 
so by that you mean you would use the r380 gearbox and all 300 tdi engine ancillaries , bearing in mind i have no engine in this (there is a lt77 fitted) Prop shafts are also removed thats not really a big deal as i have little to re-use.
 
farriermatt said:
so by that you mean you would use the r380 gearbox and all 300 tdi engine ancillaries , bearing in mind i have no engine in this (there is a lt77 fitted) Prop shafts are also removed thats not really a big deal as i have little to re-use.
Click to expand...
yes ,lt77 is worth a few quid and would swap for a r380,you dont need a full seat box just the spot welded plate for the tunnel
 
jamesmartin said:
yes ,lt77 is worth a few quid and would swap for a r380,you dont need a full seat box just the spot welded plate for the tunnel
Click to expand...
I read I should use early 300 engines as later ones have some electrical fuel tomfoolery is this important? I have seen the seatbox modifications. I know it's horses for courses but if the 300 was an ok option it would make purchase considerably easier as the 200 are getting rarer it seems.
 
Check the transfer box on your old gear box You may need this.
Ratios are different on 90 to 110.
Both are easy conversions you just need a bit of welding for the engine mounts.
I have a 200 in my 110. Used standard parts,
Good luck
 
farriermatt said:
I read I should use early 300 engines as later ones have some electrical fuel tomfoolery is this important? I have seen the seatbox modifications. I know it's horses for courses but if the 300 was an ok option it would make purchase considerably easier as the 200 are getting rarer it seems.
Click to expand...

It's the autos that have some trickery. Get an engine from a manual and there's no difference (so far as I'm aware).
 
I put a 200td from a Disco in place of my old 1990 2.5 N/A coupled to an R380 from a 300tdi Disco. It all fitted with minor modification to the seat box to accommodate the gearbox. The long disco bell housing pushes the engine about four inches further forward so I made brackets to mate engine mounts to chassis mounts, the Disco oil cooler pipes fit as do the top hose and intercooler pipe without modifying them, the fan will go back on but you have to cut about an inch and a half off the blades to clear the steering box, I left the fan off and its never been any where near overheating in the last four years even trailering an old tractor over the Pennines in high summer. Best put an electric one on though or you'll die !!
P.S. 300tdi exhaust exit from turbo is awkward as it drops down near the engine mount if I remember
 

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I fitted a 200tdi defender engine in place of my 2.5na

It was a direct swap but I had to change the radiator frame, air box, the exhaust and mounts for 200tdi specific parts.

Only bit of fabrication was welding on an exhaust mount on the rear drivers side chassis leg as the 200tdi had an extra one the 2.5na didn’t, and drilling and tapping the bit on the engine the bellhousing bolts onto - you can get away with not doing that but I am not a fan of cutting corners

Actual fitment took half a day, but I did a lot of prep beforehand in the evenings - building up radiator and all that sort of stuff.
 
landowner said:
I put a 200td from a Disco in place of my old 1990 2.5 N/A coupled to an R380 from a 300tdi Disco. It all fitted with minor modification to the seat box to accommodate the gearbox. The long disco bell housing pushes the engine about four inches further forward so I made brackets to mate engine mounts to chassis mounts, the Disco oil cooler pipes fit as do the top hose and intercooler pipe without modifying them, the fan will go back on but you have to cut about an inch and a half off the blades to clear the steering box, I left the fan off and its never been any where near overheating in the last four years even trailering an old tractor over the Pennines in high summer. Best put an electric one on though or you'll die !!
P.S. 300tdi exhaust exit from turbo is awkward as it drops down near the engine mount if I remember[/QUOTE
Click to expand...
 
I have a friend with a 200 in a 110 1989. I was always amazed at the amount of space in the front of her engine bay , she also left the fan and cowl off. Messes with my head when I look at it!
 
julianf said:
It's the autos that have some trickery. Get an engine from a manual and there's no difference (so far as I'm aware).
Click to expand...
So age is less important I just need a manual 300 or 200 for that matter. I'm guessing auto needs some sort of electric fuel pump instead of mechanical?
 
Thanks everyone for the replies it's been a great help.
I have a couple of out riggers to do first and then hopefully I'll of found something to make it run! Alternatively
6197507F-3B63-473C-B58D-DB8FD4963526.jpeg
 
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