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

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
farriermatt said:
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?
Click to expand...
some 300tdis fitted to autos were edc ie fly by wire,wires instead of throttle cable,you can swap injection pumps to get rid of edc,300 fitted as lr did or defender 200tdi are the best conversions but the latter been very rare
 
Just to be sure, isn't one of the injectors different too? Or does it just function as a normal unit without the electrickery? (Ie is different but you don't have to change it?)
 
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...
Don’t get me wrong I’m not against the 300. My first 90 was a 300. Just for me personally if I was going the extra hassle I’d go TD5. The engine will cost more, but it’s not really that much more work.

The 200 by comparison is pretty much a bolt in job.
 
300bhp/ton said:
Don’t get me wrong I’m not against the 300. My first 90 was a 300. Just for me personally if I was going the extra hassle I’d go TD5. The engine will cost more, but it’s not really that much more work.

The 200 by comparison is pretty much a bolt in job.
Click to expand...
Maybe next time! I have had a td5 Defender before and Loved it but i fancy something different-ish!
 
I fitted a 300tdi into my military 110, retaining the original LT77 gearbox, fitting it in the same position as the 2.5 N/A.There are a few modifications to do, extending oil cooler and PAS pipes and welding on new engine mounts, but the shouldn't be a big deal. There are definitely a lot more 300tdi's around than 200's at the moment, I would base your decision on the best engine you can find for your money.
I found the information on the Glencoyne Engineering website invaluable.
http://www.glencoyne.co.uk/tdi300.htm
http://www.glencoyne.co.uk/tdiguide.htm
There are some areas where I did my conversion differently, I made my own oil cooler and PAS pipes, (I had to have the high pressure pipe professionally made) and my own design of exhaust down pipe where I shortened a standard pipe and had to make a cut-out in the engine cross-member.
I retained the standard 300tdi viscous fan, despite people saying that it won't work.
If you get a complete 300 Discovery doner vehicle there is a good argument to fit the 300 and R380 in the standard position, as, as others have said, you use all standard parts.
If you don't have PAS fit it whilst you are doing the conversion, no ifs or buts, just do it, trust me. If your land rover still has a 1.6:1 transfer box, you will also need to swap that, unless you tow a fully laden trailer every day, as with a tdi fitted, it will be screaming its nuts off at 60-70mph.


P1080754a.jpg
 
I have just been gazing at this , i don't get it home until tomorrow but is this a R380 short bell housing or am i wrong as so often today, i wish i had looked at the damn gear stick now!


vlad enginebay 2.jpg
 
farriermatt said:
Really are they identical.. patience is not a virtue i have in abundance!, all will be revealed tomorrow i suppose
Click to expand...
no not identical as rear housing is longer hence the bell housing been shorter than the lt77 but looking from the front they look the same,why would you want a stumpy,its allways a compromise fitting an engine etc different to lr did
 
jamesmartin said:
no not identical as rear housing is longer hence the bell housing been shorter than the lt77 but looking from the front they look the same,why would you want a stumpy,its allways a compromise fitting an engine etc different to lr did
Click to expand...
Its really not a question of what i want, i am interested in whats i am about to receive! thats a pic of my new purchase, I was just comparing a picture i have of my vehicle and trying to work out what gearbox is already in it, its got a newish bulkhead and seatbox and because the engine was removed in 2014 no-one can remember what was in it.. I did ask but as ever i should have taken more pics , i was simply wondering if this was identifiable to someone who new.
 
farriermatt said:
Its really not a question of what i want, i am interested in whats i am about to receive! thats a pic of my new purchase, I was just comparing a picture i have of my vehicle and trying to work out what gearbox is already in it, its got a newish bulkhead and seatbox and because the engine was removed in 2014 no-one can remember what was in it.. I did ask but as ever i should have taken more pics , i was simply wondering if this was identifiable to someone who new.
Click to expand...
you cant say for certain from that pic but id say its lt77,depends were reverse is to be sure
 
Its landed! Gearbox plate reads model: FRC5928R quality: L5 Serial: 50ARB59821 Knob Has Reverse top left 5th top right ,so LT77 i assume.
Thanks all
 
If you don't have PAS fit it whilst you are doing the conversion, no ifs or buts, just do it, trust me. If your land rover still has a 1.6:1 transfer box, you will also need to swap that, unless you tow a fully laden trailer every day, as with a tdi fitted, it will be screaming its nuts off at 60-70mph.


View attachment 147878[/QUOTE]

Hi i just got the code of the transfer box and its a 21d which according to ashcroft is a 1.667 ratio is this the ratio you suggested would need a transfer box change? If so i think i may just look for a 300 with a r380 box.
 
Rougharse Racing said:
I fitted a 300tdi into my military 110, retaining the original LT77 gearbox, fitting it in the same position as the 2.5 N/A.There are a few modifications to do, extending oil cooler and PAS pipes and welding on new engine mounts, but the shouldn't be a big deal. There are definitely a lot more 300tdi's around than 200's at the moment, I would base your decision on the best engine you can find for your money.
I found the information on the Glencoyne Engineering website invaluable.
http://www.glencoyne.co.uk/tdi300.htm
http://www.glencoyne.co.uk/tdiguide.htm
There are some areas where I did my conversion differently, I made my own oil cooler and PAS pipes, (I had to have the high pressure pipe professionally made) and my own design of exhaust down pipe where I shortened a standard pipe and had to make a cut-out in the engine cross-member.
I retained the standard 300tdi viscous fan, despite people saying that it won't work.
If you get a complete 300 Discovery doner vehicle there is a good argument to fit the 300 and R380 in the standard position, as, as others have said, you use all standard parts.
If you don't have PAS fit it whilst you are doing the conversion, no ifs or buts, just do it, trust me. If your land rover still has a 1.6:1 transfer box, you will also need to swap that, unless you tow a fully laden trailer every day, as with a tdi fitted, it will be screaming its nuts off at 60-70mph.


View attachment 147878
Click to expand...
Hi i just got the code of the transfer box and its a 21d which according to ashcroft is a 1.667 ratio is this the ratio you suggested would need a transfer box change? If so i think i may just look for a 300 with a r380 box.
 
Yes, there are a few different transfer box ratios, there is 1.6-1 for the 2.5 N/A diesels, 1.4-1 for later Defenders and 1.2-1 for diesel Discoverys and Puma engine'd Defenders I think that there are even higher ratio boxes for the V8 petrol engines.
The 68bhp 2.5 N/A diesels are as flat as a witch's tit and top out at 55-60 mph with 750x16 tyres fitted. When you chuck in a tdi them they accelerate rapidly up to 55-60 mph but are approaching maximum revs if you go much faster. If you are going to fit huge tyres then it could be worth sticking with the 1.6-1 transfer box.
If you are going to stick with standard Defender tyre sizes, (750's or similar height) then the standard Defender 1.4-1 box could be the best choice, especially if you regularly tow a big trailer.
The 1.2-1 box is popular as they usually come free with rotten Discovreys. I have one fitted to my 110 which is on 750's and it is great when running without a trailer, but you wouldn't want it any higher geared. I use mine to tow a horse box and it manages fine, first gear can be a little tall with the LT77 or R380. You won't notice this until you come to do a hill start with a trailer on the back, when you may have to give it a few more revs to get the turbo working. Nothing like as 5hit as a pre-EDC automatic or a 2.5 N/A though.
If you use Discovery size tyres with the 1.2-1 transfer box, the gearing will be exactly the same as a tdi Discovery.
When they use 1.2-1 ratio in Puma Defenders it is combined with the Ford Transit gear box which has a megga low first gear.
The low ratio is the same on all the transfer boxes, so if you find yourself doing a hill start on Hardknott Pass with 3.5 tonnes hooked on the back you can just put it in low box and set off easily.

If you decide to go the 300tdi and R380 route in the standard position, you will also need the front prop and gearbox cross-member from the Discovery. In an ideal world you would get a complete Discovery to rob the bits off as you will also need the radiator and inter-cooler, alternator, power steering pump and steering box.
 
Last edited:
Rougharse Racing said:
Yes, there are a few different transfer box ratios, there is 1.6-1 for the 2.5 N/A diesels, 1.4-1 for later Defenders and 1.2-1 for diesel Discoverys and Puma engine'd Defenders I think that there are even higher ratio boxes for the V8 petrol engines.
The 68bhp 2.5 N/A diesels are as flat as a witch's tit and top out at 55-60 mph with 750x16 tyres fitted. When you chuck in a tdi them they accelerate rapidly up to 55-60 mph but are approaching maximum revs if you go much faster. If you are going to fit huge tyres then it could be worth sticking with the 1.6-1 transfer box.
If you are going to stick with standard Defender tyre sizes, (750's or similar height) then the standard Defender 1.4-1 box could be the best choice, especially if you regularly tow a big trailer.
The 1.2-1 box is popular as they usually come free with rotten Discovreys. I have one fitted to my 110 which is on 750's and it is great when running without a trailer, but you wouldn't want it any higher geared. I use mine to tow a horse box and it manages fine, first gear can be a little tall with the LT77 or R380. You won't notice this until you come to do a hill start with a trailer on the back, when you may have to give it a few more revs to get the turbo working. Nothing like as 5hit as a pre-EDC automatic or a 2.5 N/A though.
If you use Discovery size tyres with the 1.2-1 transfer box, the gearing will be exactly the same as a tdi Discovery.
When they use 1.2-1 ratio in Puma Defenders it is combined with the Ford Transit gear box which has a megga low first gear.
The low ratio is the same on all the transfer boxes, so if you find yourself doing a hill start on Hardknott Pass with 3.5 tonnes hooked on the back you can just put it in low box and set off easily.

If you decide to go the 300tdi and R380 route in the standard position, you will also need the front prop and gearbox cross-member from the Discovery. In an ideal world you would get a complete Discovery to rob the bits off as you will also need the radiator and inter-cooler, alternator, power steering pump and steering box.
Click to expand...
Thank you for taking the time to write that up so concisely ,much appreciated, withe the prices of engines i had more or less convinced myself to buy a disco just so i can hear it running and to provide myself with the ancillaries. I have just been going around the chassis and it has more repairs than i had seen so i will be starting there and give myself time to find a decent rotten discovery. Again thanks for the time.
 
Check your transfer box, if you havent already, I had an 2.5NA ex-MOD and it had the 1-1.4 transfer box not the expected 1-1.6

200tdi with the 1-1.4 is a superb all rounder
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

farriermatt
Link to wiring photos/diagram/ identification
Replies
14
Views
1K
farriermatt
farriermatt
D
Fititng 300TDI parts to a 200TDI?
Replies
8
Views
1K
Dave Sherry
D
B
Defender 110 300tdi black smoke when engine under load & generally sluggish
Replies
5
Views
3K
Kev12
Kev12
farmershort
1998 110 (engine conversion) full breakdown of clutch system needed
Replies
2
Views
523
v8250
v8250
SPLRover
110 V8 conversion to 300TDI
2
Replies
24
Views
2K
300bhp/ton
300bhp/ton
Back
Top