300TDi Auto to Manual

Hi Frank, it's a big job to change from auto to manual, are you sure you need to do this - what's the problem with the auto?

To do the change you will need a R380 manual gearbox, a new pedal set, a new shaft on the transfer box (I believe??) a clutch setup i.e. master cylinder slave etc.

Hello Thebiglad. The auto I have is very poor on take off. I put my foot down to take off and it seems to take ages to start moving. Even on the move when I put my foot down to overtake etc it seems gutless in the acceleration dept. The engine seems ok. Any advice???
Thanks Fatboyfrank

Fatboyfrank said:

Hello Thebiglad. The auto I have is very poor on take off. I put my foot down to take off and it seems to take ages to start moving. Even on the move when I put my foot down to overtake etc it seems gutless in the acceleration dept. The engine seems ok. Any advice???
Thanks Fatboyfrank

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Hi Frank, before we go too far down the road of you spending loads to get very little extra, are you sure that you're not expecting too much?

I only pose this question because, sometimes, folks get out of a normal family car let alone something sporty, and have innapproprate expectations of performance of these vehicles.

I'm not havin a go, you understand, just trying to establish where you are coming from??

A Tdi 300 Disco Disco weighs over 2 tons and only has , depending on the year, 111 to 120bhp. So, on the face of it, that's crap !!

But, if you've redialled your expectations, then they're great fun, just not very fast on acceleration.

Ok, enough of that, let's assume that something is wrong - I say this because I also have a Tdi 300 auto and I find it pretty quick actually, not GTI quick, because quick enough so that I certainly don't feel the need to change the 'box to manual.

This problem of lack of "quick" - is it recent or has it always been like this, have you owned the vehicle for long. I'm trying to get a feel for the situation if you get me.

1. When you first move off, does it seem to change gears normally? Or does it 'hang' in the gears?

2. When you want to overtake and you feel its lacking, would this be under or over 52mph?

If you've made up your mind to change the 'box, then go ahead, but my advice would be -make sure that there isn't a fixable problem currently with the car before you got to the time, trouble and expense of changing the box.

Hi Biglad. I say it is lacking in the accel dept. as I have owned a 200TDi manual a couple of years ago and it was far superior than the 300TDi I have now. I have owned it for about 9 months and the problem has been apparent from day 1. It seems to change gears OK, even when I put my foot down hard it drops down a gear or 2 but seems very slow in the actual going faster dept. I have not really noticed if there is difference above or below 52MPH.
Thanks for the time spent replying to my question.
Cheers Frank

Fatboyfrank said:

Hi Biglad. I say it is lacking in the accel dept. as I have owned a 200TDi manual a couple of years ago and it was far superior than the 300TDi I have now. I have owned it for about 9 months and the problem has been apparent from day 1. It seems to change gears OK, even when I put my foot down hard it drops down a gear or 2 but seems very slow in the actual going faster dept. I have not really noticed if there is difference above or below 52MPH.
Thanks for the time spent replying to my question.
Cheers Frank

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Ok Frank, just to put you in the picture, we've had a Tdi 200 for 3 yrs now as well as my Tdi 300. They both run very well but there is NO doubt in my mind that the 300 accelerates quicker and cruises at higher top speeds.

This leads me to wonder if some work on your engine MIGHT be enough to make you feel a little happier with the vehicle.

For example, is it EDC (electronic diesel control), does it have an EGR valve (exhaust gas recirculation)? Does it have a cat?

If you're not sure I'll post some hints.

Cheers
Dave

Hi Biglad. It is EDC. It has the EGR valve blanked off. I dont think it has a cat.
I hope this can help you to help me. Cheers Frank

Fatboyfrank said:

Hi Biglad. It is EDC. It has the EGR valve blanked off. I dont think it has a cat.
I hope this can help you to help me. Cheers Frank

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Right, if it's EDC then owner-tuning of the pump is very limited, you move into the area of chips for that. But, at least we now know that it should have 120bhp.

You say it has the EGR blanked off, is the pipework still there? I enclosed a pic of mine, does it look like that?

Have you made sure your turbo hoses are sound and free of splits?

Hi Biglad. Yes, EGR Pipework is still there.the egr flanges have been blanked off.
Hi Danny. No I have not checked my turbo hoses for splits. I will look in a while.
Thanks Frank