Considering it

My lil' 200tdi needs some tlc, mainly a new rebore or block, so i'm considering lobbing a V8 in her instead for 2 reasons

1. I love the sound of a V8
2. I love the sound of a V8

Bit limited on internet searching but found a few posts on here with some decent information, from what i've read so far, a 3.5 is slightly better, but a 3.9 efi is better on the mpg etc.

Thing is, running a doosel 200tdi, what kind of headaches am i looking at for swapping to a 3.5 or 3.9 carb or efi set up, is the EFI a pain on the older ( 88 ) doosel wiring looms? I prefer the simplicity of carbs ( worked on bikes alot so understand em more than Efi's ) but saying that, would an Efi set up be better overall?

Lastly cost, do i need to change tanks or can i flush mine out and re use? After the initial cost of the engine itself, what else am i looking at?
Wiring for starter, alternator much different, steering pump pipes different to need a full replace?
What about the radiator? i dont use a fan atm, but how is the v8 oil cooled? via the rad or is it a seperate cooler?

gearbox different? i read about the tunnel on the autobox being different so may require some work on the bulkhead, is there a way of keeping the original gbox i have?

Any answers appreciated folks

Cheers

Finally, what is the kind of vehicle i'm looking for, for a donor engine which will allow searching for extra stuff no needed

3.5 is the strongest in that a blown head gasket will be just that not cracked block as usualy is with 3.9 and bigger, dont fit low compression feels no better than 2.5 petrol with lower mpg,cimpression is altered by changing pistons3.5 high compression with hot wire system would be best ,i like 3.9s but you have to watch for block cracking issues ive had 3 ,1 cracked the others were fine, mine has auto both engine and box are cooled either side in rad ,but you do need good rad new if poss ,v8 best sits like 300 tdi so 300 tunnel floor plates props etc want changing auto has same dimensions ie length as defender or disco r380 or disco lt77 ,no change to bulkhead pas pipes will fit as long as donor wasnt 3 bolt box but then pipes or box can be changed ,ive still got a block if you want but forget unlssed pressed

Cheers James,

3.5 sounds the best to go for.
I've got a brand new 200Tdi rad, steering box is 4 bolt, and gearbox is LT77 with a 28D transfer box ( Disco1 ) on it, sooo will i need a R380 box & xfer box or can i use this transfer box on an auto box and engine?

all the t/boxes are okay 1.2 ratio the best,either auto or lt77 or r380 ,i prefer auto but personnel choice ,3.9 efi on h/c 3.5 works well easy to wire as you only need a little wiring to interface eng to vehicle as its mostly self contained,must be high compression though else you will be disappointed 200 rad wont be big enough needs full width with cooler both ends for ease, your ols wiring can be moved extended shortened to fit ie starter ,temp guage ,alt ,stop solenoid for coil ,oil pressure etc , i use 300 tunnel ,props etc ,3.9 manifolds ,and with 90 early efi in tank h/p pump

Right i'll keep my ears n eyes open for a 3.5 h/c with possible box ( if it comes as a package )

Rad off a RRC do the job? same size as a 19J set up then?

Badger said:

Right i'll keep my ears n eyes open for a 3.5 h/c with possible box ( if it comes as a package )

Rad off a RRC do the job? same size as a 19J set up then?

Click to expand...

too wide

The RRc rad is too big?, how much though? It's only a flimsy body panel either side of the engine bay at the front so i could alter the width, as for height, i'm down to the cross member anyway due to the mod with the rad i have.

a few inches either side, about same height.

Engines seem to be pretty cheap, about the same for a 200Tdi off the bay, but looking into it even more, it looks to be better to buy a complete Disco with a v8 as these are fairly well priced, at least i can test the engine.

That's the way i would go if i was doing a conversion. Disco cost almost less than an engine alone. plus you then also end up with spare gearbox and diffs. sell off the other parts and it pays for it self