Conversion manual to automatic

Hi all,

Is this a conversion that is available?
Any one done it before?
What engine and box would be best suited to a Defender 90.

Thanks

uk_vette said:

Hi all,

Is this a conversion that is available?
Any one done it before?
What engine and box would be best suited to a Defender 90.

Thanks

Click to expand...

Ashcroft does them.... That would be a start for info of what you need for the conversion

A link to my recent thread about this very subject.

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/300tdi-auto-conversion.299535/

Litch said:

A link to my recent thread about this very subject.

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/300tdi-auto-conversion.299535/

Click to expand...

And a very good read up

What defender do you currently have?
There is currently a conversion on eBay full engine gearbox and kit for 300tdi, ready to go straight in

Thank you to all who replied so positive and quickly.

We don't have a Defender as yet, but my wife does like the shape of them.
She likes the squareness.

Would the members on here think it would be better either a petrol or diesel conversion?
She drives 38 miles per day, ,30 of them on freely flowing motorway.

I read the diesel auto is considered sluggish, and the petrol conversion had a drink problem.

Should I look for one already converted, or buy a basic Defender, and look towards converting that?

Thanks all,

Graham

Have a look for one already converted cos atleast you could try driving it. Depends on your budget and the condition of the defender in question

uk_vette said:

Thank you to all who replied so positive and quickly.

We don't have a Defender as yet, but my wife does like the shape of them.
She likes the squareness.

Would the members on here think it would be better either a petrol or diesel conversion?
She drives 38 miles per day, ,30 of them on freely flowing motorway.

I read the diesel auto is considered sluggish, and the petrol conversion had a drink problem.

Should I look for one already converted, or buy a basic Defender, and look towards converting that?

Thanks all,

Graham

Click to expand...

I think only you can really answer these questions tbh.

1. There are lots of conversions, done by lots of people. But generally follow the same idea for all of them. You can either do it yourself, or find a company to do it. I don't believer there are any 100% complete bolt in kits. Because everyone wants something slightly different and has a slightly different starting position.

2. Only you can judge what sort of mpg cost you will be happy with. There is a wide choice of engines and gearboxes available, depending on how much you want to spend, or how much you want prioritise certain things like Horse Power, speed or fuel economy.

For example, a 3.0 TDV6 from the current D4 and 8 speed auto box would be quite amazing in a Defender. And I'm sure places like J&E Engineering would happily build you one. But it might set you back £50,000+ and a donor vehicle.

A Tdi with a simple 4 speed auto box from a D1/RRC is likely the cheapest option. But will be SLOOOOOOW. And likely low to mid 20's mpg at best.

A Rover V8 (3.9/4.0 or 4.6) will be a lot more lively and should manage 17-22mpg depending on use.

3. Or you could look at alternative engines like a Chevy or Ford V8.... lots of possibilities.

4. That said. Have you actually considered a Range Rover or a Discovery? Both can be had as auto's as standard and are far better in terms of comfort, refinement, NVH, road manners, etc.

5. If it's the boxy shape, then maybe consider a Jeep Wrangler? The TJ, which is very similar to a Defender under the skin. Can be had as standard with a 4.0 Straight 6 and an auto box. And is a very good and capable machine.



And the new JK version has a 2.8 diesel and an automatic. So better mpg than the older model, although not quite as rapid. But the JK is a much newer vehicle and MILES ahead of a Defender.

300bhp/ton said:

Click to expand...

I do wish you hadn't put that picture up cos I really want to sell my Defender and got back to a Jeep after having to get rid of my cj7 a few years back I've been looking a gassed up ones of these...... I'll fetch my coat

Your wife needs to drive any defender before you get into the auto thing , as the reality of a defender can be a bit of a trial for avg car driver . 300tdi with auto has similar performance to 300tdi auto discovery , although top end not quite as good due unfavourable aerodynamics . Using discovery transfer box avg mpg I found was 28mpg
depending on trip type. V8 would give much more performance , but needs Deep pockets as mpg half that of 300tdi . another option 3L BMW td6 as used in 422 RR , performance similar to V8 but would need modded box from ashcrofts I get 29mpg with manual box in my110 . You should look at starting with lower end 90 and put galv chassis and bulkhead in it , as you dont want to convert vehicle and then up having to put new chassis under it afterwards , as finding an converted auto or getting it done is going to be in region of 10K

tacr2man said:

V8 would give much more performance , but needs Deep pockets as mpg half that of 300tdi .

Click to expand...

If you are only get half the mpg of a Tdi with a V8, then likely something is wrong with the V8.

My 4.6 auto Range Rover weighs a fair chunk more than a D90. And ****ing about doing short journeys, putting my foot down and going over the fields while not caring at all about mpg, returns 17mpg pretty constantly.

Now way a Tdi will be "averaging" 34mpg, auto or manual....

For the same sort of use my 200Tdi 88 probably gets 26-28mpg.

Take the p38a on a run and you'll be getting 21mpg+ from it. I concede the Tdi may well be nudging 30 or more in the Series (well it does weigh a lot less, less than a D90 even and 2wd...). But most certainly is a long long way from double the mpg.

Ive driven V8 109 and 110 for best part of 34 years 17 on a good day . V8 discovery 1 20 best , V8 classic range-rovers the mpg went down as the model was "improved" over the years 21 best 300tdis 28/29 pretty much irrelevant what body shell was around the engine . P38 V8 19 best , 2.5 dse 26 Using a V8 in cold weather for short runs too frightening to find out JMHE

A low CR carb V8 won't be as good on fuel I admit. I often use a factory 3.5 90, my Uncle owns it now, but my brother owned it for years. It probably does 15-17mpg running about. But will do 19mpg on a better run.

Have also run many other V8's. Early 5 door RRC and then several 3.9s and a 3.5i. V8 Disco's and two other 4.6's. I also have a V8 TR7.

A good EFI setup should do 22mpg Highway driving style (excuse the American term, but suits the meaning). And if you are getting less than 18mpg, then you must be doing very short journeys or a heavy right foot.

Have also run lots and lots of Tdi's. Own 2 at the moment. Running about I'd budget 25-28mpg. Might get a little higher on a good run, but can also get lower. My Disco1 when tweaked an on 33's would do 19-22mpg. An auto Tdi will be worse than a manual and will likely be using a non lockup torque converter.

If I was working out coatings I'd probably say:

V8 auto average 18-20mpg
Tdi auto average 22-24mpg

Which for a modest annual mileage is not likely to amount to much difference in total cost. But my point was more your claim that a Tdi will do double the mpg... Which I think is a little misleading to the op.