Defender 110 Isuzu Conversion

DefenderItalia · Apr 2, 2009

Hi All - after having completed a number of pieces of work on my 1987 110 Defender (soundproofing, dashboard, etc - see other posts), I am planning to attack the engine bay with the following pieces:

1. Installation of an intercooler
2. Installation of a Range Rover P38 twin fan set (I have that)
3. replacement of the water expansion tank with an Allisport one (I have that)

The vehicle is fitted with an Isuzu 2.8TD which replaced what i believe was a Rover V8. The radiator is still the orignal Land Rover, with no intercooler. Would you say this is all possible? The questions are? a) can any intercooler be mounted in front of the radiator, b) where are the P38 fans to be mounted: in front or behind the rad (e.g. are push or pull?). Any help welcome, including indication of crazy specialists in England SW / Surrey that may be able to play around the engine bay.

Also, as i need to cut / weld the top bulkhead section, let me know if you know of any good specialists that may undertake such a job, Thanks in advance for any help, GG

andyb66 · Apr 2, 2009

If my memory serves me correctly your best bet for fitting intercooler to a 2.8 Isuzu lump is a SAAB unit with radiator and leccy fans.

Also, I'm pretty sure that I'm right in saying that the inlet manifold is symmetrical and you can remove and spin it thru 180 degrees and that gives you enough room to plumb in the intercooler between inlet and turbo.

However, I would prehaps be inclined to see if the 200Tdi radiator and intercooler would fit in there.

jimbot90 · Apr 2, 2009

i had a isuzu 2.8td in my 110 and out performed a 200tdi engine and thats without havin t fit n intercooler,so if ya can makle one in it should fly.and ya man above is rite i think ya can rotate the top of the inlet manifold.i thought about fitting a charge cooler but i neva got round to it.

DefenderItalia · Apr 2, 2009

Hi All - thanks for the info, then :

1. Which SAAB intercooler am i looking at: classic 900, GM 900 or 9000, etc. Is it a big job to do and do you know anyone that can do it for me at a good price - with a job well done.

2. Would a rad / intercooler pack out of a Def 300TDi be a traight replacement on my Def, which was a V8 and still has the big rad in front, no intercooler.

At the same time I'd want to take viscous fan off and install those P38 twins, ideally all in one go, makiing the fans cut in at temp or manually from switch. bear in mind the vehicle is a long haul traveller across Europe, so everything needs to be 100% reliable.

Any suggestion from you guysat Challengemotorsports?

Cheers and thanks in advance, GG

andyb66 · Apr 3, 2009

Sorry but it was a while ago now and it just vague memory so I can't tell you what SAAB intercooler to use

I would suggest that the 300Tdi rad and intercooler setup would be my favorite. Given your useage (long haul traveller across Europe) you are more likely to be able to find a local replacement if you should get a hole in it.

....altho' if my experience of East European travel is anything to go my the locals will solder up the leak for 20 Marlboro and a bottle of Vodka

DefenderItalia · Apr 5, 2009

Hi and thanks again - I have been advised that a Def TD5 Radiator / Intercooler pack will be a straight replacement for my old rad, with some obvious fiddling with brackets and pipework. Would anyone be able to confirm if this may be the case - I have been offered a TD5 Rad / intercooler at a very good price! Also it would be great to see if on top of that, the Twin P38 RR fans would fit - again, anyoen any idea?

If that is not feasible, I'll see a 300 TDi rad / Int'cooler pack

Cheers
G

Defender 110 Isuzu Conversion

DefenderItalia

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andyb66

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jimbot90

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DefenderItalia

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andyb66

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