Engine choice

Going to start building a new 130 in tbe winter after a few broken bones heel up from a bime accident during thr summer.

Trouble is, I'm sort of on the fence which engine I want to go for lol

Initially wanted to go with a TDV8 but a Cummins 6BT or merc OM606 has be kinda undecided now.

The Cummins would be a very simple engine and conversion has been done to death so easy to know what works and what doesn't.

The TDV8 would be cool though and although alot more complicated, being modern and a little more refined has it's benefits too.
If TDV8, I'd be using a Disco TDV6 6 speed manual box so with the right gearing, it would be barely more than idle on a longer run at crusing speeds towing my race car to trackdays or overlanding etc

Also wondering what TDV8 to go for such as 3.6 or 4.4 but 3.6 is probably more than enough power really and much easier to find or to maintain with parts if needed.


Could also just be conventional and use my TD5 for the easy option

The v6 and the v8 diesels have quite a few issues, well worth doing research on cranks snapping. main bearings spinning, injector faults, I think you have to take some serious chunks out of the chassis to fit the tdv6.
I also believe the v6 and v8 engines use different canbus chit chat so cant mix and match.
6bt is old, ISB common rail engines are the next generation on, again from memory the ecu etc is part of the engine package and is bolted to the nearside front of the block and is a two wire to run job.
I know nowt about the merc motor apert from servicing them in w210 models and they sounded lovely, seemed to be super tough as well.

Re tdv6 parts, most stuff have just become available for the 2.7 engines, bearing shelll kits 300 odd quid!
Cranks now available.