Engine Swap assistance needed.

Hi guys I am new here. I am about to acquire a 2000 Disco II with a manual v8 engine. Now gas prices here in Barbados are atrocious and i need to swap with immediate effect to a more economical diesel engine.

I have chosen the 300 tdi since it seems to be a popular uncomplicated engine. Is this a good way to go? And how difficult is this swap? What does it require of me?

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Perhaps the logic is lost on me...If you know fuel prices are high,and your not happy with that, and you want a diesel, why buy a V8?

Its a strange one. maybe olny one he could find in his price range

seems strange to swap for a tdi? and not a td5?

A lot simpler to swap to a Tdi than a TD5... no engine electrics for a start, no ECU either... cheaper to repair, more economical... I could go on, but you've probably heard it all before anyway.

Adz said:

A lot simpler to swap to a Tdi than a TD5... no engine electrics for a start, no ECU either... cheaper to repair, more economical... I could go on, but you've probably heard it all before anyway.

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maybe into a 200 or 300 series but into a discovery 2? i cant see that being easy getting all the leccy bits to work

yep TD5 is a no no unless ya got deep pockets not even sure if the engine ecu will work without the main ecu console installed as well. and the wiring will need replacing anorl. 300tdi is a piece of **** to swap over Only prob will be getting fuel return pipe installed might be easier to fit a diesel fuel tank at the same time.

V8_Disco said:

maybe into a 200 or 300 series but into a discovery 2? i cant see that being easy getting all the leccy bits to work

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What Leccy bits feed to starter & feed to stop solenoid and the jobs a good un.

It appears as if you've bought a car but can't afford to run it. Sell it, and buy something you can afford to run. That might be a Disco 1 (300TDi) instead of a Disco 2. Swapping out a perfectly serviceable V8 engine for a diesel is going to devalue the car, and cost so much in money, time and hassle, as to be neither cost effective nor sensible. If you do proceed with the conversion, you'll have world's only Disco 2 300TDi. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing?

Sorry for the late response. I am buying the Disco 2 because it is dirt cheap, cheaper than the Disco 1's around here since no one in my country likes to buy gas guzzlers so that affects the value of it on the street. It is also 5 door for the family. 90% of the Disco 1's here are 3 door and not kept well. So it was a no brainer to go for this Disco 2.

I can put gas in it but it will pull my pockets more than the diesel engine would. I have the cash, as well as the money i have saved on purchasing the jeep to make the engine swap work.

All i am asking is for some info on how to go about this swap.

Will your instrument cluster work without a data link from the main engine ECU to the BCU and on though to the binaccle?

a 300 engine may not have the correct electronics, if any at all, to talk.

bobkitten said:

Sorry for the late response. I am buying the Disco 2 because it is dirt cheap, cheaper than the Disco 1's around here since no one in my country likes to buy gas guzzlers so that affects the value of it on the street. It is also 5 door for the family. 90% of the Disco 1's here are 3 door and not kept well. So it was a no brainer to go for this Disco 2.

I can put gas in it but it will pull my pockets more than the diesel engine would. I have the cash, as well as the money i have saved on purchasing the jeep to make the engine swap work.

All i am asking is for some info on how to go about this swap.

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I admire your confidence. But if you're unsure of all the steps to do the job, and all the parts needed to make it work reasonably well, then you can only roughly estimate the costs. It may well end up more pricey than a Disco 2 TD5, or a bit of a renovation project on a Disco 1. The reason the Disco 2 is dirt cheap is its expensive to run, with the petrol motor in it. You need to look at the big picture. This is why people recommend "don't build a car you can buy". I imagine the machanical gubbins will be not-too-hard to get running (might need welding to move engine mounts?) but the dashboard and other electrics/electronics will be very time consuming to get working nicely. Good luck with the project.

Is an LPG conversion a possibility

Wot is the engine 4.2? Might be interested

I am alll the way in Barbados. But i guess i can send it up real cheap. Not looking to profit.

Most of you guys are not from here so i guess you do not understand the market. But this vehicle is fairly rare over here. And i have always wanted one. I have contacts to get service parts ( the same contacts i use for my current car which is an e36 bmw.) I can leave it as gas but i want something more efficient. It is just a preference.

The electronics thing has me thinking though. I would have to look into that. I am no mechanic or electrician. But i am sure the guys who do my work can manufacture something stable. But anyone with any helpful info to reduce the trial and especially the error is appreciated.

Let me also say thanks for all the responses, even though those that seemed a bit critical. I appreciate them all as I undergo this project.

bobkitten said:

I have the cash, as well as the money i have saved on purchasing the jeep to make the engine swap work

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Wait a second... purchasing...

the...

...what?

:doh::doh::doh: