Engine Transplant-RR BMW Diesel into 1985 N/A Pre Defender 90?

Hi Folks

Completely new on here so hello and I look forward to chipping in now and then.

I have a 1985 Pre Defender with the 2.5 N/A Diesel which I am in the process of rebuilding. I'm going to re-chassis and new bulkhead it.

As I also have 2 broken P38's (auto petrol V8 and manual BMW Diesel) I was wondering if the BMW Diesel is a good fit for the Defender? It would definitely give the defender better performance.

Anybody successfully made this change?

Cheers

John

Welcome.

Have a browse in members projects. Not heard of the diesel going in but plenty of V8s as you have the whole drive train and electrics to donate anything is possible.
whats broke on the RRs?

Good luck and guess we will see you in the project section.

J

Thanks Marjon
Will do.
What's broke on RR's? Nothing massive. The V8 just has a habit of thinking of new things to go wrong, so has barely been on the road the last 3 years due to various issues. The diesel has had a lot of home made electrics done at some point, starts off a push button and beeps and bongs all day, so neither is very reliable. The BMW engine is strong and powerful though, so was just an idea. The current plan is to re-fit the original N/A to the defender, but would do the bmw transplant if it was reasonably straight forward
John

JohnnyQ said:

but would do the bmw transplant if it was reasonably straight forward

Click to expand...

No transplant is straight forward start with a tape measure see if the engine bay is big enough(think it would be). But as its all running gear used on LR products and you have a spares car it is doable. Also if you are starting with a chassis change then you are starting from scratch, Plus you would have stuff to sell from the P38s to help with funds.

Don't ask questions in the "project forum" that's not the place until you start your own project. Do that in the defender 1.

Got any pics of said Landys.

I wish you luck.

J

marjon said:

No transplant is straight forward

Click to expand...

^^This.

marjon said:

start with a tape measure see if the engine bay is big enough

Click to expand...

+1.

marjon said:

But as its all running gear used on LR products

Click to expand...

erm, iirc the p38 has diferent g/box & t/box also different gearbox bellhousing length so may position the engine a little foreward?

hopefully I'm wrong

Rich.

Zed. said:

erm, iirc the p38 has diferent g/box & t/box also different gearbox bellhousing length so may position the engine a little foreward?

Click to expand...

The diesel manual runs an R380 IIRC an LT230 will fit, or if Auto an HP22 which the LT bolts to too.
If my homework is correct. But yes engine position is up for a tape measure to decide.

But it will be fun he said let’s do it.

J

marjon said:

But it will be fun he said let’s do it

Click to expand...

ha. over a few beers obviously....



Rich.

Hello and welcome
sounds interesting, the electronics may be the hard part to sort out

Thanks Brian
Yes, that is one of my main worries. The N/A is uncomplicated in that department and after all, electronics is largely why I have 2 broken P38's in the first place
Was, perhaps optimistically, hoping that there was a way to de-complicate the management of the BMW Diesel once it was in the 90
John

I seam to remember you can fit an earlier cable ( non edc) pump to the m51 engine which would make it a lot simpler but not as good with out better control of fueling.

P38 ecus can be made to run standalone. Well petrol 1s can.

J

Welcome to the forum