Full length r380 conversion help...

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300tditoy

300tditoy

Active Member
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Wrexham
I'm in the process of gathering up all the bits and pieces I need to convert my 90 from lt77 to r380. It's already got a 300tdi but I'm going balls out this spring to change the box and out the engine in the right position. I know I need floor plates, seat box rear prop etc but I'm struggling with the bulkhead end. Will the r380 tunnel go onto my 200 bulkhead? I've searched and searched but can't find a definitive answer... Is there any form of adaptor plate needed?

I know james Martin has carried out this conversion a few times so I'm hoping you guys can clear up the finer details for me :)
 
I was doing a search on this a few hours ago, there are tons of info on how to do it and whats needed. Some used the LT77 bell housing and some used the shorty bell housing and an Ashcroft kit.

Just do a search on the conversion mate, tons of info covering it. Sure if James kicks in it would be great since he will be a direct info source.
 
My question would be why? There's nothing wrong with a good LT77 so why go to all that trouble to stuff in something that doesn't fit?
 
hughesy said:
My question would be why? There's nothing wrong with a good LT77 so why go to all that trouble to stuff in something that doesn't fit?
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The reason why is because it's already got the 300, and i want to put the engine in its correct position and do away with extended this and extended that. The job itself isn't difficult to do as I'm a mech anyway, and just can't figure out the tunnel conversion aspect.
 
300 seat box and tunnel, move engine forward with box using original lt230 as datum

Better option make it a short r380 and change nothing but box. Lt77 housing is too long by 30mm if doing conversion
 
you can adapt the existing seatbox. it needs a wider hole and the r380 seatbox tunnel bit riveted on. then as said, you need floor plates, tunnel and bulkhead adapter bit.

r380 bolts to the gearbox crossmember as opposed to the lt77 bolting to mounts on the chassis. So you also need the fender crossmember. Also, the engine mounts move forward ofcourse.. but you'll also need all the original pipework.

rear prop as you said.. r380 will probably use the newer handbrake setup, so you'll need to stick the lt77 on or use a newer handbrake, then drill holes in the seatbox to match.

was the engine out of a disco? if so, you will need the fender airbox and mounting plate which stupidly fits via two cylinder head bolts.

did it use the 2.5na front prop? if so i think you'll need a front prop as well.. i can't remember too well about that bit.

personally, not much gain (if any) for a lot of work imo
 
Yeah i plan on changing seat box floor plates and tunnel, I've got a box, and props sitting here waiting, it was the adaptor for the tunnel I'm unsure of.

So with a 300 seatbox and a 300 tunnel, il need an adaptor plate to mate the new tunnel with the old bulkhead?
 
300tditoy said:
Yeah i plan on changing seat box floor plates and tunnel, I've got a box, and props sitting here waiting, it was the adaptor for the tunnel I'm unsure of.

So with a 300 seatbox and a 300 tunnel, il need an adaptor plate to mate the new tunnel with the old bulkhead?
Click to expand...

yeah, i think it's a bit wider, the half moon thing. i'm not 100% though.. they might all be the same. you should be able to see if you hold the r380 tunnel above the lt77.

the screw holes are in the same place though.

oh and you might need to cut off some of the seatbox mount (diagonal) on the chassis else it'll interfere with the r380 crossmember
 
Last edited:
I had read somewhere that a little trim is needed to clear the r380 crossmember.

Just managed to root out a part number on the google RTC6826, diaphragm panel! No wonder I couldn't find anything. Just new to find one now.

Thanks for the help guys, I can press on now ;)
 
300tditoy said:
I had read somewhere that a little trim is needed to clear the r380 crossmember.

Just managed to root out a part number on the google RTC6826, diaphragm panel! No wonder I couldn't find anything. Just new to find one now.

Thanks for the help guys, I can press on now ;)
Click to expand...

that rtc6826 also shows up for the lt77 tunnel, so they may be the same.. i'd deffo check first.
 
I want to mate the r380 to my 200tdi which seems like a piece of work. I am hearing that clunk slightly when lifting the accelerator, have to see if it's is the gear box or another drive line component.
 
Keith Gotts used to sell the kit to convert the bulkhead diaphragm to 300/r380 spec.

It's not listed on their website anymore but may be worth ringing them.

Good luck, I'm hoping to swap to an r380 from my lt77 so will be watching with interest. :D
 
trax said:
you'll have to chop your middle seat up a bit to just drop a disco one in, and you'll need a custom tunnel iirc. plenty have done it
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Trax I will be removing my middle seat completely as my airplane nose might reach till there.

This guy posted his conversion pics of the gear stick position, if this simplifies the installation, I have no issues with it being there, as a matter of fact, I would prefer it there than in front.

Doing modifications is not a problem, it's knowing what bits to use, I am used to modifying stuff so should be able to figure it out.

Thanks for the reply Mate.
 

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Dr_evil said:
I have a feeling its a V8 looking at the transmission tunnel, engine will have been moved all the way forward to help it and the seats have been moved back too
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Seats look like the BMW E30 which I love, could be VW Jetta or Golf seats too..the slide rails on therm are really long.

I don't think it's a V8 because he posted the pics and was contributing to the 200tdi LT77 to R380 thread, I posted the link above.

I could confirm which engine he has and post info here.
 
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