lt77 and 2.5na to r380 and 300tdi conversion

hi all just after abit of advice, i've being looking through forums for the answer but cant find a definite answer.
i have a 300tdi and r380 to replace my 2.5na and lt77, alot of people do the upgrade but keep the old gearbox in place. id like to fit the 300 tdi in the correct place so i wont have to extend oil cooler pipes etc. i understand that mounts will have to be moved and re-welded in different places this isnt a problem. can the r380 be fitted onto the existing gearbox mounts and will this mean the gearbox selector comes through in the same place or will it be further back.
Basically id like the engine to sit in the correct place,but were does the gearbox end up in relation to the old mounts. Or if anyone has better sugggestions they would be most welcome. so if someone could point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated. cheers Andy

to fit 300 and r380 box as lr did you need the r380 cross member, props ,floor plates, tunnel and modification to seat box ,the 300 set up places transmission a couple of inches further forward as with v8s also ,than earlier diesels set ups

thanks for the quick response i understand new props etc but is their a datum point i could use to install the engine and box from.

My 90' R380 sits on the LT77 mounts. The engine sits about 2 inches further back than standard and as far as I know, all pipework used is standard 300-tdi. I would like to lengthen the oil cooler pipes but never got round to doing so.

Spartan117 said:

thanks for the quick response i understand new props etc but is their a datum point i could use to install the engine and box from.

Click to expand...

there are some diagrams on the inet knocking about.. or offer it up and have a play

probably best getting a full donor vehicle btw.

actually, (it's been a while so i'm a bit ropey) you'll be wanting to use the 300 power steering setup and iirc they are metric fittings and won't fit a 3 bolt steering box.

clutch pipe also rings a bell but i'm not sure

but hey, if i can do it anyone can

Hi which engine mounts did you use. I could use the defender mounts or use the discovery mounts,which would also mean grinding the chassis mounts off the discovery chassis. which would you recommend,cheers Andy

eng mounts are the same whether defender or disco ,since a std from the factory 300 tdi with r380 sits 50 mm ish further forward than 200 tdi lt77 as well as engine been pushed even further forward due to the longer bell housing ,you have a choice of fitting either way using lt77 mounts and leaving props etc as are but engine not in the correct place or fitting r380 cross member which sites box in the correct 300tdi position using the chassis holes as are, but props etc need then changing but engine will be in factory position once box is fitted you can the temporarily fit engine to get mount position, factory position is a better more professional job imo

Hi James thanks for the swift reply. I will be fitting in the factory position as its a better job as you say. My engine mounts look different the 300tdi has a cradle type mount were one sits in another, the 2.5na just has the simple rubber blocks with mounts. Will probably fit the 300tdi mounts as they are intended for this engine. I was just asking opinions of users that have done this before. Cheers Andy

you need 300 mounts and the brackets to weld to chassis, you can use disco front prop ,disco cross member but front top corners ned removing or slotting because of seat box supports

Cheers for clearing that up, that will keep me busy next week then. Hopefully all goes well