Series 3 109" engine conversions... or options :S

Dear All,

Basically my land rover managed to pass mot this year again but i was warned that the gearbox was going to go soon, and i kid you not on the way home from london to brighton the transfer box threw itself out high with a nasty crunch of the gears... Enough of the story.

I am fed up of the under powered and juicy 2.25 petrol so i would like to consider options:

1) Change engine to 200tdi keep standard gbox and transfer box and rebuild?
2) Change engine complete with gbox to 200tdi with lt77 (which is what i would like to do)
3) Keep engine and gbox and rebuild the lot or get a new 2.25 and recon box


Money is an issue in some respect my budget is really around the 200tdi with lt77...

However with option 2 i really want to know more about what a pain in the arse it is to do the conversion, i can do welding, and fabrication so engine and gearbox brackets aren't that much of a problem, also propshafts, i have standard axle for series on the front and sailsbury on rear. I am guessing the speedo will need to be changed which is a shame or maybe not?


Hope some of you knowlegables can help in some way

What about a 2.5na ?

The 2.5 NA won't give much more power than the 2.25 petrol, but it will be an easy conversion, and 30mpg is quite possible.

I'm running my series 2 109 with a 200tdi. You'll need even a defender 200tdi or a discovery 200 with the 300tdi turbo as the disco one hits the chassis.

Mine is attached to a series 3 box with Range Rover differentials and an overdrive. 70mph is pretty easy to get to and I've heard of other getting to 95mph. My mpg is averaging about 35mpg which is increased on longer journeys by sticking to 60mph.

The lt77 route will require both engine and gearbox mounts to need cutting and rewelding. Which might require a defender front end

The other difficulty is that the lt77 runs a permanent four wheel drive transfer case the lt230. A series front axles runs UJ's not cv joints and will make on road driving unpleasant when turning an will cause premature failure of the front axle. There is a kit that allows the series transfer case to be used but it's about £300.

Propshafts will need to be custom made also from what I've read. My series gearbox has coped well so far and was an already old unit. It doesn't leave you stranded if the gearbox fails as 4th is a direct drive so will work even if the layshaft snaps.

A 200tdi without higher gearing is pointless as 1st won't be needed and engine noise and wear will be terrible.

You'll also run into issues as you have a Salisbury rear axle.

Get a 2.5 petrol and a manifold for a stromberg carb that ll give you better economy and a slight power increase and if feel like it look for some high compression pistons that will help .

loads of interesting threads start on here and just die stone dead. why is this? there seems to be plenty forum traffic. last few threads ive looked at dont get past a hand full of replies and no follow ups.. shame really, they woud answer a lot of questions ..