V8 or TDi (Off Road)

Hi

I know this has probably be done to death but seens as when I do a search for V8 I get "Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms." Go figure.

I am looking at getting a Disco 1 as a project to rebuild and mess around with. I want it for an off road toy, so no to worried about fuel consumption. Is there any difference off road between the V8 and the 300TDi? I assume the V8 is heaver but more powerful? Is one or the other easier to work on? I was thinking of buying a knackered on and liked the idea of rebuilding a V8.

If any one has an opinion on this I would like to hear it. Also it you know of any old threads please pass them my way.

Thanks

I made a similar decision a few months back, in the end I went for a TDi over a V8, not just for MPG but also because its harder to find a good V8 with a manual transmission than it is a good V8 auto etc.

And I didn't want an auto as I prefer manual for on and off road, also cus the 2 people I know who have auto disco's constantly have trans problems, one guy's went pop when we were laning, been working the gearbox hard with no air to cool it (slow speed etc) for a few hours and it gave up. I expected them to be better tbh..

I would agree with Munster above, but here is my experience of using both V8's and TDi's.

My old V8 90 was built using Range Rover bits (1986 MY) so it was EFi, 4speed auto with fluid cooler and LT77 transfer box (not the Borg Warner Viscous introduced in 1987).

Good points: It's a V8, engine is slightly lighter then a TDi (230kg working weight), Auto box never jumps out of gear no matter how bad the terrain, spend more time concentrating on terrain, easy to drive to and from events.

TDi Manual good points: You have some engine braking when doing big descents (serious amounts of braking too), lower geared when in Lo box, don't need to be as precise on the throttle when going through massive changes of angle/direction to keep traction.

Having done playdays and trials in both types of motor, V8 auto is more fun for a playday, but you can't go wading, TDi Manual is easier to drive a trial as it is a bit more forgiving over throttle position.

climbingmike said:

Hi

I know this has probably be done to death but seens as when I do a search for V8 I get "Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms." Go figure.

Click to expand...

We already went and figured out than no forum admin in this world will let you search for 2 and sometimes 3 letter words.
The proper way to search a proper indexed forum for 2 letter words is by using google.
Start from here: google results.
You can add/replace any words/letters there but keep the "site:landyzone.co.uk" bit in place (this instructs google to search only at this address). Use words like "petrol" "diesel" "economy" etc. See advanced search help on google for more trick and tips.

If you're only after offroad fun then take a look at what others use in off-road competitions over there: petrol or diesel? manual or auto trx?
The answer is only one but I'll let you have the satisfaction of finding that on your own.

Having done playdays and trials in both types of motor, V8 auto is more fun for a playday, but you can't go wading,

Click to expand...

Does this mean I can’t use a V8 for deep water? Even with a snorkel?

Thanks for the replys especially the search help

Mike

any petrol engine needs a spark to run - so yu get water in yo ignition electrics yo engine is dead - a doozil can run underwater providing it gets air and the exhaust can be vented.

climbingmike, why don't you build yourself one this toys: YouTube movies.
so you wouldn't have to worry about what engine to choose, diesel, petrol, turbine, pedals ....

I just don't understand this wading madness ... why don't you get a boat or a proper amphibious vehicle?

theres a lot of things we dont understand about each others cultures, take me fer example, i dunt get all that vlad the impaler ****,. but you lot thrive on it

This has nothing to do with cultures as there are people here mad about deep wading street legal or less legal 4x4s as well, everywhere else for that matter. One thing is going a normal depth of 50-75 cm (where it doesn't matter if it's a Tdi or a V8) and another thing to go until you submerge the entire engine or when the water sprinkles in through the ventilation system.

AFAIC I have no problems, cultural or any kind, at least not in Europe and NA .
But I sure do miss Vlad the Impaler sometimes .. .. which nobody has to buy or to eat, by the way.

P.S. My advice is to learn romanian first and try understand the culture second. But I'm sure you're not interested in any of these.

cipx2 said:

climbingmike, why don't you build yourself one this toys: YouTube movies.
so you wouldn't have to worry about what engine to choose, diesel, petrol, turbine, pedals ....

Click to expand...

I want one...I want one...just what I need for the creek beds...keep getting bogged in the sand despite low tyre pressures. Great for the rock climbing too no doubt.

Not sure it would pass the registration requirements though. Where are the indicators?..Where's the reverse lights? Hell..where's the @#$%^ ROLL BAR?

climbingmike said:

Hi

I know this has probably be done to death but seens as when I do a search for V8 I get "Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms." Go figure.

I am looking at getting a Disco 1 as a project to rebuild and mess around with. I want it for an off road toy, so no to worried about fuel consumption. Is there any difference off road between the V8 and the 300TDi? I assume the V8 is heaver but more powerful? Is one or the other easier to work on? I was thinking of buying a knackered on and liked the idea of rebuilding a V8.

If any one has an opinion on this I would like to hear it. Also it you know of any old threads please pass them my way.

Thanks

Click to expand...

All I would add to this is have you checked out RPI (UK) and what they can do with a Rover V8 of any displacement? If you want to really mod your engine - V8 is the way to go and unless you want a 'schwimmerwagen' why worry about wading much over the axels anway? Then again - working with a GEMS V8 is a whole new world of voodoo - you will have to make that your major offwork passtime as they are more demanding than a French mistress!

I would go for a V8i auto, may be that is because i have one. petrol comsumption is not as good as a diesel, for off roading the auto box means both hands on the wheel and not having to worry about changing gear.