What engines fit? What about a.......????

So, the 300tdi lump is a great big boat anchor. It's not very powerfull, certainly not very economical and isn't very light.

Having driven several modern diesels over the past year or so, it really shows up just how bad the 300tdi lump really is. So what else will fit?

I'm wondering just how difficult it would be to fit something like a modern Ford / VAG / PSA / BMW / Honda lump to a Disco?

On the plus side there is plenty of room in there.

On the down side I can think of the following.....

Mating the gearbox. It would be a lot easier to keep the T5 box, so that brings the problem of mating the new engine to the original box. With the T5 being a Ford box I wonder if Mondeos and Focus's still use this box?

Next thing is all the electrics and ECU that modern diesels use? Thats going to be one hell of a wiring job would it?


I just want to point out that I am not suggesting that I am about to go out and do such a conversion, I'm more kinda window shopping. But, you never know, and I'd be interested to hear the point of view of others relating to this subject.

Disco Moneypit said:

So, the 300tdi lump is a great big boat anchor. It's not very powerfull, certainly not very economical and isn't very light.

Having driven several modern diesels over the past year or so, it really shows up just how bad the 300tdi lump really is. So what else will fit?

I'm wondering just how difficult it would be to fit something like a modern Ford / VAG / PSA / BMW / Honda lump to a Disco?

On the plus side there is plenty of room in there.

On the down side I can think of the following.....

Mating the gearbox. It would be a lot easier to keep the T5 box, so that brings the problem of mating the new engine to the original box. With the T5 being a Ford box I wonder if Mondeos and Focus's still use this box?

Next thing is all the electrics and ECU that modern diesels use? Thats going to be one hell of a wiring job would it?


I just want to point out that I am not suggesting that I am about to go out and do such a conversion, I'm more kinda window shopping. But, you never know, and I'd be interested to hear the point of view of others relating to this subject.

Click to expand...

I think this is flawed from the outset.

My reasoning is this:

1. Modern common rail diesel engines are superbly efficient at pulling what they pull ie small modern aerodynamic family cars. They are not built to slug 2200kgs of non-aerodynamic brick around.

2. The general feasibility of such a transplant seems unrealistic when you considor, as you pointed out, the level of complexity of the control systems inherent in these modern designs.

3. 111 - 120bhp and 2200kgs do not make for an efficient vehicle. Aerodynamics of a brick to do not make efficent vehicles.
However, in it's class I would argue that it is one of the MOST efficient vehicles you can get.

4. You refer to a gearbox you call a T5 and say it comes from Ford - don't understand the connection?? The gearbox in TDi 300's is the Land Rover R380.


We have two TDi 300's and both of them deliver class-leading mpg figures of 33-35mpg in daily use and nearer to 40mpg on a gentle run (60mph).

The problem is that we are bombarded with info about the latest Mondeo, Citroen/Peugeot etc etc which supposedly delivers 50-60mpg. Well Disco's don't!! If that's what you need more than anything else - buy one.

However, if you need to carry up to 7 people in good comfort, tow up to 3500kgs, get off-road to find you fun - I reckon TDi300's are prety much unbeatable.

I understand that you wanted to start a conversation, well there's my bit of chat

thebiglad said:

I think this is flawed from the outset.

My reasoning is this:

1. Modern common rail diesel engines are superbly efficient at pulling what they pull ie small modern aerodynamic family cars. They are not built to slug 2200kgs of non-aerodynamic brick around.

2. The general feasibility of such a transplant seems unrealistic when you considor, as you pointed out, the level of complexity of the control systems inherent in these modern designs.

3. 111 - 120bhp and 2200kgs do not make for an efficient vehicle. Aerodynamics of a brick to do not make efficent vehicles.
However, in it's class I would argue that it is one of the MOST efficient vehicles you can get.

4. You refer to a gearbox you call a T5 and say it comes from Ford - don't understand the connection?? The gearbox in TDi 300's is the Land Rover R380.


We have two TDi 300's and both of them deliver class-leading mpg figures of 33-35mpg in daily use and nearer to 40mpg on a gentle run (60mph).

The problem is that we are bombarded with info about the latest Mondeo, Citroen/Peugeot etc etc which supposedly delivers 50-60mpg. Well Disco's don't!! If that's what you need more than anything else - buy one.

However, if you need to carry up to 7 people in good comfort, tow up to 3500kgs, get off-road to find you fun - I reckon TDi300's are prety much unbeatable.

I understand that you wanted to start a conversation, well there's my bit of chat

Click to expand...

Lots of very valid and senseable points.



When my Disco was an occasional weekend plaything it didn't really matter to me that the fuel consumption and performance were poor, but now it is my daily driver again, it is really starting to **** me off.

My Grandfather used to tell me that you cant polish a turd, and he was right. You cant make a 12 year old, 2200kg off roader into a civilised motorway cruiser that will sit at 100mph all day long whilst returning 40mpg+

Likewise you cant turn that civilised motorway cruiser into a mud stomping 4X4.


With regards to the box, I was under the impression that the later Discos changed from the LT77 boxes, (Rover), to Fords T5, as found on TVRs, Mustangs, Sierras etc?

When the current range of TD 4x4 engines have all just about gone,(Too difficult / expensive to repair.) the TDI,both 200 and 300 will still be around,not maybe in their original home but doing the same job.Being recognised as being right up at the top of the tree for the job they do.Reliable,easy to start,easy to repair,economical and tweakable.
The fact that they have such a good S/H value and get nailed into so many other things is a bit of a giveaway.
The gearbox became the R380 as a later development of the LT77s box in about 1993.
Bloody good engines,be proud of them.

had my 300tdi for about two weeks and from full (brimmed) to 3/4 tank mark it has returned 200 miles mostly around the doors it has been well looked after with a full dealer service history and I think that is a key factor to better mpg

just tweak the injector pump a little... fit a bigger intercooler and you will be surprised what that old fossil of a motor will do