will it stop......

Hi Folks, been thinking about converting my 1977 series 3 from 2 1/4 petrol to a 200tdi or 300tdi. Spoke to a mechanic friend who thought the brakes might not be up to it. Any way of upgrading them? Love the petrol engine, but the 200tdi might make it bit cheaper to run.

if its a 109 then yes but fit a servo assisted master cylinder as the 109 has bigger brake drums than an 88" and as long as yer keep em in good form it shouldnt be too bad for stoppage

I used my 88" series 2a V8 for years on standard brakes (using a servo from a series 3) with no probs at all. All you need to do is fit a servo if it's not got one on already and keep the brakes in good order and you'll be fine.
If you find you need more stopping power you can fit the lwb front brakes as they're bigger.

Think about it... you are using the brakes to stop... and stopping from 50 takes the same braking effort wether you used a 2.25P or 200TDi or V8 to get up to that speed!

protactor said:

Think about it... you are using the brakes to stop... and stopping from 50 takes the same braking effort wether you used a 2.25P or 200TDi or V8 to get up to that speed!

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True... though you could argue the 200tdi is heavier thus more momentum when you get up to 50... so more effort to brake... not a lot though, i'm just being pedantic!

Well just for info, I have 5K in my 72 88" with a 200Di and am perfectly happy with the single line 10" brake system. A 109" will have an 11" system anyway I think.

Once set up right drum brakes are as gud as disc brakes. My 109 has a 200tdi and mine are spot on

cheers. Best start saving pennies..... as I said just want MPG bit better so can use it more.

WAYNE3427 said:

cheers. Best start saving pennies..... as I said just want MPG bit better so can use it more.

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if your gonna put a disco engine in a series why not just buy a rotten disco and change the diffs over while yer at it as they do give a better ratio and apparently theyre a straight swap

Hi yes they are a stright swap aslong as u dont have a sailsbury in the rear.

Bump said:

True... though you could argue the 200tdi is heavier thus more momentum when you get up to 50... so more effort to brake... not a lot though, i'm just being pedantic!

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I would bet the 200tdi engine is in fact lighter than the series petrol lump.
Mines got a 200tdi and the std 10 inch non servo brakes are fine and i dont hang about in it either


Lynall

johnny curt 1 said:

if your gonna put a disco engine in a series why not just buy a rotten disco and change the diffs over while yer at it as they do give a better ratio and apparently theyre a straight swap

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That increases gearing in ALL gears... so your low range will not be as low as it was. An O/D is the preferable option.

J

protactor said:

That increases gearing in ALL gears... so your low range will not be as low as it was. An O/D is the preferable option.

J

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id fit an OD if i were useing it for general use and light offroading but if i were useing it on the motorway like me last one id go for the disco diffs next time

it did me nuts in sat there listening to the 2 1/4 petrol engine screaming for dear life while doing 55mph on the m62 while all manner of hgvs are screaming past me

im currently trying like fook to get another series but first i gotta clear some space sell a few things get some work in and keep the cash out of the missus reach

all good. Just need to find some one in area who wants to get dirty and stuck in this summer. I've all the desire to do the job, but no tools, garage and most importantly NO idea.....

i ran my 88" (200tdi 3.54 diffs and overdrive, 90mph capable) until a year or so ago on standard 10" drums no servo and that stopped just fine, due to the lack of servo it just required that i leant on the brake pedal a little harder when needed

eventually due to the m/c leaking and me having a dual line servo setup sat on the shelf i fitted it, it just made the brakes lighter to operate

i've since fitted an 11" rear axle brake assembly to my front axle just because i fancied the experiment, it still stops like before but i think the shoes last a fair bit longer and with less frequent need for adjustment

the only problem i think i suffer now is they take a bit longer to dry out after wading and they hold more of the muddy stuff after the pay and play sessions