I did indeed! M5 straight six to be precise. not quite a series, registered as one but far from it really!
Personally I found it quite easy to make the adapter plate but it does depend on your skills. I used a range rover/disco v8 box (lt77 or r380 will both work). this was because it was the easiest way to make the plate as the bellhousing is a wider diameter then the engine.
with some careful measuring i'm sure you could make the diesel fit a series box although i dont think it would handle the torque. The easiest thing to do would be get the engine and manual box from a p38 rangey and try and keep the engine far forward to help with your gearstick placement and to keep a good length of rear prop.
Then you have the issue of perm 4x4 with front ujs in the swivels, not the best.
where do you end!
I am currently preparing mine for next years wyedean rally and am rebuilding basically the whole thing as we speak. will probably change a load of things whilst i'm doing it.
unfortunately once you start modifying to this degree you will never stop as something could always be made slightly better.