OK, my search for a decent 300Tdi Classic isn’t coming up with much, so I’m thinking of another angle.

What sort of costs would be involved in swapping a V8 lump for a Tdi? Would this be cheaper than an LPG conversion, for instance?

I have found a suitable LSE donor/base vehicle which would be ideal for Overlanding – it’s a bit of a ropey one, so I don’t mind mucking about with it a bit, and was thinking of fitting a 300 Tdi engine in it, and selling the 4.2 V8 on. The extra wheelbase will be good for storage and sleeping in the vehicle, and swapping the air suspension for coils with a small lift (1”-2” max) should improve the reliability a bit. Also, the wheelbase (108") is very similar to a 110 Defender, so offroad ability should not be hampered a great deal.

How much do 300 Tdi lumps usually cost? And what would a 4.2 V8 be worth? I know 3.9’s aren’t worth a great deal, is the 4.2 worth any more?

Final question – can the Tdi lump be mated straight to the standard ZF auto box (and LT230 transfer box)? Or would I need to buy an engine and gearbox? I believe the LSE has the ZF gearbox rather than the later R380, as it is a ‘hard dash’ model – were later 300 Tdi’s fitted with just R380’s or ZF’s too?


Any other problems I may face (engine mounts, etc) would be good to know too!

Cheers!


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1" body lift to LSE and it'll take the td5, as long as you can get a complete donor wreck to move all electrics across it is a good conversion, seen a couple of them done now and with a chip and remap will leave the 3.9 for dead from standing start to uphills pulling trailer.

ssmn1234 said:

1" body lift to LSE and it'll take the td5, as long as you can get a complete donor wreck to move all electrics across it is a good conversion, seen a couple of them done now and with a chip and remap will leave the 3.9 for dead from standing start to uphills pulling trailer.

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Interesting! Although I imagine that will incur quite a bit more cost than a 300Tdi conversion, given the Tdi was fitted to them originally. Also a whole world of ECU issues. What gearbox does a Td5 mate to?

disco 2 Td5 has the ZF 22/24 box similar LSE & P38

You should be able to pick a reasonable 300TDI engine up for around £250-300

Mark

OK, cheers Mark - that's reasonable. I reckon the 4.2 would fetch £150 maybe?

you need disoc 300 and auto or 300 and r380 gearbox both same dimensions and will bolt to your bw t/box,with r380 you would need cross member too as it is transmission mount

The 4.2 engine sounds and pulls just great, and the air suspension on the LSE is one of it's best features. Surely you don't want to turn a limo into a tractor?

Both are great features, but neither lend themselves to long distance overland travel and/or reliability!

Might seem a good idea , but , parts will become a nightmare , sod all will be standard to the rangy . why not get a 110 as you already said the wheel base is similar , and leave the lse hard dash to those who can really appreciate the glory of 4.2 v8 long wheel base rangy's . ****ing madness to cut up history , sorry ranting now .!

300tdi was std on rrc lse is only loger in back all engine parts and fittings will be std