Requiem for a V8

[dcwhybrew]

$15k for a engine swap/rebuild sounds like you're are getting mounted from behind. even for cali.

with that backup japanese sedan, consider doing it yourself. get a lift off CL, or HarborFreight, or borrow one. Got a non mechanic/D2 driving buddy who completely rebuilt his 4.0 by himself during evenings/weekends following the Rave, threads on Dweb, LRRF, etc.

Motor is still running like new 10000 miles later. Pulls a large boat with it up and down the hills of Chattanooga.

How much did it cost him and how long did it take him?

[HillbillyfromAL]

Just because the D2 came with a TD5 doesn't mean a 300TDI wouldn't work. It just means it takes more work to get all the electrics working right. IMHO getting a mechanically injected Diesel would be the only way to go. Do it as a Bio Fuel vehicle

[REDROVER]

Just because the D2 came with a TD5 doesn't mean a 300TDI wouldn't work. It just means it takes more work to get all the electrics working right. IMHO getting a mechanically injected Diesel would be the only way to go. Do it as a Bio Fuel vehicle

i agree 100%

[dcwhybrew]

Just because the D2 came with a TD5 doesn't mean a 300TDI wouldn't work. It just means it takes more work to get all the electrics working right. IMHO getting a mechanically injected Diesel would be the only way to go. Do it as a Bio Fuel vehicle

How are you going to run a D2 on a 300Tdi (or any mechanically operated diesel engine) with all of the electronics required to operate the D2? Granted, I know anything is mechanically possible, it's just a matter of how much money do you want to pay for it. My guess is that it would cost >$15k to covert a D2 to a 300Tdi. I actually considered this when I had a D2. I spoke with a guy in Kansas (Jim Pendleton, aka "Pendy") who was doing these swaps. He told me that due to the D2s ECU, SLABS, etc, the 300Tdi wasnt a candidate. If you have time (and want to) go over to Discoweb.org. I believe I have a thread from several years ago where he answered the question and gave the techincal details. Search 300Tdi and D2.

EDIT: Here's the thread I mentioned. I think Pendy may have responded in a PM, instead of in the thread. Anyway, maybe this is helpful??

http://www.discoweb.org/forums/showt...referrerid=265

Jim must have sent me an email regarding the TD5 swap. I cant locate his comments in a thread or any of my PMs.

[oryxexpeditions]

How are you going to run a D2 on a 300Tdi (or any mechanically operated diesel engine) with all of the electronics required to operate the D2? Granted, I know anything is mechanically possible, it's just a matter of how much money do you want to pay for it. My guess is that it would cost >$15k to covert a D2 to a 300Tdi. I actually considered this when I had a D2. I spoke with a guy in Kansas (Jim Pendleton, aka "Pendy") who was doing these swaps. He told me that due to the D2s BECM & ECU, the 300Tdi wasnt a candidate. If you have time (and want to) go over to Discoweb.org. I believe I have a thread from several years ago where he answered the question and gave the techincal details. Search 300Tdi and D2.

You could do it, but would basically have to rewire a lot of the vehicle and use a lot of donor parts from a Disco 1, and convert it to an ZF4HP22 or R380. The braking system would have to be modified since it runs through the electronics of the D2, which you will remove, and so on for the traction control as well. RovingBeetle on Dweb did it with a mechanical injection Isuzu 4BD1t in his 2000 D2, and it was a hell of a lot of work and money. 30K seems to ring a bell. . .

I went through the whole process of wanting a diesel and then trying to figure out how to do it in a cost-efficient way, but then took a hard look at what I was going to pay for and realized that the V8 is a way better power plant for the vehicle than a diesel. The only real downside is lack of range, which can be a real downer when traveling out West, where the distances are long between stations. However, you can just install a long range tank or carry extra cans of fuel to counter this, which is what I do now. The real world increase in fuel mileage with a diesel isn't great enough to make it worth it, and the power of the 300 Tdi makes it a dog in a loaded Rover. Installing a diesel with more power costs more and increases fuel consumption. If you are wading through deep water a diesel has some advantage, but how many people with Rovers really want to flood their interior all the time? Besides, in the UK challenge trucks run submerged with waterproofed V8's all the time. In fact, there they often rip the diesels out to run V8's to give them decent power. As far as reliability goes, V8 powered Rovers have criss-crossed the world and done just fine.

If you really want to swap drivetrains, IMO the way to go is a late model GM V8. It will cost you as much as the diesel, but you will have an engine with some real balls, and probably fuel mileage closer to the diesel as well.

David

[jhawk]

I ran into the same situation a couple years ago. I ended up buying another truck and moving my lift, tires, etc. over to it. I then sold the broken truck for a grand. Even spending $5,000 on a $5,000 dollar truck doesn't make since. Learn to love Land Rovers not "Your Land Rover".

Jim

[dcwhybrew]

You could do it, but would basically have to rewire a lot of the vehicle and use a lot of donor parts from a Disco 1, and convert it to an ZF4HP22 or R380. The braking system would have to be modified since it runs through the electronics of the D2, which you will remove, and so on for the traction control as well. RovingBeetle on Dweb did it with a mechanical injection Isuzu 4BD1t in his 2000 D2, and it was a hell of a lot of work and money. 30K seems to ring a bell. . .

I went through the whole process of wanting a diesel and then trying to figure out how to do it in a cost-efficient way, but then took a hard look at what I was going to pay for and realized that the V8 is a way better power plant for the vehicle than a diesel. The only real downside is lack of range, which can be a real downer when traveling out West, where the distances are long between stations. However, you can just install a long range tank or carry extra cans of fuel to counter this, which is what I do now. The real world increase in fuel mileage with a diesel isn't great enough to make it worth it, and the power of the 300 Tdi makes it a dog in a loaded Rover. Installing a diesel with more power costs more and increases fuel consumption. If you are wading through deep water a diesel has some advantage, but how many people with Rovers really want to flood their interior all the time? Besides, in the UK challenge trucks run submerged with waterproofed V8's all the time. In fact, there they often rip the diesels out to run V8's to give them decent power. As far as reliability goes, V8 powered Rovers have criss-crossed the world and done just fine.

If you really want to swap drivetrains, IMO the way to go is a late model GM V8. It will cost you as much as the diesel, but you will have an engine with some real balls, and probably fuel mileage closer to the diesel as well.

David

I agree with your opinion and for the same (similar) reasons stuck with the Rover V8s. The diesel conversions certainly are sexy, but cost wise and comparing performance of the diesels that will fit to the Rover V8s, the Rover V8s seem to win out. I also considered the 350 conversion, but havent been able to find out much about it or people's actual experiences. It is a moot point now after buying an LR3. Very low maintenance costs, pretty good mileage with my typical range up to 350 miles (depending on terrain and weather conditions) and sometimes 400 miles.

[REDROVER]

I agree with your opinion and for the same (similar) reasons stuck with the Rover V8s. The diesel conversions certainly are sexy, but cost wise and comparing performance of the diesels that will fit to the Rover V8s, the Rover V8s seem to win out. I also considered the 350 conversion, but havent been able to find out much about it or people's actual experiences. It is a moot point now after buying an LR3. Very low maintenance costs, pretty good mileage with my typical range up to 350 miles (depending on terrain and weather conditions) and sometimes 400 miles.

the advantage of the diesel is the reliability. fuel economy is secondary even tho is dabble of the stock rover. but i agree the cost of doing it very high. . i think the cost will be down if that will be your second or 3rd conversion. of the same job.

[oryxexpeditions]

I also considered the 350 conversion, but havent been able to find out much about it or people's actual experiences. It is a moot point now after buying an LR3. Very low maintenance costs, pretty good mileage with my typical range up to 350 miles (depending on terrain and weather conditions) and sometimes 400 miles.

I've looked into the Chevy conversions a bit, and I think I would go with one of the LS engines due to their light weight. The LQ4 truck engine and 4L80E auto out of a 2000's Silverado would be a great match to the weight and demands of the Rover. This is a state of the art V8 with power, torque, reliability and efficiency to spare. It's weight is only around 525 lbs. fully dressed. Prices of even a new engine and trans are relatively low, parts and service are available everywhere, and it should fit into a Rover with relative ease using the Marks adapter from the 4L80E to the LT230 and their bolt-on engine mounts. The whole engine and trans ecu and wiring harness from the Silverado could be fitted. The transfer case has to move back a little, so new driveshafts would be required and the axles would have to be beefed up some to take the power of the new engine. These engines get over 20 highway mpg in the Silverado which is comparable in weight to the Rover, so it should be an economical setup. Power figures are 300 hp and 360 ft. lbs. of torque.

engine_performance.jpgLQ4.jpg

[REDROVER]

I've looked into the Chevy conversions a bit, and I think I would go with one of the LS engines due to their light weight. The LQ4 truck engine and 4L80E auto out of a 2000's Silverado would be a great match to the weight and demands of the Rover. This is a state of the art V8 with power, torque, reliability and efficiency to spare. It's weight is only around 525 lbs. fully dressed. Prices of even a new engine and trans are relatively low, parts and service are available everywhere, and it should fit into a Rover with relative ease using the Marks adapter from the 4L80E to the LT230 and their bolt-on engine mounts. The whole engine and trans ecu and wiring harness from the Silverado could be fitted. The transfer case has to move back a little, so new driveshafts would be required and the axles would have to be beefed up some to take the power of the new engine. These engines get over 20 highway mpg in the Silverado which is comparable in weight to the Rover, so it should be an economical setup. Power figures are 300 hp and 360 ft. lbs. of torque.

engine_performance.jpgLQ4.jpg

i couldn't agree more, and also i wana add that those motors are very very reliable and will last over 300k miles. ask any silverado or hummer h2 owner they never complain. about the motor/trans.

my buddy has this motor on his HUMMER H2 ( stock) limousine , that thing pulls 25 passengers + the wight of the limo up the hill with absolutely no problem .