I did the swap in my backyard. While your heart is in the right place, your post shows you may be in for more than you bargained. I doubt calling ECR will be of much help, I don't think Holly has done many TDi swaps.
There is alot of good and bad information out there. If you are used to big wrenching projects and have some fabrication ability you should be able to do the work. The hardest part for me was figuring out the pieces I did not have. It is much easier to fix the broken than the missing.
So, go to ebay uk, buy your engine "kit." Ship it over and put it in. Figure anywhere from $3000 on up if you do everything yourself. Maybe less if you get really lucky with your engine purchase. Like, really really stupid lucky.
Oh, and sign me up for those $1500 tdi kits...right. As for imported vehicles that already have a tdi, try to look for ones that use the proper r380 transmission and have as close to a factory appearance to the engine bay as possible.
There is no step by step, this is not tinker toys...though it is similar, and simple in the grand scheme of things.
At a minimum, to do a proper install of the 300tdi into an early defender without alot of custom bodge-work
300tdi defender engine complete with starter, alternator, turbo, airfilter and fuel filter and all associated pipework, and hopefully wiring
R80 trans and 1.4:1 LT230 transfer box from 300tdi defender
300tdi Rad, intercooler, and associated pipework
300tdi gearbox crossmember
300tdi exhaust full system
300tdi floor panels, transmission tunnel, firewall adapter, and seatbox (and sound insulation for same)
300tdi front and rear defender driveshafts
300tdi engine and gearbox mounting rubbers and chassis brackets for welding to the frame
Glow plug wiring and relay
300tdi PS reservoir bracket
300tdi PS pipes
300tdi Radiator support brackets
300tdi Bonnet prop mount
300tdi/r80 clutch hard line and flex line
I'm sure I am missing something here...I think a v8 throttle cable might work...and you may need to change the handbrake cable and handle depending on how new your setup is.
Of course you will want to replace the clutch, timing belt and tensioner, waterpump, fuel lift pump, rear main seal, and some other gaskets before you drop it in.
I managed to modify my install a bit to save having to track down some of the parts. But that is not for everyone. I'm in it for at least $3500 by now. Maybe more after the recent custom exhaust work necessitated by my "improvements" to the install
Though I did sell the old lt77 box for a portion of that. And no I can't get more engines
In a nutshell, you can probably do it if you have good mechanical ability and are willing to ask question and listen to the answers.
best I have seen is 24mpg from my 300tdi D90.
Originally Posted by
Z O O R O P A
25mpg in a 200tdi or 300tdi is more than reasonable even loaded
just trying to be smart with my money which I know is contrary to the whole LR experience hah but hey, we can try!
A Land Rover would never turn up to collect an Oscar. It'd be far too busy doing something important, somewhere, for someone."