Cost of 300tdi/R380 install?

[Guinness]

look @ http://www.cws4x4.co.uk/

complete kits for about $3k

I can't believe a LR 4 cyl tdi would cost $15k WHY?

Are they that much more reliable?

Are there as many part suppliers in the US for the tdi as there are for the good o'l LR V8?

The LR 3.9L V8 can struggle to keep up with traffic on an incline...I can't imagine how a 4 cyl tdi can be any better.

[daveb]

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.

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!

[Les Parker]

All this theory is wonderful.
What happens when the novice gets stuck?
Who does he turn to? Will the professionals, who do this as their livelyhood, give advice free?
There is no re-install manual, even when the manufacturer offered these as an install option the info. was sketchy to say the least.

[Z O O R O P A]

well then, I invite you to explore the subject. Full disclaimer, I know next to nothing about installing an engine. But like all things I firmly believe what one man can do, especially if it is done on a regular basis, another can do!

please correct me where you feel my assessment isn't accurate or you disagree. I believe having a healthy inventory of tdi Defenders in the US would be good for all; owners, parts suppliers, service shops, importers, and adventurers

respectfully, since car mechanics isn't exactly a mystery science ( not to play down its complexity ) and considering ebay.co.uk and even US ebay has plenty of available "reconditioned" engines and engine manuals I guess it is better I learn to do it myself with a few friends or better yet the local garage who has all the tools for hire and learn a thing or two about my engine which is always good

I understand it may require new mounting brackets etc. but the Defender engine bay appears to have plenty of room for either a 200tdi which fits snug without any new brackets, or a 300tdi a little more tight

you can pick up a decent engine&R380 off LRM, LRX, or ebay or the internet for a few grand, certainly under 3K$ US have it shipped and ready - especially if you know someone in the UK, and I do. Or go myself. I have seen the whole kit for sale on LRX in the US for 1500 bucks or so from time to time

I'm sure you will agree that 12K$+ is cost prohibitive since that money could be used for travel and or accessories at places like Rovers North not to mention the average joe or family man can't justify an expenditure like that when it can go to other investments - just seems frivolous no matter how much cash on hand you have. Although the long term benefit for a daily driver might be sensible when you add up gas and service costs versus a V8 from LR or any other car company

The draw of the tdi for me is reliability and economy. A 1000 miles in a V8 4.6 runs north of $300.00US+ @ $3.00 a gallon x 25 gallons = 250miles per tank not including one tank to refill at your destination. That is an unloaded vehicle with no rack.

Having owned 3 Discos that has been my experience

A round trip from say NYC --> Asheville NC would cost $600+ in a V8 in just highway fuel ( more like $900 ) That is considerable

compare that with a diesel 20gallon tank @ $4US a gallon x 20 = $80 per tank. If you're averaging 25mpgx20 = 500miles per tank, or $160US every 1000 miles versus $600 in a V8

25mpg in a 200tdi or 300tdi is more than reasonable even loaded

In fact after doing some research the only real drawback it appears to the 200tdi is the parts available in the US and a lower high end speed, maybe the 300 is a little more simple

since there are a plethora of 200tdis coming in maybe I will just wait for a nice truck from roversouteast or globalLRs or something, they seem to have the best bang for the buck

the 300tdi from importers seems to add about 10-15K for some reason, I don't think they are doing the install either from what I can gather

so if anyone has online pamphlets of the engine installation or a step by step install please post up! otherwise I suppose I will be buying the manuals off ebay and calling ECR from time to time

just trying to be smart with my money which I know is contrary to the whole LR experience hah but hey, we can try!

[junkyddog11]

It can easily cost 15k. All depends on what condition the donor parts are. If it is all new parts then just that will be over 15k.
Used can be done with a good lower mileage serviced engine and trans with wear items (clutch, timing belt, water pump, easy gaskets, rad and intercooler) replaced for about 12k or so.

[KevinNY]

It's not an engine replacement, it's a conversion. Done correctly with all the ancillaries it is way more involved than unbolting a v8 and replacing it with another one. Where are you going to mount fuel filters, what about the exhaust system, fuel return lines to the tank, fitting the intercooler etc. If it was easy and cheap then it would be easy and cheap

[Z O O R O P A]

anyone have any quotes?

anyone have any recommendations for the install as far as service centers.

I figure someone out there has to offer it reasonably, some business is better than no business right? after all it's only installing an engine and transmission, maybe a fitting



it's done all the time on other cars - shouldn't cost 15K$