Cost of a D1 TDI swap?

[t42beal13t]

First off, where do I begin? I found a blown D1 locally and I figured that would motivate me to do an engine swap like I've always wanted to do. Which engine should I get, 200 or 300? I want one that's electronic-less and great on fuel economy.

Next, where do I get a good engine for it? International shipping charges or CONUS?

Can a shade tree mechanic do this swap in his (dad's) garage?




Or should I get a LR with a good gas engine and stick with that?


Someone please set this newb straight!

 

[97discosd]

How much do you have to spend?

 

[t42beal13t]

Only a couple grand at the moment, but more soon.

 

[The Rover Shop]

If you are doing a TDI swap you will probably want to convert to stick shift as well, either way you are going to need a new tranny, if you convert to stick you will need the pedal box etc also.. 300 TDI seems to be the more popular although some people say the 200 is just as powerful as the 300 but the 200 gets better fuel economy...I have a 300 and a 200 and i think my 200 runs better but they are in completely different vehicle so its hard to say.. You will need the complete kit with new radiator, hoses intercooler, rear trans mount glow timer, EGR block off kit etc etc...you will need to cut off the engine mountings and weld on new ones in the correct positions..on a degree of difficulty I would probably say its a 8.5-9 out of 10..I usuallly quote around $12,000 to do it in my shop...anything else and its just not worth it for me when you consider time for a lift tied up...the fabrication of stuff you don't think of...such as oil cooler hoses, new exhaust, different centre console and rubber gaiter and trim ring, clutch hoses etc etc etc...I know this opens myself up to being flamed by someone else (as seen recently in a similar posts on d-90 source) but I could go the other way and tell you its going to be cheaper only to find that its not...no-one has ever complained to me that a job came out cheaper than quoted... D-90 source is a good forum for this kind of question and information..I think The Rover barn (Dale..??) is up around you and he is well known in the Land Rover community...

 

[t42beal13t]

I was thinking of pm'ing rover barn but I figured I would open it up to everyone. So its not going to be like the swap I did in my fiances 95 civic? Lol

So basically I should just get one already converted or stick with a gas for now....

 

[LR Max]

From talking to numerous people, the best bet is to buy half of a discovery from europe and have it sent over here.

Yes, you heard me, half a disco. From the transfer case back, chop it off. Chop the roof. No interior, but keep the dash. I know this makes me sound like the reaper but lets be honest: what else are you going to need other than the engine/trans/transfer case? Brackets? Tubes? Wires? Specific vehicle magic? Probably gonna need all that. So instead of half-@$$ing it, get half of a truck imported and then you have EVERYTHING you need.

Also if you need a new part, then you say, "Oh I need a XXXX off of a 19XX Disco TDI300. Then everyone on the other end knows EXACTLY what you are talking about instead of, "Oh, I did a TDI swap...I have no idea what it came out of but the part is black with little shiny parts on either end".

Cost assuming you do the work yourself? MORE than a couple grand. Shipping, import duties, etc will eat you.

If it has a blown engine, get it rebuilt. It'll be a nut n' bolt job and should be out for under "a couple grand" unless you start going nuts with performance upgrades.

 

[The Rover Shop]

Didnt think about that but that just may be a good idea...but as mentioned...seems like it would be really expensive to ship and may not be allowed into the country due to vin etc etc.. I could see the feds saying it could be registered like that..

 

[LR Max]

Also if you import half a disco, it isn't a vehicle. So the vehicle-import people don't get upset with you. From what I've heard from others, you gotta have the 1.4 transfer case. Well, that or swap out for 4.11 diff gears.

But seriously, it isn't the engine that is gonna own you. Its the brackets to mount stuff. Piping for the intake. Different downpipe. Fans, cooler lines, junk like that. Oh and the pedal box because now you are driving a manual trans. Get the latest model one you can and all will be well.

Oh and then you'll have half a car your kids can play in. If I was 4 and had half a disco with seats and a steering wheel, it would be super cool.

 

[t42beal13t]

Now I'm a gun guy and understand that the receiver is the firearm. What part of the disco is the "vehicle"?

 

[The Rover Shop]

The only traceable thing on your title is the chassi number...either on the dor, the plate in the w/screen or the frame number...theoretically all 3 of theses could be on the vehicle and nothing stopping someone from welding the back half of this vehicle back on and voila...you have a diesel disco post 85 in the country...next thing you know peopel will be cutting puma defenders in half and sending them in 2 different shipments and ptting them back to gether here...hmmmm, that gives me an idea.... sawzall...check....mig welder...check..super glue...check...

 

[DividingCreek]

I imported a d1 300 drive train for a friend who is now thinking of selling it. Everything is there including r380,tcase, wiring harness, ac comppressor, radiator intercooler, all pipes and hoses,including exhaust down pipe. He may be open to an installment plan with signifigant down.
If that is of interest pm me and I'll put you in touch with the owner.

 

[Viggen]

Some reading:
http://www.landroverimport.com/products.html

Although the picture links are broken, this is worth a read through
http://www.britrest.com/Disco_engine_swap.htm

 

[t42beal13t]

I imported a d1 300 drive train for a friend who is now thinking of selling it. Everything is there including r380,tcase, wiring harness, ac comppressor, radiator intercooler, all pipes and hoses,including exhaust down pipe. He may be open to an installment plan with signifigant down.
If that is of interest pm me and I'll put you in touch with the owner.

PM sent

 

[t42beal13t]

Some reading:
http://www.landroverimport.com/products.html

Although the picture links are broken, this is worth a read through
http://www.britrest.com/Disco_engine_swap.htm

I have read that in the past but couldn't find the link. Thanks!


I had noticed most people mentioned installing a clutch and converting to manual. But after reading the first article it seems that I could get an automatic tdi. Is that correct? That would be a bit less work on an automatic disco, right?

 

[DividingCreek]

You may want to do your home work on Landroverimport.com before contacting them. Try searching @ the d90source.com the owners name is Duncan and he's got quite a reputation.