Engine dilema

[Tiki Al]

Right my 1984 Land Rover 90 2.5 petrol is in dire need of a new engine, now it's a daily driver and my only mode of transport, but after i swap jobs at the end of jan i'll be walking to work so only really be using it at the weekends. So.... to the main question, what should i go for throbbing V8 or diesel ? i'm probably gonna go for a discovery for a donor vehicle, MOT failure or the like. That way i can hopefully use the power steering from it too. So come on guy's let me have your thoughts on what i should go for.  I'm reasonably mechanicaly minded so i'll be doing the swap myself with a little ( lots really ) help from a couple of mates  :)

[TDi90]

think realistically, if its going to be ur daily drive do you want it to have a throbbing thirsty V8?
personally, i'd go the diesel route.

[Tiki Al]

well they do sound nice   V8 through flowmaster mufflers (droooooool )and i'm not going to be using it as much as i do now (60 mile round trip to work ) and the 4 pot in it now probably uses more gas than a V8

[Lee_D]

Going near water? That should pretty much define your answer.

I've run a 4.2 Jag lumped IIa Auto which is presently mid conversion to a V8 and auto.

I get an equal amount of satisfaction in the 110 Turbo diesel though if I'm honest.

V8's are great till you fill them up. (Just sold a 101 Ambi!)

[Tiki Al]

well as i'll be having weekends off again i'll be able to do more off roading which will probably involve water at some point. the initial cost of the swap is also going to be a contributing factor, as in what i'd need to modify to from the disco to my 90

[hairyasswelder]

well as i'll be having weekends off again i'll be able to do more off roading which will probably involve water at some point. the initial cost of the swap is also going to be a contributing factor, as in what i'd need to modify to from the disco to my 90

If you go for the v8 it would be easier/cheaper to get an early Rangie on carbs.  No ecu to rewire and if you find your doing too many miles 'gas it' ?
CHeck the steering box etc will fit 3/4 bolt etc
Will the drivetrain take the power?? Or do you use the axles and have discs all round?
Diesels usually fetch alot more money if only for the engine  :(
The choice is only limited by the depth of your pockets  :lol:

[Tiki Al]

must admit as you can probably tell from my posts that i'm swayed towards the V8 mainly cos it'd be easier to swap from a disco, and i'd use the axle's too if i can, but i have a nagging in the back of my mind shouting DIESEL !!!  


  oh decisions decisions  :?

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

I know of a 2.5 turbo diesel (Pre TDi) from a G reg 110 that will be coming up fairly shortly. Its in good nick and has just had the bottom end rebuilt and a new head. The current owner, a Landrover tech bloke, is putting a 200TDi in, but its a start.

[muddyman]

I have a v8 auto Range Rover up for sale too.

[biggerlandy]

GO FOR MONTEGO TURBO DIESIL I FITTED ONE INTO MY 90 COMPLETE COST ABOUT 200 QUID FANTSTIC ENGINE KEEPS UP WITH ALL TDI,S ETC AND BETTER FUEL

[datalas]

If you go for the Petrol option it'd be possible to go down the ZF4 Auto route too :)  (tdi auto's are like hens teeth)

[Skibum346]

Got a V8 from an SD1 and a 4speed ZF auto box if you fanbcy.... :D

[davidlandy]

I would opt for the 200tdi from an old disco - the best conversion you can do for 90 by far

very sensible and you will be suprised how nippy they are!

[Range Rover Blues]

I'd go with your first thought, it's a 90 so the axles from the Disco would be fine, drop the V8 and auto box in, except that an auto for a 90 is usually shorter in the bellhousing so you'll have to make your own tunnel. and get the props modded (Disco front might well fit).

If it uses too much go for LPG but if that's the case I think an EFi is easier to gas than a carb, only one inlet, no carb needles to wear as they run dry, etc etc.  EFi is easy peasy to wire up too.

I'm serioulsy thinking about converting Blue to an auto next summer.  If you'd told me that a few years ago I'd have laughed at you, I normaly hate autos but the ZF one (is it) is the best I've ever driven and with my foot injury an auto with cruise is great.  BTW you can also swap the cruise over from your donor if it's there.  If not look for a RRC donor car instead.

[davidlandy]

go for the diesel

petrol is the fuel of the past and has had its day!

the only thing it has going for it is the sound of a V8

(time for a quick exit now)
 

[mark.yellow.series.3]

you cant beat the v8 power and sound.
and there not as hopeless in water as you might think.

[TDi90]

blimey,  :shock: shall i clean it FOR you?  :lol:

[davidlandy]

does look a bit dusty :D  - a dunk in water would clean it up a bit , thats if you could go anywhere near it without it cutting out lol  :shock:  

[mark.yellow.series.3]

all that mud is from wading thro muddy water, and she never missed a beat. i even took it to the petrol station and jet washed the engine, dizzy and all, gave it a squirt of WD on the dizzy and off she went all eight cylinders 8).

like i say, not as useless as you might think.

[davidlandy]

must had been a shallow puddle!

[mark.yellow.series.3]

must had been a shallow puddle!

just over the bonnet, and my wellies.
 :lol:

[smo]

Al with the problems your current petrol has when it sees puddles i'm supprised you are even considering a V8!!

You know diesel makes more sense...but then a V8 auto conversion is a nice way to go ;)

[mark.yellow.series.3]

v8v8v8v8v8v8v8v8v8v8v8v8v8v8v8v8v8v8 :lol:

you know you want to

[Muddy]

Disco 200TDi is a great conversion to do and is pretty easy to do. I like it and although a V8 is a beter engine its the running costs that put me off. With proper prep a V8 wont be scared of many puddles.

[Tiki Al]

well i think i've decided to go for a V8 and NOT an auto (perish the thought), my 90 did as you say smo have some issues with water, but since fitting the snorkle those issues have gone and i've fitted an MSD 6AL ignition (inside the cab) too so it's getting a fantastic spark, and it's been far too long sincs i've had a V8 under my right foot  :D  

Though all this aside if my 90 doesn't pass it's mot tomorrow the 1st donor disco at the right price will probably be the deciding factor in it's new power plant  :?

[Tiki Al]

well it passed it's MOT with flying colours Woo Hoo !!  and i've finally made my mind up  :?  

it's getting a 200tdi engine, box and back axle and hopefully will be back on the road by mid Jan (not gona be fitted till the 6th at earliest )

gonna go for the economy route instead and look into running it on bio fuel, so if anyone's got any good advice on how to do it, it'd be most welcome  :D

OR !! make the diesel go quicker  :twisted:



PS  HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL !! :P

[davidlandy]

very wise

you wont be disappointed. if you lisen to the sound advice offered by Porny and redlinemike on here you can easily make that 200 tdi put many a v8 to shame!

its a straightforward conversion that many have done including myself, so any questions fire away!

[Range Rover Blues]

you can easily make that 200 tdi put many a v8 to shame!
!

I'd think that a well tuned TDi would be quicker than a standard V8, i'd certainly HOPE so.

Julie's TDi has had the pump tweeked and I've yet to fit the intercooler but at the moment it's quicker off the mark than Blue 'cos that's on 235/85 MTs which hold it back a bit.

The again nowt's quite as fast as the LSE :)

[Tiki Al]

well i must admit i'n mot actually fitting it myself now cos i've got nowhere to do it and don't fancy doing it in the street in the rain (been there b4  :oops:  ) just hope the petrol 4 pot can last another week  8-[