110 with Izizu 2.8 - Converting Back to 200tdi - What Mods?

I may well be aquiring a 110 fitted with an Izizu 2.8 lump in a chassis that needs...a new chassis.

The question of what is better - Izizu or 200tdi - is for another day, but the question for now is thus:

How much work is needed to a std chassis and bulkhead to fit the Izizu? How far from standard/stock does it go to make it fit?

Current condition of the engine is unknown, but it would be good to know whats involved.

Any and all thoughts welcome and thanks in advance.

I've got an Isuzu in mine. The 2.8 comes with a simple kit avoiding any welding. So you get the alloy gearbox adaptor for the R380, and the engine mounts are fabricated to marry the Isuzu engine to the existing LR chassis mounts.
Or should be if a cowboy hasn't done the conversion.
So how easy to go back? As simple as taking the engine and adaptor out. Hour job.
Personally I'd stick with the Isuzu. When that engine is in a Land Rover it becomes the most reliable Land Rover ever made.

There you go, both engine mount adaptors and the Gearbox adaptor on the Isuzu.

Phill said:

I've got an Isuzu in mine. The 2.8 comes with a simple kit avoiding any welding. So you get the alloy gearbox adaptor for the R380, and the engine mounts are fabricated to marry the Isuzu engine to the existing LR chassis mounts.
Or should be if a cowboy hasn't done the conversion.
So how easy to go back? As simple as taking the engine and adaptor out. Hour job.
Personally I'd stick with the Isuzu. When that engine is in a Land Rover it becomes the most reliable Land Rover ever made.

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Thats really good to know and thank you Phil. Much appreciated.

I will find out in time if we had the cowboys involved...

SimonBrown said:

I may well be aquiring a 110 fitted with an Izizu 2.8 lump in a chassis that needs...a new chassis.

The question of what is better - Izizu or 200tdi - is for another day, but the question for now is thus:

How much work is needed to a std chassis and bulkhead to fit the Izizu? How far from standard/stock does it go to make it fit?

Current condition of the engine is unknown, but it would be good to know whats involved.

Any and all thoughts welcome and thanks in advance.

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What vehicle is it in, any more details on age or gearbox.

You say 200Tdi, but Phil says the kit is for an R380, the 200Tdi never had this. So an earlier Defender will be different, different gearbox and different seatbox, with the engine in a different location.

Can't comment on the Izusu 2.8, although I'd say any chassis swap and wanting an engine swap at the same time is huge money, even if you are doing the work yourself. Are you really sure it needs a chassis? Most don't.... And is it really cheap enough to worth the costs likely involved.

The Tdi is a good engine, class leading in its day. But it is loud, noisy and unrefined. And while they can be made to go quite well, they are quite down on power compared to more modern engines. If going to the cost and effort of an engine conversion, I'd say there are way better engines to consider in 2025.

300bhp/ton said:

What vehicle is it in, any more details on age or gearbox.

You say 200Tdi, but Phil says the kit is for an R380, the 200Tdi never had this. So an earlier Defender will be different, different gearbox and different seatbox, with the engine in a different location.

Can't comment on the Izusu 2.8, although I'd say any chassis swap and wanting an engine swap at the same time is huge money, even if you are doing the work yourself. Are you really sure it needs a chassis? Most don't.... And is it really cheap enough to worth the costs likely involved.

The Tdi is a good engine, class leading in its day. But it is loud, noisy and unrefined. And while they can be made to go quite well, they are quite down on power compared to more modern engines. If going to the cost and effort of an engine conversion, I'd say there are way better engines to consider in 2025.

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It's an '87 110 and will know more once I see it in the flesh, including getting an idea of what the chassis is really like, and what gearbox is fitted.

My guess is the 2.5 NA diesel was removed and an Izizu lump inserted. But its only a guess right now.

A chassis and engine swap...yeah...not really what is sought...

I would go for originality if going to the expense of a new chassis

SimonBrown said:

It's an '87 110 and will know more once I see it in the flesh, including getting an idea of what the chassis is really like, and what gearbox is fitted.

My guess is the 2.5 NA diesel was removed and an Izizu lump inserted. But its only a guess right now.

A chassis and engine swap...yeah...not really what is sought...

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1987 would most likely have been a 19j 2.5TD, it could have been a 2.5NAD, but only special order or ex-mil. Or a V8.

Therefore a 200Tdi would not have been the original engine. Technically it would also have been a One Ten rather than 110 and it will pre-date any Defender branding.

A 2.5TD will have an LT-77 gearbox. No idea if conversion kits were available for these to the Izusu engine as I've never looked.

A 200Tdi conversion on a 19j 2.5 TD is fairly straight forward. But as said, there are way better engine options these days.

Are you planning on doing the work yourself?

If not, I'd say that you are probably better off just running it as is, unless it really does need a chassis. As I say, most don't really need a chassis, as once you strip it down, you'll likely find it is mostly ok and could have been easily repaired in situ.

If you want originality, then buying something else that is original might make a lot more financial sense. New chassis (and all the other bits you'll replace when doing this), plus an engine conversion is likely £5000-8000 in parts these days. Depending on what you actually go for.

I'm not against engine swaps (have done a few) and a chassis swap. But generally we've had the bits and done the work ourselves. If you are paying someone, it could get very very expensive.

What do you intend to use the vehicle for and how many miles a year?

If you aren't doing big miles a year, something like a Rover V8 conversion would likely be very nice over a Tdi.

lynall said:

I would go for originality if going to the expense of a new chassis

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I think this depends. If you are building a concourse de elegance vehicle, I agree. Or if there is likely a large financial gain in terms of resale value. However, functionality and practicality are likely far more important for most people, most of the time.

The old 2.5TD isn't a bad engine, but only 89bhp and they don't like to be thrashed. A NaD would be what, 67bhp and way less torque. You'd have to either be certified or particularly dedicated to want to spend thousands of pounds to convert back to either of these engines in the name of originality.

300bhp/ton said:

1987 would most likely have been a 19j 2.5TD, it could have been a 2.5NAD, but only special order or ex-mil. Or a V8.

Therefore a 200Tdi would not have been the original engine. Technically it would also have been a One Ten rather than 110 and it will pre-date any Defender branding.

A 2.5TD will have an LT-77 gearbox. No idea if conversion kits were available for these to the Izusu engine as I've never looked.

Are you planning on doing the work yourself?

If not, I'd say that you are probably better off just running it as is, unless it really does need a chassis. As I say, most don't really need a chassis, as once you strip it down, you'll likely find it is mostly ok and could have been easily repaired in situ.

If you want originality, then buying something else that is original might make a lot more financial sense. New chassis (and all the other bits you'll replace when doing this), plus an engine conversion is likely £5000-8000 in parts these days. Depending on what you actually go for.

I'm not against engine swaps (have done a few) and a chassis swap. But generally we've had the bits and done the work ourselves. If you are paying someone, it could get very very expensive.

What do you intend to use the vehicle for and how many miles a year?

If you aren't doing big miles a year, something like a Rover V8 conversion would likely be very nice over a Tdi.

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All the work will be done by me...time served ex-mod apprentice taught to maintain, repair and overhaul everything from a motorbike to Challenger.

Planned use? A vehicle I can truly own. Full strip, inspect and repair as required over a couple of years with grandson to pass on some of the skills...it will be the last vehicle I plan to own and then leave it to the next generation.

The thinking is to suck up the cost of a replacement chassis, knowing it's going to see me out. But if the existing is not a metal moth nightmare...its going to get a hard look once the body is off before committing.

A V8...yes...love em...wont be many miles but no....diesel is preferred.

SimonBrown said:

All the work will be done by me...time served ex-mod apprentice taught to maintain, repair and overhaul everything from a motorbike to Challenger.

Planned use? A vehicle I can truly own. Full strip, inspect and repair as required over a couple of years with grandson to pass on some of the skills...it will be the last vehicle I plan to own and then leave it to the next generation.

The thinking is to suck up the cost of a replacement chassis, knowing it's going to see me out. But if the existing is not a metal moth nightmare...its going to get a hard look once the body is off before committing.

A V8...yes...love em...wont be many miles but no....diesel is preferred.

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A bit more work, but might be worth looking at a Td5 swap. But it will need some other changes, such as an R380 gearbox and a different input shaft on the transfer box. On the flip side lots of Td5 engines about and easier to get than a Tdi these days, you could also use a donor Disco 2 for many of the bits. But you might need to change seatbox and transmission tunnel too.

The Td5 is much more refined and responds well to some simple mods to get you 150-190hp.

There are lots of other great engine swap options though.

The good news;
Engine mounts look like they were made by someone who knows what they were doing.
Adapter plate between engine and gearbox is marked "Ashcroft Conversions"

So I think this one has been done properly with no cowboys involved.

According to the VIN it was a 2.5 NAD originally.