Lt77 conversion to a 200tdi s3 88

Hey guys!!

Last summer i fitted a 200tdi disco engine in my swb series 3. Now I'm planning a lt77 conversion because the gear ratios are very uncomfortable with the 200tdi.

I've found a lot of stuff on the web and read some threads in this Forum but I'm not much more smarter as before.


So there is a main dubiety on which i'm thinking about:

there are two Options to convert a series landy to an lt77:

1. leave the engine at the original Position, this will cause the needing of two new propshafts and the rear one will be very short in the 88.

2. mounting the engine 4 Inches Forward as the original Position, as ashcroft recommend this for thei're conversion kit 'lt77 to series Transfer box'. so the Transfer box will sit in the original Location and there will be no Trouble with the props.

I think it would be nice to move the engine Forward, because of the rear propshaft Problem with a swb series. this will also move the gear selector near to the original series gear Lever Position (otherwise it sits quite in the middle of the tunnel). And I think the engine could be serviced a bit better when it sits a few Inches in the front.
Putting the tdi a few Inches Forward would presume that the Radiator and intercooler must be moved completely Forward with modifying the mask to gain as much space as possible. this would be no Problem in my case.

BUT: when the engine gets moved Forward, it will conflict with the front axle. with original series engine Position, there is only about 1inch of room between the crankshaft pulley and the axle. So if the upward travel of the axle will not be reduced, the axle will Smash the pulley. if this happens with original engine Position, i'm wondering how it's possible to move the engine 4!! Inches to the front without bumping on the front axle. reason is that the tdi sits very low in a series. but it can not be mounted much higher without modifying the bulkhead... And as I want to Keep the original series Body look/interior look, i'm wondering about a Resolution which follows These Terms...

These are my thoughts about this conversion. now it's up to you to give me some new Input! I hope you can help me.

I am highly interested in several pics of several lt77 conversions, as there are not very much usable pics on the web. so pls feel free to Show me/us your lt77 conversion in a series Rover in this thread


This is my pride

Best regards, Leon

Mythosez said:

Hey guys!!

Last summer i fitted a 200tdi disco engine in my swb series 3. Now I'm planning a lt77 conversion because the gear ratios are very uncomfortable with the 200tdi.

I've found a lot of stuff on the web and read some threads in this Forum but I'm not much more smarter as before.


So there is a main dubiety on which i'm thinking about:

there are two Options to convert a series landy to an lt77:

1. leave the engine at the original Position, this will cause the needing of two new propshafts and the rear one will be very short in the 88.

2. mounting the engine 4 Inches Forward as the original Position, as ashcroft recommend this for thei're conversion kit 'lt77 to series Transfer box'. so the Transfer box will sit in the original Location and there will be no Trouble with the props.

I think it would be nice to move the engine Forward, because of the rear propshaft Problem with a swb series. this will also move the gear selector near to the original series gear Lever Position (otherwise it sits quite in the middle of the tunnel). And I think the engine could be serviced a bit better when it sits a few Inches in the front.
Putting the tdi a few Inches Forward would presume that the Radiator and intercooler must be moved completely Forward with modifying the mask to gain as much space as possible. this would be no Problem in my case.

BUT: when the engine gets moved Forward, it will conflict with the front axle. with original series engine Position, there is only about 1inch of room between the crankshaft pulley and the axle. So if the upward travel of the axle will not be reduced, the axle will Smash the pulley. if this happens with original engine Position, i'm wondering how it's possible to move the engine 4!! Inches to the front without bumping on the front axle. reason is that the tdi sits very low in a series. but it can not be mounted much higher without modifying the bulkhead... And as I want to Keep the original series Body look/interior look, i'm wondering about a Resolution which follows These Terms...

These are my thoughts about this conversion. now it's up to you to give me some new Input! I hope you can help me.

I am highly interested in several pics of several lt77 conversions, as there are not very much usable pics on the web. so pls feel free to Show me/us your lt77 conversion in a series Rover in this thread

This is my pride View attachment 127563

Best regards, Leon

Click to expand...

Nice looking landy, Leon.

That sounds like a lot of work for what you will gain. Have you considered a high range transfer box? Cheaper, less hassle, and much stronger.

No, the gear ratio is not the problem. The problem is the series gearbox. Only 4 gears and the gearshifting is not very nice with the tdi. I allready have disco 3.54 diffs so the ratio is very high. Another argument for the lt77 is the durability of the series gearbox. It's nearly impossible to overhaul it properly... So i think it might be cleverer to run the lt77 in the long term to prevent future problems with the series box because this landy is my daily driver

Mythosez said:

No, the gear ratio is not the problem. The problem is the series gearbox. Only 4 gears and the gearshifting is not very nice with the tdi. I allready have disco 3.54 diffs so the ratio is very high. Another argument for the lt77 is the durability of the series gearbox. It's nearly impossible to overhaul it properly... So i think it might be cleverer to run the lt77 in the long term to prevent future problems with the series box because this landy is my daily driver

Click to expand...

Might be an idea to talk to someone about a quality rebuild of the series box. LT77 isn't a great box either. The nice thing about a High Range Tbox, is it doesn't raise the gearings on low range, only on high, and it is very strong.

Many who fit Tdi in Series de turbo, to lay down less power on the trans. Myself, I would probably have just fitted a good, well tuned, 2.5 NA.