Think you'd need a defender front end to house a 200tdi.
Perkins engine is decent, easy to come by but the conversion plates are expensive an its alot of messing.
A 200tdi will bolt straight onto a series 3 or a later series 2a gearbox (not an early series 2) ------ But then, your diffs and halfshafts wouldn't take the increased power.
Your gearbox may have problems if you give it a bit too much.
And lets face it,
Series drum brakes would never stop you!
Pros and cons.....
Ive been trying to decide for months.
Save your cash, buy a 90 (disc brakes, 5-speed box, 200tdi, coil sprung, better heater, clocks, WATERPROOF, Power steering....)
Pick one up for about £1500 ish if you're lucky (ebay!)
Then,
........ Play the number swapping game!
Its the only way. A series motor will always be a series.
You could spend thousands of pounds making it something its not (like the nutters in land rover magazines with too much money!)
Engine, gearbox, axles, chassis, coil suspension, 90 bulkhead... is it worth the bother?
Appreciate it for what its worth, then go buy a defender!
Those are my words of wisdom after spending months trying to find ways to upgrade my series.
Laters...
Carl.