Turbo but no intercooler...

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DrDonk

New Member
Posts
3
Location
Amersham
Dear All,
I originally posted this on the 110 section but perhaps someone here will be able to help.

A bit of advice required.
I have a 1985 OneTen CSW which started life as a 3.5 V8. A previous owner did an engine swap and put a 200tdi engine in.
I recently had a problem with poor power/black smoke and thanks to the search engine on here, traced the problem back to a collapsing inlet hose from the turbo. I have temporarily fixed this but when I looked further, I found that the turbo outlet goes straight back into the engine without passing through an intercooler. The radiator fitted seems to be from the original 3.5 V8.

As I see it, I have 3 options:
1. Replace the hose and leave things be. I'm probably not getting the best out of the engine but I can get to 70 (eventually), whenever my ears can take the noise. I don't do any heavy towing or significant off-roading. Cheapest option and I know it works.
2. Fit an aftermarket intercooler: I would need to pass the hoses either under or around the current radiator which is pretty much filling the gap. Under could work, but I might have to reduce the hose diameter to do this, which could restrict air flow. Around would involve cutting holes in the wing.
3. Replace the radiator and fit an intercooler. Possibly the most expensive but I have the option of a second hand tdci rad/intercooler in one piece. It's currently on Facebook marketplace and is near me. Could (should?) this be fitted instead of my current radiator?
If not, I'd need to change to a 200tdi radiator which would give enough space to either fit a standard or full width intercooler.

I realise that for both option 2 and 3, I'd need to re-tune/adjust fuel delivery to get the most out of it and to do that properly, I'd probably fit an egt gauge and turbo boost gauge which I'm happy to do.

Any thoughts and advice most gratefully received.

Many thanks.
 
Fit standard rad and intercooler. If it's a disco 200 you will have to make up a solution or Google Steve Parker landrovers for a ready to go kit.
 
I think your best option would be to go for the stock 200Tdi radiator and intercooler.
Putting in the rad and intercooler from the Tdci would require a lot more plumbing because that is for a cross flow engine with the pipework on opposite sides, whereas the 200Tdi has both exhaust and intake on the same side, hence my advice about you going for the standard intercooler.
Before tampering with the fuel injection pump settings, I'd advice you first see how it goes with the intercooler installed and then take it from there.
 
I have the option of a second hand tdci rad/intercooler in one piece
You would have to get the mounting bracketry as well. And the tdci intercooler is a known weakness, the metal core splits away from the plastic inlet & outlet boxes - it is not a question of if it breaks, its a certainty it will break one day.
 
Std 200 set up as said is the easiest way to go, trying to get tidy/decent pipe/hose runs on any retrofit is a royal pita, and never looks right no matter how hard you try.
Personally I doubt you will notice any difference at all, but I bet your engine would thank you if it could.
 
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