Disco 2 Variable Vain Turbo anyone?

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
J

john snoo

Well-Known Member
Posts
613
Location
uk
Friend of mine drove my Disco2 recently. After the remap at dynachip there's a lovely boost at around 1600 revs, but it's like a tractor before that. To the extent he nearly got wiped out by a truck as the vehicle just died when he was pulling out in first, I notice that too but now I am aware of it I don't get caught any more.

Anyways..... I was told there's now a thing called a variable vain turbo which adds pickup in that dead zone at lower revs. I am told its pricey and needs a new map after fitting. But I really would love to sort out that dead zone sub 1600 revs. Anyone here ever had one and could comment on the difference? thanks
 
Yes the variable vane turbo is more efficient at low rpm, But and you knew that was coming :(
They are prone to seizing up and over boosting the engine, they can be cleaned and put back in service but still a bit of pain, Needless to say unless you are aware of the over boosting it can completely stuff your engine,
I personally would live with the lag and anticipate pulling out from junctions,
You pays your money and takes your choice,
My last VT turbo cost me £900 from turbo technic Northampton but that was for a Renault Master but should give you some idea,
 
john snoo said:
Friend of mine drove my Disco2 recently. After the remap at dynachip there's a lovely boost at around 1600 revs, but it's like a tractor before that. To the extent he nearly got wiped out by a truck as the vehicle just died when he was pulling out in first, I notice that too but now I am aware of it I don't get caught any more.

Every standard Disco I have driven seems to have that low down lag before the boost kicks in. Surely Dynachip should have mapped that out ? If not go back to them, as my previous Disco had this & I had it sorted out. I had the same guys who did my evo map sort my Disco out wich was Gary@APT in Norwich. Not sure if they are still there but I want to get my current Disco done once I have saved for a new intercooler.

Dan
Click to expand...
 
+1^^^ a the most important is a proper fuel map, eventually some tuning on the boost side like the uprated cartridge https://www.turborebuild.co.uk/webs...der-Discovery-TD5-Turbocharger-Cartridge.html , new hoses, forge actuator with strong spring, bypassed EGR, if it's Eu3 definitely de-CAT and performance intercooler or at least cleaning the existing one

but a good fuel map, corroborated with genuine sensors, unrestricted boost path and free exhaust should be enough
 
Blimey, thanks for that. Well now I am disappointed with Dynachip. It's been like it since I got it back from him. I was very impressed at first, as that boost at 1600 is quite an impressive thing after the complete tractor it was beforehand! But below that it's utterly dead. I had someone else drive it today, a disco fanatic too, and he thought the boost at 1600 was "nice", but below that it was "almost undriveable". He pulled out and said "****, glad nothing was coming, this thing is gutless unless you hold the revs high". I wonder if Dynachip would let me send ECU back for another go, but I thought he just had a "disco map", so it's that or nothing. Will have a think. The Variable turbo idea sounds like a bad one now, glad I asked. thanks everyone
 
Blimey. Another strange thing... i got 33mpg out of a full tank (carefully/properly calculated). My last two tanks got 22mpg, which is shocking. Could that indicate anything?
 
john snoo said:
Blimey. Another strange thing... i got 33mpg out of a full tank (carefully/properly calculated). My last two tanks got 22mpg, which is shocking. Could that indicate anything?
Click to expand...
Off course, something went wrong there, tink well what did you do or what happenned/changed just before that mpg drop and power loss started
 
Only one thing has been done since I got it, the Dynachip remap of the ECU. All other work is on hold until my man can clear some time/space in his garage.
 
First of all make sure that the boost path and exhaust are clear of restrictions, the pipes are not delaminated or there's no boost leak, all the sensors are OK then if you are not pleased with that remap go for storm ot empire tuning let that dynachip go cos there were other bad reviews too about it
 
PS I need a place who I can send my ECU to ideally, if any of these recommendations can do that?
 
john snoo said:
Friend of mine drove my Disco2 recently. After the remap at dynachip there's a lovely boost at around 1600 revs, but it's like a tractor before that. To the extent he nearly got wiped out by a truck as the vehicle just died when he was pulling out in first, I notice that too but now I am aware of it I don't get caught any more.

Anyways..... I was told there's now a thing called a variable vain turbo which adds pickup in that dead zone at lower revs. I am told its pricey and needs a new map after fitting. But I really would love to sort out that dead zone sub 1600 revs. Anyone here ever had one and could comment on the difference? thanks
Click to expand...

Do you have an auto box? THAT could be your problem. I had a Disco 300TDi with an auto and up to about 20MPH you could run faster!

In my Disco TD5 i just use a lower gear...
For me it's doubley irritating because my normal drive is a Seat Ibiza 1.9TDi PD130.
130 BHP is factory but it's had a remap to around the 180 mark. It pulls like a train from tickover! So when i turn right into a road just down from me and it becomes steep, in the Ibiza i take the corner in third and can be doing 60 easily. Do the same thing in the D2 and i'll do 20MPH all the way to the top! Which i'll happily do unless i have someone else behind me in which case i'll drop it into second.
I'm such a fan of this VW PD engine i'd love to have one in the Disco!
With just the remap you can get around 180 BHP and 300 lb/ft of torque.
With a bigger turbo and intercooler 250BHP +
With it's torque spread it would be ideal for a Landy!
 
Last edited:
Thanks. No this one's a manual. But yes, that's how she drives! Up a hill exactly like you describe, unless I rev the nuts off it and drop a gear or TWO!

I know nothing abouit engines, boost hoses sound like my granny's nickers after she farted, but I will note these things down for mechanic thanks
 
john snoo said:
Thanks. No this one's a manual. But yes, that's how she drives! Up a hill exactly like you describe, unless I rev the nuts off it and drop a gear or TWO!

I know nothing abouit engines, boost hoses sound like my granny's nickers after she farted, but I will note these things down for mechanic thanks
Click to expand...
Mine's done over 180K miles and although the body and chassis are very good, i do think the engine is well past it's best. After reading some of the suggestions here regarding pipework i think i'll change the lot once we can go to shows again.
Always a good place to save a few quid!
 
Just be aware that a remap is feckless as long as you are not sure that everything around the engine is in perfect condition...for example if you have delaminated turbo hoses or clogged intercooler or a dodgy sensor not even the god of remaps would help ... did you at least check for oil in the red plug ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
P38A P38 DSE Manual (non-EGR) No turbo boost
Replies
7
Views
657
Grrrrrr
Grrrrrr
R
Discovery 4 TDV6 - shuddering engine, no acceleration/won’t rev
Replies
7
Views
1K
tyregeezer
tyregeezer
P
Disco 4 Crossover pipe blowing
Replies
17
Views
2K
Graculus
Graculus
The Wombat
Discovery Td5 Instrument cluster config or programming
Replies
5
Views
601
sierrafery
sierrafery
M
no acceleration issue - FIXED (hopefully)
Replies
0
Views
589
MGT
M
Back
Top