Hello
I hope this is the best place to post this.
I have a low milage 130 V8 that I am hoping to convert to Tdi (probably 300). What are the pitfalls?
A few points that I have thought of:
Do the engine/ gearbox mounts line up?
Will I need a new transmission tunnel?
Radiator mounts the same?
I would also like to fit extra fuel tanks, has anybody fitted these to a 130? It is a station wagon.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Mick
 
Well the 130 has only done about 33K so hardly run in! Will be available after the engine swap.
the tdi in a 130 is ok but it wont pull the skin off a rice pudding with a load on,

fit a nissan or mazda 3.5l diesel.
there was a classic rangie with a 3.0 toyota diesel lump so it would also fit in the defender.

afetr useing 200 and 300 tdi 130 along with a V8 the only 1 that was any good was the V8....and that was only good at makeing heat...

so FD35T nissan engine is a common use its bloody powerfull and with a load on it will still pull a trailer.

i owned this for a while with FD35T in it and it was very good.
 
Tell you what mate I'll swap you my R380 box for a TDI for your V8 box if interested

Might even be interested in the engine too
 
Engine and Box will both be available once replaced, watch this space. just need to decide how long the change over will take me. Trying to keep fairly standard, as will be taking it to Africa and do not want any Odjob parts that may fail.
I know the engine suggested may be stronger than the 300 tdi, but do not want to break down needing a LH connecting ball joint from a 1986 US spec De Lorean. If you get what I mean.
 
Engine and Box will both be available once replaced, watch this space. just need to decide how long the change over will take me. Trying to keep fairly standard, as will be taking it to Africa and do not want any Odjob parts that may fail.
I know the engine suggested may be stronger than the 300 tdi, but do not want to break down needing a LH connecting ball joint from a 1986 US spec De Lorean. If you get what I mean.
the africans use toyota and nissan,its also better at cooling than the 300tdi...

but stick with a cheap disco lump and it will probably be ok..

I find the tdi in the 130 has to work very hard so allways favoured the more reliable larger jap engines for them.
 
Some of the crap posted as fact amazes me !

A 130 with a 300 tdi will work perfectly well , in 40C+ even when operating at a GTW of 7.5 tonnes , with the air con running . I used one in OZ for more than 250,000kms doing work in connection with my garage , including towing in broken down Nissans and toyotas !!
I also had a td35 in my mazda school bus , and drove a 6 cyl version in a fire engine , they both performed adequately , but bit of a heavy old lump in a landy
the 3 litre nissan was no where near as good as the 4.2 , but the 4.2 turbo nissan had a few issues when first introduced . JMHO

depending on what mods your 130 sw has had , as no 130 sw was built by rover AFAIK you could have a lt85 gearbox , most likely with a V8 . the 300 tdi will need different eng mounts , and should be mounted forward near to rad , the intercooler pipes and hoses , and cowls will all then be standard parts , and you will want the 380 as fitted in 300tdi defender . The tunnel will not need alteration , standard hcpu exhaust system should all fit . HTSH
 
Last edited:
Some of the crap posted as fact amazes me !

A 130 with a 300 tdi will work perfectly well , in 40C+ even when operating at a GTW of 7.5 tonnes , with the air con running . I used one in OZ for more than 250,000kms doing work in connection with my garage , including towing in broken down Nissans and toyotas !!
I also had a td35 in my mazda school bus , and drove a 6 cyl version in a fire engine , they both performed adequately , but bit of a heavy old lump in a landy
the 3 litre nissan was no where near as good as the 4.2 , but the 4.2 turbo nissan had a few issues when first introduced . JMHO

depending on what mods your 130 sw has had , as no 130 sw was built by rover AFAIK you could have a lt85 gearbox , most likely with a V8 . the 300 tdi will need different eng mounts , and should be mounted forward near to rad , the intercooler pipes and hoses , and cowls will all then be standard parts , and you will want the 380 as fitted in 300tdi defender . The tunnel will not need alteration , standard hcpu exhaust system should all fit . HTSH

yes the tdi will pull but not for long.they are weak in the heat and dont like heavy drags through soft ground.I would want a near new tdi for that journey which is not a cheap rebuild,the jap engines are heavy yes but they do the time where as the tdi in my experience has been short lived...
 
I found that all the jap 4x4 had to switch off their aircon when operating fully loaded in soft sand in 40C otherwise they overheat, my 110V8 didnt ! , I felt 250,000Kms was a reasonably long pull ? especially as you cant recover a loaded jap 4x4 on a trailer with another jap 4x4 , legally in Australia, thats why I had a 130DC HCPU JMHO :)
 
I found that all the jap 4x4 had to switch off their aircon when operating fully loaded in soft sand in 40C otherwise they overheat, my 110V8 didnt ! , I felt 250,000Kms was a reasonably long pull ? especially as you cant recover a loaded jap 4x4 on a trailer with another jap 4x4 , legally in Australia, thats why I had a 130DC HCPU JMHO :)
300 tdi?did you buy it new?if so yes,

this guy is putting a 300tdi in a 130,its used at a guess so i wouldnt trust a used 300tdi as far as i can lob it....

a jap engine used is a better bet in this country
why he dont just keep the low mile V8 lord only knows...:rolleyes:
 
300 tdi?did you buy it new?if so yes,

this guy is putting a 300tdi in a 130,its used at a guess so i wouldnt trust a used 300tdi as far as i can lob it....

a jap engine used is a better bet in this country
why he dont just keep the low mile V8 lord only knows...:rolleyes:

Yep why are ya getting rid of the v8?
 
300 tdi?did you buy it new?if so yes,

this guy is putting a 300tdi in a 130,its used at a guess so i wouldnt trust a used 300tdi as far as i can lob it....

a jap engine used is a better bet in this country
why he dont just keep the low mile V8 lord only knows...:rolleyes:

Fuel consumption!
 
The V8 as fitted is not exactly impressive, could replace carbs tune up etc, but would still have the fuel economy problem.
 
It has an LPG conversion, but where I live there are very few LPG stations about and they often run out! So spend a lot of time driving between then on petrol! Not ideal.
 

Similar threads