A

Alex1

Member
Hello all!

I'm from the U.S. And we never were lucky enough to have a diesel discovery.. We were stuck with v8 prone nightmares. I've owned my Discovery I since new, and tired of motor refreshes, considering doing a 200tdi or 300tdi swap as I cannot imagine ever getting rid of my beloved disco.

Considering the diesel was an option for you guys, assuming there's really no point for you to ever swap one? But in the rare case some of you have, how difficult would it be to source the parts?

If I could responsibly get all the parts I would love to do the swap, everyone here in the states try's to sell the 200tdi and 300tdi motors for ridiculous prices. I've seen the motors on uk eBay, for very cheap prices but I'm not sure if I could trust any of those? I would rather deal with a forum full of enthusiasts such as landyzone.


If anyone could be of help, it would be appreciated.

Cheers.
 
A cheap ebay plant will likely be cracked. Useful for spares, depending on how much comes with it, but 50/50 on whether it'll ever run well. You can get two or three and put together a good one, which is what some people do.
Decent ones cost as much as a complete Disco (logic being it's the only good part, apart from running gear, which is cheap as chips and probably knackered anyway), so 90% we'd pick up a breaker and swap it out. That way you get all the ancillaries with it, bearing in mind none of your existing will be compatible, and presuming spares will be similarly inflated on your side of the pond.
Shipping would be the real issue. Can't be cheap for a block + parts, or a broken Disco. Neither are small or light, as you know, but if you can get over that (shipping company? Bear in mind these lots are always pickup-only), might as well import a few and make your money back.
 
What is a reasonable rate I would end up paying for all of the parts to do the conversion? Parts that are actually in good order?

I've also considered just importing a 1990 Range Classic TDI, as the Disco diesel are too new for us to import, it has to be 25 years.. Crazy laws. What does something like that run for a decent running example? I don't know many sources to search for cars in the UK like I do here, so searching is a bit tricky.. You guys get all the cool stuff!
 
Heard that the best way is to ship over a part car, with cut in half chassis
 
MJI said:
Heard that the best way is to ship over a part car, with cut in half chassis
Click to expand...
That's an option, but having to ship that once it lands here would be a pain.

It would be much easier to just have the motor, and all the parts in a pallet shipped.

My other option is to find a 1990 range classic tdi, and just buy the whole thing and enjoy it here.

Where are good places to find a range classic? I don't know any good search tools for the Uk.

Thanks guys.
 
Thanks for all the links, you guys rock.


It seems like I could probably find a well running TDI Discovery for under $2,500, it cannot be any newer than 1991, which makes things a bit more tricky. Alot of newer ones on the market...
 
Last edited:
Alex1 said:
Thanks for all the links, you guys rock.


It seems like I could probably find a well running TDI Discovery for under $2,500, it cannot be any newer than 1991, which makes things a bit more tricky. Alot of newer ones on the market...
Click to expand...
How do you go about shipping one over? You could always get a knackered one(body wise) delivered to a port. Ad long as it runs
 
I think it would be in my best interest to just buy a fully running Discovery, and decide what I want to do with mine... I've had it since new so I don't want to just scrap it.

A fully running good shape tdi disco for $2,500 is a really good deal I think, the shipping will end up being probably 75% of the purchase price though...

But a reliable TDI that turns out good fuel economy, is well worth it. Sick of replacement V8 motors, and doing headgaskets every few years.
 
Haha, Not a bad idea. But if I had a running TDI I wouldn't worry about my current Disco for a long time.
 
cooltide said:
@farmershort had one with his donor vehicle recently, may still be available
Click to expand...

ooo, I've never ben "tagged" before!

Sorry - mine was sold to Marmaduke on here.... who then wrapped a timing belt around it... :s Not the smoothest of scenarios sadly.

I wish the OP luck finding something... personally I fancy sticking the bmw 6 cyl diesel from a range rover td6 in something :)
 
farmershort said:
ooo, I've never ben "tagged" before!

Sorry - mine was sold to Marmaduke on here.... who then wrapped a timing belt around it... :s Not the smoothest of scenarios sadly.

I wish the OP luck finding something... personally I fancy sticking the bmw 6 cyl diesel from a range rover td6 in something :)
Click to expand...
I will be using whatever I buy just to travel in it. A roof top tent setup, and will live out of it for a few weeks at a time, while exploring. A TDI makes a bunch of sense. Are the 200 and 300 TDI able to cruise at highway speeds without issues?

The only diesel Landy I've ever driven, was an old non turbo Series III? It barely went 55 mph! But completely different style vehicle intended for different purposes.
 
Marmaduke said:
But could you not sell the spare engine to recoup some of the shipping costs?
Click to expand...

I think adding parts and a spare engine, along with the car would create a headache for claiming it under customs.

I will look into that though!

Trying to figure out a place to deal with that can help me arrange all the paperwork and shipping of the car..
 
Alex1 said:
I think adding parts and a spare engine, along with the car would create a headache for claiming it under customs.

I will look into that though!

Trying to figure out a place to deal with that can help me arrange all the paperwork and shipping of the car..
Click to expand...
Google it, there's plenty of companies doing it, I know it's fairly common to ship classic American stuff the other way
 
Briefly considered offering to part out and crate up a Tdi. Might be an interesting project, but have no idea re paperwork.
Look after your drivetrain and it'll do 65 at 2100 all day long.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Disco 2 Discovery TD5 clutch master cylinder serviceable?
Replies
2
Views
334
DavidGugava
D
D
Discovery Sport Smart settings trouble
Replies
0
Views
120
discogal24
D
J
Options for adding CDL - 2003 D2 V8 Auto
Replies
4
Views
600
sierrafery
sierrafery
K
From p38 to discovery 2?
2
Replies
25
Views
3K
kbs
K
A
Discovery 4 (2016) gives error code P045B-77 EGR “B” - does EGR valve need to be replaced?
Replies
0
Views
388
ahannula
A