dattard21

New Member
So I've been popping into this forum every so often, and the only thing I've been seeing is problems, problems and even more problems :doh:

Just wanted to spike the conversation with a pat on the back for the TD5. Mine has been treating me quite nicely.

I think it's probably due to the lack of EGR, lack of centrebox, upgraded, boost box, removed centerbox, and remap all from Alive. It pulls like a freaking train, step on the gas and it literally leaps into action (well as soon as the turbo kicks in). MPG is also on the increase, holds the higher gears much better...

If you were wondering whether to save for the upgrade or not, or whether you should go for an upgrade or not...take my advice (too) and do it! :D

Now saving for the VNT, and a Disco transfer box :D Or am I being too greedy?
 
Not at all. I've all that stuff done to mine plus a bigger intercooler, de-cat and silicone boost pipes as well as the disco transfer box and its brilliant.

Getting a VNT and boost box next week for it now so looking forward to that!
 
I have the bigger intercooler, decat I don't need since it's a 2001 TD5...silicone boost pipes I was told the standard one's are still ok and don't need changing yet, so I left them there for now.

The disco transfer box, does that make for a better drive?

And the VNT, I'm sure would be great. I'd love to get that :) Keep me posted on how it goes please!!
 
How much difference does the bigger intercooler make?

I've gone for the 1.2:1 ratio change on the transfer box and find highway cruising much more comfortable... replacing the fan with a Kenlowe seemed to make the engine response more sprightly, and less noise too.

A stage 1 remap from TD5Alive took out the low rev flat spot, which has worked really well with the ratio change.

I found the straight through mid box too boomey... even tried the cherry bomb, still not good... do miss the sweet exhaust note..
 
EGR Removed and Power Performance plug and play upgrade. Tows great.
Generally I don't get much engine problems.
Love the TD5
 
The intercooler with an Alive tuning remap has made an absolutely massive improvement...it really does accelerate now. It literally leaps into action as soon as the turbo kicks in...I love it especially on 2nd and 4th gears. I'm still not entirely happy with the performance before the turbo kicks in ... sometimes I feel I'm being a little bit greedy. It's a 2.5 tonne machine so one shouldn't really expect much more from it :) But I do ...

The ratios, yeah I suppose cruising would be much better ... though we ain't got much of that in Malta. hehe, in fact we go none of that ... getting the Defender up to 65+ (mph) is rare(ish), I simply run out of road :)

Removed the midbox...yeah it does take some getting used to, but I like it ... especially when you're driving next to a wall ... sounds great :)

The VNT would be nice to get less turbo lag, still unsure about the ratios ... maybe I'll try to find somebody around here who did the mod already and ask to go for a spin.

The Kenlowe is probably a bad idea here, with temperatures being in the 30+ most summer ... I'm thinking it wouldn't be too smart.
 
Yeah if your in hot weather all the time, your better off with the viscous fan. An electric fan works brilliantly in out climate as its very very rarely needed.

Like for like, a viscous fan is more efficient than an electric one as the electric one needs a motor to be driven and an alternator to work a little bit harder to keep things around 14v so its possible you'd only reduce engine load from one pulley only to put back on at another if your fan is constantly going.



I have 33s as well as the disco transfer box and to be honest at times, I can feel tall gearing having its disadvantages but as I regularly be back and forth to the city a few times a week that's a 60mile round trip on te motorway, the more comfortable cruising speeds and reduced noise and fuel consumption is well worth it for me

If you run out of road before 60mpg most of the time, depending what tyres you have, I'd probably advise in keeping the 1.4 transfer as in 5th even with my mods so far (without the VNT) the TD5 is only getting going at 60mph when in 5th.


A VNT should sort any problems with my longer gearing though though as it should give me a broader powerband.
 
I can get it to do more than 60, infact I've gotten it to 80 once (though I think it was at the limit)...so it's not a question of whether the mods are working, it looks like they are. But the roads are literally not long enough here...well at least for the sort of acceleration the Defender gets.

And that's exactly my point, I'm asking whether the VNT and Disco ratios would allow me to accelerate just a little bit faster, and then get to a cruising speed with less overall revs. I've seen videos on YouTube where the Defender goes like stink and keeps pushing beyond 110...I'm sure I won't be able to do that, and frankly I don't even want to. 2.5 tonnes * high speeds = lots of braking distance.
 
longer gearing will make you accelerate slower and the engines comfortable cruising speed range will normally be higher too.


Planting your foot is fun sometimes but I definitely wouldn't be buying VNT turbo kits and everything just to increase my 0-60 times.
If you can't accelerate to 60mph comfortably, there's really no point you having a disco T-box in my opinion.

My Defenders power is used most for towing and towing comfortably at motorway speeds which is why I'm doing the mods I'm doing.

If I want 0-60 times or something fast, I roll off the M3 off the trailer when I get to the end of the journey lol.
 

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