Land Rover Series III with 200tdi engine conversion

Land Rover Series III with 200tdi engine conversion

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EarlOfHazard

Original Poster:

3,601 posts

157 months

Saturday 4th April 2015
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Hi all,
Does anyone have experience with this conversion. I missed out on a standard 2.25 petrol series III, but there is one available with the tdi. I reckon it would be slightly more noisy, but more powerful and a bit cheaper to run. But then it'll only be a weekend car, so running costs aren't such a consideration.

softtop

3,048 posts

246 months

Saturday 4th April 2015
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Have you driven a Series diesel? They are noisy and so the 200 will be also. As for the conversion, not sure if there is much to be worried about, just get in and drive, they are old engines so you need to remember that they are not bomb proof. The installations are a way of overcoming the slowness of the diesel. The petrol will have more power and be a lot quieter.

Cfnteabag

1,195 posts

195 months

Saturday 4th April 2015
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Ive got a series 2 which I fitted a 200di engine, 200tdi from a discovery minus the turbo. Mainly because the plumbing for the turbo was a ballache and I had a friend with a 2.5 n/a engine which donated its manifold.

It is blooming noisy and vibrates a lot, pulls as well if not better than a well set up petrol and although I havent had mine on any longer trips reports suggest 30-35 mpg.

The gearbox isnt teally designed for that much torque but as long as you're gentle it should survive. Is a benefit to have uprated diffs from a discovery or range rover or an overdrive to give a bit more relaxed cruising.

The conversion itself is a fairly standard one, the block of the 200tdi is derived from the 2.25 block so things like engine mounts and bellhousing bolts line up with minimal work. One area to check is the cooling system as headgaskets can go on the 200tdi and the heads can warp and are now made of unobtainium.

It is very useful to google glencoyne engineering as he has a very good write up of the converstion which will give you an idea of what to check on one that has been converted already

EarlOfHazard

Original Poster:

3,601 posts

157 months

Sunday 5th April 2015
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Thanks for the responses. I'm thinking I'll hold out for an original petrol. The one I looked at did have the turbo and I'll worry the gearbox will die

maxc

218 posts

228 months

Monday 6th April 2015
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I have Series 2 and 3 Land Rovers I converted to 200TDi, complete with turbos. It is a great setup, though most I have seen are poorly executed. The main issue is clearance for the turbo on the chassis rail and in both cases I have modified the chassis rail to do it properly. The extra torque is a threat to the driveshafts if you go crazy, and you will want to run 7.50 tyres, or go to RR Classic diffs to give you sensible gearing.

The 2.25 petrol is good and I recently swapped a diesel to a petrol in a mate's Series 3. He was adamant he wanted to keep it original as he is selling it soon. It is nowhere near as good to drive as a 200TDi, but a vast improvement on the diesel and very quiet. One fix for the noise - take the roof off! I'm taking the truck cab off the Series 3 today. Whatever you get, it will be fun.

smn159

12,441 posts

216 months

Monday 6th April 2015
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I dropped a 200TDI with turbo into my Series 2 around 5 years ago now and I've been very pleased with it. I have 7.50 tyres, Range Rover diffs and an overdrive and the set up works really well, but still retains the feel of an old series. I don't find it overly noisy / rattly and the best part for me it that, maintenance apart, it's been pretty much 'fit and forget'. It's a weekend car for me but has been working hard as I tend to use it as a mobile skip for transporting building waste while I renovate my house, and carting logs about.

Gearbox is still fine. I did bust a driveshaft when I first carried out the conversion, but I used that a an opportunity to fit the RR diffs.








Blackwedge

283 posts

177 months

Monday 6th April 2015
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This is mine, 200Tdi conversion with turbo. It has Range Rover diffs & overdrive and will cruise happily at 60mph. Very noisy at speed though as it has minimal soundproofing (good ear defenders a must!).




Much more useable than this my previous Series. Original 2.25 diesel without overdrive, flat out at 45! Unbelievably it was sold to a chap from Holland who drove it all the way home.




bakerstreet

4,755 posts

164 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
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EarlOfHazard said:
Thanks for the responses. I'm thinking I'll hold out for an original petrol. The one I looked at did have the turbo and I'll worry the gearbox will die
If you are fretting about things like that, then maybe a series Land Rover isn't the car for you.

The gearbox design is fairly ancient and the syrncro can go on the lower gears and that is with the standard petrol or diesel engine. However, the gearboxes can go for years with even a 300tdi engine bolted in. Unfortauntly I have been unlucky and mine pops out of second gear frown

The prices of the 200tdi engines have got silly now, so if its a reasonable price, ten I would snap it up. Remember that Defender production officially ends this year and prices of series 2/2A/3 will go up. Engine conversions are common in series Land Rovers and if you want to retain value, then the Land Rover conversions are always preferred (IE. Rover V8, 200 TDI or 300tdi). 200 is easier as it used the same engine mounts and you can re-use the manifolds.

If you buy a series diesel, then chances are you will want to convert it after your first long journey wink, so save your self soe grief and buy one all ready converted. People are commanding £500-£700 for a 200tdi engine now and that will only go up as people look to upgrade their old Defenders.




EarlOfHazard

Original Poster:

3,601 posts

157 months

Saturday 11th April 2015
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bakerstreet said:
EarlOfHazard said:
Thanks for the responses. I'm thinking I'll hold out for an original petrol. The one I looked at did have the turbo and I'll worry the gearbox will die
If you are fretting about things like that, then maybe a series Land Rover isn't the car for you.

The gearbox design is fairly ancient and the syrncro can go on the lower gears and that is with the standard petrol or diesel engine. However, the gearboxes can go for years with even a 300tdi engine bolted in. Unfortauntly I have been unlucky and mine pops out of second gear frown

The prices of the 200tdi engines have got silly now, so if its a reasonable price, ten I would snap it up. Remember that Defender production officially ends this year and prices of series 2/2A/3 will go up. Engine conversions are common in series Land Rovers and if you want to retain value, then the Land Rover conversions are always preferred (IE. Rover V8, 200 TDI or 300tdi). 200 is easier as it used the same engine mounts and you can re-use the manifolds.

If you buy a series diesel, then chances are you will want to convert it after your first long journey wink, so save your self soe grief and buy one all ready converted. People are commanding £500-£700 for a 200tdi engine now and that will only go up as people look to upgrade their old Defenders.
Ok that's food for thought. I'm not sure if a non converted would retain its value more. To put it in to context: I missed out on one a couple of weeks ago- it was a petrol 109. It sold for more that's being asked for a similar specced 109 with a 200tdi engine, that at present remains unsold. Still like you day, it could just be a timing issue and will be desirable in the future.

bakerstreet

4,755 posts

164 months

Tuesday 14th April 2015
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EarlOfHazard said:
Ok that's food for thought. I'm not sure if a non converted would retain its value more. To put it in to context: I missed out on one a couple of weeks ago- it was a petrol 109. It sold for more that's being asked for a similar specced 109 with a 200tdi engine, that at present remains unsold. Still like you day, it could just be a timing issue and will be desirable in the future.
The series 3 diesel engine is crap. Noisy, slow and not very economical. They said they had 55bhp when they new in the, so I'm guessing that most don't have that now.

The petrol engines are much more desirable on the used market. A decent 200tdi conversion shouldn't affect the value. In my opinion a 200tdi conversion would be worth more than the standard diesel car.

People say colour isn't a factor, but I personally think it is. A decent marine blue petrol will go for good money.

Good aftermarket mods to look out for are overdrive, delux seats and maybe a cubby box where the centre seat usually is. Having removed my old leaf springs, I would also try and find one with parabolics fitted too. The springs are a real pig to remove and refit. Decent parabolics cost £300 for set from GB Springs. For safety, I would also advise three point inertia seat belts.

I bought mine when I think Series 3s were at their lowest value. I think you have to spend £1.5-£2k for a decent one now and I'd expect that to go up too.


EarlOfHazard

Original Poster:

3,601 posts

157 months

Tuesday 14th April 2015
quotequote all
bakerstreet said:
EarlOfHazard said:
Ok that's food for thought. I'm not sure if a non converted would retain its value more. To put it in to context: I missed out on one a couple of weeks ago- it was a petrol 109. It sold for more that's being asked for a similar specced 109 with a 200tdi engine, that at present remains unsold. Still like you day, it could just be a timing issue and will be desirable in the future.
The series 3 diesel engine is crap. Noisy, slow and not very economical. They said they had 55bhp when they new in the, so I'm guessing that most don't have that now.

The petrol engines are much more desirable on the used market. A decent 200tdi conversion shouldn't affect the value. In my opinion a 200tdi conversion would be worth more than the standard diesel car.

People say colour isn't a factor, but I personally think it is. A decent marine blue petrol will go for good money.

Good aftermarket mods to look out for are overdrive, delux seats and maybe a cubby box where the centre seat usually is. Having removed my old leaf springs, I would also try and find one with parabolics fitted too. The springs are a real pig to remove and refit. Decent parabolics cost £300 for set from GB Springs. For safety, I would also advise three point inertia seat belts.

I bought mine when I think Series 3s were at their lowest value. I think you have to spend £1.5-£2k for a decent one now and I'd expect that to go up too.
The 2 that I was looking at were both £4k and over; but then they were genuine Countys. The 200tdi converted has sold now too.

EarlOfHazard

Original Poster:

3,601 posts

157 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
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I've just bought an 88' series 3 petrol !!!
Can't wait to pick it up, pics to follow.

bakerstreet

4,755 posts

164 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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EarlOfHazard said:
I've just bought an 88' series 3 petrol !!!
Can't wait to pick it up, pics to follow.
Excellent. Post up a pic in this thread smile

EarlOfHazard

Original Poster:

3,601 posts

157 months

Monday 27th April 2015
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2.25 petrol County. So it has mod cons such as: inertia reel seat belts, and door cards hehe .
I plan to slowly restore her as she's a bit shabby in areas.


bakerstreet

4,755 posts

164 months

Tuesday 28th April 2015
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EarlOfHazard said:


2.25 petrol County. So it has mod cons such as: inertia reel seat belts, and door cards hehe .
I plan to slowly restore her as she's a bit shabby in areas.
That's a lovely looking example. Rear windows make them so much brighter inside and easier to maneuver too.

Bodywork looks quite straight. Whats the interior like? If the dash and the speedo work, then you are in good shape smile

Seeing a pic of yours has encouraged me to go and get the seat belt mounts on mine sorted, so I can get her through her MOT smile

After that, it will be time to remove the roof and get the window panels in. I've only had the widow panels for two years now!

EarlOfHazard

Original Poster:

3,601 posts

157 months

Tuesday 28th April 2015
quotequote all
bakerstreet said:
EarlOfHazard said:


2.25 petrol County. So it has mod cons such as: inertia reel seat belts, and door cards hehe .
I plan to slowly restore her as she's a bit shabby in areas.
That's a lovely looking example. Rear windows make them so much brighter inside and easier to maneuver too.

Bodywork looks quite straight. Whats the interior like? If the dash and the speedo work, then you are in good shape smile

Seeing a pic of yours has encouraged me to go and get the seat belt mounts on mine sorted, so I can get her through her MOT smile

After that, it will be time to remove the roof and get the window panels in. I've only had the widow panels for two years now!
The interior is pretty good, the dash is complete, and the seats are like new. She needs new door tops, and front door cards.
First things first are a conclusive inspection underneath to make sure she not completely rotten, and if not a complete service is needed. I'm going to flush the radiator and replace all the hoses and vaccum lines.
Planned mods are:

Parabolic spring and dampers (probably Rocky Mountain)
Electronic ignition
Engine mods to get a bit more power - she's ok at the moment, but by raising the CR and changing the carb, you can liberate some horsies making her better in traffic. Also, she's so original that I don't want to change to a modern diesel unit. I like the sound of the petrol unit anyway.

I'll probably start a reader's car tab, so will provide updates as and when..

vanordinaire

3,701 posts

161 months

Tuesday 28th April 2015
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A friend of mine has rebuilt several series landrovers around 200tdi discovery mechanicals. He uses the Disco chassis, engine, gearbox, drivetrain, brakes, hubs and suspension, just cuts off the rotten Disco body and builds a series body onto it. Some he has left the chassis at 100 inch and cut down a 109 body to suit, others he has cut down the chassis to 88 inch and one he has made into a 90.
All have been great to drive compared with both the Landies and the Discos. Less roll thsn the Discos, smoother than the Landies. I drove his 100 inch safari at 70+ for 200 motorway miles, smooth , quiet(relatively) and into the 30's MPG. I'm planning to have one for my next runabout when my old pickup dies.