RWD Turbo Diesel Options For Transplanting
RWD Turbo Diesel Options For Transplanting
Author
Discussion

ELAN+2

Original Poster:

2,232 posts

251 months

Monday 17th September 2007
quotequote all
I'm concocting a crafty project and need a rear drive Turbo Diesel engine, The plan is to drop a fairly modern td lump and automatic transmission into a tax exempt barge (triumph 2500 or Rover P6) So I'm after suggestions as to what to use and the likely output, I rekon I need at least 120bhp. Wiring could be a problem on some of the late engines, but I'm pretty good at sorting spaghetti out(restored a couple of Lotus!hehe)


suggestions awaited gents


Mark

agent006

12,058 posts

283 months

Monday 17th September 2007
quotequote all
Omega and BMW 525 both use the same straight 6 diesel. 140bhp.

stevieturbo

17,871 posts

266 months

Monday 17th September 2007
quotequote all
The most sensible option would be the VAG 1.9tdi engine. Very tunable, and Id guess fairly affordable too.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/

I owned a 525tds once.....Auto box was crap ( for diesel use anyway ), and the engine developed a noise...luckily I got rid of the car before it threw a rod, like many of those engines do.

Another option some are using, are the 5cyl Volvo/Audi engines


ELAN+2

Original Poster:

2,232 posts

251 months

Monday 17th September 2007
quotequote all
stevieturbo said:
The most sensible option would be the VAG 1.9tdi engine. Very tunable, and Id guess fairly affordable too.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/

I owned a 525tds once.....Auto box was crap ( for diesel use anyway ), and the engine developed a noise...luckily I got rid of the car before it threw a rod, like many of those engines do.

Another option some are using, are the 5cyl Volvo/Audi engines
i want a rear wheel drive set up to go into a classic front engine/rear drive set up, the vag lump would be good, but what auto trans to hook it up to,

the bmw/gm one appeals

stevieturbo

17,871 posts

266 months

Monday 17th September 2007
quotequote all
If its torquey operation you want.....then the BMW diesel auto is not for you.

BMW claim max torque for these engines is circa 1900rpm.... I found it impossible to ever actually use this rpm in normal driving.

The box continually forced the engine to rev its nuts off. It took until about 75mph before it would engage top gear, and then if you even touched the accelerator, it kicked down gears to accelerate. It spent most of its life above 3000rpm....

An absolutely horrible package. But from a sportier car, it might not be so bad. But for something with a diesel engine, it was so crap. If you were able to take control of the box, and alter its shifting patterns, then it could be an excellent choice, but it doesnt get around its reliability problems. I know a few taxi engines that threw rods.
I know of a guy that bought an Omega through an auction very cheap once, that was running bad....he thought he was getting a bargain.
Upon stripping it.... it was missing a rod and piston !!!!!!! The crank journal had been welded up so the oil couldnt escape the gallery lol

Of course, many are reliable too....

I drive a Volvo 940td, that uses the old 2.4td straight 6 VW engine. Very old tech, but its bolted to an auto box. Fully mechanical, and works well IMO.
Apparently the 5cyl range of engines bolt straight to this box.

ELAN+2

Original Poster:

2,232 posts

251 months

Thursday 20th September 2007
quotequote all
stevieturbo said:
If its torquey operation you want.....then the BMW diesel auto is not for you.

BMW claim max torque for these engines is circa 1900rpm.... I found it impossible to ever actually use this rpm in normal driving.

The box continually forced the engine to rev its nuts off. It took until about 75mph before it would engage top gear, and then if you even touched the accelerator, it kicked down gears to accelerate. It spent most of its life above 3000rpm....

An absolutely horrible package. But from a sportier car, it might not be so bad. But for something with a diesel engine, it was so crap. If you were able to take control of the box, and alter its shifting patterns, then it could be an excellent choice, but it doesnt get around its reliability problems. I know a few taxi engines that threw rods.
I know of a guy that bought an Omega through an auction very cheap once, that was running bad....he thought he was getting a bargain.
Upon stripping it.... it was missing a rod and piston !!!!!!! The crank journal had been welded up so the oil couldnt escape the gallery lol

Of course, many are reliable too....

I drive a Volvo 940td, that uses the old 2.4td straight 6 VW engine. Very old tech, but its bolted to an auto box. Fully mechanical, and works well IMO.
Apparently the 5cyl range of engines bolt straight to this box.
I'd forgotten about the Volvo, I remember them being a tad sluggish? have you a source for the 5 cylinder fitment?. I recall my ex inlaws(outlaws?) running an Omega and it was a thirsty beast, they didnt keep it long!!

stevieturbo

17,871 posts

266 months

Thursday 20th September 2007
quotequote all
Forgot about my 525 being thirsty !!!!! although fuel was cheap those days wink



I know the 5cyl is the derivative as used in some VW vans, people carriers etc. But I also hear its fitted to some Audi's too....

There was a guy on that tdiclub forum making silly amounts of power with one
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=166311&...

Edited by stevieturbo on Thursday 20th September 21:35

Ramthorne

4,123 posts

235 months

Thursday 20th September 2007
quotequote all
The Volvo seems to be quite popular with Dakar types, I think Alister McRae went for one in the cross country racer he is developing.

annodomini2

6,957 posts

270 months

Friday 21st September 2007
quotequote all
ELAN+2 said:
stevieturbo said:
If its torquey operation you want.....then the BMW diesel auto is not for you.

BMW claim max torque for these engines is circa 1900rpm.... I found it impossible to ever actually use this rpm in normal driving.

The box continually forced the engine to rev its nuts off. It took until about 75mph before it would engage top gear, and then if you even touched the accelerator, it kicked down gears to accelerate. It spent most of its life above 3000rpm....

An absolutely horrible package. But from a sportier car, it might not be so bad. But for something with a diesel engine, it was so crap. If you were able to take control of the box, and alter its shifting patterns, then it could be an excellent choice, but it doesnt get around its reliability problems. I know a few taxi engines that threw rods.
I know of a guy that bought an Omega through an auction very cheap once, that was running bad....he thought he was getting a bargain.
Upon stripping it.... it was missing a rod and piston !!!!!!! The crank journal had been welded up so the oil couldnt escape the gallery lol

Of course, many are reliable too....

I drive a Volvo 940td, that uses the old 2.4td straight 6 VW engine. Very old tech, but its bolted to an auto box. Fully mechanical, and works well IMO.
Apparently the 5cyl range of engines bolt straight to this box.
I'd forgotten about the Volvo, I remember them being a tad sluggish? have you a source for the 5 cylinder fitment?. I recall my ex inlaws(outlaws?) running an Omega and it was a thirsty beast, they didnt keep it long!!
The Volvo's are usually FWD. with some 4wd variants.

ELAN+2

Original Poster:

2,232 posts

251 months

Friday 21st September 2007
quotequote all
annodomini2 said:
ELAN+2 said:
stevieturbo said:
If its torquey operation you want.....then the BMW diesel auto is not for you.

BMW claim max torque for these engines is circa 1900rpm.... I found it impossible to ever actually use this rpm in normal driving.

The box continually forced the engine to rev its nuts off. It took until about 75mph before it would engage top gear, and then if you even touched the accelerator, it kicked down gears to accelerate. It spent most of its life above 3000rpm....

An absolutely horrible package. But from a sportier car, it might not be so bad. But for something with a diesel engine, it was so crap. If you were able to take control of the box, and alter its shifting patterns, then it could be an excellent choice, but it doesnt get around its reliability problems. I know a few taxi engines that threw rods.
I know of a guy that bought an Omega through an auction very cheap once, that was running bad....he thought he was getting a bargain.
Upon stripping it.... it was missing a rod and piston !!!!!!! The crank journal had been welded up so the oil couldnt escape the gallery lol

Of course, many are reliable too....

I drive a Volvo 940td, that uses the old 2.4td straight 6 VW engine. Very old tech, but its bolted to an auto box. Fully mechanical, and works well IMO.
Apparently the 5cyl range of engines bolt straight to this box.
I'd forgotten about the Volvo, I remember them being a tad sluggish? have you a source for the 5 cylinder fitment?. I recall my ex inlaws(outlaws?) running an Omega and it was a thirsty beast, they didnt keep it long!!
The Volvo's are usually FWD. with some 4wd variants.
All large volvo's pre 850 were rwd, the 1,2,7 and 9 series being the applicable types.
The later FWD 5cylinder engine would be very interesting if it could be easily attached to a RWD transmission.....further investigation required here, me thinks.

Pigeon

18,535 posts

265 months

Friday 21st September 2007
quotequote all
ELAN+2 said:
All large volvo's pre 850 were rwd, the 1,2,7 and 9 series being the applicable types.
7 and 9. But there never was a diesel 140, much less a diesel 120, and the 240 diesel was a non-UK LHD-only model because the steering column would be in the way of the engine in RHD form.

ELAN+2

Original Poster:

2,232 posts

251 months

Friday 21st September 2007
quotequote all
Pigeon said:
ELAN+2 said:
All large volvo's pre 850 were rwd, the 1,2,7 and 9 series being the applicable types.
7 and 9. But there never was a diesel 140, much less a diesel 120, and the 240 diesel was a non-UK LHD-only model because the steering column would be in the way of the engine in RHD form.
I was merely pointing out that the earlier Volvos were "right wheel drive" unlike the modern ones!! If it'll fit, the 940 jobbie has to be the way to go I think, Its pretty grunty in std form and I can always tweak the boost and fuel pump a tad.

Vixpy1

42,694 posts

283 months

Saturday 22nd September 2007
quotequote all
You need a 300TD merc engine and gearbox yes

stevieturbo

17,871 posts

266 months

Saturday 22nd September 2007
quotequote all
ELAN+2 said:
The later FWD 5cylinder engine would be very interesting if it could be easily attached to a RWD transmission.....further investigation required here, me thinks.
I mention the 5cyl....as according to the diesel guys, it uses the same bellhousing bolt pattern as my straight 6 VAG diesel engine.

ELAN+2

Original Poster:

2,232 posts

251 months

Saturday 22nd September 2007
quotequote all
stevieturbo said:
ELAN+2 said:
The later FWD 5cylinder engine would be very interesting if it could be easily attached to a RWD transmission.....further investigation required here, me thinks.
I mention the 5cyl....as according to the diesel guys, it uses the same bellhousing bolt pattern as my straight 6 VAG diesel engine.
sounds good to me...... as i said earlier, this warrants further investigation.

thanks for the ideas guys

ELAN+2

Original Poster:

2,232 posts

251 months

Saturday 22nd September 2007
quotequote all
Vixpy1 said:
You need a 300TD merc engine and gearbox yes
could be a possibility Charlie..../

chuntington101

5,733 posts

255 months

Monday 24th September 2007
quotequote all
Someone in PPC is doing a VAG 1.9tdi in a Westfield. intresting engine choice. think he is going for a ford box. should be in the next months copy.

thanks Chris.

ELAN+2

Original Poster:

2,232 posts

251 months

Monday 24th September 2007
quotequote all
chuntington101 said:
Someone in PPC is doing a VAG 1.9tdi in a Westfield. intresting engine choice. think he is going for a ford box. should be in the next months copy.

thanks Chris.
sounds very interesting, a friend has one in an A4, its been chipped to stupid amounts of grunt and still returns very good mpg. It'll be interesting to see how its hooked up for rwd(bellhousing etc)


Pentoman

4,833 posts

282 months

Monday 24th September 2007
quotequote all
As said.. plenty of middle aged Merc engines abound for this - you get one of the best autos available too :]. Even non-turbocharged is an option - the 300 Diesel makes about 125bhp without a turbo, which isn't too bad all things considered. Quite a nice drive too as I remember - doesn't have the rather annoying power delivery of a turbo diesel, rather revvy and petroly as I recall. Otherwise the 300 turbodiesel makes something like 170-190bhp. Bet that ones rather heavy though - straight six + diesel + turbo + auto!
Oh also there's the 250 turbodiesel which is a five cylinder - 150bhp. I found that a bit lazy and laggy in spite of the decent power figure - but I only drove one (auto) many years ago.

Of course there's loads of newer CDI engines but they're probably more expensive and the electrics might be harder to wire in?

ELAN+2

Original Poster:

2,232 posts

251 months

Monday 24th September 2007
quotequote all
Pentoman]As said.. plenty of middle aged Merc engines abound for this - you get one of the best autos available too : said:
. Even non-turbocharged is an option - the 300 Diesel makes about 125bhp without a turbo, which isn't too bad all things considered. Quite a nice drive too as I remember - doesn't have the rather annoying power delivery of a turbo diesel, rather revvy and petroly as I recall. Otherwise the 300 turbodiesel makes something like 170-190bhp. Bet that ones rather heavy though - straight six + diesel + turbo + auto!
Oh also there's the 250 turbodiesel which is a five cylinder - 150bhp. I found that a bit lazy and laggy in spite of the decent power figure - but I only drove one (auto) many years ago.

Of course there's loads of newer CDI engines but they're probably more expensive and the electrics might be harder to wire in?
the biggest issue with the later electronic Diesels must surely be the inbuilt imobiliser circuit? also on very late CAN BUS cars they may not run without the car chassis electrics connected(abs,tc, stability,a/c,transmission etc)? Are after market diesel ecu's available?