Any high performance diesel kit cars?

[300bhp/ton]

Maybe a bit of an odd one this, but was just curious. With the availability of things like the PSA 2.7 TDV6 engine used in the Disco3 and various Jags, as well as Citroens and Pugs too.

It got me wondering, have any kit cars or even just custom swaps adopted the use of engines such as these?

For example, the 2.7 unit will easily remap to around 230hp and I’ve seen claims of 260hp too. The latter 3.0 litre version will even top 300hp.

Surely an engine such as this could be an alternative to using a Rover V8. I doubt the all up weight is massively different, nor the packaging requirements and will offer pretty similar levels of power, maybe advantage the diesel lump. And of course massively better mpg.


I know there was the Westfield Wiesel years ago with a 4 cylinder diesel. But haven’t really seen much else embrace diesel power in the UK.

[300bhp/ton]

CrutyRammers said:

It's almost as if the characteristics of a diesel don't really suit a sports car, isn't it?

Not sure I agree fully. Although it would depend on the exact engine in question and compared to what.

Let’s face it. A Ford X-Flow is hardly an exciting engine to drive in any shape or form. But it found its way into plants of kit and sports cars.

And I’m a big fan of a Rover V8. But most of them have a rather diesel like power delivery about them. Not many revs and mostly low/mid end grunt nosing over at high revs.

I say this as I’ve driven Diesel engines which have very nice characteristics.

A Land Rover Tdi is completely unsuitable in a sports car due to weight and power output. But tuned ones have very nice and addictive power deliveries.

[300bhp/ton]

wormus said:

I can see no good reason for putting a heavy, complex diesel in a lightweight chassis that’s designed for fun. It’s the same reason that nobody (outside the military) builds a diesel motorbike, the torque vs weight vs rpm delivery is all wrong.

The twin turbo 3.0 in my Disco is great for what it’s designed for when mated to the 8 Speed ZF transmission but it would be horrible in a kit car with a manual.

A 300hp TSI petrol from a Golf or turbo Hayabusa motor would be a much better idea.

....or an LSA/LS9/LS3/LS7

Edited by wormus on Thursday 2nd November 11:48

The 2.7 Diesel in a D3 could be had with a 6 speed manual and went fine. And that’s a stock engine. Tune them properly and they feel very different. And if you shed 1.7 tonnes of weight and I’m pretty sure it would dramatically alter how they drive.


As a for instance. I have a TR7 V8. Which is huge fun and weighs about the same as a TVR Chim.

However a 3.5-4.0 RV8 is going to be in the 180-240hp range depending on spec.

A tuned 2.7 TDV6 could easily match the power. And I’m betting all up the weight difference is probably minimal. But you’d have something that would probably be quicker and have the ability to return over 50mpg.

Apart from the cost of doing it. I personally can’t see a reason why not.

[300bhp/ton]

Black_S3 said:

Would be interesting to see. I can't understand the general thought that a diesel is not suitable for a sports car, correct gearing makes top rpm just a number.... Granted sound might not be there, but the majority of kit cars are running 4 cylinders anyway.

IMO it's the same as Clarkson soundbites like flappy paddly gearboxes are st.. no. Electric cars are st.... no, telsa. etc

That’s exactly my thinking. Gearing solves a shorter rev range too.