Range Rover Classic BioDeisel Project - Land Rovers Only

OregonOnSafari · 10-03-2008, 11:00 AM

I've got a 1995 RRC County LWB and from what my mechanic says, the engine and tranny (auto) need a bit of work and at around $2500 I thought it may be better to just get rid of the old gas chugger and go for something more economical. I can easily make a station to process the oil into fuel, I'm just curious about the best Diesel (preferably turbo) engines for such a swap and how much time/money you guys roughly estimate this would take.

jwlester · 03-09-2009, 12:37 PM

I have thought of this same idea...as I'm sure many have. I would imagine that a 300tdi from a D1 would be your best bet if you wanted to stay with land rover parts. I'm under the impression that the bulkhead is similar to the D1 which should make things pretty straight forward. I would think that the process should be similar to doing the swap on a disco. As for price, I would think it would be quite expensive if you payed someone else to do the work. If you do the work yourself I would think parts would cost $5-8k all said and done. I'm sure someone could do it for less. Lots here and elsewhere that are getting experience making these swaps. Good luck and keep us updated.

Cheers, Josh

ArmyRover · 03-09-2009, 01:14 PM

It's fairly cost prohibitive on swapping the diesels in. GM 6.2L, and Mercedes 5 cyl, have been swapped in. The 6.2 gets just as bad MPG, the MB is better on the MPG but down on power.

THe bmw diesel used in 524td's and Lincoln Mark VII are rumored to be a more direct and easily done swap, but I have found no confirmation of this as of yet. I would try it if I could find a bmw/MKVII to use as a donor car cheap but haven't managed that yet.

Doing the swap yourself the cost will be better, but having it professionally done forget about it, it's not worth the cost.

jwlester · 03-09-2009, 03:27 PM

What makes it cost prohibitive? Not arguing, just curious. It seems like a 300tdi swap would be pretty straight forward as it is so similar to the disco and some did come that way in europe. Details are great as I'd be interested at some point.

Cheers, Josh

KevinNY · 03-09-2009, 04:13 PM

If you can't fix the current motor yourself, what makes you think you can do an engine conversion yourself?

ArmyRover · 03-10-2009, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwlester

What makes it cost prohibitive? Not arguing, just curious. It seems like a 300tdi swap would be pretty straight forward as it is so similar to the disco and some did come that way in europe. Details are great as I'd be interested at some point.

Cheers, Josh

Well you can pick up a
good used motor for +/- $1000
Rebuilt motor for $2-3000

I've seen the Tdi's starting at $3000 plus, then you need to add in all the modifications and parts to/for the truck adding to the cost. Your probably going to end up in the $5000-$8000 range doing it all yourself on a 14 year old truck.

jwlester · 03-10-2009, 01:38 PM

Sounds about on par with what I expected. 14 year old truck doesn't bother me in the least. The way I figure it, if you buy a timeless vehicle, it never gets old. I bet 20 years from now RRCs will still look classy running down the road. The way I figure it for about 10k, including purchase price, you could completely go through a RRC and have a nice timeless truck.

I've never been one to desire the newest/best. I'd much rather have an iconic vehicle with some significance.

Cheers, Josh

ArmyRover · 03-10-2009, 01:43 PM

Old vehicles don't bother me either obviously as I drive a 91 RRC and a 89 XJ6. I'm thinking more along the lines of when tearing into it your going to end up replacing a lot more parts that are "well I'm in here" items. Causing the cost factor to sky rocket.

The hard part at this point is finding a rust free RRC to start with.

jwlester · 03-10-2009, 02:10 PM

I hear ya. In fact...my dad had an xj6 when I was young. Lots of fond memories of the short time we had that one.

I definitely understand the "what have I gotten myself into" aspect of something like this. I keep hearing that there are "lots" of rust free classics in the socal/desert areas. We'll see if/when it comes time to shop. Still think its a great idea if you can do the work yourself. I would never do it on something that had to be my daily driver because you never know what your going to run into but...great project none the same.

Cheers, Josh

SAM3 · 03-10-2009, 05:40 PM

My 1999 gmc 6.5 engine weight is 736 pounds.

adcomp · 09-22-2009, 02:27 PM

If you are looking for a good engine to swap in, I might suggest one of the isuzu diesels from the overseas (non-us) troopers. I have an 89 range rover that I pulled the V8 out of and swapped in an isuzu 3.1l turbo diesel (4JG2). Its a great engine - a company in the UK (Conversion & Precision - Quality Engine Fitting Kits) sold me the engine mounts and bellhousing adapter plate, and it all dropped in easy. I have about 25k on the setup and it is awesome, lots of torque, 20+mpg and pulls like an ox. Also totally mech. fuel injection so all it needs is 1 12v wire to the fuel cut solenoid and it will keep running. There are also lots of other options, some of the mitsubishi diesels, etc.
The entire setup probably ended up costing me about 5k for the motor ($2200 w/ 40k miles) and the conversion kit + exchange rate + shipping. So it definitely won't be cheap, you can replace the V8 lump for less work and less money, but if you have the cash to burn I would definitely suggest a diesel!