What diesel swap works best... Bottom line

[GroverGreenRover]

Yay! Just my first series truck. I have owned a few landys in my day bit this is the biggest project yet.
I need some advice...
I am going to do a diesel swap, what is the best engine/tranny/transfer box setup for a series I 88"?
I was thinking 4bt but may have too much tourque for the rover.
Any input is definitely appreciated
Thanks

[roverandom]

The 4BT, is that the Cummins unit?

[Mercedesrover]

First thing you need to ask yourself is "Why do I want a diesel?".

[ArmyRover]

I've been looking at the 300td mercedes motor for a swap into my RRC. I have heard this a doable swap for RRC but info seems to be lacking.

Going on the idea that the 300 engine works well for the RRC the smaller 4 cyl diesel mercedes might work nicely for the series rover.

[msggunny]

Check out Seriestreck, mercedesrovers site.


Why do you want a diesel? Is the petrol engine dead? The cost of a swap will most likely off set any gain you will achieve with the mileage from a diesel.

[TerryS]

Based on the effort Jim Young put into his conversion, and making available the parts for others to do an MB conversion into a series truck, The MB engine would likely be your least-cost conversion.
I happen to love the Cummins B series engines (4BT, 6BT) but they are qwuite a bit heavier, and not nearly so available as 4 pot MB engines.

The best single reason for making the switch, in my mind, is the huge increase in range, which can be 2 to 3 times the distance the 2.25 gas motor will take you. If you're just poking the back roads around home, and have no long distance expeditions on the calender, it's alot of work and expense, for little reason.

The diesels require less maintainance, but what maintainance is required, is not to be put off.

Me personally, I happen to just love diesels, the smell, the clatter, the whole thing. I got my love of them by working in the engine rooms of ocean going tugs, and have yet to find a way to use one anywhere else. The 2A gearbox just won't handle 3000hp.

[ArmyRover]

for me wanting to go with the diesel is a few reasons.
1. I like diesel motors
2. reliable as all get out
3. with a little work they produce some excellent power
4. increase in range(MPG)
5. Possible veggie conversion
6. almost 150k on the 3.9 leaking from every orifice and I'm realistic on it's life expectancy
7. I have a line on a 90k mile 87 300td for cheap since the car is rusted out has full service history on the car as well.

[Mercedesrover]

Originally Posted by ArmyRover

I have a line on a 90k mile 87 300td for cheap since the car is rusted out has full service history on the car as well.

That engine was the 3.0L six-cylinder and a whole different animal. One year only 603.960. Bad heads and an odd-ball engine.

[ArmyRover]

Mercedesrover you seem to have a clue about these swaps what year should I be looking for?

and do you know any of the details as far as conversion parts ie mounts adapter plates etc. Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[KevinNY]

Ah, the sirens song of the turbo whistle...

[roverandom]

Diesels in trucks, yearh you got me too. It just makes sense. Durable, low reving, great torque and better range. The only kicker is the cost, the difficultly/time of installation, the weight and dealing with all that extra torque. I'm not a fan of the mercedes engines myself, but thats just me.

[Mercedesrover]

Kev, you need to update your sig!

There are lots of different diesels you can use in a Series truck but I happen to be partial to the Mercedes 616/617. The Mercedes engines like to spin at similar RPMs as gas engines so no change to the gearing in needed. They’re also cheap to buy, easy to find and are known to last a good long time. They’re also relatively light and quiet compared to other industrial diesels. Parts are easy to find and cheap for the most part. They’re also very happy running on alternative fuels if that’s what your into.

The 616 (4-cyl) has about the same horsepower as a 2.25 Rover gas engine so don’t expect any added power or road speed. I feel they’re a good choice for an 88” but some think it not worth the time, effort and money without gaining some extra power. What it does give you as complete reliability and about 25mpg.

The 617 (5-cyl) is the same engine with an extra cylinder. The turbo version is 125hp and a good choice for a 109. The extra length poses extra problems and installing one requires modification to the bulkhead and/or moving the radiator forward, among other things.

I can help you with an adapter plate for installing these two engines in a Series truck but there is still a ton of other things that need to be modified/fabricated/built/changed and bought for the conversion. It takes a strong need and lots of cash and dedication to go through with it.

But these two are by no means the only diesels you can consider for a Series truck. Kevin just installed a Daihatsu diesel in his truck. Another guy in Calgary just finished putting a 6BT in a 109. Hell, there are even a couple 6.2 gm diesels in Series trucks running around.

Every diesel conversion choice has its good and bad points and every one will have its compromises. They’re also going to cost three times what you think they are going to and take three times as long. That’s a point I can’t stress enough. There are no easy conversions and unless you’re installing an engine that’s meant to be installed in the truck you will run into far more problems and headaches to be solve than you can imagine. Fortunately others have done these conversions and the Rover community is nice enough to share good information about them. Still, it’s a TON of work and VERY expensive. If the though “I’d really like to save money on fuel costs” is even a factor, forget about it. There are some very specific reasons people do diesel conversions and saving money isn’t one of them!

As far as converting a RRC, I don’t see how it could be worth it. Those trucks are reaching the end of their lives and most aren’t worth the cost of a diesel engine let alone what it would cost to install one properly. Most are also subject to emissions regulations in some states, where are older Series trucks aren’t. Getting around that will be a nightmare.

Anyway, that’s my two-cents. Diesel conversion sound really cool but you need to be realistic and have very specific reasons and needs for doing one. Once you get to the conclusion that yes, I need a diesel, then you can start worrying about which one.

[ArmyRover]

I agree with 99% of what you said except for the RRC being at the end of it's life.

As far as emissions testing luckily for me my home of record is Indiana and there is no emissions testing required for vehicles there. So on that front life is good.

So this is still something I'm considering. I hadn't really given much thought to the 6.2 gm diesel I would think that would be a nightmare to shoe horn into a series truck and not much better in a RRC

[GroverGreenRover]

A few reasons for choosing a diesel...
I love the torque
also fell in love with diesels after being around marine engines
I want to do a unique project and maybe add a WVO kit

I would like more power than the stock engine and the project I bought has no motor trans or transfer case so i figured I should just start over.

I love the range factor... lots of trips down baja out here in Cali.

Anyways, I'm not gonna say that money is not an issue but there is a bit put away for this project.

I really like the Cummins 4bt
watch this video and you'll see why
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or check this link
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Gh9sMxVVVpw

I think it would be great to have that kind of power and torque in a series.
I can fabricate most of my own parts (motor mounts etc) but I dont want to go too crazy.

I am also thinking about putting a defender hood and grille on it to get some more room in there, I don't know if that makes a difference. A

I appreciate all the help and advice.

[Mercedesrover]

All that shows is a couple of rednecks breaking stuff. Weight pulls weight and neither of those idiot's engines has anything to do with it. Give me 40hp and 10,000 pounds and I'll pull that Ford all over town too.

And the 4BT is a fine motor but if what you want to do is pull your buddies backwards in a parking lot you'll need stronger axles than a Land Rover has!