bmw diesel in a disco? - Land Rovers Only

b rad · 11-29-2006, 09:03 AM

I was doing some research on the web regarding a diesel swap for my disco, and I noticed that the mid 80's bmw 524td has the same zf4hp22 tranny as most land rovers. Could it be that this engine might bolt up to the tranny on my disco? These engines seem to be nice with 6 cyl turbo making about 115 hp. Also, no electronic stuff to deal with. I have found some older low mileage bimmers around and even some very unpopular lincolns with this drivetrain for relatively few bucks.
Anyone thought or heard of this type of swap for a disco?
Lets discuss

01001010 · 11-29-2006, 09:20 AM

There is a company that has done this swap but I can't remember what the name is now. They've done some of the craziest swaps including a Diesel in a p38. I'll do some recollecting and get back to you.

300bhp/ton · 11-30-2006, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01001010

They've done some of the craziest swaps including a Diesel in a p38.

That's crazy is it?

You could by a 6 cylinder diesel (BMW) powered p38 from the factory.

300bhp/ton · 11-30-2006, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b rad

I was doing some research on the web regarding a diesel swap for my disco, and I noticed that the mid 80's bmw 524td has the same zf4hp22 tranny as most land rovers. Could it be that this engine might bolt up to the tranny on my disco? These engines seem to be nice with 6 cyl turbo making about 115 hp. Also, no electronic stuff to deal with. I have found some older low mileage bimmers around and even some very unpopular lincolns with this drivetrain for relatively few bucks.
Anyone thought or heard of this type of swap for a disco?
Lets discuss

One thing to check for is the length of the engine. Remember a V8 is only 4 cylinders long so a straight 6 will want more length.

There is space infront of my 200tdi but if it had another two cylinders I can see it getting cramped real quick.

I know when they put the Jaguar V12 in the Range Rover (classic) they had to lengthen the engine bay.

Disco Mike · 11-30-2006, 04:09 PM

Also remember althought the tranny may be the same part number the gears and valve inside are different to compinsate for the diesel ower and torque.
Mike

FlyWheel · 11-30-2006, 06:56 PM

The Bimmer ZF Box may or may not come in two parts...i.e., the bell housing may be seperate from the transmission body......The questions then becomes: Can the 524TD tranny bell housing bolt up to the Landy's engine?

b rad · 12-01-2006, 10:56 AM

If the auto boxes are the same model, then the bimmer bell housing should fit up to the LR auto box. It is possible that the ratios are the same, but the bmw six seems to be a relatively high reving diesel, and the v8 auto box shift points and ratio's would likely work with the diesel torque curve. There is the possibility of using the bimmer auto box and changing the case to allow for the t-case. Did some rough tape measure work and campared the engine bay of a 325 and found that the disco bay is actually slightly larger? Will revisist these figures, but the bmw six diesel is the same dimension as the gasser that it is based on, and bmw managed to squeeze it into a 3 series.

it looks like a swap might be possible with just some engine mount work and exhaust.

Also, the bimmers uses an electronic speedo and sender similar to the disco.

Could be relatively simple?

01001010 · 12-01-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300bhp/ton

That's crazy is it?

You could by a 6 cylinder diesel (BMW) powered p38 from the factory.

not here

300bhp/ton · 12-01-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01001010

not here

true.

I just meant that the swap wasn't all that crazy and I would guess used factory parts.

Madeara · 12-05-2006, 01:00 PM

interesting, I have that 86 BMW 524 TD and love it to death

Since I have so many problems with my 97 disco maybe one day I should switch the engines? Gas savings to afford all the repairs on my Disco might do the trick LOL

baron-red · 01-21-2007, 03:32 PM

If you do a deisel swap you could even run it on veg oil !

onslow · 01-28-2007, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300bhp/ton

true.

I just meant that the swap wasn't all that crazy and I would guess used factory parts.

Its ok we are British this lot tend to ignore us brits and they like to be a little mellow dramatic too!!

I know what if we get a 5 cylinder turbo diesel fit it to a 5spd manual box and fit it in a 90 or a disco CRAZEEEEEE DOOOOOOOOOOD!!!

11-29-2006, 09:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
b rad Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 8 Gallery: 0	bmw diesel in a disco? I was doing some research on the web regarding a diesel swap for my disco, and I noticed that the mid 80's bmw 524td has the same zf4hp22 tranny as most land rovers. Could it be that this engine might bolt up to the tranny on my disco? These engines seem to be nice with 6 cyl turbo making about 115 hp. Also, no electronic stuff to deal with. I have found some older low mileage bimmers around and even some very unpopular lincolns with this drivetrain for relatively few bucks. Anyone thought or heard of this type of swap for a disco? Lets discuss

11-29-2006, 09:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
01001010 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 4,543 Gallery: 15	There is a company that has done this swap but I can't remember what the name is now. They've done some of the craziest swaps including a Diesel in a p38. I'll do some recollecting and get back to you. __________________ JC... 1996 Discovery SE - The Blue Marlin - gone =( 1965 Series IIa 109 RHD 2.25L Dsl - Wilks 1965 Series IIa 88' LHD 2.25L Petrol - Fionna

11-30-2006, 06:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
FlyWheel Proud to be an Infidel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,136 Gallery: 0	The Bimmer ZF Box may or may not come in two parts...i.e., the bell housing may be seperate from the transmission body......The questions then becomes: Can the 524TD tranny bell housing bolt up to the Landy's engine? __________________ 2001 Disco SE7 .......eventually they will run out of suicide bombers.....

12-05-2006, 01:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
Madeara Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York State Posts: 57 Gallery: 0	interesting, I have that 86 BMW 524 TD and love it to death Since I have so many problems with my 97 disco maybe one day I should switch the engines? Gas savings to afford all the repairs on my Disco might do the trick LOL __________________ "Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to." ~Alfred A. Montapert~

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11-30-2006, 04:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,777 Gallery: 0	Also remember althought the tranny may be the same part number the gears and valve inside are different to compinsate for the diesel ower and torque. Mike

12-01-2006, 10:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
b rad Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 8 Gallery: 0	If the auto boxes are the same model, then the bimmer bell housing should fit up to the LR auto box. It is possible that the ratios are the same, but the bmw six seems to be a relatively high reving diesel, and the v8 auto box shift points and ratio's would likely work with the diesel torque curve. There is the possibility of using the bimmer auto box and changing the case to allow for the t-case. Did some rough tape measure work and campared the engine bay of a 325 and found that the disco bay is actually slightly larger? Will revisist these figures, but the bmw six diesel is the same dimension as the gasser that it is based on, and bmw managed to squeeze it into a 3 series. it looks like a swap might be possible with just some engine mount work and exhaust. Also, the bimmers uses an electronic speedo and sender similar to the disco. Could be relatively simple?

01-21-2007, 03:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
baron-red Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warwickshire, U.K. Posts: 7 Gallery: 0	If you do a deisel swap you could even run it on veg oil !

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