How's it goin Stephen...JC here....

My vote goes for the 300. I presume the 4.6 would go through gas pretty quick if you're towing stuff a lot.

 

Hey JC, hope all is well down south. Missed you guys over the weekend.

Top speed on the 3.9 is only like 65 mph towing a trailer so the 300 would likely be about the same. I am afraid that if I do the 300 and then don't like it I am screwed.

 

Hey JC, hope all is well down south. Missed you guys over the weekend.

Top speed on the 3.9 is only like 65 mph towing a trailer so the 300 would likely be about the same. I am afraid that if I do the 300 and then don't like it I am screwed.

Yeah man, I totally missed out on that one. Let's see if I can FINALLY make it to one of the FLRC rallies.

As for the 300, think about the pros. Your chances of going home after a usual-Florida-trail run are 99.9% (leaving the .1 for driver error..lol) Also, you'll have ONE HELL of a reliable engine. You have access to parts so the only headache would be waiting for them to come in.

 

300 is cool. FWIW, I tow a lot with the 4.6. I can tow a Range Rover in an enclosed 20 foot trailer at 75mph.
The thing about the 300 is that the swap is *technically* not legal on some levels. Enforcement is something entirely different, so yes, we all know it's not terribly likely there would be a problem. However, there's no guarantee. If they enact new emissions requirements, they are often retroactive-
I think either way would be cool, but I'd probably just do the 4.6 and put the 300 in a Series 109SW.

 

Not long after I purchased my 91 Discovery (3.5L) around 3 years ago, I mulled over fitting to it a 300TDI or a 4.6L. If you are not into power/speed, then I would definitely fit the 300TDI. In my case, I jumped the other way, which in hindsight was a mistake, as I already owned a 95 built for speed and power. Meanwhile my wife purchased a 300tdi defender and I must say I love driving it. I hope this helps you decide.

 

While I'm a totally dedicated petrol head (got two V8's had a V12 and tubro 4's also).

I really like diesels for off roading, they just have the power where you want it and no fuss about electronics.

Is the 300Tdi you've got a ECU controlled one? (some in the Discovery's where).

A 4.6 should be a very nice motor, 225bhp stock and easily 280bhp if you want to tune it a little, plus it makes a great sound. MPG will never be great although probably no worse than a 3.9 V8 and with US fuel prices it's all in your favour. Try running a V8 when it cost 90p+ per litre!!!!!!

The 300Tdi won't ever put out the HP but it can be made to perform very well. In stock trim I think you'd find it quite sluggish and a dissapointment to drive compared to a V8.

What you want to do is an intercooler upgrade and tweek the inkector pump. It shouldn't affect MPG but will make one hell of a difference performance wise.

It can be cheap, get an intercooler off of an old 3.0 Supra or something and retro fit it. If you're interested PM me your email address and I'll email a full document on tuning the 200/300Tdi engine.

Also if you ever have a go in a tuned diesel you simply won't believe how much fun they are to drive, way more poky and responsive than a Rover V8 even a modified Rover V8.

If you can get away with running a 300Tdi and you are preparred to set it up correctly then it gets my vote.

Else go for the V8.


BTW - the diesel will be great in water aswell, all you need is a snorkel and it'll handle water way better than a V8 can. The British Army use 300Tdi Defenders and when prepped will use them for wading in depths that come over half way up the windscreen (driver often requires breathing apperators).

 

Engine

Thanks for the input guys and gals. I am building a 110 Hicap from the ground up and the 300 was intended for that truck. To own the 110 here in the states it has to be built from 5 trucks, and so far I am on that track.

I think I will do the 4.6 as it is easier with less wiring headaches. The 110 is being built for the 300 so I have the correct wiring harness and engine mounts etc as I am using a new galvanized frame.

I do cross alot of water here in Florida so I am running a Mantec and after market DUI distributor, I have yet to kill the old girl while deep and I mean deep fording.

 

Get the hek out of here...I was just thinking about what I see here this morning...

Stephen, does the additional light bar make contact with the snorkel at all?

 

Get the hek out of here...I was just thinking about what I see here this morning...

Stephen, does the additional light bar make contact with the snorkel at all?

The additional light bar has saved my lights many times and does not imped the intake top.

 

Here is the old girl yesterday. I am loosing abuot a gallon of coolant in a two day period. Needs a head job and I figure might as well do the engine instead. That should give me another 100k miles (hopefully). HA HA

 

I know the 300tdi is better mechanically than the 200tdi, but both are deadly slow. In a rare '93 D110 here in the States, with a 200tdi, the thing is not undriveable but it is so slow. (with a manual, too) Having owned several 4L V8's in both DII and P38 form, they are so much quicker and thus enjoyable. Having driven a 4.6L DII for a couple of weeks it is not a lot quicker than a 4.0L, and the difference in the P38 is even less.

Diesel is more reliable and the engine will last longer. Although the basic Rover V8 is reliable and simple, engine mgt on late models makes them hard to work on yourself, sometimes. And you just know by 200k miles even a well maintained V8 engine will be well-worn.

On the other hand, no Discovery or Range Rover with either a 4.0 or 4.6L V8, GEMS or Bosch, is quick. In trying out a 2000 ML320 over the weekend, if all you knew was V8-powered Rovers you would be amazed how quick a V6 ML weighing the same as a Disco accelerates.

 

4.6

If you need a 4.6 I have one, just thought i would toss that out there.

Marty

 

Got one marty but thanks.

 

The additional light bar has saved my lights many times and does not imped the intake top.

What I needed to know..thanks bud.

 

Hey JC, hope all is well down south. Missed you guys over the weekend.

Top speed on the 3.9 is only like 65 mph towing a trailer so the 300 would likely be about the same. I am afraid that if I do the 300 and then don't like it I am screwed.

My old discovery has just done a 800 mile round trip towing 3.5 tons maintained 60 (did do 70 on occasion but was watching the fuel consumption)all day long and returned 25 mpg and thats an old 200TDi with 256k on the clock my only advice is to use the 3.9 Radiator and move the intercooler in front of the rad mine works a treat keeps nice and cool no matter what i tow