Mating 3.5V8 auto box to a 200tdi Disco.

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

Hey fellow forumers,
my friend's Camel Throphy Disco 200TDi manual box is kaput and he's considering plonking on a ZFauto box from the 3.5 Classic V8.
I was wondering if it's a direct fit or does it need an adaptor.
Also is there any work that needs to be done?
Besides that will there be any other issues?
Will the car be still driveable or super duper sluggish?

Can someone double check if the gearing ratio is the same coz so far from what i gather the auto box from the 3.5V8 and the 300TDi is the same.
Thanks in advance.
Quite urgent dudes.

[ISUZUROVER]

This is not going to be the easiest conversion and definitely will not be bolt in. I am not much up on autos but I think the major differences will be:

Bolt pattern is different between Tdi and V8.

Auto shift pattern is different - must be set up for diesel - and a 300Tdi setup may not suit a 200Tdi???

Bellhousing length may be too long - especially by the time there is an adaptor ring on there as well.

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

Assuming the adaptor can be fabricated my other worry is any idea how does one go about changing the shift pattern?
Is this done by changing the torque convertor?
I'm clueless about this conversion so hope that i can seek some enlightment here.

[ISUZUROVER]

No idea sorry. Maybe post on the general board there are a few auto guys that visit.

Can you get a ZF from a 300Tdi Disco? That would probably be an easier conversion.

[modman]

i enquired at toorak tractor a while ago about auto conversions for a 200tdi.
adrian advised that the only way to go is a factory deisel auto, rare and expensive.
there are expensive differences in the tdi/v8 boxes.
aparently these differences allow the tdi too drive on its narrow torque peak.
toorak tractor-adrian 9587 2866
david

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

Ouch........
Looks like its not a worthwhile conversion? Especially since i'm up in whoop whoop Kuala Lumpure, Malaysia.
Oh btw do u have the email of Toorak Tractor?

Thanks again.

[Nick (in the Falklands!)]

...There's been at least one factory Tdi auto Discovery down here; the general opinion was that it was one of those things the factory should never have done,.(....other than for the city driving types..)

As it is, they rev like hell to get the gearbox spinning up to shift speed;
it changes (maybe too big a step, or theres a slight grade, or some headwind.......& the revs fall back slightly.....the turbo fades a bit, down go the revs & it downshifts suddenly.....only to roar away as load drops:
...& promptly shifts up...Bloody painful to listen to on a 10-sec cycle...!!)

Autos need donks that keep them spinning....

[ISUZUROVER]

A mate of mine who can't use a clutch because of his left leg bought a brand new 300Tdi Defender and converted it to an Auto using a ZF from a 300Tdi disco. His was a great truck and was the veteran of many desert trips when laden to about 4tonne gross weight. Fuel consumption was only about a litre/100 more than a normal 300Tdi defender. The injector pump had a few tweaks which improved performance, and defenders have lower transfer gearing than a disco so maybe the defender makes a better diesel auto.

[modman]

i don't mind the tdi auto's, they aren't rocket ships but in low range the auto keeps the small motor on boost. This would be nice on sand.
a few mods of the like benmentioned would help on road .
i don't have an email address for toorac tractor maybe someone else has.
maybe ring and or fax
david