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3.5 V8 vs 300tdi

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 1:37 am
by GURU
G'day all,

How does the 300tdi preform compared to a 3.5L v8?? I'm considering pulling out my V8 and putting in my 300tdi, R380 and LT230.

Trying to decided if it would be worth doing the conversion

it gets used as a daily driver, goes on weekends away and will eventually tow my project to comps as well. V8 is currently is running on gas

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 3:30 am
by tony cordell
300tdi is superb, ideal for towing and perfect for offroading
mines on my web site

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 10:10 am
by stephen
I have the 200tdi in the disco and it is more than enough grunt.no way I would pass up the economy for the v8 I would only change to have the sound of the v8. I just run a little more boost. I heard the 300tdi disco was quicker than the 3.9v8 disco at a rolling start or something to that effect. but with the diesel you need to make sure your gearing is spot on.

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 11:50 am
by defender kev
I have had 2 rangies with carb fed 3.5l and now have a 300tdi defender would never go back to the 3.5.The economy and torque are to good to give up however i would love a 4.6 in the defender.

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:46 am
by GURU
economy isn't the issue, my RR is on gas and is cheaper to run than the 300tdi would (by about a $1.50 per 100kms). but have big gas tank in the rear cargo area

I like the 300tdi, but trying to decide if it's worth the hassles. I have all the stuff here. I'm trying to decide if I want the RR as a diesel or should I consider finding a cheap defender that has a blown motor and stuff and put my stuff in....I want to tour in this vehicle and the RR comfort is nice, But have driven Series IIA's and III's for the past 3 years so comfort isn't high

My gearing will be spot on as the engine, gearbox and transfercase are all out of the one vehicle and is correct, my diffs are 4.1's to compinsate for the 255/85 R16's

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 6:14 am
by red90
I'm confused. You talk of putting the 300TDI is either a RR or a Defender... The 300TDIs and R380s are quite a bit different for the two vehicles. Is your gearbox and engine from a Disco or a Defender.

What high ratio is in the t. box? 4.1 diffs might be a bit low for the diesel.

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 11:21 pm
by GURU
300tdi, R380 and LT230 are out of a disco, so 4.1's are perfect

high range is 1.2:1

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:55 pm
by suzidisco
will the 300 or td5 bolt up to the auto box and is this an easy swap