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2.8 in an 85 d-90

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90 d-90
1K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  TS888 
#1 ·
I am hoping to do a diesel swap in a d-90. the truck went thru a frame off rebuild at scorpion racing in the UK before i purchsed it. It has the 2009 circa r-380 ans 1.22 transfer case of the same time. It has a set of range rover axels with discs and 24 spines. I am looking at either a 300 tdi or a 2.8 international. Does the 2.8 have the power to push the v-8 r380? I understand that the 300 without any tunning might struggle a bit.
 
#2 ·
I got a '94 SW D90 sit'n in my shop right now with an Izuzu 4BD1T mated to a NV3500 5-speed with a 1.2 LT230 on the tail. It hauls all kinds of ass and doesn't skip a beat. I don't know who did the conversion but they did a really nice job. I'm just give'n it a look over for the new owner. it just reminds me of how many options there are if you got the time and $$$.
 
#5 ·
I am hoping to do a diesel swap in a d-90. the truck went thru a frame off rebuild at scorpion racing in the UK before i purchsed it. It has the 2009 circa r-380 ans 1.22 transfer case of the same time. It has a set of range rover axels with discs and 24 spines. I am looking at either a 300 tdi or a 2.8 international. Does the 2.8 have the power to push the v-8 r380? I understand that the 300 without any tunning might struggle a bit.

????
r380 is the factory matched trans for the 300. The v8 version wont work with a 300 unless the input shaft is switched out-ashcrofts sells the parts for the conversion. While the gear ratio are slightly different the 300 wouldn't struggle with the difference. Your classic axles have the same 3.54 ratio as the defender ones.
 
#6 ·
The question of the 300 running on the V-8 r-380 has to do with the taller Fifth gear ratio of 0.73.1 vs the TDI R380 gear ratio of 0.77.1 It is brought up because if it is fine why did Land Rover do it this way and could the extra horsepower and torqure of the 2.8 make it more suitable for the V8 R380. I mention the axles being 24 spline before someone says the original to a 1985 would be 10 spline and cant handle it. thanks for your comments
 
#7 ·
I wouldn't lose a lot of sleep over the ratio difference. Assuming a 31 inch tire, the 0.73 results in a final drive in 5th of 3.15:1 vs 3.33:1 for the 0.77 5th. You'll only use 5th on flat ground anyway, so it isn't going to kill a 300TDi.

If it feels like it needs more, swap to a 1.4 transfer and you'd be at 3.60:1 with the 0.73 5th. Then you'd be about where I am with 32" tires and a 1.4 xfer behind a 300TDi and 0.77 R380.
 
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