Disco V8 and 5 speed in 85 90?

swoodard23 · #1 July 5th, 2016, 01:07 PM

I have a 1985 90 with the 2.5 nad. I love the truck but find the top speed and inability to maintain speed uphill really limiting in how I use the truck. I am considering the 200tdi but the one I am looking at has already been pulled and all I know about it is that it was running when pulled. With this motor I have to deal with shipping which has been a pain so far.
I found a 1994 disco with a five speed local to me for half the price of the tdi. I was wondering if I could pull the engine and trans and mount to my transfer case without modification to the bulkhead and tunnel? Would a 94 have the LT77s? I think the 3.5 would have more than enough power for my needs. Thoughts?

Rocky · #2 July 5th, 2016, 01:11 PM

The engine is good, however the gearbox wont work due to the different configuration of the shifter.

swoodard23 · #3 July 5th, 2016, 01:33 PM

I meant 3.9l. What transmission does it have? R380, LT77 or something entirely different?

o2batsea · #4 July 5th, 2016, 01:36 PM

I believe you need the short bellhousing version of the transmission.

**Red90** · #5 July 5th, 2016, 01:38 PM

The Disco version of the gearboxes have the shifter in a different location than the Defender. It can be done, but the levers end up in the seatbox. It will be an R380 if stock. You can use the Disco transfer case as well.

**Red90** · #6 July 5th, 2016, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o2batsea

I believe you need the short bellhousing version of the transmission.

Nope. Long bellhousing is correct and all that was ever made for a V8. You need the "long stick" setup instead of the "short stick".

Ashcroft Transmissions

Quote:

The manual boxes can be categorised as "Long Stick" as fitted to the Defender and "Short Stick" as fitted to the Disco.
If your serial number starts with any of the following then you have a longstick : 50A, 51A, 56A, 58A, 60A, 61A, 66A, 68A, 74A
If your serial number starts with any of the following then you have a shortstick : 53A, 55A, 63A, 67A, 69A, 73A
The longstick boxes come with the top casting that the gearlever and turret bolt to but you will need to remove the following from the old unit : the bellhousing and dowels, transfer case dowels, gearlever and turret and diff lock pivot bolt if fitted.

The shortstick boxes come with remote top assembly with reverse switch fitted but you will need to swap over the bellhousing & dowels, transfer case dowels, extension gearstick and diff lock pivot bolt.

mgreenspan · #7 July 5th, 2016, 02:07 PM

You will end up having a lot of work converting from 2.5 diesel to V8.

The easier swap is the 200tdi for 2.5. It all depends on what you want driving-wise. 200tdi conversion will be 4-8k. The Disco is probably 3-6k plus whatever your transmission costs are going to be to get the correct one. You could do a LS conversion for 10-12k according to Nick's parts list. These are parts costs. Installation would probably be 3-6k depending on which you're going for.

I'd save the money for the LS swap. I have owned 3 discoveries(2 V8, one 300tdi ) one 90 with a 2.25 that I swapped to 200tdi, one 110 with 2.5 petrol and one 110 with 3.5 v8 I converted to mazda turbo diesel. The best daily drivers were the V8 discos. The mazda diesel is the current daily; however, I am planning on swapping to an LS engine with a 6l80e because.

swoodard23 · #8 July 5th, 2016, 02:25 PM

Thanks for all of the input! It would seem I could run the transmission unmodified if I do not mind the shift lever exiting the seat box. Correct?

**Red90** · #9 July 5th, 2016, 02:34 PM

Yes.

Land Rover Owner • View topic - Replacing 110 19j with 300tdi and r380 box?

Rocky · #10 July 5th, 2016, 03:07 PM

Just to add more data to the equation, Ashcroft has a Disco to Defender gearbox adapter. http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co...pter-yolk.html

Didn't know about it until after my earlier answer

swoodard23 · #11 July 5th, 2016, 03:35 PM

Thanks guys! Exactly what I needed to know.

Capt Milks · #12 July 5th, 2016, 07:51 PM

It is not that hard of a swap. You will have to run some new electrical for the ECU and the two relays. Unless you extend the harness the ECU will have to be mounted in the engine bay. You can use all of the engine wiring and one of the fuse boxes. You will also have to add some type of fuel pump. (in the tank or external) I haven't done the Ashcroft thing but have one waiting to install right now. If you use the engine, transmission and transfer case you can make up or purchase some engine mounts. The square frame support under the transmission will have to be modified or replaced to clear the exhaust.

Capt Milks · #13 July 31st, 2016, 07:03 PM

Just converted the Disco R380 shifter set up to the Defender R380 shifter set up using the Ashcroft Adapter. It was very easy to do. Yo have to remove the Disco part and replace it with the Ashcroft piece. Then install the Defender shifter mechanism. Easy.

I did have one question however if anybody knows.... In the picture there is a small piece in front of the picture with the cut taken out of the post. It appears that this holds the shifter shaft on the LT77 but doesn't do anything for the R380. My question is should it be removed?