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s410man



Member Since: 20 Jun 2016
Location: brecon
Posts: 3

bmw 3.0 into a defender. ....
Hi
first post so thought I may aswell make it a complicated one!lol

Currently got my 2 defenders for sale and once gone I'm replacing with another one- 110 hardtop

Been thinking of either a highly tweaked td5 but been put off as i think by the time I'm happy with the power it'll be close to destruction

Next thought was a tdv6 as i loved the engine when i had a disco 3 but seems it's a bit of a Censored to get running tidy in a defender due to canbus and a few other things

So finally....

I've arrived at a 3.0 bmw engine which seems to be relatively cheap easy to transplant and powerful enough

Done a fair bit of reading but most posts seem to be from years ago so just wondering if anyone has done it recently

One of my biggest concerns is which gearbox and transfer box to use

I'm looking for auto and around 250 hp possibly a bit more so i think this pretty much rules out all landrover gearboxes??

And also should i be looking for a early engine or a particular engine code etc to make it easier/better

Thanks in advance
Post #542039 21st Jun 2016 11:52am
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5822

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
I'm certainly no specialist, but it's something I'd love to do as well. Initial thoughts are would it not be better to get a little bit of info from Nene/Bowler/Twisted who have all made similar upgrades? If only to recommend what would be the best engine? Most seem to stick with Chevvy or JLR powerplants. Surely a Beemer would be even more techy with a lot of unnecessary cross-pollination of brands and parts etc? Good luck anyway, will be interested to see your progress. Thumbs Up Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #542047 21st Jun 2016 12:20pm
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s410man



Member Since: 20 Jun 2016
Location: brecon
Posts: 3

From what I've learnt it appears to be quite a simple engine with a off the shelf loom available to make it run properly

M57 engine is what i would like but there's a few different types of them!!

Twin turbo any more difficult to do or....
Post #542049 21st Jun 2016 12:24pm
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big steve



Member Since: 24 Dec 2009
Location: hertfordshire
Posts: 2456

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Montalcino Red
3.2 tdci 2.2/2.4 big brother pretty much straight fit 240hp 700nm

Simples Thumbs Up 2015 2.2 tdci hardtop xs
3.2 conversion DONE 238bhp and 707nm torque and thats just the start ;-P
hybrid turbo in build -done ready to fit
ashcroft atb in transfer box
6 speed auto in build
Post #542162 21st Jun 2016 7:38pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3751

United Kingdom 
^ is that a 3.2 out of say the new ford Ranger?


What other model has it fitted?
Post #542173 21st Jun 2016 7:54pm
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Wandathe110



Member Since: 10 Apr 2016
Location: Manchester
Posts: 65

United Kingdom 
There's a company that does a conversion kit for the Mercedes 3ltr I'm pretty sure there a v6 and a conversion for a 5 cylinder 2.8 both have been mated to auto boxes all i need to do is remember where I've seen it Confused

http://www.gaz-fab.co.uk/node/23

Got to go game of thrones to watch Very Happy
Post #542189 21st Jun 2016 8:19pm
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big steve



Member Since: 24 Dec 2009
Location: hertfordshire
Posts: 2456

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Montalcino Red
Transit is the engine needed 2015 2.2 tdci hardtop xs
3.2 conversion DONE 238bhp and 707nm torque and thats just the start ;-P
hybrid turbo in build -done ready to fit
ashcroft atb in transfer box
6 speed auto in build
Post #542193 21st Jun 2016 8:25pm
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L110CDL



Member Since: 31 Oct 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 10756

England 
W110 the article you saw was in one of the LR mags, it was for the straight 5 cylinder in the disco 2 and the straight 6 in the Defender Thumbs Up sounds good. 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up.

Keeper.

Clayton.
Post #542201 21st Jun 2016 8:39pm
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Wandathe110



Member Since: 10 Apr 2016
Location: Manchester
Posts: 65

United Kingdom 
LRO where i seen it looked really interesting
See link. http://www.gaz-fab.co.uk/node/23
Post #542225 21st Jun 2016 9:25pm
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Andrew*Debbie



Member Since: 25 May 2016
Location: Anglesey
Posts: 95

United Kingdom 
How about an old BMW M30? They are rock sold with no plastic parts to break. The M30 is good for 200,000 to 300,000 in a BMW 5 or 7 series. Stock they peak out around 200HP but can be modded for more.

The newer motors are more powerful and lighter but have a lot of plastic that only lasts about 7 years before failing at the most annoying intervals. Water pipes and the thermostat housing are the biggest problem but I'd be careful about a recycling a used intake manifold too.

You also have to contend with variable valve timing (VANOS) on the newer motors. It is great when it works and is fairly solid. VANOS from a scrap yard motor could be trouble.


The M30 5 and 7 series used a ZF 4 speed. I know I've seen a Defender with a ZF 4 speed in it.



If you want a newer motor (M30 is about 25 years old) how about the N52 or N53, the last of the naturally aspirated inline-6 BMW motors.

These motors are light and have a magnesium block Both are good for ~270HP if you find the right variant. Look for a 330i or something with 3.0si in the name.


Last edited by Andrew*Debbie on 22nd Jun 2016 1:32pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #542398 22nd Jun 2016 1:07pm
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The Hulk



Member Since: 13 Apr 2016
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 81

Scotland 1997 Defender 110 300 Tdi HT Aintree Green
s410man wrote:
M57 engine is what i would like but there's a few different types of them!!


The M57D30 was used in the Range Rover so you'd be doing an RR-LR transplant.

The M30 is a wonderful engine but it's a petrol. I have two cars with this engine; one has twin turbos and puts out 520Nm of torque Cool Mid Life; Live It!

Ongoing thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic45697.html
110 300Tdi Utility (Hulk)
90 300Tdi SW (GF's Tank)
Post #542402 22nd Jun 2016 1:20pm
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Andrew*Debbie



Member Since: 25 May 2016
Location: Anglesey
Posts: 95

United Kingdom 
Of course. Using a RR motor could make things easier, especially if the transmission can be make to work in a Defender.


There are also the rare South African Defenders that came from the factory with a BMW petrol M52.
Post #542407 22nd Jun 2016 1:30pm
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muddypaws



Member Since: 22 Jan 2013
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 122

England 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
To put a spanner in the works, back in my cobra kit car days, a popular, under used transplant was the Lexus LS400.

Lightweight, bomb proof & easy to set up auto or manual
- come by very cheaply, the only disadvantage being a big rusty car attached!

just a thought..... Richard

Defender 90 SVX
Post #542428 22nd Jun 2016 2:24pm
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muddypaws



Member Since: 22 Jan 2013
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 122

England 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
......assuming you don't mind going to petrol of course Wink Richard

Defender 90 SVX
Post #542439 22nd Jun 2016 2:56pm
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5822

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Andrew*Debbie wrote:
Of course. Using a RR motor could make things easier, especially if the transmission can be make to work in a Defender.


In effect what Bowler did with ther DC. A JLR 4ltr unit from the F Type, which I assume would be the same used in the RR Supercharged, and using the F Type 7-speed auto transmission. 440bhp. Even the twin under slung exhausts are from the F Type. If I had the money...... Thumbs Up


Click image to enlarge
 Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #542661 23rd Jun 2016 8:29am
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