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Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
Real World Engine Swap MPG
I apreciate that MPG may not be a deciding factor, but I'm curious as to what sort of MPG one could expect from the plethora of 'common' engine swaps.

So, what engine / transmission are you running, in what vehicle and what MPG are you getting? Cool 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #990472 26th Apr 2023 9:22pm
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TexasRover



Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1043

France 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White
Many a times when I drive my 1.8L BMW 318D doing ~70 MPG @ 1500 rpm while having oodles of torque and power under the tap, I wonder what would happen if I was to replace my lumbering Td5 with this BMW engine.

Obviously you would not be getting 70MPG with it being a brick, but for sure you would have more power and probably a hell of a better economy.

You set of on a cold morning, hit the motorway doing ~65MPH and it takes 10-15 miles of driving just of the engine to get to temperature. These small diesel engines are incredibly efficient.
Post #990486 27th Apr 2023 6:17am
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Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
Agreed, even with the aerodynamics of a brick, I would hope that a better balance of power/economy could be achieved.

My 200tdi 110 CSW (with roof rack) would regularly return 32 MPG on Shell diesel or 30ish on supermarket diesel when driven sensibly. It was however, rather slow.

I had intended to build my 127 with a Rover V8 as it originally left the factory (albeit a 4.6L variant), but the prospect of 15MPG for an engine that produces no more power than a modern 2L has led to me considering other options. 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #990491 27th Apr 2023 6:55am
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pjm-84



Member Since: 12 Apr 2021
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 661

United Kingdom 
BMW straight 6 for me. Petrol or diesel. No idea what Ineos have managed to do with them but generally super efficient for the output
Post #990507 27th Apr 2023 9:11am
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MarkBrown



Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 459

Wales 1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green
The Mercedes OM606 automatic in my 110 does 20mpg overall, 27mpg on a long steady motorway run.

My Mercedes c220 CDI will get 42mpg overall, with 55mpg on a motorway run. However when we tow our box trailer behind it we only manage 25mpg, so not much better than the Land Rover.

Years ago my 110 3.5 efi swapped ( manual lt77 ) 110 achieved an average of 18mpg, with a best of 23 on a run to Scotland.

My 110 200 TDI achieved average of 22mpg, but I never took it on a run without a trailer, so not sure about the best it could achieve, probably high twenties.

My old 110 2.25 petrol did a whopping 16mpg around France. Flat out, of course!
Post #990527 27th Apr 2023 10:33am
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Defendermatt



Member Since: 15 Sep 2016
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 313

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 Other SW Bonatti Grey
My Lexus 4.3 swapped 90 does 12mpg Very Happy 1989 90 4.3 V8
2012 L405 OF
2014 D4 HSE Lux (SOLD)
2015 90 HT (SOLD)
@d9o.mf
Post #990538 27th Apr 2023 11:22am
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TexasRover



Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1043

France 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White
My wife's (new to us) 2010 Discovery 4 3.0 (diesel) did an easy run back and forth between Paris and Rennes (~500 miles) with a measured consumption of 37 mpg (7.6 l/100km). Pretty darn good I though
Post #990551 27th Apr 2023 1:26pm
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sako243



Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Wales
Posts: 1218

Wales 1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White
Defendermatt wrote:
My Lexus 4.3 swapped 90 does 12mpg Very Happy

Is that driven how a normal person would or how a sensible person would? Laughing Ed
82 Hotspur Sandringham 6x6
95 Defender 110 300Tdi
Post #990555 27th Apr 2023 2:08pm
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pj2106



Member Since: 20 Dec 2012
Location: Huntingdon AKA The Shire
Posts: 1500

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
My N57 locally does circa 32-35 on a run upto 38 so pretty pleased with that 2008 110 2.4 XS Utility (Hagrid)
2002 90 TD5 Hardtop (Sully) Sold
1998 300TDi D1 (Billy) Sold
Post #990644 28th Apr 2023 6:25am
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Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
What vehicle is that in? They are some impressive figures! 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #990647 28th Apr 2023 6:42am
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pj2106



Member Since: 20 Dec 2012
Location: Huntingdon AKA The Shire
Posts: 1500

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
2008 defender 110 2008 110 2.4 XS Utility (Hagrid)
2002 90 TD5 Hardtop (Sully) Sold
1998 300TDi D1 (Billy) Sold
Post #990741 28th Apr 2023 7:14pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8021

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
2.4 110 usw 28mpg avg over 98k miles, 12% towing avg 2.5t
2.8 tgv auto 90 truck cab 24mpg. Mainly off road.
2.5td5 100"defender chassis, off road only 1l.per km planning range.
200tdi disco in 90 28mpg over 6k miles
2.8tgv trayback, off road 1l per 2km planning range
2.4tdci 130 24mpg 9ver 15k miles, 30% towing, vehicle not far off gvw, 10% offroad
3.0 m57 in a 90, 25mpg over last 600 miles, including two days off roading over 17 miles Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #990751 28th Apr 2023 9:11pm
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Mossberg



Member Since: 29 Feb 2020
Location: Lancs
Posts: 553

United Kingdom 1993 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Aintree Green
I have a 300tdi in my 90 its a disco engine as it has all the sensors etc. I had heard the 300tdi gives around 28 mpg, so whilst I hoped for something near that figure, with it being in a 1993 90, I accepted the fact it may have a bit of wear and may not quite reach that.

I recently did a run down to Chepstow from just north of Manchester. The total mileage when I refuelled was 184 miles with about 50 miles of those on the motorway and the rest on A roads through Shropshire and Hertfordshire down to Chepstow. I took it relatively easy, keeping to 55mph or there about where possible (with the enevitible slowing/accelerating on the A roads).

I looked at where I filled it to and when refilling, I topped up to exactly the same point. I am happy to say I got 29.45 mpg, which to say it's a purely mechanical engin,I am quite pleased with. I know it's not as good as an engine with an ecu controlling it, but I can live with that for the sake of not having electrics to deal with.

I suspect I may have a Disco transfer box fitted as I can quite easily achieve 70+ mph, but I need to check the serial number on the box to confirm.
Post #990764 29th Apr 2023 5:46am
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Baytown



Member Since: 30 Jan 2016
Location: Cairns Australia
Posts: 83

Australia 2012 Defender 110 V8 Petrol CSW Auto Blenheim Silver
2012 110 fitted with LS3 6.2 V8 and 6 Speed matching Auto
As above, my 2012 110 runs an LS3 6.2 V8 mated to a matching 6 Speed Auto.
I changed my 2.2 as I was towing at the time. Fuel economy has effectively halved if not less with running 98RON bs the 2.2 diesel. I used to get over 1000kms from my 127 litre rear tank, now get around 600kms. I’ve never done an actual Kilometers per litre calculation as it would be pretty poor.

Unfortunately the current BMW conversion wasn’t available and the LS3 is a very common engine in Australia Re parts and service vs the BM which no country town would be happy fixing.

On the Pro side of things, the motor pulls like a 14 year old school boy and it’s easy to inadvertently spin the front wheels at take off if heavy footed. The vehicle has been transformed re driving ease.



Click image to enlarge
 2012 110 LS3 6.2 V8 - 6 Speed Auto
Post #993224 19th May 2023 12:23am
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boxoftricks



Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Home Counties
Posts: 747

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Zermatt Silver
Who cares about mpg if you can spin up the front wheels and drift around the corners Rolling with laughter
Post #993257 19th May 2023 10:09am
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