I'm being offered a 2003 Discovery, with a cracked block, for $2000. Rest of the car looks clean.

What are my options for dropping in another engine? Can I go for a 4L? Is it a hard swap?

 

You can drop in a 2002 or older RR 4.6, or a D2 4.0
Just stick to SAI or non-SAI, whatever you currently have.
For a novice I would say its a good days work to pull the old engine out, then another day to put it back - give or take a week.

 

Would you say it's worth it for $2000 + cost of the engine?

 

no. unless its an SE7 with a SD rack, hellas, coil conversion, and about 40k on it. FYI even with a new engine you are still without CDL if you are considering off roading. need a whole new TC for that.

 

you can use a 4.0 and the truck wouldnt know the difference.....and you could install a cdl for 75-250$ .

its a hard decision though...i dont know if i would have bought a land rover again when i think about it.....

unless its 1200$ i'd pass

 

Whats a cdl??

So a 4.0L drops in exactly? Do I need to change any of the computer components or anything?

He'll do 2000 canadian, which seems reasonable if some how I can get an engine installed for say 3000.

 

Yes the DII 4.0 is a direct drop in.
The CDL is center differential lock, that is what locks both the front and rear driveshafts together so they get equal amounts of power and increases traction in slippery and off road conditions.

 

the cdl is a diff lock for the transfer case which makes a big difference off road or on ICE or SNOW!!! its a big draw back on the 2002-2003 D2

if the truck lost its engine...i bet the maintenance was neglected and you also need to get the truck up to par with other discoverys on the road that are well kept enough to keep driving....thats stuff like rebuilding the driveshafts and changing fluids so you dont lose the transmission....are the three amegios on?...you wont know without the engine running...

unless you have receipts for all the recent maintenance ....you have to take the stance that this TRUCK WAS NOT cared for and will need more than just an engine to make it run like it should...

2000 can...is roughly 1920$ american...... NOT A DEAL IN MY BOOK....

get him to 1500-1750$ and i'd buy it......

then shop for an engine...and then after its running...prepare yourself for loss of time and money....these things are a money pit

 

you can say the same about a boat and a wife.. thats why i only chose one of the three.. my D2.

 

Thanks, well around here a running 2003 discovery is 9K

so 2K + 1500 for a discovery 2 4.0L = ~4500 installed maybe

I've been lurking around here for a couple years now, waiting to pounce on a good discovery. As I've said a couple years ago, it'd just be a winter/offroad hauler. I have an RX8 for the summer months. Both have finnicky engines :P