Hello everyone, Im doing an engine swap in my 1999 D2, i'm going to be using a 1998 mechanical VW TDI engine with an AX15 transmission(I had both engine and transmission already and love the VW TDI platform). I have everything pretty much ready to go in and i'm curious on what parts of the engine harness I should keep in the D2 and which parts of the harness I don't need. I plan on keeping HVAC and figuring out wiring with the VW compressor. Does anyone know if there is a way to make the crank sensor work with the TDI engine so that the cluster will read correctly, or is it just worth buying a "holly" or other brand custom gauge cluster and wiring that into the fuel tank sensor, speed, etc. I will not be having ABS, HDC, or TC unless there is a way to make that all work without the factory engine and transmission.

How does the ABS, HDC, and TC work? Does it need the engine and transmission to be hooked up or is there a way to fool the computer to work with an engine swap?
What parts off of the engine harness should I keep in the vehicle?
Is there a way to make the tachometer to work with a different engine? What does the tachometer run off of, Crank, Cam, or Alternator?

Thanks for the help, Paul

P.S. I know this is a lot but any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

You think it's a lot now...!

Sounds like an interesting swap but my guess is that you'll be charting new territory here. You may want to ask the guys in the ACE Engineering swap thread how to deal with the cluster. From what I have gleaned, LR does not make this easy.

Good luck, I'll be following this build with interest.

 

@PJWinnie Be interested to see if you get done:

• traction control is Slabs Computer and wheel sensors
• HDC is Slabs and Engine
• ABS is just brakes, but it is tied in to the computers for HDC and TC

As to all the instrument cluster stuff that is mostly ECM /Transmission computer I believe, How do you plan on mating up the transfer case?

Most of these swaps fail, simply because is is very difficult to swap components out in a modern "computerized system"
Have you consider just going with a TD5, ECM, Transmission controller and engine harness out of Spain or England? It is the engine used over there,so relatively simple to add to D2 even with an automatic and Ashcroft in the UK can advice on any changes

 

Paul I am useless in this endeavor.

But....

Bravo for this swap (attempt?). Not an LS. Reduce weight, reduce HP, but similar torque depending on actual TDI engine and tune. If you succeed this should be a very solid trail rig that goes for days on a gallon of fuel.

 

There is a company called RW Performance INC. They have quite a few different adapters for the LT230. So i'm assuming without HDC the ABS and TC will not work, I guess I will have to get lockers now, oh darn🤪🤗
Thanks for the help.

 

If you get with fast-forward automotive you can get some of the components to make the TDI ECU run the Rover gauge cluster.

The VW ECU needs to see a vss signal if you want cruise control, an aftermarket vss can be added. My vss reads the 4 drive shaft flange nuts.

The tach to vss, tachtronic and can2bus boxes from fast forward can help with much of the swap.

You can keep the Rover high pressure fuel pump if you make a fuel return TEE before your TDI fuel inlet.



Dakota can also help with some interfacing issues although fast-forward specializes in VW.


As for emulating the crank sensor if you can figure out how many teeth it reads one could possibly add a ring with proper tooth count to the crank pulley and make a bracket to put the cps where it will give the proper reading. I did a similar mod to make a factory fj60 tach work on an Isuzu 4bd1t with a Ford explorer abs sensor.


I'm running the BHW engine with an r150f in my 87 4runner. I'm a good 1000 lbs less than the disco 2. The BHW with a stage 2 tune and no other mods makes more power than any of the other USA released pd or ve 4 bangers unless you add some $$mods to them. I'm running 2.5 inch mandrel exhaust with no muffler.

If I keep a heavy (not even fill throttle) my egts can spike to 1200 pretty quickly when merging on the freeway.

I have 4.30 gears and 32" tires.

With the heavier disco you'll want to watch the egts with extended throttle. I'm assuming a larger turbo would help keep the egt down at the expense of acceleration on the low end.



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