Well, I brought home a 2000 discovery today. I'm in research mode now trying to find out how all the wild electronics talk to each other in this thing so I can figure out how to make this stuff all work when I put my cummins engine in here. I still can't completely get away from the idea of trying to use the factory tranny. Does anyone know where to find out what sensors the computer is watching to determine shift points, and what the stall speed of the torque converter is? I'm also wondering how commected the processors for the engine, tranny, ABS, etc are. Arethey all using the same box or indevidual computers? If all these functions are coming from the same source I'm trying to figure out if not having an engine to watch will freak out the computer and shut down the other functions. If anyone can tell me where to find a technical description of what the signals and outputs from the various sensors found in the drivetrain look like I can figure out how to fool the computer into getting on with life anyhow.

 

It won't happen. If the main ECU doesn't get a signal from engine, it won't send a message to the trannies ECU for shifting directions.
What sort of brake horse power are you looking at?

 

the whole diesel swap sounds awesome... but once you actually get down to it i personally feel like it is an extreme amount of work, possibly not worth the effort... but you should do it if you really want to and feel you have the needed skills... it would be quite awesome...

 

I'm shooting for about 160-200HP, that is just loafing for a 4bt engine, but I'm trying to make a disco I can afford to drive nota hot rod. What I was trying to figure out is how many imputs the computer is looking for to make the tranny work. Some are easy to fake out. For instance I'm sure it wants a TPS signal, that is a cake walk, just steal the existing TPS off the 4.0L rover motor and mount it on my engine. But that all ignores the fact that unless I can get a torque converter with about a 1800 rpm stall speed or less my diesel will pitch a fit. The cummins engine is governed to a max of 2700 rpm with peak torque at about 1600 rpm. So my guess is the attempt at keeping the stock tranny is an exercise in futility. I just liked the cool features it has like the manual shift option.
On another topic, I hadn' t realized until I got the disco today that they used that off set rear differential setup. Now I am thinking I better try pretty seriously to keep the LT230, if I try to stick my new process 205 in there it will create some wierd drive line angles. The only thing that worries me is that 1.2 high range, with my diesel engine I don't see myself spending much time in the passing lane with those kind of gears.

 

Well in your previousthread I had mentioned that both diffs were off set and that the Dodge tranny and t-case that you wanted to use would not work.
How many MPG are you looking at with the diesel?
With the gas you will get 14mpg in town and 18+ expressway.

 

I'm very new to the whole land rover game so your advice on the T case went in one ear and out the other, sorry. I will just have to adaptthe LT230 to my dodge tranny if I go that route.
Now about the mileage thing, I'd heard 12 mile to the gallon horror stories, not my idea of fun. As for the diesel, this type of set up should get 17-20mpg in town and 24ish on the highway, the only thing I'm not sure about is what that goofy underdrive on the LT230 high range will do to it.

 

You said you already have the engine, so how much is this convertion going to cost you do you think?

 

have you looked into converting to a rover 300tdi engine. You have to swap the tranny as well but at least it is all rover parts, and your mpg will be a lot higher than 20-25.

here is a website detailing the entire swap.

http://www.britrest.com/Projects/Disco_engine_swap.htm

I emailed this guy and here was his response to my inquiries.

You didn't say if it was 5 speed or auto, but the kits for autos are quite
expensive as they are hard to find - you have to swap out the V8 auto box
for the 300 Tdi type - gearing is different
If it is 5 speed you still have to swap out the transmission for a 300 Tdi
type but the kits for those start at $6,000 depending on miles on the kit -
if you want a re con full engine please add $3500
Kits include all hoses and pipes you need (inc. LHD hoses for the steering),
radiator and intercooler, exhaust (as taken off donor vehicle - new
available for small difference)engine mounts as well as engine,
transmission, transfer case and gearbox mounts
Mike

 

My best wild guess is about $1500 to $2000. That is mostly to freshen up the dodge tranny and drop a set of rings and bearings in the engine.

 

I'm trying to be realistic in my mileage calculations, most guys want to take the best mileage they ever got rolling down hill with a tail wind and claim that is their average. But besides that I'm dead certain the tdi engine is no where near the machine a cummins B series is, I don't know much about the tdi's but I would bet they aren't doing 500k between rebuilds.