I was going to swap my D2 with a BRM tdi, and gave up - you will kill all your electronic controls to a point that windows won't open. It's all insanely interconnected and once one of these computers is out (especially ecu) all the other ones go to crap. Basically, you would need to gut all your electronics and convert your D2 to all analog - kind of what happens when people put in a Cummins motor.

 

The D2 definitely can be swapped with a VW TDI and keep all the electronics working. It works the same way as the LS swap. There are differences in the engine electronics side, but the fundamentals overall are very similar.

It is true that all the computers are interconnected, and without them (especially the BCU) lots of issues (like windows / door locks) arise. The better solution is not to remove the factory computers - its to keep them in place and give them the electrical signals needed to run. That is how the LS swap works.

There is no need to convert the truck to analog. It would take more effort to do that than to feed the correct signals to the Rover computers.

 

I understand, but it's much easier if you are swapping v8 for v8. Honestly, I have my BRM fully rebuilt and was going to plop it in my old Ford Ranger (no fancy electronics there), but if you can figure out the electronic part... I'll be really stoked to drop it in the D2. Keep us posted.

 

Actually in terms of electrics, it really doesn’t matter whether its a 4-cylinder, V6, or V8. The basic idea remains the same. The computers don’t care what engine is in there as long as they see what they want.

Bigger issue in my mind with the VW TDI was converting an engine designed for a transverse platform to be used in a longitudinal setup.

I looked at this TDI swap a bit more a while back. Feel free to send me a PM.

 

Judging by the number of TDIs swapped into Jeeps, Defenders, and such, it doesn't seem to be an issue whether it's transverse or not (i think even vw had it installed both ways). I don't have much experience with car electronics, can buses, and other stuff of this sort so I would need to rely on someone else coming up with a solution, and it just doesn't seem to be one for D2 at this moment - at least one that doesn't involve going analog.

 

Just to set the record straight the BHW is a 2.0 motor found in the 2004/2005 passat. It is already a longitudinally placed motor i.e. set up like a rwd vehicle. Keep in mind the b5.5 passats came in an awd aka 4motion option although we didn't get a diesel b5.5 manual 5 or 6 speed in the states or a diesel 4 motion.

They did in Europe.

The bhw is only found in North America. It pushes a 3500 or so lbs wagon with about 2k towing capacity. My sedan towed a Catalina 22 fixed keel like it wasn't there.

With nothing but a stage 2 tune she makes a reliable 175 hp and 300 ft lbs of torque with zero supporting mods.

I bet she'll out run many tired 4.0 discos with the exact same bumpers/lift and tires. She's happy cruising at 2200 rpms or 3000 rpms so she's peppy compared to a 4bt with a much more forgiving on road performance torque curve.

She weighs about 450 lbs fully dressed. Other than a balance shaft that is easily deleted and cam wear from improper oil she has got om617 reliability.

She won't make a corvette out of a rover but it's not supposed to be fast.

The bhw is the best stock turbo and manifold set up to use in a rwd/4wd swap as it has plenty of started clearance on the AMERICAN passanger side. The alh and such found in the jetta/bug fwd cars sits too low.

A very low profile alh hybrid oil pan can be had for 80 usd plus a lower profile 20 dollar oil pick up. You may still need a 2 inch lift to help clear. The oil pan is like a girdle support so don't use an all steel pan.

I would also like details in how to make the bcm and ecu think the 4.0 lump is still in the car.

I awant to keep the zf slush box in the disco but I don't care about the abs, I'll drop in a CDL to use the 4wd in the rare 2 days of snow and ice we get in the south a year or the occasional trail ride.

I think compushift also makes a 22 controller


I've been searching hard for a disco 2 tdi adapter. I heard roving beetle was making one but he has not returned my pm on the defender forum


my next choice is a fully mechanical om602 turbo. Doomsday diesel is making the adapters that make the om617 or om60x engines look like the back of a 4.0 rover motor for 5 speed or slush box applications.

I just need all the info so all the bells and whistles work together before I rip out the motor to drop in the diesel.


also I forgot, the bhw pd motor wants 5psi. So put in a low pressure pumo to replace the in tank pump or install a T into the feed line that routes the excess fuel back to the fuel tank. Then the pd pump just pulls off what it needs and the 40 so psi returns from where it came. This is how guys have installed the bhw motor into formerly gasser 4 motion passats.

hope this corrects some fake news given on a tdi motor only found in North America for 2 years. Parts availability is good as they are plentiful and many common parts interchange with other more popular tdi motors.