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Defender 530D conversion

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 11:10 pm
by Johannes
So , working nightshift this week , brought up a few interesting topics ! One person who works for same company as i do , does Lexus conversions , for all sorts of cars and bakkies . He asked me if i did not want to do my V8 Defender :shock: That is , put a Lexus in there :o I kindly declined . I said that i would rather like a 6BT cummins in there :D :D
He then asked my reasons and after long discussions , he asked , what about a BMW 530d ?? He has a 530d lying around ;)

My question is , is this even a viable option ?? Conversions start out cheap , and end up biting you ! I know of a Defender 90 that has a 330d in ! But the costs were high to do this ! Havent even thought about this properly ! Just thought i would put the question out there . Maybe some one knows a bit more ??

Re: Defender 530D conversion

Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2018 6:36 am
by KurtG
Isn’t the 3.0D engine in all BMW products the same engine?

But it would certainly make the Defender a very unique and interesting vehicle, why don’t you do it?

Re: Defender 530D conversion

Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2018 6:45 am
by icemanza
The 530D and 330D engines are the same in each model line. But there are differences between generations. I would love a defender with the BMW diesel motor.

Re: Defender 530D conversion

Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2018 9:07 pm
by Johannes
KurtG wrote:
Sat Sep 08, 2018 6:36 am
Isn’t the 3.0D engine in all BMW products the same engine?

But it would certainly make the Defender a very unique and interesting vehicle, why don’t you do it?
Seems they are the same Kurt ?? I personally do not know much about BMW ;) Still trying to get more info !

Re: Defender 530D conversion

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 8:28 am
by Jeanvn
I am rather scared of conversions.

If you can get everything to work properly a 3.0D in a Defender should be awesome.

Do you know what year model and kms the donor engine has?

Are you going to put the bmw gearbox in as well?

I would also go talk to the owners of his previous conversions to check if everything went smoothly.


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Re: Defender 530D conversion

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 8:54 am
by Jeanvn
Image

It will be a beast of a Defender though Image
But next question would be if diffs etc can handle 500nm.


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Re: Defender 530D conversion

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 10:29 am
by XJ Junkie
Just to get the electronics to work will cost a small fortune. It’s best to stick with proven & tested conversions where somebody else has paid all the school fees, but certainly not a Lexus.

There’s conversions now where for little money where they are getting 130 kw & well over 500 Nm out of TD5 motors, reliably.

Re: Defender 530D conversion

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 1:14 pm
by Apocalypse
Well, the upside of the bmw motor is that Land Rover make a bell housing to fit...

I’m not a huge fan of the bmw 3.0 diesel, it’s fantastic new but develops problems in its old age . Mate of mine had the inlet manifold blow up , which is common apparently .... and as it then inhales bits , it’s valves and pistons... few other problems too.

But, I can’t see it being an issue with electronics , especially if it’s not a puma. If it is a puma then I can’t see why you’d fit anything else.

If you are gagging for a bigger engine in a defender , Hein has done several with the LS7 motors ... proper horsepower, real beasts !

Re: Defender 530D conversion

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 6:36 pm
by Johannes
Thanks Jean , XJ , Apoc . These are the thing i need to look at . Seriously !! This is not a rush job or a "need to do " job . It was a suggestion and a offer , so i got plenty time to get the info

Re: Defender 530D conversion

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 7:38 pm
by XJ Junkie
Apocalypse wrote:
But, I can’t see it being an issue with electronics , especially if it’s not a puma. If it is a puma then I can’t see why you’d fit anything else.
Ja, I’m sure it just plugs right it.

Re: Defender 530D conversion

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 8:15 pm
by Johannes
Ja, I’m sure it just plugs right it.
[/quote]

Not that simple ! But not a train smash !

Re: Defender 530D conversion

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 2:06 pm
by Haggy4x4Bedinges
Its a very expensive engine

But very powerfull a defender will cruise like a beast

I know how my wifes X3 3.0d ran

It would be awesome in a defender

Just put savings away for services and turbos

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