Thought experiment - using an HDi engine in another vehicle

[Paul-R]

Bear with me on this.

Our 2001 Xsara is just about nearing its end of life. I've managed to keep it going far beyond what would normally be a good innings (I just checked on the government's MOT status service and the sister car - also an ex-photocopier engineer's runabout - hasn't been taxed or MOTd since 2013) so I'm reluctantly coming to the conclusion that it's not going to get past another MOT in November.

It's been a great little car. Now some 260,000 miles on the clock the mechanicals, body and upholstery are showing their age. There's a droning noise that sounds like a wheel bearing but I haven't been able to identify which and I'm not about to replace stuff willy-nilly to sort it out. If it's a rear one that means a complete hub of course so no chance.

Anyway, what I'm think of is using it in a another car. Only the car I have in mind is an MGB. Which of course is missing all the electrics that normally go with the engine. So, the question is, what would I have to take with the engine in order keep it running? There would be a number of items that the engine ECU would want to "see". Not all are essential to keep it running and so could be turned off in the ECU presumably. What should I be thinking of? I would guess that the BSI would have to be transplanted as well - or am I wrong? So, the BSI wold have to have a bunch of stuff turned off as well.

The mechanics of the transfer are not a major consideration for me. In my youth I mated an Alfa-Romeo 1300 Guilietta Twin Cam engine to a Getrag 5-speed gearbox (dog-leg first gear) and fitted the whole lot into a Vauxhall Chevette. I'm sure that careful consideration of clutches, bell housings and adaptor plates could get round the problem of the MGB gearbox.

Even if I never get round to doing it I think I'd still like to know.

The floor is yours...

[GiveMeABreak]

Dream On Paul ... or should I say Float on

[Paul-R]

You have no imagination!

[GiveMeABreak]

Couldn't resist!

[BenC5HDi]

Anyway, what I'm think of is using it in a another car. Only the car I have in mind is an MGB. Which of course is missing all the electrics that normally go with the engine. So, the question is, what would I have to take with the engine in order keep it running? There would be a number of items that the engine ECU would want to "see". Not all are essential to keep it running and so could be turned off in the ECU presumably. What should I be thinking of? I would guess that the BSI would have to be transplanted as well - or am I wrong? So, the BSI wold have to have a bunch of stuff turned off as well.

Fuel tank, fuel system. An MGB with all that torque would be a fantastic thing

I believe it would need the BSI, and the associated loom and wiring. It should be possible if you're patient enough to do the electrics.

[Peter.N.]

..and of course you have to fabricate some mountings to put the engine the 'right way round' and engineer it to fit your existing gearbox, don't know of any RWD application of the Hdi but it would be very useful if there was.

I did a fair number of diesel conversions in years past but they RWD engines/gearboxes in RWD cars. an interesting project, would like to know how you get on with it.

Peter

[BenC5HDi]

I'm pretty sure Suzuki used the 2.0HDi in the Grand Vitara in the early 00s, and mounted it north-south, so it might be worth looking for bits from one of those in a breaker's yard as it will have all the manifolds and possibly the mountings can be used too.

[Paul-R]

I'm pretty sure Suzuki used the 2.0HDi in the Grand Vitara in the early 00s, and mounted it north-south, so it might be worth looking for bits from one of those in a breaker's yard as it will have all the manifolds and possibly the mountings can be used too.

That's right, I remember now. When I used to mod on the old Diesel Car forum one of the other chaps there had a Vitara. I didn't realise it was a NS mounting until now though.

I'm just running it all through my mind at the moment though. It will have to wait until I retire at the very least.

Incidentally, my original intention was to use the Perrkins Prima engine out of my old Montego turbodiesel but the bloke that bought the car off me never returned the engine to me as he had promised to. Shame, that was a nice engine although a bit noisy.

[Peter.N.]

The later one's with two stage injection were quieter, probably not many about now though, very good engine though.

Peter

[JohnD]

Fifty years ago I replaced my 1200 with a 1500cc engine in my Cortina and nobody could care less, but in this day and age with emission tax banding on different engines, how does DVLA/VOSA view engine transplants? Will they still approve it and amend the V5

[Paul-R]

Good question and one to which I have real answer. Except that, in this case, the MGB would be a 1970 model and pre almost anything to do with emissions. In fact, arguably, the Xsara engine (Euro 2?) could be said to be less polluting than the original engine.

[Peter.N.]

I don't think its a question of pollution - more of bureaucracy.

Peter

[BenC5HDi]

As the car is a 1970 model, you should be ok. Just send off the form with the engine size (ENSURE YOU GET THIS EXACTLY CORRECT to the CC), engine number and fuel type change to heavy oil, and it should be fine.

[Paul-R]

That's waaaaaaay in the future! I need some more info under my belt first.

[Xantianut]

Ay up!

My tuppenceworth!

I wonder, Ford also use some Pug HDi engines so would a Ford diesel bell housing fit one,of their ubiquitous 5 speed gearboxes from a Sierra? You'd need a one off prop shaft making up to couple the two up but there is an aftermarket kit for the MGB to do just this.