2.3Eco in a Disco

[Av8or1]

So I daily drive a 2019 Ranger - the first one my dealership sold and I love this truck. I've done many overlanding and engine mods, but still have kept it reasonable as a daily driver. An opportunity has come up to grab a 1997 Disco 1 from a buddy sans engine and transmission, and I can build this thing into a dedicated overlander/4 wheeler and not DD it. Since I love my ranger drivetrain so much I think I'm going to buy a crate 2.3L Ecoboost to drop into the land rover. The power output exceeds the original V8, weight is similar and packaging should be fairly easy, and far easier than most LS swaps people do. I have the added bonus of if I have any questions I can reference my ranger's driveline.

The big question I have is regarding transmission. I'm going to do a manual transmission, but there aren't that many adapters to the Land Rover's bullet proof LT230. I could adapt the 2.3L ecoboost to the Jeep AX15 transmission and adapt that to the transfer case but then I'm looking at ~150lbs of just adapters.

I have found a 6R80 adapter to the LT230 - but are there any bolt-up transmissions to the 2.3L Ecoboost that share the output bolt pattern to a 6R80? Any thoughts on using the MTI550 out of a modern Bronco? Or go old school with a M5R2?

Or ditch the 2.3 idea and do a Cummins R2.8?

Pic of the soon-to-be mine Disco 1 for attention.

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[TORQUERULES]

The R2.8 swap is pretty well known in these and kind of suits the Discovery and its intent.

 

[Av8or1]

The R2.8 swap is pretty well known in these and kind of suits the Discovery and its intent.

For sure and that was my first thought... but looking into it further the R2.8 will be 200 lbs heavier and cost about $4k more - even if using the Ford control module. I also have a 2.3L at home to reference if I run into any issues, and frankly I really like this engine in my Ranger.

 

[TORQUERULES]

For sure and that was my first thought... but looking into it further the R2.8 will be 200 lbs heavier and cost about $4k more - even if using the Ford control module. I also have a 2.3L at home to reference if I run into any issues, and frankly I really like this engine in my Ranger.

I like the 2.3 Ecoboost too. Great engine with great potential. Just stay away from the 10R80!!!!

 

[Av8or1]

I like the 2.3 Ecoboost too. Great engine with great potential. Just stay away from the 10R80!!!!

Manual for this build for sure!

 

[Glocker]

Instead of buying an expensive crate motor, I'd look at a Copart 2.3Ecobost Mustang, maybe?

 

[Jason B]

How to you handle the ECU/PCU when installing such an engine?

 

[OrangeStreak]

How to you handle the ECU/PCU when installing such an engine?

With a 10mm wrench...

 

[Av8or1]

How to you handle the ECU/PCU when installing such an engine?

Ford sells a standalone harness/kit exclusively for doing engine swaps with their 2.3L Ecoboost (well, all of their crate engines). It's a pretty common swap in the mustang and legacy Ranger world as I've recently learned.

I've done a crapton of research in the last few days, and I bought the adapter to go from a 10R80 to the LT230 transfer case of the Disco. Luckily the Bronco transmission MT88 is the same spline and output bolt pattern as the 10R80 so this will work great. It may be tricky actually sourcing a MT88 but I imagine as more bronco's get built, then crashed there will be more and more available. Disappointingly, Ford Performance was no help (so far) in answering questions about this build.

For the engine itself I'm torn about doing a Ford crate engine vs. a copart Ranger or Mustang ecoboost. I *know* i can get the crate engine to work, but don't know what issues I might run into with a PCM from a wrecked car.

It'll be nice to do an offroad build where many of the parts are still on the production line... When trying to find avenues to build the Disco out I just ran into dead end after dead end of older parts that are no longer supported or are unobtanium.

 

[Av8or1]

Tomorrow the 500 mile trip home begins. Today we wrapped up pulling the engine and transmission. I have the LT230 tcase in the back of my ranger as well as the driveshafts.

 

[9zero1790]

thats an interesting possibility. The reliability of a ford engine off the shelf mixed with the ability of the rover and inside room... I dont have any info on the matter but i bet a transmission to mate up would likely be a custom fab up situation. Ford and range rover did have a partnership for a hot minute or three but i dont think much or any of it made it to trucks or suvs. Ive heard a whisper or three that the ranger and bronco goat modes and trail control were courtesy of range rover... no proof of it. maybe something like the tremecs??? i know they have stuff that will fit many fords off the shelf, maybe the getrags could be worth a go. keep us updated this sounds like a fun project.

 

[Av8or1]

Aaand it's in its home for hopefully not too long. Now the fun begins.

Also the Ranger kicks butt towing! It had no problem for 500 miles, the only issue was above 70mph the rover would walk around behind me so I had to limit the speed to 65 all the way home.

 

[Grumpaw]

Aaand it's in its home for hopefully not too long. Now the fun begins.

That your plane ???
Any problems with parts n pieces falling off while your flyin ???

 

[Av8or1]

That your plane ???
Any problems with parts n pieces falling off while your flyin ???

Yup!
Nope, it's a Cessna, not a Boeing

 

[Av8or1]

Quick update: My Wallet hates me.

I have everything deleted that I want out. Sway bars are gone, charcoal canister is gone, transmission cooler and lines are gone, extra wiring the previous owner did is gone, the remaining engine mount is gone. It's time to start improving things now that I have a blank canvas.

So on order is:

• Full Ashcroft HD axle shafts front/rear with Ashcroft air lockers, new wheel bearings and seals, and Heavy duty 4.12 Ring/pinion front/rear
• Brake pads & Rotors, 50mm brake line extension
• ARB 40mm heavy load lift coil springs front/rear + 1" spring spacer front/rear
• Terrafirma shock tower
• Fox Shocks 2.0 remote reservoir long-travel shocks front/rear
• Terrafirma heavy duty steering arms/track bar
• Terrafirma steering damper relocation kit + new damper
• Fender flares + Snorkel
• Terrafirma cranked radius arms front/rear + all new bushings

Once my 10R80 to LT230 adapter arrives, I'll purchase the transmission + engine... but I've got plenty of work ahead as boxes upon boxes get delivered.

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