DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - The v10 defender

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > My Defender > The v10 defender

Page 1 of 1

Print this entire topic ·

T3DDY14

Member Since: 23 Jul 2020
Location: Kent
Posts: 48

1998 Defender 110 300 Tdi HT Alaska White

The v10 defender

Hi all, im not sure anyone has done one of these in a defender, i know a patrol swap and a corvette has been done but not a defender...

So a v10tdi in a defender, "you must be crazy" is what you're probably thinking and its what i think every day now as i deal with this daunting task.
But im not joking and this isnt a troll i really am putting a twin turbo v10 from a touareg into a defender...

There is a story on why this all started but its very long and you're probably wanting some photos or proof of this madness, so here you go :

The inital moving into the place of where this swap will happen:

Click image to enlarge

The delivery of the second engine:

Click image to enlarge

Pulling out the original engine:

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Pulling out the 300tdi:

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Test fitting the v10:

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Making the engine mounts:

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

The engine in its final positon:

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

And proof its held under its own weight:

Click image to enlarge

Now im a uni student so i only get to work in this in my free time and am open to suggestions and help, ive got a gearbox mount tacked and ready for final welding, and need to make custom props, im currently trying to find a solution for the handbrake, and intercoolers as i want to use a td5 radiator as these are fairly easy to mount. If tberes any advise it will be greatly appreciated and i will try to keep this thread updated on any progress!

Last edited by T3DDY14 on 14th Oct 2025 10:16pm. Edited 4 times in total

14th Oct 2025 9:43pm

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8473

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

Pics don't work for me Cheers

James
110 2010 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

14th Oct 2025 10:07pm

T3DDY14

Member Since: 23 Jul 2020
Location: Kent
Posts: 48

Cant seem to load for me either, no clue whats going on, removed the tags for now so the links still work

14th Oct 2025 10:08pm

Pickles

Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3802

2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green

Hello from Aussie, amazing work, I admire your courage in carrying out such a complex conversion. How did you acquire the necessary skills?
But, great work, updates will be appreciated.

14th Oct 2025 11:14pm

T3DDY14

Member Since: 23 Jul 2020
Location: Kent
Posts: 48

General tinkering on other cars, have replaced multiple engines on other cars including the tdv6 on a disco 3 with the body on, a mitsubishi legnum and a e39 540i estate

14th Oct 2025 11:35pm

Co1

Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3783

Watching this thread with interest. Good luck!!

15th Oct 2025 6:22am

Martin
Site Admin

Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6722

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

Images fixed for you

1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top

2015 D90 XS SW

15th Oct 2025 6:39am

Stacey007

Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3891

Hats off to you.

Would not know where to start, and your certainly right I have not heared of that ngine in a Defender,

How much torque will that have, I have another car with a 4.0d V8 and its 900lbs ft.... certainly moves

Keep up the pictures...

15th Oct 2025 9:01am

tommobot

Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Stratford Upon Avon
Posts: 44

Love it! Looks bloody excellent, though don't envy you with the wiring of the engine.

Presume your using an autobox, with the P do you 'need' a handbrake? - Potentially a small caliper on the rear axle for MOT purposes if it was an issue?

I was recently daydreaming about Audi RS6 V10 in a defender, with the main access in the original car being that the engine needs to be removed to do anything.

In the Defender, and as with this V10TDI, with the wings removed I would envisage superb access all around the engine

15th Oct 2025 10:15am

T3DDY14

Member Since: 23 Jul 2020
Location: Kent
Posts: 48

Martin wrote:
Images fixed for you

Thank you so much! What did i do wrong? Defender 110 300tdi hard top

15th Oct 2025 10:45am

T3DDY14

Member Since: 23 Jul 2020
Location: Kent
Posts: 48

To answer multiple questions:

Whats the power of this thing?

Supposedly 430bhp and 1020nm, this is what the prev owner had said as hes had it remapped with hybrid turbos on and so far with the work i can see on the engine i believe him

Access:
The entire idea behind it was in the touareg and phaeton its near impossible to do anything without removing the engine bjt now theres plenty of space even with the wings on, i have managed to chage the rear turbo actuator module in situ as i had snapped an arm while manovering the engine into place, something impossible to do on a touareg without droppig the engine.

Handbrake:
Im im two thoughts, either try and adapt the drum brake to the back of the touaregs transfercase or add a secons caliper to the rear axles dedicated as a handbrake (this is ontop of the original so there would be two calipers per rotor), to let me upgrade the brakes later on.

And as for the "p" instead of a handbrake im not sure on mot.purposes if just using the parking function would pass an mot as i would like to use this rig for towing/recovery and the occasional lane Defender 110 300tdi hard top

15th Oct 2025 11:01am

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8473

line lock for locking wheels? Cheers

James
110 2010 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

15th Oct 2025 11:31am

T3DDY14

Member Since: 23 Jul 2020
Location: Kent
Posts: 48

Im not quite sure on mots as i know they cant be hydraulic, if anyone knows if they are or not it would save alot of money and fabbing if i can use one Defender 110 300tdi hard top

15th Oct 2025 11:37am

Dinnu

Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3640

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black

Amazing project. With that power and torque, I hope you also budgeted for upgraded diffs and shafts.

As far as I know the parking / hand brake has to be independent from the service brake. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

15th Oct 2025 12:45pm

T3DDY14

Member Since: 23 Jul 2020
Location: Kent
Posts: 48

For the moment the standard axles are staying as i believe they are already salisbury ones and debating on getting ashcroft to upgrade them or go to patrol axles Defender 110 300tdi hard top

15th Oct 2025 12:49pm

Page 1 of 1

All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum