Land Rover 300 TDI Diesel Engine and R380 Manual Gearbox

Land Rover 300Tdi Diesel Engine and R380 Manual Gearbox for Sale

These two come as a pair, and they’re the setup that ran in Defenders, Discoverys and Range Rovers through the mid to late nineties. The 300Tdi is the four cylinder diesel that replaced the 200Tdi, and the R380 is the five speed manual that came bolted to it. If you’re doing a conversion or replacing a failed drivetrain, buying them together saves you hunting for a matching pair, and it saves you wondering whether the bellhousing and input shaft line up.

Why people want this pair. The 300Tdi has a good reputation. It’s simpler than the Td5 that replaced it, with no ECU, no injector harness fault and no electronics to go wrong. It’s a mechanical engine with a rotary pump, so it’ll run as long as it gets fuel and air. That makes it a popular choice for conversions into older vehicles, and a sensible replacement for a tired Td5 in a Defender. The R380 is a strong box, and because it came behind the 300Tdi from the factory, it bolts straight up without adapters.

The common failures. On the engine, the timing belt is the big one. If it’s not been changed on schedule and it snaps, the valves hit the pistons and the head is done. Ask when it was last done and get proof if you can. The other wear points are the injector pump, the lift pump and the turbo. The bottom end is tough. On the gearbox, fifth gear is the usual failure, and the input gear splines on the transfer box wear where they meet the gearbox output. Both are worth checking before you fit anything.

A few things to check before you buy:

• Confirm it’s a 300Tdi, not a 200Tdi or Td5. They look similar in photos and they’re not the same.

• Confirm the R380 matches. Bellhousing, input shaft and clutch setup have to suit your vehicle.

• Mileage and history. Ask what it came out of, and why.

• Whether it runs. A running engine you can hear and see is worth more than one on a pallet.

• Timing belt history. Ask when it was last changed.

• Turbo condition. Check for play in the shaft and oil in the housing.

• Gearbox condition. Ask about noise, fifth gear, and the transfer box input splines.

• What’s included. Injector pump, turbo, manifolds, clutch, flywheel. Ask what comes with it.

• Transfer box. Some sellers include it, some don’t. If it’s not there, budget for one.

One thing worth saying. If you’re buying this to replace a failed engine, find out what actually failed first. A lot of 300Tdi problems that look terminal are a lift pump, an injector pump or a head gasket. Those are cheap compared to a whole engine. Diagnose before you spend.

Fitting is a two person job. The pair is heavy, and dropping it back onto the mounts takes patience. Check the clutch and the rear main seal while it’s out, because you don’t want to pull it again for a cheap part.

You can buy this engine and gearbox from landrovergenuinepart.com. Order online, or email us first if you want to confirm fitment and get details before you purchase. We’d rather answer questions up front than have you send a drivetrain back later.

When you get in touch, tell us your model, year and current engine. Ask for photos and details of both. That’s usually enough for us to confirm whether they’ll work.

For availability, pricing and compatibility, contact us before ordering.

Website: landrovergenuinepart.com
Email: contact@landrovergenuinepart.com