Has anyone put an Audi 4.2 into a D1

[Zarati]

The Audi V8 was available mated to both the 4HP and 5HP series of ZF tranny. With all the older Land Rover engines getting up there in miles, makes me wonder if an Audi V8 would bolt right in. The early versions didn't have imobilizers so thats not an issue. My biggest worry would be the Sump Pickup. They are not designed for high angle driving.

I've seen the LS swaps with the GM Auto Box and that seems like a sweet swap, but I don't think I'd spend that much money unless it was going into a Defender. And if I did that, then I'd really want a Diesel.

 

[JohnB]

Doubt it but anything is possible although that engine probably does not have the power band that a truck needs.
The bell housings do unbolt from the ZF's so you could mate the Audi bell housing to the Rover trans(in theory).

 

[4Runner]

I've thought about that too. The 4.2 Audi motor is as good as you could ask for. Would be cool as hell.

 

[squirt]

I used to be pretty heavy into Audis, and have done several V8 swaps into non-V8 vehicles. I'm not convinced that it will be easy to bolt Audi, BMW, or other engines from ZF-trans vehicles to the existing drivetrain. Each manufacturer is likely to have their own pattern based on engine config (starter location, oilpan shape, etc). Even if bellhousings can be swapped, you'll still have to deal with offsets and bolt patterns of torque converter, flex plate, etc. A manual trans would have the same issues with flywheel, clutch.

As you mentioned, the early V8's (prior to 2000) in North America had no Immobilizer, though I'm not sure you'd be getting the full benefit by using one of these engines. It will be just as difficult to fit as a newer engine, but just about as aged/worn as the one you're removing, and missing a lot of incremental improvements that were added later. Also consider that it's extremely unlikely to be an easy task getting the Audi ECU to communicate effectively with the Rover TCU. Unless, of course you're talking about using the existing Rover engine management on the Audi engine, which is a completely different challenge.

Regardless of your chosen path, if you choose to go down this route, your smoothest result will likely be standalone EFI setup. There are a couple of Audi-experienced companies that can get you set up with a plug-and play kit with good out-of-the-box tuning for the engine you're looking at.

 

[pinkytoe69]

Given that any remote start install can bypass it, is the immobiliser a big deal?

 

[squirt]

Given that any remote start install can bypass it, is the immobiliser a big deal?

This is often circumvented by relocating the pickup ring from the ignition and hiding a spare fob next to it under the dash. Less than an elegant solution, but it's something.