BigSi110

I have a similar approach to Landy-Novice in that my VNT'd 300Tdi 110 has a VW T3 intercooler mounted in front of a LR TD rad, so full-width in both cases and some clever pipework to help the intercooler fit... Old vs new... Works very, very well.

I have a VNT'd 300Tdi with a VW T5 intercooler and a Turner head and there's far more low-down torque (and better performance) and the top-end is much better as well. She runs far better than she ever did with the standard turbo (back then on an uprated standard-sized intercooler). Boost on the VNT is up a reasonable amount compared to the old unit, but safely limited and everything is monitored with a digital EGT gauge. I also run a TD radiator which is a bit larger than the standard 300Tdi unit. Brakes have been upgraded, too. It all helps. It's not been a cheap exercise getting to this point - a few trials and errors to get the setup absolutely bang-on - but she runs well... I think it just depends what you want. If your donk is bog-standard, then fit a larger intercooler and up the fuelling properly with an EGT gauge for starters. You don't need to go VNT at all if you're happy with what you have right now.

My Brunel-tweaked VNT'd 300Tdi drinks a bit more fuel than before the turbo fitment. Even driving like the aforementioned Miss Daisy (which is silly as the VNT is there to be used ), the economy is worse. This, I'm sure, is down to the pump tweak. The original already-tweaked pump was underfuelling the VNT at high load and revs, so was advanced a smidge to stop the thing sounding like it had hit the rev limiter. I reckon a bit more fettling could see the economy improve yet still manage the fuelling requirements. But Brunel did the tweaks and I'd only make it worse. For info, I get 25mpg. Running hard, she'll drink like Olly Reed. But what do you expect with an extra 0.5bar boost and a shed-load more torque? Immense fun!!!! The LPG option on a diesel is something that has always intrigued me, but the horror stories are offputting. It's used a lot on Landcruisers in Oz to very good effect, but can also be a royal PITA when not installed properly. A friend of mine over there took his LPG system out and left it for the dustmen to collect, such was his feelings towards it. But it never wrecked his engine and simply wasn't set up correctly. Would he listen?! Twit. If I had the money, I'd fit a decent one to my 110 and get it properly set up. Then cross my fingers. Leaving the 4.6 in and doing a decent LPG job is a good suggestion. I found my old 3.9 V8 Discovery ran extremely well on a quality LPG kit in Australia with hardly any power loss and still that gorgeous V8 burble that a diesel just cannot match.

I've just returned from a year's work assignment in WA. I went single status, so wife and son stayed back in the UK and I came home every 8 weeks for a 2 week break. With 12 hour days, 6 days a week, it left little time for much else other than work. I brought wife, son and bun-in-oven across for 2 weeks last July for a holiday and to see what they thought of Australia. Have to admit they loved it and are keen for a temporary move there in a few years, assuming the right job comes along. Thoughts? Much as above. Very relaxed place with good elements from both the US and the UK. The freedom and open space coupled with the friendliness of people over there. Don't think I was ever cold in 12 months (apart from coming home) and got used to the heat and the sun and the way of life. The UK is desperately overcrowded by comparison. But the UK rarely gets cyclones and tropical storms, which I had in abundance December to March. One a week in February. But that frequency usually occurs once in a generation as typified by the Queensland floods during the same time. For my work, wages are higher there, but then they don't have free healthcare and taxes seem to be higher. Worth it, though. We loved the social culture there. it's so much better than the UK, in my experience. We didn't venture out of WA and didn't see any need to. Perth is lovely as is the north-west coastline (mostly...). I did my stint on a 457 visa which work paid for, plus all my travel and moving costs there and back. The 457 gets you 4 years work allowance, but can be problematic getting things such as a bank loan. Thoroughly recommend it! Do your homework first but also be aware that it's not all sweetness and light. Go into it with your eyes open and enjoy your new life.

Their automatic renewal worked out quite nicely for us. Admittedly, our situation isn't exactly normal, but here goes... Wifey and LittleSi were due to head out to Australia to meet me for a holiday and, last minute, I asked if both UK LR's insurance had been renewed. As you do. Naturally, this sent wifey into a fit of hysteria with worry and me into some form of concern, but all was well as 'Flux just rolled the policies over without fuss. Even a mild discount as the 110's not doing anywhere near the mileage she once was. Now, other insurance companies tend not to do this and it would have caused pandemonium at home with lapsed insurance at a critical time. Nice one, AF!

There's another old-school chap by the name of Barry Redman who is based near Winnersh. He did a few things on my 110 - mainly MOT's and a few minor repairs - when I was living permanently in the UK. The great thing about Barry was that he was able to collect my 110 from work and bring it back again when the job was done, and was very decent with what he charged. Can provide details if needed. Let me know, although I suspect he's a little too far east for your needs?

Sorry to hear that, Les. My condolences.

Sorry to temporarily resurrect an old thread here, but I have a JVC DAB head unit in my 110 and it's been there for over a year now. Like many of you, I got converted to DAB through Planet Rock and the DAB sets we have at home. Much better and clearer than FM by some way. And as PR is only available through DAB, it was the way to go. I then decided to buy a head unit from the DABonWheels chap and haven't regretted it. There's a clear message in that reception is largely dependant on aerial quality, so I went for a seperate DAB aerial in front of my standard FM one. Never needed FM since... Absolutely no problems. Drove from Berkshire to Derbyshire last year, here there and everywhere and only about 2 minutes of nothingness in the entire trip. West country again presented no problems. A few dips here and there but nothing of any consequence. PR just kept on playing. East of England and once again, no problems at all. Would I buy another? Hell, yes! The only limiting factor to my enjoyment of DAB is working in Australia.

No idea. Brunel did the fitting. Turbo came from Allard. Not the best kit in the world as a few of the fittings needed to be changed and modified to suit, but Brunel knew what needed to be done so that wasn't a surprise. The end result is excellent, in my view. Couldn't get a reply from IRB so no notes to compare on that front. Not knocking anyone as I know they're busy. But Jon Norman at Brunel really knows his stuff and did an excellent job of the VNT kit install and setup. I added a heavy-duty radiator to the job from Motor and Diesel which has an extra litre capacity, just as a precaution. Jon fitted that at the same time. Motor & Diesel also do VNT kits and they recommend a heavy duty rad when doing a VNT job anyway. My original needed replaced so the timing was good. Needed a slight tweak to my coolant alarm to get that functioning properly as the rad top cap is a slightly different size to the original. Haydn Coolant Alarms supplied a top hose insert for that.

I've just had a VNT fitted to my 300Tdi 110 by Brunel and can really vouch that you have one fitted.

Agreed. My parents owned a truck-stop in the late 70's and I clearly remember seeing them on large artics back then.

Believe me, round here in NW Oz, a trip to the supermarket could very well require the protection of an ARB bumper. In the UK, it's just errant pedestrians not looking where they're going. I do agree it's fugly, though. There's loads of manufacturers of this type of product, so you'd have thought ARB would try to make it look attractive.

Glycol intercoolers are becoming an option over here in Oz from many tuning firms. I haven't seen a UK company doing them for LR's, and it's doubtful you'd ever use one because of that, but still something to think about. I'd imagine the clogging problem wouldn't be as much of an issue with glycol?

A recent 4x4 magazine here in Oz did a massive tyre test, part of which focused on each tyre's ability to cope with sand. The conclusion was that an AT tyre is far more suited to sand than anything else. Which you go for is constrained by your budget and what other factors you're looking for, such as on-road behaviour, noise, wear, ability in mud etc. Let me know if you want their recommendations.

Damn!! I'm only a 5 hour flight away and I mssed it / didn't know it was on / was working. Have to admit, I've seen loads of D3's where I now 'live' in Karratha and they all have those bumpers on them. And I think they look rather good.