I had the head of my 2.5 petrol 110 replaced with a Turner Engineering gas flowed head for a few extra horses. It made little difference. But worse, it was impossible to make the valve gear/camshaft/tappets run quietly. I was informed that all the bits have been disturbed' so this is what I should expect. I have been using the same guy who did the job for about 10 years and he knows what he's talking about believe me. I should have heeded his original advice not to do the job.

I now have a 300 tdi in the 110, but if I were looking for more power I would either avoid the harder parts of the desert - especially dunes - or definitely go for a VX80 Land Cruiser (non electronic if poss). There's plenty around for about 10-12k. Don't waste time trying to uprate small engines, you need a BIG capacity engine - there's no other way - ok. Other choices might be a Toyota Colorado, which do well though a bit flimsy, or Nissan Patrols in various incarnations.

I am not anti Land Rover - I own one - but unless the next LR has a sensible capapcity engine, I'll be buying a bigger motor Jap.

Andrew.

I can´t agree with Andrew´s last post - in my case I definitely found the extra power from an enlarged 300TDi intercooler both noticeable and useful.

In any case, unless you are very heavily loaded and/or you have inadequate tyres, there are very few expedition places where a 300TDi´s power in insufficient. Of course, it´s a different story if you intend to try and play in high dunes, but it´s just not done on expedition travel. No denying that more power makes life easier, but I´ve never heard of a well-driven, well-prepared Land Rover (or any other 4x4) being defeated for lack of power.

Don´t try to up the power of a 2.5 turbo by 50% - that´s unrealistic. But modest gains are easily possible, and for a relatively small outlay, especially if work needs to be done anyway.

My 2p worth...

Michael...
www.expeditionoverland.com

Incidentally, I must be fey. Just a few days after this thread´s discussion of intercooler leaks, my Allisport upgrade fatigued around a mounting bolt - quite a major leak. Why does it have to happen when I most need it? We are at 3000-4500m altitude!

Anyway, it just hissed a whole lot when the turbo was "on", and she was pretty sluggish. In the next town, we had it welded up - hope it´s better than Allisport´s welding! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif.

Back to "full" power now, though I am half-considering raising the boost a bit while we are at altitude.

I was a bit worried that it might suck (unfiltered) air through the hole when idling, but I tested with some soapy water, and it always appears to have some positive presure.

Btw, in the mountains a turbo diesel really shines - it´s much easier to compensate for the rare atmosphere.

M...
www.expeditionoverland.com