best diesel?

hi all i will be looking to get an a series swb diesel in the next few months and was wondering whats the best diesel engine to go for? 2.5 or 2.8?
thanks in advance
mark

2.8-3.1 are really good, they just sound like a tractor :lol:

2.8 fella!!!!!!

2.2DTI If you want a more modern truck! :thumbup:

The 2.2DTi is a great bit of kit I miss mine. We have a 2.8 SWB for mud plugging, it is great for that but no where near as civilised! That said on AT's like for like the 2.8 couldn't go anywhere the 2.2 couldn't.

In summary, each to there own

Oh and the DTi is quicker and better on fuel....

2.5 is the old VM boat engine 4 separate heads and a pain in the ars but the 2.8 is bullet proof but it does sound like a tractor :lol:

that said I wouldn't get rid of mine

Last edited by RatCav on Thu Jul 31, 2014 2:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Hey guys ... the OP is after an A series

This means the only options are:

2.3, 2.5, and 2.8

2.3
Old old school. She is an old engine and lacking in the horses. Fitted to the Carlton and resurrected by GM for the LWB A series only. While you will never get speeding ticket they are great off road and will pull anything. I have had two of them so far and to be honest they are a simple chain driven engine that will just plod along.

2.5
Italian VM engine. She has power and when running does a good job. However that comes at a price .. literally. Very temperamental. Often plagued by lots of niggly issues that can cause it to go into limp mode. Parts aren't as readily available as the other two. Also the only one of the three to have an ECU

2.8
Isuzu at its finest. The best of the bunch in my opinion. Simple, powerful, and reliable. I have this engine in my Trooper. Its an old design but with TLC can last you years and still keep up with more modern engines. As an example I am running with 31" tyres and combined 6" of lift. My old Trooper is breeze block aerodynamics and I still return 38mpg on a run. Con's are that they are the desirable engine so finding a good one as cheap as the others is difficult, and they only did a limited number of them before moving to the 2.5.

Got a 2.8 shorty running 33inch mud tyres (285/75R16) with 4inches of combined lift to get the tyres in. had it now nearly 6 years and am still loving it. Where the engine is concerned all I've ever done is serviced it and fitted a water pump to it 5 years ago. it has a better power to weight ratio that a 300tdi Disco/Rangerover and goes everywhere they can go and then some.

Would only consider selling it if I could get/find a G wagen shorty with the 312 sprinter engine and box installed and that is unlikely.

Regards

Stuart

thanks everyone

looks like i will be looking for a 2.8 then. also considering a b series 2.2 diesel auto as a daily for the mrs and kids