Full engine rebuilds for all Land Rover engines. 300 TDI 2.8L stroker conversions, TD5 rebuilds, V8 head gasket work.
Engine rebuilds represent the core of what Davis Performance Landys does. With over 30 years of experience working exclusively on Land Rovers, we have rebuilt every significant engine the brand has produced — the 300TDI, TD5, TDV6, V8 petrol and diesel variants, and the 200TDI. When an engine reaches the end of its serviceable life, a specialist rebuild extends it for another 200,000 km or more, often improving on the original specification.
The 300TDI is one of the most robust diesel engines Land Rover produced. A full rebuild — new bearings, piston rings, valve stem seals, head gasket, and a reconditioned head — returns the engine to factory specification. For customers wanting more than factory output, we offer the 300TDI 2.8L stroker conversion using a long-stroke crankshaft and matched pistons. This takes displacement from 2.5L to 2.8L and increases power from approximately 83 kW to 120 kW, with torque rising from 265 Nm to approximately 380 Nm. The stroker conversion pairs particularly well with our injection pump calibration service and a hybrid turbocharger.
The TD5 five-cylinder diesel — fitted to Defender and Discovery 2 — is a capable engine that benefits greatly from correct maintenance. Common rebuild work on the TD5 includes head bolt re-thread (the OEM bolts can strip threads in the alloy block on high-kilometre examples), piston ring replacement, injector refurbishment, and oil cooler seal replacement. We use quality replacement parts and can upgrade the head bolt specification to eliminate the factory weakness.
The Range Rover V8 petrol — particularly the P38 and Range Rover Classic — is known for head gasket failures. We carry out V8 head gasket replacement, head skimming, and top-end rebuilds. A correctly rebuilt V8 with quality head gaskets and properly torqued heads is a reliable engine; the reputation for failures usually stems from deferred maintenance or incorrect coolant specification allowing electrolytic corrosion.
Our machine shop capability includes cylinder head skimming, block boring, and component refurbishment work. This means the majority of engine rebuild work stays in-house, keeping quality control and turnaround time under our control.
We are located at 18/62 Argyle St, South Windsor NSW 2756. Engine rebuild work typically requires a workshop booking two to four weeks in advance to source parts and schedule appropriately. Call (02) 9679 1978 to discuss your specific engine and what the rebuild will involve.
The cost depends on the condition of the engine when removed — specifically whether the block needs boring, whether the head requires machining, and which components need replacement. Contact us for a quote once the engine has been assessed. A top-end rebuild (head gasket, valve stem seals, timing gear) is significantly less than a full bottom-end rebuild. We can advise after a compression test and initial teardown.
The 2.8L stroker conversion replaces the standard 300TDI crankshaft with a longer-throw unit, increasing displacement from 2.5L to 2.8L. Matched pistons and rods are fitted. The result is approximately 120 kW and 380 Nm — up from 83 kW and 265 Nm standard. The larger displacement improves low-end torque particularly, which is where Defenders and Discoverys spend most of their working time. It pairs well with a calibrated injection pump and a larger intercooler.
A properly rebuilt 300TDI using quality parts, with the correct service intervals maintained afterwards, will comfortably run 200,000–300,000 km. The 300TDI is a mechanically robust engine with a simple design. Most failures are caused by deferred servicing, incorrect oil grades, or coolant neglect rather than fundamental design weaknesses.
Yes. The TD5 uses aluminium alloy cylinder head bolts in an aluminium block. On high-kilometre engines, particularly those that have overheated, the head bolt threads can strip out of the block. We carry out thread repair using stainless steel inserts when rebuilding TD5 engines — this is more reliable than the OEM thread. The condition of the threads is always assessed before a TD5 head rebuild.
Yes. The 2.7L TDV6 is a more complex engine to rebuild than the older 300TDI or TD5, with chain-driven variable valve timing that needs to be assessed and correctly timed during rebuild. Common TDV6 issues we address include timing chain stretch, injector wear, and turbocharger wear. TDV6 rebuild work is quoted after initial diagnostic assessment.
A Defender engine rebuild is almost always better value than a replacement unit of unknown history. We rebuild the engine that came out of your vehicle, so we know exactly what has been done and what has been replaced. Replacement engines sourced from wreckers or importers come with unknown compression, unknown service history, and often unknown mileage. A properly rebuilt engine with documented work is the lower-risk choice.
Typically two to four weeks from removal to reinstallation, depending on parts availability and whether machining is required. We will give you a timeline estimate after the initial teardown and inspection. Keeping a vehicle off the road for engine work is unavoidable — we aim to manage this as efficiently as possible and will advise if we find additional work that extends the timeline.
Yes. We warranty our engine rebuild work — contact us for current warranty terms as they vary depending on scope of work and parts used. The warranty covers workmanship; it requires that the owner maintain the correct service intervals afterwards, which we will document at the time of rebuild completion.
Our South Windsor workshop is ready to help. Contact us today and we'll get back to you promptly.