205 TD - Which engine to swap in?

[OlberJ]

My 205 TD engine is not filling me with confidence right now, think it's on it's way out. Previous owner did the head gasket on it and i think it's away again.

It needs a new driver's side hub too.

So the car was bought as a £500 runaround but things have changed slightly and i've the option of buying something else cheap and hatchback or swapping in another engine to the 205. It's been lowered 30mm all round, 306 HDi brakes up front and new bushes and refreshed rear brakes (still drums).

It's a decent shell and i loved my old Mi so i'm tempted to keep it as a runaround but put something else in there.

So what options should i be looking at?

• Xsara VTS engine and box (This is the best option IIRC?)
• 106 GTi
• HDi (not fussed about super mpg any more really)
• Something else i've not considered

V6 is too heavy. I'd rather just sell up and buy a 406 Coupe instead.

I'd rather keep it light and frugal but fun. So what do you think and what are the lumps going for these days?

Am i going to have issues with it being a TD shell to begin with?

It's been a while and although i could go all out and fit just about anything with my welder and soldering iron, i'm looking for a fairly straight forward bolt in swap. Even mated up to the diesel gearbox would be a plus.


Cheers,
Olie

[Rupert Rigsby]

What about a 1.9td with a front mounted intercooler, maybe with the boost and fueling turned up a bit.

[Kitchski]

Rupert Rigsby said:

What about a 1.9td with a front mounted intercooler, maybe with the boost and fueling turned up a bit.

I'd go with that too. Make sure it's a Bosch pump/Garrett charger setup for the best results.

Otherwise I'd suggest a 2.1TD lump, but it's not as straightforward. Nice engine, although you need the earlier one from an XM or 605 as the later Xantia/406 ones had electronickary on the fuel pumps.
Ain't nobody got time fo' dat!

HDi is a good engine, but lots of work. Easy to tune, but the end result wouldn't pay back the effort.

All the petrol lumps have been done to death - you could just buy one already converted and save money.

[Crashy]

Rupert Rigsby said:

What about a 1.9td with a front mounted intercooler, maybe with the boost and fueling turned up a bit.

The original top mount intercooler is good for 20 PSI