Thread: 101 original lump vs a Diesel alternative

There's a 101 Ambi somewhere in the UK with a 4bd1t in it. It featured in LRE magazine a few years back before it was absorbed into LRM.

Not sure how it went in, but some evidence to suggest it would.
The 3.5 Mazda would probably be a neater job though, it's a much tidier fit in the 110 engine bay.

Damn shame the old gq patrol 4.2 wouldn't fit that might not be fast (but then it's a 4x4) but it pulls great


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I run a non-turbo Perkins 4.236 in mine. And I wouldn't have it any other way. its 100% mechanical. I had a fire in my dashboard, but I had the foresight to install an electrical disconnect switch for the vehicle electrics. I hit that switch the fire went out but I still could drive it home. No petrol engine can do that

As for the engine, I get good power, and about 9 liters per 100km. It is loud though...I wear earplugs while driving and my friends say they can hear me coming several blocks away

Not that I know the size other than I think it's bigger how about the GM 6V53 donk?

It's aluminium sans the V8, compact, responsive, with the super charger and twin turbos 450hp (not bad for a 318ci motor) but more realistically is the NA which is 180hp if my memory serves correct and in the region of 6/700 ft/lb torque. (all going off of a very unreliable memory) bolts straight up to an Alison 1000 6 speed auto if you wanted.

Just a thought

Don't know why this has popped up again but it has so I'll throw my bit in. Have you done anything yet? We're all curious.... My thoughts... Tdi's are car and 4x4 engines.. Not light truck engines. There is a lot of talk here about big engines and front end weights etc... I ran a 101 on the road as my only vehicle for 4+ yrs in the UK. The first yr was as a V8... Never again. They are insainly thirsty! I then stumbled across what was best described as a 'Big Nissan' in a shed in Somerset.. Think the guy traded as Costal Engineering and he tried to go head to head with Samuri and their 'used' V8's... Anyway, it was a 5.7 lt straight 6 Nissan FD6 found here in the older Nissan 10 tonne trucks (some were badged as Internationals). It is a strong, surprisingly revvy motor. I coupled this 'donk' to the original gearbox, with an overdrive and Series 3 rear Salisbury ring and pinnions (4.7:1 ratio). I fitted a STD third leaf to the front springs and some decent Michelin XCL'S and then drove it everywhere as fast as it could go! (That was the done thing when you were 18 to 25!). It drove really well, went like hell and was affordable 12/100km. The weak link was the overdrive (one a year). IMO, the later TD42t with Patrol gearbox would be ideal. Sit the engine low with the nose and fan where the V8 was. I'm working on a conversion plate to fit the GQ 5 speed box to the LT230. With the transfer box further back the front prop noise is eliminated.. and they are capable of 100 mph (yes miles). Have the ticket to prove it!! it was even stable off road, and with a Detroit fitted, would go until the driver chickened out!! Here's a pic of 5.7 litres of Japan's finest between the rails of Solihull's finest! There's more pics in the forward control section under 'My Old 101', tho she's looking pretty sad now! Hope this helps! A well travelled 101 user! PS, sorry about photo quality.. They were taken usin the IPad with old photos! Works tho!

Trawling they Google for something else dragged this thread up AGAIN!! Smiled reading thru it at some of the points of 'what will' and 'what won't fit in a 101!!.. Well, I think I've put most of the 'wont's' to bed!!! Bout time we had another crazy 101 project... Will have to think of one!!

- hydraulic winch
- stronger axles
- bigger brakes
- bigger wheels to fit over the brakes

Weren't they in the original plan?

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

- hydraulic winch
- stronger axles
- bigger brakes
- bigger wheels to fit over the brakes

Weren't they in the original plan?

All but the stronger axles, yes! Wheels r under way.. Having 2 made to see how they look. If they're no good, they'll go under the trailer I'm planning! Bigger brakes and power steering are next. Got a few minor things to do first.. Crack in the exhaust, leaking rear hub seal (after MLB run), diesel leak from pump, etc etc!! I'm having a long overdue workshop blitz tomorrow, then getting the 101 in to do some stuff. Time to get it ready for summer motoring!! Looking forward to removing the door tops, sides etc and rolling the tilt sides up!!