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jakeslouw
27th February 2012, 06:07 PM
The price of fuel over here, with the latest tax to subsidize the poor etc., has made my 110 V8 CSW totally uneconomical to drive @ ZAR 2.10 per km ( 26c US$ per km but remember I don't get paid in Dollars :o)

So I'm seriously looking at a turbo diesel conversion.

WHY CONVERT AND NOT SELL AND REPLACE, I hear you scream.

Well, the vehicle is only worth around $ 5,000 max. I'll get almost nothing for all the mods (roof rack, drawer system, 2 inch lift, water tank, LR fuel tanks, spotties, etc).
Secondly, the 300TDi 110 is still selling here at USD$ 7,500. The TD5 is further out of my price range.

So I'd have to have $ 2,500 in the kitty anyway before I start looking, and then I'd have to replace a lot of the accessories. And then I'd have a 200,000km + vehicle with an unknown/suspect mechanical condition. A full 300TDi rebuild would just have me suicidal based on stealer spares prices over here.

So I've had a look at the options.

Isuzu 4J-T engines (4JB1T and 4JG2T)
Nissan TD27T and QD32T
Mazda/Ford WL25T (probably known as the Ranger motor down there?)
Mitsu 4M40-T

All of these would cost me under USD$2,000.
An adapter between $300 and $500
Miscellaneous items like engine mount mods and coolant hoses around $200.

My question:

Of the engines listed, who has done a conversion using one, and what were/are your observations, good or bad? Things to avoid? Things you'd like to have known up front?

Thanks

Sly
28th February 2012, 07:36 AM
A Isuzu 2.8 4J-T with a kit from MD UK to fit it up would be the way to go.Check out the UK online sites as the 2.8 been used plenty times.

jakeslouw
28th February 2012, 07:47 AM
Thanks, Sly.

Yes, I'm leaning towards that option.

The 4JG2T 3.1 looks good as well.

Sly
28th February 2012, 09:57 PM
I recently located a intercooler from a scrap 3.1TD and fitted it up to a mates 2.8 TD (rodeo twin cab). I noticed that in the wrecking yards theres plenty 3.0 / 3.1 ltr TD Isuzu donks , but no 2.8s to be had. Having now worked on the 2.8TD I can see its value as a convertion motor.
A Yr 2000 Isuzu 2.8 Td 4JB1 > power = 74kw @ 3800rpm.
torque = 225 nm @ 2300 rpm.
Pushing a twin cab ute with kerb weight = 1593 / gross v/w = 2730kg.
Fuel use is comparative to my 130 (at hwy speed not towing).
The intercooler / bonnet scoop has lengthend the 2.8 legs and the mate is well pleased.

jakeslouw
5th March 2012, 01:30 AM
Well, it's narrowed down to the Isuzu 4J range.

MD engineering have the adapter I need at a very fair price.

And I can source a generic IC from hot4cold.co.za