Thread: diesel into P38

Its my understanding that if you do an engine swap, the new engine must be from no earlier than the year of manufacture of the vehicle. eg 96 build car, 96> engine.
cheers
Todd

V8 twin turbo diesel, now we are dreaming!

Back to reality, if anyone does know which sensors needs to be fooled for another engine to get a job under the bonnet I would be very grateful to hear from them, I am more a mechanical person than electrical, I have just always wanted a P38a, and leaving the computers alone sounds like a good idea to me!

Also any other engine options, looking into the mazda option, think the 4BD1 might be a bit too rough, 300tdi still an option but happy to consider anything, old mechanical if possible, and a 4 pot, cheapest rego in Queensland that way.

Thanks again for all your comments, lots of food for thought

Originally Posted by finallyrangie

<Snip Snip> think the 4BD1 might be a bit too rough, <Snip Snip>

Thanks again for all your comments, lots of food for thought

I've been thinking about getting a P38 for my 'town' car (as opposed to the 110), which I would put a 4BD1 and either a 4L60 or AOD auto to the P38 transfer case.

Thing is I am in no real need or hurry to do so... so can't justify buying the P38 right now. However it would be nice to see how well it works out.

If your interested, come drive my 110 with 4BD1T and AOD auto to see if it is too rough for you....

Thanks for the offer the grubb, very tempting, I am not ready to do this just yet, but I do know enough to know the more info I can get the better, the 4BD1T is the dream engine of course, but not renowned for its smoothness so I will have to check with the boss and get back to you. Also what year did the 4BD1T get used until, how new could the P38a be and still be legal?

Originally Posted by R2D2

Its my understanding that if you do an engine swap, the new engine must be from no earlier than the year of manufacture of the vehicle. eg 96 build car, 96> engine.
cheers
Todd

It's my understanding that if an engine type was built to one emission standard from say 93-98 then you can use any one of those engines for a '95-'98 vehicle but not a '99 one. Worth checking with an engineer though.

Another thought, if the engine and gearbox are both replaced, does that cause any extra electrical headaches?

I did some pricing and timing estimates on the Bodylogic solution. Best estimates are that with the current exchange rates there would be little change out of $ A14, 000 for the BL bits and pieces inc. freight costs back and forth to get the loom sorted, plus engineering certification, welding etc. Then there's the challenge of obtaining a 2.7 or pref.3.0 litre TDV6 with all the requisite ancillaries... add another (probably) $ A 10k. It's a very different story in the UK where used engines are somewhat more plentiful at reasonable cost. Plus even with good help prob. take about 3 months to complete.... if you can source the diesel engine plus all bits in good time.

It's a great idea but financially a no-go here in Aus unless the BL prices dropped significantly and engines etc became more plentiful. For a long term cost reduction approach, lp gas injection is probably the better path... or upgrade to early model L320 / D3 diesel variant
As Justinc wisely pointed out many months ago, the P38 has passed its economic use-by date...guess us fanatics just need to face up to it... but not quite yet!!!

I actually think when the time comes, adding in the cost of buying the car, it would be almost as cheap to buy an L322, thing is I have wanted a P38a since the first moment I saw one in about 1995, and no matter how little sense it makes, I figured if I can make it something I can live with until the oil runs out, it will be worth it to me.

Sod the maths, I'm afraid if a 4BD1T goes in, that's the car I die owning!

Must admit the V6 option, whilst appealing was never realistic, hence my original question about sensors etc, I just still want one!