Thread: Can a small Isuzu diesel motor be fitted?

I had a TE Gemini with the 1.6 litre Isuzu petrol motor. Great engines. I knew people who used these motors in open wheeler racing.
The 1.8 litre Isuzu diesel would be a great implant for a Series Landrover. I wonder if it could be turbo'd?

A Freelander L series diesel goes in without too much trouble and there are kits for it in the UK.

Originally Posted by digger

I have wondered for a while about this one.

In the 80s Holden released a Gemini with a diesel isuzu motor.
( Holden Gemini TE )

I recall it was a good little car - especially the motor. Most people I know that had one said the motor and drivetrain were still strong when the body rusted and shook to death!
I know of a few out there still....sitting....waiting....

Now my question, is it feasable to fit one of those motors to a series 1 ?
is it adaptable to the gearbox and transfer case? Will it fit?

Its been floating in my head for quite a while.... so I figure I should ask..

Does anyone know?

Anything is possible, but these days it is an old IDI motor which is comparatively inefficient when compared to DI engines. If you have a good one in the shed, then fine, but if not there are a lot better options more readily available.



EDIT:
The engine is a 4FB1 : 8V OHC IDI NA
A better option (though still IDI) is the 4FC1-T : a 2L turbo version fitted to many isuzu vans etc from the same era. Or the 4FD1(T), 2.2L version...

Originally Posted by garrycol

A Freelander L series diesel goes in without too much trouble and there are kits for it in the UK.

did they not have problems mechanically?? Rather a plain uncomplicated diesel than something that may need lots of wiring etc??
(I dont know anything about the L series I must say..)

Originally Posted by digger

did they not have problems mechanically?? Rather a plain uncomplicated diesel than something that may need lots of wiring etc??
(I dont know anything about the L series I must say..)

Nothing really - I sold my Freelander with just under 300,000km and it was still running like a swiss watch.

The engine is what the TD5 is based on but the TD5 has a much newer injection system.

The L series engine is the first gen of modern ECU controlled engine but it basically just adjusts the fuel pump - instead of manually tweaking an older manual injection pump the ECU does it as required. A very simple system.

There is an earlier version of the engine that is simpler again. The series 1 club in UK has a few threads on it.

The other engine/s that will go in is the 200tdi and 300tdi, in particular the 200tdi that I understand basically bolts straight in if you don't want a turbo - if you want a turbo then I believe there are clearance issues but it can be made to fit but requires a lot of work.

I was aware about the 200 /300 motors but was looking at a cheap reasonably available motor as an option. It would also be low powered compared to these others I would imagine.

As I said earlier I have nothing by way of knowledge here about all these, just wondering... and it would all come down to can it be adapted to the box etc in the series 1?

As a small motor I would assume it would fit nicely in the s1 without much alteration to grille/grille surround etc -- (well, I assume!!!)

Originally Posted by digger

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As I said earlier I have nothing by way of knowledge here about all these, just wondering... and it would all come down to can it be adapted to the box etc in the series 1?

...

Engine to gearbox adaptors are very easy. The only machining is usually just a new spigot bush. The rest is just an adaptor plate or 2, careful alignment and maybe some welding.

I believe there was a 2 litre diesel in the holden shuttle vans, I assume it was isuzu (not that I have ever really checked)but they came out about the same time.