Thread: Which engine is best??

Before you can answer "what is the best engine" you have to decide what you mean by "best".

While I would tend to agree with the more vocal respondents that the Isuzu 4BD1 is in many respects the best engine, it does have a few drawbacks, including its weight and a tendency to eat gearboxes and loosen the fillings in your teeth. But it is cheap to run, and parts are readily available in the unlikely case that you need them. And it will stand abuse better than any of the Landrover engines, and cost less to repair into the bargain after you have, for example, run it without coolant.

But if you want an engine that is almost as light and smooth as the V8, and produces as much or more power, consider a TD5 (with modified ecu chip) - but expect it to be expensive to buy and install and, while very reliable if looked after, repairs and parts will be expensive compared to the Isuzu. I think the installation will be simpler as well.

John

300 tdi

Just because I now have one.

Best engine theory will go out the window now as all new motors are build for a certain lifespan and become a throw-away item after that.

I know my Golf motor is not designed to be rebuild. Life expectancy is 250-300k km.

The problem with the Isuzu is probably emission controls, they are truck motors and hence were build to last but rattle and are heavy.
My mate has a rangie with it and I really like it but its bloody ugly and loud.

Best motor, probably the one you are going to put in your car.

Guess it depends on usage and expectations, I remember an ex army 2a REME I had with a 2.25 in it, used to love that thing, almost stall proof and so tractable, however so unsuitable for touring. The 130 has 300tdi is brilliant touring and I love the economy and simplicity but not enough torque off idle and 1st is too high for towing in my opinion. I had a Rangie with 3.5 and it was great offroad and on but too thirsty for me. Love Isuzus but as discussed they are heavy and harsh and can make pretty short work of anything but a LT95.
What I'm getting at is they've all got pros and cons.

Originally Posted by 2stroke

Guess it depends on usage and expectations, I remember an ex army 2a REME I had with a 2.25 in it, used to love that thing, almost stall proof and so tractable, however so unsuitable for touring. The 130 has 300tdi is brilliant touring and I love the economy and simplicity but not enough torque off idle and 1st is too high for towing in my opinion. I had a Rangie with 3.5 and it was great offroad and on but too thirsty for me. Love Isuzus but as discussed they are heavy and harsh and can make pretty short work of anything but a LT95.
What I'm getting at is they've all got pros and cons.

This is why I have a few on the Road. I can have the 2.25, 4BD1 and the V8 that way

Originally Posted by bob h

Thanks Tim, I would assumethat ir they were put into rangies, then they should be an easy fit also inth the Disco 1 as most rangie and disco 1 stuff is interchangeable?? What sort of fuel economy do they average compared to the 2.25? Is the 2.25 the 5cyl motor?

At the moment ours gets about 9ltr's/100, (non turbo) not shore what the 2.25s get

CHEERS TIM.

Here's one for sale on ebay..
ISUZU NKR - eBay, Parts, Accessories, Trucks, Commercial Vehicles, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 04-Apr-09 08:23:53 AEDST)


TIM.

Originally Posted by bob h

What sort of fuel economy do they average compared to the 2.25?

I get about 12ltr's/100 from my 4BD1Turbo (tweaked a bit)

14Ltr's/100 when I towed a tandem with another Isuzu 120 on it from Adelaide to Geelong.

Cheers, Murray

I am unfamiliar with the laws here but I do have a question. With fitting an Isuzu diesel into a newer Disco do you not have to meet minimal pollution requirements based on the age of the vehicle not the motor? I was under the impression you can always fit something newer motorwise than the original chassis but run into problems when you want to fit an older motor in a newer car. Sorry I've traveled a bit and this law may be in another country than Australia (I'm getting old I can't remember) but thought it was a good time to ask.

Chris