Thread: Turboed Isuzu Reliability

From Turbo Glides web site........

We regularly turbo charge diesel engines with an odometer reading in excess of 250,000k without any deterioration in reliability or longevity.

..........and that's not specifically referring to Isuzu's.

It's understandable that some mechanics would be hesitant to fit a turbo to what they consider a high km engine, but the 4BD1 engine, if serviced properly, is capable of many hundreds of thousand Kms, so I would say, if your engine is generally in good condition, then go for it.

From their FAQ's...............

Q. How much boost and power do you set up for along with Max EGT?

A. We use 9lb and a torque gain of no more than 30% and an EGT of no more than 500°Celcius under prolonged full throttle usage. My staff and I have seen many turbo kits installed exceeding these parameters resulting in severe engine damage. Use of chassis dyno is mandatory before and after fitment of turbo.

Again, this is a general comment, not specifically referring to Isuzu's.

As an indication of just how well built the Isuzu engine is built, standard boost on a factory 4BD1T is 13.8psi and max EGT is 750*c.
Personally, I'm running 15psi and ~660*c max EGT, but mine is intercooled.

Cheers, Murray

Originally Posted by rijidij

As an indication of just how well built the Isuzu engine is built, standard boost on a factory 4BD1T is 13.8psi and max EGT is 750*c.
Personally, I'm running 15psi and ~660*c max EGT, but mine is intercooled.

Cheers, Murray

Rovercares is hitting 30pd boost, that motor is i think around the 300k km mark.

As stated they are an over engineered engine, not some old 2.4 hilux motor

Originally Posted by 110Landy86

My Isuzu engine which has 400K+ kms on the clock

has just been run in and is ready to be driven hard.

Thanks Guys, I'm grinning already

Thanks for the post Joe

I am going through the same issue.

I have a 4bd1 that has had a rebuild done recently and before that had 220k miles on it.

It has d gas and blows almost no smoke and goes pretty well as is although it does lose a little of it's edge on a long steep hill and I would love to fit a turbo
to assist with that. I have GT 28 turbo on the shelf ready to fit.

Rijidij's is a factory turbo though.

I know the guys on here who have retrofitted turbos to their 4bd1's are more than happy but my concern is that the factory turbo has oil squirters under the pistons to assist with cooling and the NA does not.

As I intend to use mine outback and towing I don 't want an overheating issue.

I suppose minimising boost to less than 10 psi and intercooling may help.

I wonder if a remote oil cooler would also help?

Originally Posted by land864

Thanks for the post Joe

I am going through the same issue.

I have a 4bd1 that has had a rebuild done recently and before that had 220k miles on it.

It has d gas and blows almost no smoke and goes pretty well as is although it does lose a little of it's edge on a long steep hill and I would love to fit a turbo
to assist with that. I have GT 28 turbo on the shelf ready to fit.

Rijidij's is a factory turbo though.

I know the guys on here who have retrofitted turbos to their 4bd1's are more than happy but my concern is that the factory turbo has oil squirters under the pistons to assist with cooling and the NA does not.

As I intend to use mine outback and towing I don 't want an overheating issue.

I suppose minimising boost to less than 10 psi and intercooling may help.

I wonder if a remote oil cooler would also help?

Don't think anyone on here has melted the top out of a NA piston after its been turbo'd.
I'm assuming you already have an EGT guage with the D/Gas, so fit the turbo, turn up the fuel a bit and back off the loud pedal if the EGT gets to a level you are uncomfortable with.

4BD1 already has a good oil cooler built into the engine - probably another reason why they don't give problems when turbo'd.

Steve

Hi steve

Nope no EGT gauge , just and the old fashioned standard temp gauge

Travelled up to Strathbogies on the weekend and managed to maintain 75kmh up Kinglake Hill

As the fuel pump has been rebuilt also . I feel the fuel screw may have had a bit of adjusting.

Also did economy check today and managed around 9 l/100km

So with the D/Gas and a pump tweak its possible that you are running high EGT's anyway?
So that brings another option. Fit the turbo without an EGT gauge and just drive it. No temperature issue

Steve.