Tdi notes
- Thread starter DiscoPhoto
- Start date
Seriously.
sometimes sarcasm is the only way to show the the light of day…
15k is about right for a brand new one...
I tried to find a brand new crate block. I couldn't locate one though I did stumble on one after I started the conversion. I ended up with a remanufactured block from Turner and it showed up with a rocker arm assembly that looked like this:
They did eventually make things right but it was a pain in the ass and I would still have bought a brand new block and heads if one had been available at the time.
Well..... if I had the time , I wouldn't need the money---if I had the money, I wouldn't need the time---
Where'd I see that?
Anywhoo...I got my Tdi and diesel ZF for 4900 and I did the install which took forever.
If there's a next time, I'll do a manual trans.
.
Where'd I see that?
Anywhoo...I got my Tdi and diesel ZF for 4900 and I did the install which took forever.
If there's a next time, I'll do a manual trans.
.
I tried to find a brand new crate block. I couldn't locate one though I did stumble on one after I started the conversion. I ended up with a remanufactured block from Turner and it showed up with a rocker arm assembly that looked like this:
They did eventually make things right but it was a pain in the ass and I would still have bought a brand new block and heads if one had been available at the time.
That's a very dirty flute.
Obviously everyone will have different numbers on this stuff but here are mine for another data point. Its a '89 Classic with a 300/R380/LT230. It has a 1.2 tcase with 3.9 diffs and 235/85 tires which puts the gearing right back to stock. There's probably about 600 pounds of off road accessories that don't help power/mileage (bumpers, winch, sliders, tires, tools, etc). I've put on a little over 20k miles since doing the conversion.
Cost: Not easy to pin point because I did a lot of other things "while I was in there". I'd say right around $8k including doing a lot of rebuilding and replacing all the wear and tear items. I see how it is possible to do the install for half that amount and I could see how you could easily double that cost too.
Mileage: mid to upper 20's is the norm. Best numbers are in the warmer months. If I'm really careful and on just the right roads I can get low 30's. 27 is about the best I can get cruising on the highway at 65, it prefers lower speeds. I think trying to make it cruise at 75 would see the MPG's plumit to the low 20's on my particular truck.
Speed: It is slow, but so was the worn V8/auto that was in there before. The V8 cruised better at high speeds - it was quieter and more relaxing. Acceleration is somewhat similar after tweaking the injection pump (but I'm comparing auto vs manual and worn vs fresh engines). I've hit 80 with the Tdi but only just to say I did it. 65 is a nice cruising speed and EGT's are around 750. Trying to climb mountains in NY/VT/NH will send the EGT's over 1000 pretty quick and maintaining the speed limit can be a challenge, especially if you're loaded with people and gear.
And definitely do some tweaking on the injection pump! After I did it I couldn't believe I had driven around for 4 months without having done this. I didn't go too far with mine and my EGT's actually went down about 50 degrees on average.
Also, when I first did the conversion I had 235/85 tires but stock 3.54 diff gears. This was better on a flat highway than what I have now. Small changes in gearing seem to affect the tdi more than they would with the V8 since the power band is so narrow. With the stock gears and oversize tires, 70 was a nice cruising speed when I first converted it, but any hill had me slowing way down and grabbing for 4th.
Cost: Not easy to pin point because I did a lot of other things "while I was in there". I'd say right around $8k including doing a lot of rebuilding and replacing all the wear and tear items. I see how it is possible to do the install for half that amount and I could see how you could easily double that cost too.
Mileage: mid to upper 20's is the norm. Best numbers are in the warmer months. If I'm really careful and on just the right roads I can get low 30's. 27 is about the best I can get cruising on the highway at 65, it prefers lower speeds. I think trying to make it cruise at 75 would see the MPG's plumit to the low 20's on my particular truck.
Speed: It is slow, but so was the worn V8/auto that was in there before. The V8 cruised better at high speeds - it was quieter and more relaxing. Acceleration is somewhat similar after tweaking the injection pump (but I'm comparing auto vs manual and worn vs fresh engines). I've hit 80 with the Tdi but only just to say I did it. 65 is a nice cruising speed and EGT's are around 750. Trying to climb mountains in NY/VT/NH will send the EGT's over 1000 pretty quick and maintaining the speed limit can be a challenge, especially if you're loaded with people and gear.
And definitely do some tweaking on the injection pump! After I did it I couldn't believe I had driven around for 4 months without having done this. I didn't go too far with mine and my EGT's actually went down about 50 degrees on average.
Also, when I first did the conversion I had 235/85 tires but stock 3.54 diff gears. This was better on a flat highway than what I have now. Small changes in gearing seem to affect the tdi more than they would with the V8 since the power band is so narrow. With the stock gears and oversize tires, 70 was a nice cruising speed when I first converted it, but any hill had me slowing way down and grabbing for 4th.
I'm on my third tank after I swapped my previous 300 for a second 300 (long story) in my D1 and i'm getting 24mpg using the ZF which is pretty good considering how much time i spend in traffic or hauling extra stuff. Sure it eats some power and mpgs, but i just like the simplicity of an auto. With the old engine I was only getting 21mpgs and and more smoke, so i'm a happy camper now.
After a midnight run around some mountains in northern Nevada at about 0°F in Chris' Defender, I'll vouch for this. It blew what might have been construed as a hint of warm-ish air when going up hill. For all other circumstances - hope you brought gloves and a hat.
I drove every weekend from Richmond, Va to Lexington, Va for nine months. The speed limit is between 65 and 70, so I was normally doing 70-75 and hit 80 when passing people. I always got 27 MPG on that trip.
LOL, what are you talking about? Climbing the grade out of Jarbidge was the warmest I was in the cab that entire trip! The heater was working well and the slow speeds and snow build-up kept the drafts down. Plus, we had plenty of antifreeze:
Jarbidge Red Dog by Defender90, on FlickrNow, the next morning, that was brutal.
The issue with heat in Defenders is because of how drafty the can be. Putting new front door seals and updated lower door seals (Puma doors) made a night and day difference in my 110.