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Diesel engine conversion specialists?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 6:21 pm
by Doghound
Hello all and happy new year

I'v not been on here much because tbh the sj we got last year has just been put to work and made itself so useful i kinda forgot about it, if that makes sense?

Anyway, a new year and plans are afoot.
I'v seen pug engine conversions 'rhino ray' is offering and at the price it makes little sense doing it myself......only trouble is mr rhino is down in sussex and i'm 230 miles away in the middle of derbyshire

So my question is. Does anybody know of a similar specialist thats a bit closer to home for me?


Any help will be greatly appreciated........adam

Ps.
Sorry if this is the wrong section since its not actually an engine problem

Re: Diesel engine conversion specialists?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 6:31 pm
by twiss
Question is fine in this section.
I'm gonna get in there first.
DO NOT GO TO RHINO RAY

He builds shit... I'm sure scottie will be here soon with some pics of rays diesel bodge jobs

SCOTT! GET OVER HERE!

Re: Diesel engine conversion specialists?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 6:34 pm
by Doghound
Oh dear....that bad is it?

Re: Diesel engine conversion specialists?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 6:42 pm
by ScottieJ
All im gonna say is that I rebuilt an SJ with a pug diesel conversion done by said person and well I had to redo nearly everything.

What are you your reasons for going diesel, personally I haven't driven any that I've been a fan of, sjs are geared too low so you often end up with no top speed and the useable torque of a diesel soon runs out, I know of many people that have complained about as top speed of 50mph with a few of the popular diesel conversions because of the gearing, there's no ways to easily put higher gear ratios into an Sj to solve this, a few have pulled them out and been happier with a vit 1.6.

Weight is also a big issue, most big diesels are nearly double the weight of an Sj engine and this really ruins the weight balance making them nose heavy. Most of the smaller lighter diesels dont have a decent amount of power either.

Re: Diesel engine conversion specialists?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 6:47 pm
by ScottieJ
If you deffo want to go diesel my first choice would be a Vw 1.9tdi with the acme adapter kit.

I would possibly consider an Isuzu 1.7tdi with a Vauxhall rwd gearbox. But I would also look into tuning for more power.

It's not even worth thinking about anything naturally aspirated.

Re: Diesel engine conversion specialists?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 7:26 pm
by Doghound
Thanks for the info fellas

The reason for going diesel is almost purely fuel consumption. The sj is a farm plodder for me (off road only), if it ever went over 30mph i'd be shocked lol
Handling, top speed, or even performance (to some extent) arent really an issue at all.
I'd save the the cost of the conversion in no time.

I'm loving the sj but it just drinks fuel like theres a hole in the tank compared to a diesel vehicle

Re: Diesel engine conversion specialists?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 8:19 pm
by r-nottz
Just a thought, why dont anyone stick a fourtrack engine and running gear in sjs? A mate of mine done this years ago but I never seen it in the flesh.

Re: Diesel engine conversion specialists?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 8:47 pm
by ScottieJ
r-nottz wrote:Just a thought, why dont anyone stick a fourtrack engine and running gear in sjs? A mate of mine done this years ago but I never seen it in the flesh.
That's a very heavy set up for an SJ and a lot of work. TBH I think you might as well just buy a fourtrack instead of taking that route :lol:

Re: Diesel engine conversion specialists?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 8:56 pm
by ScottieJ
Doghound wrote:Thanks for the info fellas

The reason for going diesel is almost purely fuel consumption. The sj is a farm plodder for me (off road only), if it ever went over 30mph i'd be shocked lol
Handling, top speed, or even performance (to some extent) arent really an issue at all.
I'd save the the cost of the conversion in no time.

I'm loving the sj but it just drinks fuel like theres a hole in the tank compared to a diesel vehicle

In that case some of the smaller Peugeot Diesel engines can be made to fit the standard gearbox easily, Not powerful or fast but lighter than a big 1.9 and very economical.

http://forum.difflock.com/viewtopic.php ... sc&start=0

Re: Diesel engine conversion specialists?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 9:58 pm
by r-nottz
ScottieJ wrote:
r-nottz wrote:Just a thought, why dont anyone stick a fourtrack engine and running gear in sjs? A mate of mine done this years ago but I never seen it in the flesh.
That's a very heavy set up for an SJ and a lot of work. TBH I think you might as well just buy a fourtrack instead of taking that route :lol:
I did think that but the lads who done it do crazy things, one of them is currently putting a bmw v8 into a transit van. Too much money and tools at there disposal!