Engine swap for Euro road trip

[ROBBIE]

Not 100% but I don't think you will be able to run on bio with one of them

[Anton]

The M15a and J20a might need ECU tweaks to run bioethanol, but the VW CFWA 1.2 TDI and the Toyota 1ND-TV 1.4 D4-d both run biodiesel just fine.

Biodiesel is OK for any diesel engine as long as the PH levels are carefully balanced during production by using more/less lye.

Biodiesel has slightly better lubrication properties than standard diesel, and is generally better for your engine. If the PH levels are off, though, it turns the rubber parts of your fuel system into mush.

If I go for a M15a or J20a, I'll probably run a custom ECU for more torque, but biofuel isn't a big decider on the petrol engines.

I'm leaning towards the Toyota 1ND-TV diesel and away from the VW CFWA diesel, because ancillary parts for the Yota such as alternator, ECU and loom will be easy to come by (comparatively) as the 1ND-TV has been in Yaris, Corolla and Auris models since 2001, so there are breakers all over.

Might be more complicated than the VW though, there are no bolt on kits for Yotas.

[ScottieJ]

If you run a g16, m15 or j20a there will be no need for a custom ECU, it will pull your caravan easy. I've towed 1500kg + cars on road with mine with the 1.6 8v on the 33s and it hardly struggled, even on hills.

My suggestion is to keep it as simple as possible, the more custom you go the harder it is to fix if something goes wrong...especially if you are in a foreign country.

I would personally just go for a 1.6 16v or m15a for simplicity.

With a j20a you will have to go with a vitara gearbox, although you can mate it to an Sj gearbox there is no way the small clutch will handle towing with that much power.

[twiss]

Scottie - I didn't realise cars would run on 1.68v

... and anton, with my old 8v engine I managed to tow turbo tom's SJ about 10 miles with the brakes jammed on! That's got to weigh more than a small caravan made out of recycled shoeboxes

[ROBBIE]

Biodiesel has slightly better lubrication properties than standard diesel, and is generally better for your engine. If the PH levels are off, though, it turns the rubber parts of your fuel system into mush.


Tell me about it, bloody useless modern pug lump, diesel everywhere.

I've been running old motors on it for a few years and its only after about 2001 that I've seen any problems. Haven't used any in the disco yet as not got anywhere to put a set up and not been near the bio man yet

[Anton]

With a j20a you will have to go with a vitara gearbox, although you can mate it to an Sj gearbox there is no way the small clutch will handle towing with that much power.

Same is probably true of a diesel engine conversion actually.

If I go for an M15a, I'll be getting an aftermarket ECU too, looking for 120+ ft lb. Would that kill a Jimny clutch?

I may have to go for a new gearbox whichever direction I go, then.

[Rhinoman]

If I go for an M15a, I'll be getting an aftermarket ECU too, looking for 120+ ft lb.

How exactly do you intend to get a 20% increase in torque by using an aftermarket ECU?

[Anton]

If I go for an M15a, I'll be getting an aftermarket ECU too, looking for 120+ ft lb.

How exactly do you intend to get a 20% increase in torque by using an aftermarket ECU?

No firm plan, but you can't increase HP without increasing torque if you're not playing with the redline (and I'm not doing custom cams and all the other stuff needed for a 9000+rpm M15), so surely a 20% increase in torque is not a crazy goal? I was thinking bike throttlebodies and a completely custom ECU (not a piggyback).

Custom exhaust too (all of these ideas would require a custom exhaust anyway).

[donkeychomp]

Maybe a 2.5 V6 lump and get all the power you need?

[Anton]

Isn't that going to be crazy heavy though, mate? My aim is 120-140ft/lb. I don't need stupid torque, although if I could get it, I'd take it!