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V8 Diesel Conversion on Patrol

Submitted: Friday, Nov 06, 2009 at 11:46

Patrol GU VI

Does anyone have any experience and information on V8 Diesel Conversions for a GU Nissan Patrol? I know Brunswick Diesels do a conversion using a 6.2 and 6.5l Chevy diesel. What are the stats on these engines?
ThreadID: 73565 Replies: 6
Views: 857 FollowUps: 5
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AnswerID: 390229   Submitted: Friday, Nov 06, 2009 at 12:02

nsngood replied:

Brunswick diesels website use to have a full rundown on these engines. I would make that your first stop.
Reply 1 of 6
FollowupID: 657979   Submitted: Friday, Nov 06, 2009 at 12:04

nsngood posted:

I just had a look and if you look under technical on there website it does give you a full rundown.
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AnswerID: 390235   Submitted: Friday, Nov 06, 2009 at 12:36

TerraFirma replied:

Nissan 3.0ltr Quote Sheet (Brusnwick Diesels)

1. New component 6.5ltr Diesel Engine $12,750.00
2. Fully Rebuilt 6.5ltr Diesel Engine $10,250.00

Bell Housing Adaptor Kit $980.00
Machined and Balance Fly Wheel $400.00
Mount Brackets $250.00
Engine Oil Cooler Kit $320.00
Modify Air Con Bracket $180.00
Power Steering Pump and Pulley $350.00
Sanden Compressor $420.00
Repipe and Regas $220.00
New Delco 105 Amp Alternator $320.00
Hoses, Belts, Pulleys, Spacers, Fittings $450.00
Genuine Nissan Mounts x 2 $310.00
Glow Plug Timer Relay and Harness $245.00
3" Exhaust System $800.00
Tacho Sensor and Gear $245.00
Electric Fuel Pump $250.00
Auto Electrical Re-wire $570.00
Donaldson Kit $410.00
Air Intake Hat $150.00
Vac Pump and Pulley $400.00
Labour to fit Chev V8 Diesel $2,750.00
Police Pass Licencing Approval $150.00
Heavy Duty Clutch 12" Turbo Diesel $750.00
3.9 Diff Centres fitted with Speedo Corrector $2,250.00
New Reduction Starter $550.00
Custom Built Radiator $1545.10
Radiator Shroud $300.00
GVM Upgrade if required $880.00

Warranty 12 Months or 20,000kms

It would be easy to spend $30,000 here on the conversion so the first question you ask yourself, why not buy the 200 Series with a V8 Diesel to begin with, when you have your honest comparison afterwards you can make your mind up either way. I am not promoting the Toyo in anyway but the comparison and question why, begs the obvious comparison IMO.
Reply 2 of 6
FollowupID: 657986   Submitted: Friday, Nov 06, 2009 at 12:46

Member - Roachie (SA) posted:

There is NO COMPARISON between the Chev engine in a Patrol and a Toyota 200 series (or even the 79 series with the single turbo V8).

The Toyota is simply a much more modern (ultra modern I would say), computer controlled (nothing wrong with that as long as the computer doesn't have a hissy fit in the middle of nowhere). It produces more power and torque in standard form than the big ol' Chev could ever dream about.

But: on the other side of the equation...... you could pick up a blown Patrol for less than $20K (maybe even $10K) , spend the $30K on it that you mention (and I think $30K is probably at the very upper end of the scale....it would cover say a 2.8 litre Patrol being converted , which requires new gearbox and transfer case{?} I think). So, by your own call, you could have the very top of the line conversion done and be in the rig for $50K (TOPS!!!), compared to a 200 series which I think is around the $80K mark (maybe more).

Now, if you already HAVE the blown Patrol, then the $30K you speak of is "all" that you have to come up with.

Having said that, like most of these conversions, you need to be satisfied that you will keep the vehicle for a good amount of time; because you won't re-coup your cost if you decide to sell it in 12 months (or even 5 years) time.

Cheers

Roachie

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FollowupID: 657989   Submitted: Friday, Nov 06, 2009 at 12:53

TerraFirma posted:

Yes Roachie you make some very valid points and your spot on in that you would need to keep the vehicle for a period to get some value. To do a fair comparison though you can pick up 2nd hand 200 series diesels for high $60k's so once again the comparison begs the question and the 200 series diesels are holding their value better than anything else on the market.

For someone who loves their GU and the 3.0 litre engine is on the way out and you only need a basic transplant the chevy diesel makes some sense. What will be interesting though is when Nissan introduce their new Patrol as I think buying the new diesel Patrol may be the obvious choice.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 390236   Submitted: Friday, Nov 06, 2009 at 12:38

Member - Roachie (SA) replied:

I own a Patrol (dual cab cut-down) which is now 9 years old. It started life in 2000 as a 4.2TD and with only 300klm on the clock, the original owner got Brunswicks to transplant a bigger heart into his new toy. So it has been running with the 6.5 Chev all of it's life.

It's done over 240,000klm and has had no mechanical issues apart from usual replacement of clutch, injectors etc.

I bought it Nov 2006 when it had about 187,000klm on the clock. I have had to replace starter motor and vacuum pump as well as get the alternator over-hauled. None of these things (to me) are considered other than normal wear and tear.

Mine is a naturally aspirated model; Brunswicks prefer to not to fit a turbo to the Patrol or Cruiser as the engine bay/s are cramped and they have some overheating issues when turbo'd apparently.

There is a great thread here:
4WD Action forum: Chev Diesel

This thread has been going for 3 years. A lot of the content is technical. Some people think it points to the big Chev donk being a trouble-maker. As far as I'm concerned it is a very reliable motor, but it is old technology, heavy and not a computer to be seen anywhere. It is not the most economical engine out there (but there are many that are worse), nor is it the most powerful (but it's good enough for my needs).

I'm very happy with mine overall......

Hope this helps...

Roachie

PS: I think you'll find that all the conversions done these days are using 6.5 as the 6.2 is the older/smaller version and are just too damned old now.

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There's only one thing more painful than learning from experience and that is NOT learning from experience!
Reply 3 of 6
FollowupID: 658018   Submitted: Friday, Nov 06, 2009 at 15:15

Member - Joe F (WA) posted:

G'day Roachie ~ and all other interested Forum viewers.

Yes the Chev diesel 6.2 is now cosidered an old technology engine especially when comparing it to what's in vogue now.

The Chev engine is a good fit into the Nissan and Toyota and Brunswick's workmanship and attention to detail is fairly impressive.

I don't own a Nissan ~ but I do own and use a 75 series Troop Carrier L/C that has had a 6.2 Chev diesel powering it along absolutely trouble free since it was fitted into the engine bay back in 1994. I service the "Beast" every 5000k using Penrite diesel oil and a bog standard Ryco engine oil filter.

The Troopy is used daily and returns better than standard (2H Toyota ) engine fuel economy with ~ More Grunt than a pig farm .

Old Technology engine ~ yes
Trouble free ~ absolutely yes @ 283,202 kms exactly !!
Was it worth the expence ~ yes
Would I have this conversion done again, into the right vehicle ~ yes indeed.

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Joe Furulyas
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AnswerID: 390248   Submitted: Friday, Nov 06, 2009 at 14:35

Member - John replied:

In reply 2 above, there is an interesting item listed at the bottom, GVM increase of 500 kg for $880.00, that in it self would be worth the conversion cost of the big diesel.
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John
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AnswerID: 390291   Submitted: Friday, Nov 06, 2009 at 18:24

Trevor R (QLD) replied:

Is there a particular reason why you are interested in the V8 diesel? It seems to me as there is more than this option to get the Patrol really going. I have seen a 4.2 turbo cruiser motor added to the Patrol body and diffs with impressive results, probably cost about the same as the Chev conversion but give you plenty of scope for adding a chip to really get it poking along (probably more so than the turboed 6.5). Some pretty impressive results from worked 4.2 Patrol motors too to give the Chev (naturally aspirated chev that is) a run for it's money but it all comes down to your reasons for doing the engine swap as to the best outcome for you.

What is wrong with the current heart in your Patrol or needn't I ask?

Cheers, Trevor.

Welford NP local
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Reply 5 of 6
AnswerID: 390314   Submitted: Friday, Nov 06, 2009 at 22:10

Robin Miller replied:

Why even bother , when you finished it won't end up as good as a standard Nissan 4.8 , massively worse on NHV, down on power, little better on fuel, and will still have smaller brakes and be a lot fatter and cost more over any 5 year period.
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Robin Miller
Reply 6 of 6
FollowupID: 658205   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 07:41

Member - Bucky posted:

Go Robin

I love the way you put that, and it's very true.
However, to know Roachie, is to love Roachie, and any other V8 Chevvy Diesel owner at that.

I think they love the torque,,.... so nothing else matters

Cheers
Bucky


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