Do I do it - 2.8l hilux turbo

Submitted: Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 05:17
ThreadID: 14110 Views:22248 Replies:8 FollowUps:4
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Have a 1992 2.8l diesel Hilux. It has done 205,000 kms. Full 200,000kms service was done as we went away on a 7000km trip. It looks good, feels good and drives tremendous – However, as all of this vintage am lacking that bit of extra power.

Went to look at a new 3l turbo hilux but the price frightens me for what I’ll have at the end of the day. Something that looks good, feels good, drives tremendous and has that little bit of extra power.

Should I put a turbo on mine. Spending a couple of thousand dollars is cheaper than a new vehicle. My motor is good, don’t use oil, next to nothing in smoke – Running gear and cooling system are good.

My only concern is that the vehicle has done 205,000kms. What problems am I likely to face putting a turbo on an engine with 205000kms on it. Is there something I need to look out for and consider. Will the cost justify it. Is there a big difference in power/performance.
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Reply By: tour boy - Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 06:51

Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 06:51
drop a 3.8 v6 in it and put it on gas and sell your motor
AnswerID: 64998

Reply By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 08:51

Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 08:51
Erwin,

I know of a couple of guys that turboed their hilux's late in life and had nothing but trouble. Plus, you have to look at the cost of having a turbo installed ie. 3-5k all said and done and the commercial viability, your trucks probably worth around 12k and your going to spend almost half the value, especially on a motor that may need some tlc in 100,000k's or so...

Cheers

Chris.
AnswerID: 65008

Reply By: Member - Athol (NSW) - Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 09:24

Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 09:24
Erwin, as long as you have serviced it regularly 5000km +/- 1km Very important with the 2.8's,they have a problem with #4 big end not getting enough oil if it gets sludgy . I added mine at approx 130000km and had been servicing every 10000km not knowing any better, the result broken crank 6moths later (another 5G's SWMBO wasn't happy or me). I now change oil and filter every 4999km or earlier. almost like haveing an extra gear on the hills. And the cost was just over 3G's with new injectors and bigger exhaust.
Athol.

AnswerID: 65010

Follow Up By: paul2.8d - Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 10:51

Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 10:51
Definately wont turbo mine (280,000km) howz the weather up there Athol? Paul
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FollowupID: 326008

Reply By: Erwin - Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 10:42

Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 10:42
Thanks for the replies so far. Its a trick decision to make. The vehicle has been regularly serviced at or below 5000kms. I also "waste" the money for a new filter ever service. For the price of a filter I just think its good insurance.

A new 3lt turbo costs 38-39,000. Then there's the extras - canopy, bull bar, tow bar, snorkel, long range tank etc. Brings the cost uo to around 44,000.

Then there's my vehicle. 14 yars old, 205,000kms on clock, regulary serviced and no known problems. I'm that corfortable with it that I would just put fuel in it today and drive from one side of the country to the other. The vehicle has no rust and will probally run for another 200,000kms.

You are probally right in that its value is only $12,000. (of course it is more valueable to me). However if you take the $12,000 off the $44,000 its still $28,000 compared to 3-$4,000.00.

I'm wary about buying someone else's problems hence my comparasion against a new vehicle. I know what I've got with my vehicle whereas a 2nd hand one you may not. What I don't know is the problems I may face if I go down the track of putting a turbo in. And as you say it may cost me more someone along the line.
AnswerID: 65015

Follow Up By: Member - Kerry (VIC) - Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 10:53

Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 10:53
i've also heard but dont quote me on this, that if the motor has over 180,000 k's most installers wont warrant the turbo maybe something to check out also....

ask someone if you can drive the turbo its quite a large increase in power and makes the car that much nicer to drive.
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FollowupID: 326009

Reply By: Anthony - Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 12:05

Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 12:05
Hi Erwin,

I also have a 92 model dualcab 2.8 hilux. I've had it since new, now with 190,000kms on it. I've recently purchase a camper trailer and the 2.8 has a very hard time with the hills. The next step is to have a denco turbo fitted later this year. I had the engined compression tested 2 weeks back and all cylinders are a manufacturers spec's (the test cost $120). So I'm thinking the engine should handle a turbo ok.

My mechanic thinks the Denco turbo is more reliable then some other brands. Cost is about $3K plus fitting and dyno.

I also looked at getting a new 3.0TD hilux. The best price I got was $30K changeover, including bull bars, canopy etc but with interest rates going up etc the wife & I decided we could either stick with the 2.8 as is (very slow), or turbo it.

The only problem I have found, is some people have said that with the turbo, if the fuel flow is set to high, then you could have excess hot fuel sitting on top of the pistons which could cause cracking. I'm yet to confirm this with others who would know better then I. After all the above, we still will fit a turbo, I'll probably change the oil a bit more often, and the filter. Also change to a higher quality oil and a lighter grade of oil.

Best of luck with what you decide to do - cheers mate. - Anthony
AnswerID: 65024

Follow Up By: Erwin - Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 14:47

Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 14:47
Thanks Anthony,

You are obviously down the path to what I am taking. Its a tough decision and I'm not convinced as to which way is the better all round.
Cheers
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FollowupID: 326034

Follow Up By: Anthony - Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 15:41

Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 15:41
Erwin,

You are right, it is a bit of a tough decision. The only reason why I'm waiting until later in the year to fit the turbo, is money.

I don't feel safe on the highway when towing and only doing 70kph up the hills. I'm worried that I'll get shunted from behind.

I want to tow the camper, I know I need more power and the turbo solution is all I can afford at present.

BTW, I also contacted my insurance company, because its a diesel, they said a turbo will only effect the premium due to an increase in the total cost of the Hilux, the price of the turbo.

All the best - Anthony
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FollowupID: 326040

Reply By: andyg - Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 13:14

Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 13:14
Have you taken a new Hilux out for a spin l think you might be surprised l hed a 86 turbo diesel it handled better because of the aftermarket suspension and went just as good with all the extras .The motor will prob handle it as long as you expect other things are at a age they start wearing out like injectors pumps clutch gear box etc so which ever road you take its going to cost you.
AnswerID: 65046

Reply By: B3 - Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 15:59

Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 15:59
I think the key is how much have you spent on vehicle specific extras? I have an '86 model and have spent quite a lot over the years on equipment which is specific to my vehicle, ie can't be changed over - even to a later model Hilux. It gets way too expensive to buy a new vehicle and start adding on extras - starting from scratch all over again.
I wanted to get a turbo (mine is 2.4 diesel) but was told that blow past the pistons was a bit excessive and hence risky to turbo at that stage. I did all the cost calculations and decided it was still cheaper to do up my current vehicle rather than start anew.
I have invested in an exchange motor and will turbo it soon while the motor is fresh
AnswerID: 65066

Reply By: Jim-Bob - Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 19:59

Friday, Jun 25, 2004 at 19:59
hi Erwin,

I own a 89 model 4runner and like everyone who owns a 2.8diesel was sick of holding up traffic every time it saw a hill, so in 2001 when we came back from the Kimberly I put a DTS turbo on the old girl, she had 405,oooklms on her.
The differance is amazing,I also added a larger exhaust, increased timing and fiddled with the injector pump.
Before turbo I got around 10.5klms per litre, now I get around 10.2klms per litre.
Since adding turbo the old girls been to Birdsville,Lake Ayre, Arkaroola and last August, Cape York via the OLT towing Aussie Swag CT, this August the Gulf and Darwin.
The truck at the moment has 504,oooklms on her, I fitted the turbo myself and cost, from memory, $2.5k and the best money I have ever spent.
My advice is do it and then you will wonder why you didnt do it years ago.

Jim-Bob.
AnswerID: 65114

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