Performance or problems from 6.5L V8 chev owners
Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024 at 11:41
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Sand Goanna
I am looking at purchasing a 100 series landcruiser with a 2015 turbocharged, inter cooled chev 6.5L diesel (yes it is a Brunswick conversion). While I have done a lot of reading and research I have not found much information about these motors after 2013. I would like to know how reliable are they after 120,000k what kind of fuel economy are you getting, any overheating issues, or anything in particular I should be wary of?
Cheers
Sand Goanna
Reply By: RMD - Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024 at 13:15
Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024 at 13:15
Sandy G
My son inlaw has a mate with a GUpatrol with that engine in it, shoehorned in! It does get warm sometimes AND it loves DIESEL FUEL. The vehicle goes
well with 1 1/2 engines in it and has 33" tyres. I think he regrets buying it as he has found why the previous owner sold it. A normal 100 series turbo has sufficient power, you really don't need another 50% more engine to fill the engine bay. Working on the patrol is a DAYMARE, you wouldn't try to begin at night.
Good fun but at a cost.
AnswerID:
645018
Follow Up By: Sand Goanna - Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024 at 13:54
Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024 at 13:54
Thanks RMD,
Im yet to see under the hood in regards to working room, I have been looking for a V8 diesel cruiser and this one falls into my price range although it is a larger donk than anticipated.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024 at 19:04
Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024 at 19:04
Bloody heavy too. Think of your max weights, both carrying and towing. Was a popular mod for people towing on older 6cylider Landcruisers but haven't seen many since turbo's and V8's have appeared
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Reply By: mark s4 - Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024 at 22:19
Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024 at 22:19
I have a 98 105 5 speed with a 6.5 turbo [converted by Brunswicks] only used for towing our van 3180 kg [ weighbridge] Any way
normal driving about 12.5 l/100 , towing anywhere from 18 to 23 at around 95kph. As far as problems , I had a couple, had to put a much larger radiator in it around 3 grand , a decent lift pump and a cut down Duramax fan , seems to have solved the overheating. They are quite noisy inside the cab , I have had it scince 2013
and are reasonably happy with it , lots of torque , but will never win a lights race. Just did 17000 ks towning the van , didn't miss a beat . If I had my time over would I still do the conversion , I dont think so!
AnswerID:
645019
Follow Up By: mark s4 - Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024 at 22:26
Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024 at 22:26
Also after around 160,000 klms , the harmonic balencer is recomended to be changed , or you will end up with a two piece crank , plus injectors and glow plugs , not as expensive as replacing on common rail engines
, but stil a few dollars . A couple of pluses are , very simple engine , easy to service yourself , dirty fuel from my experiance isnt a huge issue .
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Follow Up By: Sand Goanna - Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 06:22
Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 06:22
Thanks for the info Mark, I had heard of others having problems with the harmonic balancer but no info on when they need replacing. I dont mind the DIY side of these motors so long as the parts are accessible enough.
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925264
Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 09:03
Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 09:03
SG,
There has been some mention ofthis conversion on the
forum, over the years, so I did a search for “Patrol V8 Conversions” on the
forum, using the search bar at top of page and got 20 hits. Not all were about patrol conversions but there’s some good reading there for you.
Then members Roachie & Bilbo are 2 blokes that had patrol conversions. Bilbo had one done by Brunswick & gives plenty of info on the conversion. Threads 32178, 32851 & 73565 are some that may be of interest to you?
Happy searching,
Bob
AnswerID:
645021
Reply By: Member - Seamusgerry - Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 11:22
Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 11:22
I have the 6.5 chev with turbo and intercooler in my 100 series, and use it to tow the caravan (22 ft 6 inch)..
I did have problems during the warranty period including the harmonic balancer and these were all fixed but naturally, those problems happen at inconvenient times.
I’ve done around 125000 since it went in and I log the fuel use at refill time.
On my last trip up north, towing, I was getting between 19 litres per 100 up to 24 between
Karratha and
Carnarvon ( I have long range tanks) but there were some headwinds. I. Had an egt fitted and drive to that so I don’t overheat. Generally I tow in fourth and sit between 90 and 95 mostly, depending on conditions. I do have big
driving lights on the front which restrict air flow through the radiator and I’ll remove them as I don’t drive at night in it anymore.
I am a member of a couple of 6.5 Facebook groups and seen posts that the owner of Brunswick has passed away so I don’t know what happens within the business now as a result. I do enjoy the towing as it just chugs along nicely.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Sand Goanna - Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 14:00
Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 14:00
Thanks Seamus,
I have heard a few people mention harmonic balancer problems so it seems to be a common thing to keep an eye on. From what I have read it seems like the extra gages for temps & pressures are almost a must.
Has the 6.5 adjusted your max weights much for carrying & towing?
If you had your time over again knowing what you know would you do the install again?
I am not on FB anymore but did play phone tag with Greg just before Xmas but unfortunately didn’t manage to speak with him.
Thanks for the input it gives me more insensitive to take a
test drive
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Reply By: Andrew L - Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 14:06
Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 14:06
not ment to be there, plenty of issues if not done right, a hdfte turbo 100 series motor would be a way better proposition, and not have any 1 off parts
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Seamusgerry - Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 14:46
Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 14:46
Would I get an instal done again——
well at the time I needed the motor, I didn’t have a lot of info about their possible problems other than overheating and that hasn’t been an issue for me.
There are more mechanics who have worked on these nowadays so knowing what I know now, I’d have one of them do the instal and make sure that I was getting what I’d paid for. There have been complaints from people who report not getting new parts in their motors.
I also had the weight adjusted when I had the instal done, by another 450 kg as I was carrying a roof top dinghy and outboard. Yes I know it doesn’t change the gcm of the combined car and van.
New tow vehicles with the power you want are pricey whereas you could buy a good but cheap 100 series and drop a motor in and pull your van no probs, and not need a loan. I don’t have a handle on second hand prices for 200’s as a comparison.
My instal was done 2015.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Sand Goanna - Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 17:31
Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 17:31
Prices for second hand 200's are all over the place 350 -500 thousand on the clock anywhere from $36 to $60K I cant justify the $ to high Km's no matter how good they are suppose to be.
The cruiser I am looking at is a 2000 GXL 100 series with a 6.5 L motor that has done 120,000 Km's & from what I have researched they dont have complicated electrical/computers to run them so I would be able to at least service it myself.
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Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 18:23
Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 18:23
Any chance of getting to drive it for a couple of days ?
Cheers
Jim
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AnswerID:
645032
Follow Up By: mark s4 - Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 19:35
Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 19:35
Another plus for the 6.5 is they take a normal chev small block engine oil filter and a Toyota fuel filter,
make sure you service every 5000 klms . In saying what I wrote in my previous comments in driving around 150000 klms it has never let me down[touch wood] but I believe that there are better options today .
Also the garret turbo on them is not suited for a diesel is dosnt spool up at low engine rpm , it is more suited to petron engines. If you get the toyota for the right price , spend a few dollars on making it more bullet proof you will be happy with if.
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Follow Up By: Sand Goanna - Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 21:28
Thursday, Jan 04, 2024 at 21:28
Hey Jim,
Unfortunately not I don't live close enough to the seller and the rego has not been changed over to SA yet.
Hey Mark,
That's good to know about the parts, I'm sure there are better options but there's not alot of converted vehicles for sale. Like most 4x4's once you buy them your always look for ways to improve and personalising them
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