Chevy 6.5L V8 Fuel Economy

Mike, I suggest you take a set of belts with you. I'll guess at between 15 and 20l/100 for the economy question. You already know this I'm sure but economy can vary greatly according to speed, driving styles, road conditions, load etc. More thoughts on economy - probably closer to 15 than 20. The Toyota version in diesel usually returns 14-15 l/100, but don't expect that from a 6.5l V8 and particularly a Chev as they're not as refined or fuel efficient as the Japanese engines - you know what American engines are like - big, tough and thirsty! Good luck with your conversion.

I would be more worried about the fuel pump $$$$ My mate got as far as Esperance and his died , then got to Alice and the injectors had dramas , got as far as Darwin fuel pump went again , rang up the company in WA where they fitted it .......and they didn't want to know about it , heaps of overheating drama's , new ally radiator didn't do much , too much torque stripped some sharft in his 5 speed gear box so he sold it and got another 80 series .......he still has it now and swears that he wouldn't do that operation again !
$15K conversion for his 6.5 $800 for each pump not inc freight $1200 for injectors dramas , $850 for ally radiator ,$2450 for gearbox ............one expencive boat anchor !

I've got a 6.5 in my 75 series. Haven't bothered to work out the fuel economy but it is pretty good. Much better than my GU Patrol. You will be very surprised - it wont be that different to the HZJ motor.

Re: belts etc - Everything I've needed is available from Coventrys. If it's not on the shelf, it it'll be there that day on the arvo run. The water pump runs two belts so your safer if one packs it in. I also have have a full Murphys engine monitoring system installed (oil pressure, water level, engine temp) which has big flashing red light and buzzers if anything goes haywire.

Re: overheating - mine just has the heavy duty Toyota radiator in it with a shroud and it keeps it well cool.

Re: injection - the mechanical pump is good from what I've managed to find out. The flasher electronic controlled unit is big trouble.

Re: injectors - I religiously put Morey's diesel additive through it and it runs sweet as a nut.

On another note, definately go a serious twin battery setup. They are a big diesel and require a fair bit of grunt (even with the reduction starter) to turn over quickly.

Brunswick will sell spares off the shelf too.

Mike
Buy a factory turbo motor from a 80 series called a 1hdft, (95-98), it bolts STRAIGHT in where the 1hz was, and sell your 1hz for 3k. I suggest you buy one with gearbox, as the 100 has a prado box behind the 1hz (only the 1hz) but this is not essential...only if u intend heavy towing. This way it all stays Toyota, all fits, and all looks std...
Andrew

you want to put Chevy in a Toyota ?

Youbleeping nuts !

Grab the December issue of 4WD Monthly. It's got a great looking rig on the front cover (but I might be a bit biased)....

Anyway, in it there is an article about a bunch of blokes and shielas who went out raising funds for a bush fire unit or something. One of the blokes who was featured had a 100 series with a 6.5 Chev in it. Looked okay. Maybe you could track him down through the phone book etc.....I've had a few people do that with me from the article on my rig.

Good luck (I wanna do the same thing some day if the old 4.2 ever throws in the towel; but hopefully that'll be another 10 years/400,000klm).

Couple of points;

The 6.5L chevy diesel came as mechanical and electronic controlled injection pump. The electronics are bolted to the back of the pump. they get hot & fry unless you relocate them form the valley to the inner fender or firewall. Cheap and easy to do. Electronic controlled pump version produces more power.

Many of these engines came with 3.55 or 3.73 diffs in the US. Toyota LC in Oz are mainly 4.1 diffs, so expect a higher fuel consumption than when fitted to original vehicle, and a reduced top speed (due to lower redline & diff ratio).

However the difference in torque is huge when compared to the Toyota offerings of the same year.

Also expect some additional weight over the front axle (about another 150lbs).

If its to go in a tow vehicle the results are worth while and economy may actually increase (over the Toyota 1HZ engine - definitely for any of the petrol engines).

Remember to keep off the throttle - lest the flash for cash boxes lighten your wallet some more!