V8 into GQ
Submitted: Monday, Jan 31, 2005 at 17:57
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Hano
Hello all,
I wanted to hear from anyone who has put a V8 into a GQ. I have a 1990 VQ Statesman and a 89 GQ patrol. i have done heaps to the patrol, but am now living and working in
Perth, and the big girl drinks me under the table, although its amazing the difference a set of spark plugs makes to fuel economy!!
the statesmans body is starting to show signs of a hard life, and i am considering trading it for something else a little smaller. at the end of the day i will still have two vehicles with all the ongoing costs that that involves, registration, insurance etc. the statey is currently more fuel efficient than the patrol, and i wonder firstly will that carry over with the conversion, secondly does the motor bolt up to the gq's gearbox and what you guys rekon i should do. My kids love the forby, we get a way camping alot, but driving it around town is bloody expensive.
any suggestions or tales of your own experiences would be appreciated...
Hano
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Jan 31, 2005 at 20:26
Monday, Jan 31, 2005 at 20:26
Most engine swaps people talk about cost $7-10 k+.
by the time you buy new radiator $400-600 depending, hoses, mounts for engine, mounting kits for box etc $1000, labour, misc parts $.. etc etc
Then upgrade the brakes, and all the crap the engineers want you to do to pass it -it isnt a cheap or simple process.
Buy a Daewoo Matiz for round town 5/100 mate at work gets! Im thinkin of it myself.
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95906
Reply By: V8Diesel - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 11:53
Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005 at 11:53
To be honest, if fuel costs are a concern to you, any engine swap is probably not advisable. They are expensive, you never get your money back and the fuel savings will not even remotely pay for themselves. On the other hand, the drivability benefits are great but I would place this sort of undertaking squarely in the "enthusiasts" category.
I had a HJ60 Auto with a Holden 308 V8 in it. Went
well but had a range of 250km's - utterly ridiculous fuel consumption making it in all practical terms useless. From experience, a 308 is simply too small a motor for the job if you are going to all the trouble and expense of a conversion.
If you want a petrol V8 4 x 4, which I would advise against, slot a 400ci Chev small block in for 'understressed' performance.
I also currently own a HJ75 with a Chev 6.5 V8 Diesel in it which is much better on the juice, but a very expensive option to convert properly.
Remember, fuel efficiency has no direct relation to engine capacity - there are many more factors involved than just that.
Plenty of good advice above, good luck.
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96026