V8 into GQ

this would be more of a lifestyle choice than one that made economic sense. To swap motors would be quite involved with the efi etc. IF you found a place that spacialized in such conversions you could get an all up price but it would still run into 000s also your gq is probably about a ton heavier with the aerodynamics of a brick so some of your expected economy would have to go west and then you have a statesman without a donk do you try putting the gq motor in it?. If it is round town running costs that concern you it would prob be cheaper and more economical to go gas. In actual fact you will find your cheapest option is to just have your 4by and pay the money at the bowser I bet if you do the sums you will come to the same conclusion

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.

put the statesman in the quokka - add some more of your money and put a v8 diesel into the gq - easy/simple swap but best left to those who either have done a few or lots - talk to brunswick diesels or chevpower. you will get a bit better economy with heaps better power but even better is the way the power is delivered. now if you want to forget the economy wack on a turbo with 3" system and just listen to it growl - can't keep the foot from pushing that pedal right down. as for trying with the original - hiclone forget it. carby - there was a mob advertised for a while doing holley swaps but they need some work to stop starving when not horizontal - there is supposed to be a 4wd compatible one avail but you will need to hunt that down form outside aust - though they may be avail over east. how many kids? 2003 magna (i know but don't laugh too much - remember this for around town duties) at the auctions with 40,000 on the clock, ex govt went for $8100. Now I can't stand the magna (ever been a car so ugly) but there were also camrys (nearly as ugly) and they were only a couple of thou extra. for town cars a couple of years old they are ok. rgds

LPG.

That's assuming it's readily available in your area.

Two large for the conversion. Much cheaper than any engine swap and will be cheaper to run than any V8, diesel or petrol.

Cheers,

Jim.

On the subject of fuel economy, have used those motors in 60's, 80's and hilux's, the best figures you will get are about 16-18 litres per hundred k. The GQ being about the same weight, gearing and brick shaped they should be about the same. the best one I did was an base pack 80, that gets constant 15's highway and city, slightly better aerodynamics. Most guys don't go to the V8 for economy, it's for the noise and power and the ability to overtake up hills not to mention the grunt in the bush. And for a certain DIFF BREAKING hilux surf driver it is for doing circle work after work parties. If you want economy go 1st a turbo diesel, or 2nd straight gas(the most reliable way to have gas on non efi motors)

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.