Well, in the search for a replacemnt for the stolen 'Cruiser, I had a drive down to Brunswick Diesels (about an hour'n a bit from me) to have a look at those Chevy V8 diesels. I was impressed, very impressed.
My latest option for replacing "The stolen one" is to buy a GU ST Nissan Patrol with a wrecked motor or with a 2.8 turbo diesel (same thing isn't it?) and put a V8 Chevy diesel in it. I had a look around the workshop and as an-ex mechanic, I was again impressed. These guys are mechanics and not just parts fitters.
Had a look at a couple of installed motors and some being readied to be fitted. Then - the biggy,,,,,,,,,,I took 2 trucks for a drive. These were both Nissan Patrol coil sprung ute's. One had a normlly aspirated Chevy V8 the other a turbo V8.
I took the turbo version first. This had a higher 3.7 ratio diff. It was an experience. I used to own the same type of truck, but with 4.2 TD in it. But this was different, very different! This Brunswick truck was the closest thing you'll get to the best Japanese 4WD engine produced so far (IMO) - the Toyota HDT-FE that was in my old 'Cruiser. Even the owner of Brunswick reckoned I'd been spoiled by driving that GXL turbo diesel and I had to agree with him. But the Brunwsick comes very close and it's a lot less complex an engine than the GXL engine - no fancy electronic ECUs to fail in the bush. If the Brunswick packed it when in the bush, I could get it going - unless the it was a catastrophic failure.
The turbo V8 doesn't have that V8 "burble' that instantly identifies a V8. The turbo takes out the exhaust pulses and produce a slight whine instead. The acceleration was very acceptable with the high ratio diff in it, easily comparable with the 'Cruiser, and better than all standard 4WDs - until the turbo kicked in. Then it was off like an arsehot greyhound! It was at 110 kmh in no time. But it was progressive and not a neck snapping excercise. At 100 kmh it accelerated quickly without pause to 130 kmh (naughty, naughty) in 5th gear with out any delay or waiting. Not bad for a diesel. I was very taken with it. I wanted one there and then. I was beginning to think that I hoped my stolen GXL was never found!!
Then Greg, the owner of Brunswick offered me the non-turbo V8. Again, it was in a tray back Nissan ute.This one had the normal (lower) diff ratio in it at 4.3. When it started, the feel and sound was immediately different. It felt like V8, it sounded like a V8. I think I became sexually excited at this point! But this was no time for distraction! Off we went. I couldn't help it, as much I tried, spinning the wheels in the red gravel out Brunswick's. I took off slow, as the truck was a stranger to me but it still kicked up dirt. Out on the main South West Highway, I gave it a big bootful and whoooaaaaaa! It accelerated quicker than the turbo V8, which would be expected with this normal shorter diff in it. It was up to 110kmh in rag time and was easily willing to go more. I had to back off.
My mate, who was watching from the roadside, reckoned the truck front was pointing skywards at ever gear change except 4th to 5th!
We stopped turned around and I gave it some more "vindaloo" the way back. It was as good as GXL turbo anyday. It cruised at 110 kmh easily at 2200 rpm whilst the turbo version did this at 2100 rpm - higher geaing in the diff.
After listening to the noise level of a Chevy V8 that thad been fitted in oldwreck of Troopy, these were quieter. Two reasons - one the Troopy was old and had next to no carpeting in it. The other reason was that the V8 in the troopy was an older Chevy V8 that didn't have oil cooled piston crowns. This leads to the need for fitting looser spec pistons and hence more "diesel rattle". The newer versions of the Chev have oil cooled pistons and have tighter spec on the pistons. This keeps the "rattle" down. Even in a Nissan tray back ute with thin PVC carpeting and thin sound insulation, I could hold conversation with Greg at 100 kmh. It wasn't "GXL quiet" but it was OK. With some more sound insulation it would match the GXL.
We did discuss prices. The conversion of an Nissan GU to a Chevy V8 with new 12 inch clutch, upgrade to recon GQ gearbox, recon GQ diffs - all the good bullet proof Nissan stuff, would cost me around $20,000. But, if you want one, you best discuss this with Brunswick as it could be slightly different depending on what truck you want to convert. For $26,000.00 you can have a brand spanking new V8!!
The fit of the V8 into a Nissan looks neat, tidy, clean and looks like it belongs there. I could live with it easily.
If the "stolen one" is never returned then I'll be buying a cheap Nissan GU, probaly an ST, and sticking this monster in it. I'd have a truck that went as good as the GXL, was stronger and had more offroad ability. I'd uprate the Nissan rear coil springs to stop the Nissan "saggy bottom" when towing and a few other non-expensive bits and it should be an OK prospecting truck. The new truck would be accepted in "civilised company" around town, would ride better than a Troopy and would be quieter than a Troopy. It would also have a stronger driveline. My wife could still go shopping in it. And the whole project would be only 2/3 rds the price of a replacement GXL.
What d'ya reckon guys. Shall I do it??
Bilbo