patrol 2.8 turbo vs lpg

The driveline on the 2.8 is exactly the same from the back of the gearbox. Although I have heard the gearbox is weak, as it is off the skyline, it is supposed to have uprated components, and a lot of petrol heads that get lots of HP out of the skylines often use the patrol 2.8 box as it is a lot stronger....still not as strong as the other Patrol boxes, but at 95 kw I have heard of few problems with it.

The engine can be a little on the fragile side, but the problems I have had were not the engines fault - not noticing all of the coolant being dumped while towing a 2 tonne boat in the tropics will not do any motor much good! (have a low coolant alarm now)

I would much rather a 4.2, but I don,t know about the 3.0. I have not heard of any common major problems with the 2.8, both in the GQ and the GU

Time will tell

Cheers Andrew

Mate do some reserch yourself on the 2.8.....not the most powerfull engine around, but as you said towing is not a issue for you...I have a 99 gu 2.8 125000 kms on it and must say it has to be the quietest, smoothest diesel getting around.....fully loaded up with camping gear it will still keep up with the 3.0 and the 4.2 at hwy speed.....I would probably put bigger tyres on it to bring the revs down a bit as they pull around 3000 rpm at 110km/h. Everybody on here will tell you why their car is the best. 3.0 engine problems, 4.2 some over heating problems and gearbox problems......every car has problems, you just need to weigh up your needs versus the $$$$$ as you will pick up a very good 2.8 around $8000 to $10000 cheaper than a 4.2, thats alot of money in anyones book. Just remember thats my opinion only and a bit one sided as I own a 2.8 and am more than happy with it, bit sluggish off the line but once rollin it will stay with most of them. As for head problems....change coolant when you should, use good stuff and maintain it and it will last like all engines will with some TLC

Cheers
The little turbo battler

Dweezil

I agree entirely with GQ-Tuff - my 98 2.8td now has 250000km on the clock and I have not had a single problem with it. I did overhaul the injectors at 200000km but that was my choice not because the engine was playing up. Also....there is absolutely nothing wrong with the gearbox albeit the engine is a bit underpowered when towing. That said, I tow a 1.4 tonne (loaded) KangaCamper and haven't experienced any real difficulties - either on road or off road. Oh...and it still has the same disc pads that were fitted at the factory on build. My guess is that with careful driving and good maintenance practices you will get a good return on investment.

Cheers
Pete

Thanks Pete, I appreciate the advice.
Cheers D

Thanks
Epicurean, Andrew and Turbo Battler, All Of you are wise and make sense. Now I am really wondering what to do. I am looking at early model patrols, eg. late eighties early nineties., Does this make a difference.
Cheers D

Thanks Pezza, Does the Motsons upgrade improve fuel effeciency as well as performance? Are any series 2.8 better or worse than others? I read post 37958 but could not get other.
Merry Xmas D

dweezil,
Try clicking here for the other post.
There was only the 1 series in the 2.8 guise, 98 to early 2000, and were all the same, you hear the odd problem with one every now and then, some of which may also have been operator induced, ie. lack of maintenance, small unnoticed problem leading to big one, thrashing etc. but no more than with any other vehicle, certainly nothing like the 3lt GU or the early gen 111 oil problem in the comode, or cracking (falling apart ) control arms on the L/C.
The Motsons does not give any better fuel economy, only operator input can do that :-) Most owners without the chip report around 7 - 8 km/lt, that's what I get with it, it just gives more power and makes it easier to drive.

Merry X-mas
Pezza

Thanks Pezza that worked. Am looking at 330000 km 1995 rx that had rebuild at 220000 or a 1997 GQ 2.5 that has 210000 k with new suspension. Seems a bit early for that. 1995 is country car 11000 ono. Other is Bris 10500
ono. Is rebuild a common necessity?
Cheers D

Hi avoid the 2,8 at all costs aside from the problems with heads ect. fuel econemy is only about 7.2km ltr around town and bewetween 5.5 and 6,5 km ltr on the highway. the engine cannot be changed without changing the diffs and gear box ect.
you would be much better of going for the 4.2ltr as the econemy is better because the of gear box and diff ratios. andmcan be easily transplanted at some other time if needed

Ooohh Bugger Dweezil,
I've been leading you astray mate, kick myself in the backside.
I was assuming you were talking about a GU 2.8, not the GQ 2.8, even though the basic engine is the same, they're completely different animals unfortunately, there really is only two words to describe the GQ version...bluddy terrible !
Nearly like driving a 2.4 lt diesel hilux in the power department.
Motson don't have anything for the GQ version as the engine is still the mechanical type, ie. not computer controlled like the GU which has electronic fuel pump etc. when Nissan did the upgrade with the GU in 98 the "new" electronic 2.8 was a huge increase in technology, power and torque over the old GQ one.
Most of the info above is relavent to the GU, not the GQ, real sorry mate, didn't mean to lead you down the garden path!
I have to agree with some of the others in that you would be better off going with the 4.2 petrol than the 2.8, not sure on the 2.8 fuel economy figures but the 4.2 should return somewhere round the 5.5 km/lt (18.2 lt/100) on petrol and 3 to 3.5 km/lt (28.5lt/100) on gas, the petrol, although thursty, is good for 300k plus and very reliable, make sure it's had some sort of upper cyl lubricant if it's been on gas for a while.
They changed from a carby version to the fuel injection motor in early 94 I think, try and stick with the fuel injected version if finances allow, much better drivability and slightly better economy.

Avagoodn
Pezza

Thanks all, That makes things clearer. That would be great Outback Epicurean. PO Box 1604 Lightning Ridge NSW 2834. I will step back and reasess!
Have a great Xmas and 2007!
D