Turbo Lux

G'Day Madlux,

Haven't done this myself but it may be worth contacting Denco diesel. They advertise on this site and have good reports from other members.

In general the 2.8 is a slug, other half had one as a company vehicle for a few months. It is however reliable and a good candidate for a turbo

Hope this helps

Rolande

Gidday Mad Lux,

Until 12 odd months ago I had the 2.4 Lux...yep wouldn't pull a greasy stick from a dawgs behind.

I picked up a 2nd hand turbo complete with manifold and dump pipe from wreckers for 500 fish. Took me roughly 4 hours to instal and another 100 and something for a straight through exhaust. Never looked back. I had 31x10.5x15s on also and commuted between Brisvegas and Rockhampton (600km) quite regularly. The turbo made th eold lux so much more driveable. The vehicle had near 200km (I think) from memory before I fitted and I added another 40 odd (I think) after fitting. I drove it hard and never had a problem (that was caused by the turbo at least). At one stage it did start to get hot when going through hilly country at speed but the radiator looked almost original anyway and once replaced was never an issue again.

I know the manifold stud pattern on the 2.8 is different to the 2.4 but I have a feeling that the turbo off a Surf may fit...think there was a "Fisho" on this forum that went through the same process with a 2.8 some while back.

BEst of luck.

Hi there,

I have a 2.8, and purchased a turbo kit plus zorst from denco diesel cant remember exactly what i paid but was around 2k maybe a touch more got it delivered to me in a big box and fitted myself took about a day going very slowly. ive had it for about 25,000k's now and it hasnt skipped a beat running 10PSI. feels like im driving a different car!! Call Denco!!

Chich

Price sounds about right - but you may need to have your injectors and pump looked at too, which will add to the cost. If they are okay then go for the turbo.

It cost me about $3k to do my '91 Cruiser about 4 years ago and it had about 190k on the clock.

280k is not a lot of mileage for a diesel - it i still being broken in.

Yes you will notice the difference and will wonder why it took you so long to get it done. Keep up the servicing and the motor will last a long time.

Just make sure whoever does the fitting of the turbo is a reputable dealer and knows what they are doing and you will not have any trouble.

There are some advertisers on this site who have a good rep - give them a call, you won't regret it.

Karl

mad lux,
i did my 4runner 95 model 2.8 upgraded to a safari turbo kit , cost $3,200
did injectors etc ,new 2 1/4inch muffler system. could not get a factory intercooler
which did not help.i did the upgrade so i could tow my caravan 1500kgs.
be careful that if you are going to tow any thing heavy it may get a bit warm,
(by the way the radiator is new) i am at this moment tossing up with 3 alternitives,
1/ intercooler if it can be fitted under the bonnet(lots of toys in there) pricey $1000?
2/new larger capacity radiator $550 plus?
3/oil cooler from rocket industries about $250/$300 plus sandwich & oil lines etc
no3 seems the easiest and cheepist answer will keep everyone posted

lewjack

another way to go which will give you better results is to super/charge it there is a kit that fits that has S/C fitted into a manifold that just bolts on this will give you more tourge in lower revs than any turbo can will be more expensive to fit but will give better results also they are friendlier on higher milage moters like yours, i have one on my 4.2 diesal patrol and it puts out at idle what a turbo puts out at 1800revs. Col

Just to put a spanner in the works,I turboed my 4 Runner 94 2.8 at 190000kms as it was just to slow towing our Tambo Cooper.After the turbo was fitted(by me) I had it tuned and boost set at 10.5..Vehicle already had a 2 1/2 inch exhaust and h/d clutch and I got the injectors rebuilt before fitting the turbo.
I was really dissapointed with the proformance, sure it went great unloaded but with camper on it was still a slug on hills.I did fit an EGT and temps were fine as far as that goes but still lacked towing power.I wish I had saved the money on the turbo and put it towards the Cruiser I purchased.Now I am back in the same situation, after fitting bigger wheels on our cruiser it lacks the go I want and I have the choice of turboeing it or selling it.Still undecided.

We have had a 2.8D Hilux, 1992 model for the last 12 years. My brother owned it first and had the motor fully rebuilt and balanced when he fitted a Mike Vine Turbo a year after he brought it.
50,000km later it blew a crankshaft. He rebuilt it again and sold it to my other brother. 100,000km later it let go of another crankshaft. He rebuilt it and sold it to his apprentice 2 years ago who still owns the car at about 350,000km.
It goes well but I reckon it has probably had about $30k spent on it including the turbo over the years. We were warned that 2.8's had weak crankshafts and that the 2.4D is a better motor to fit a turbo.
I think I would agree with that statement now. I would recommend putting up with the 2.8 and consider fitting DieselGas or if you really want to keep your hilux and want more power, I'd probably fit a 3.8L Holden V6 and stick it on gas.

Good luck with your decision!

Brett