LC100 V8 economy

Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 13:25
ThreadID: 50190 Views:4163 Replies:9 FollowUps:15
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Currently own a 03 LC100 V8. Been a great car and probably would like to have been able to buy the TD. Unfortunately at the time money was abit thin on the ground.
Looked at upgrading to the TD but am shocked at the change over price.
Trade in price is around the 30K. That is a lot to upgrade and makes it a bit unrealistic.
So now I am thinking of what I can do the the car to improve economy and range.
Is there a way of dropping in a Turbo Diesel?
Not interested in LPG so I guess I am stuck. Pull out the spare and chuck in a long range and be done with it I guess.
Anyway, someone may have a great idea.
Thanks
Andrew
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Reply By: Member - Karl - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 14:37

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 14:37
I can't see any reason way you couldn't swap from a petrol to a diesel - I have heard of others doing it before.

First question is how much do you want to spend? - you could drop a Chevy 6.5L TD but it will cost you.

Your could always look around for a rebuilt 1HZ add a turbo and drop it in - or try and get a rebuilt factory turbo.

Karl
AnswerID: 264709

Reply By: Wizard1 - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 14:52

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 14:52
Not sure where you are, but I've seen LC100 with around 50K on them going for around $40,000 here in Brisbane. I'm sure your changeover would be less than $30K.

Wait until the LC200 is released and there is a glut of LC100 TD dropped on the market as those that are cashed up upgrade; then you'll see the price come down.
AnswerID: 264714

Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 10:59

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 10:59
No superceded toyota Ever has has suffered a price drop as the result of a new model
EG the new v8 70 series has not dropped the prices on the TD ute
And the 100 seies didnt drop the price of the 80 same as the 79 ute didnt drop the prices of the 75
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Reply By: Wayne-o (Pilbara WA) - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 16:07

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 16:07
there is a couple of things that you could do increase economy in my opinion.
a good set of extractors and exhaust, and a K&N air filter will do a bit, but usually people love the sound of the new exhaust and put their foot down more.
A sure fire way is to cut a wedge of wood and put it under the accelerator pedal.
I would not consider an engine swap personally, because you will pay around 30k for a 6.5 turbo chevy installed, and similar for a 4.2td cruiser engine, assuming they are new.
I know there is a lot of talk about fuel range and economy at the moment, and a lot of people claim figures from both TD and petrol engines that i find very hard to believe.
My patrol returns between 15-16lp100km, traveling at 110kmph loaded with roofrack etc. My brother owns a petrol patrol and returns between 18-22lp100km, and i believe this to be similar to the LC V8.
I think at the end of the day, 2-3 tonnes of steel requires a lot of power to lug around, and the power only comes from fuel.
I agree with you comment on LPG, i would never use it for my own reasons, but a long range tank will only give you more range not save $$.
sitting on 100 instead of 110, certainly makes a lot of difference in a TD, but i don't think it makes that much difference in a petrol.
My thoughts only.
Good luck.
Wayne-o
AnswerID: 264730

Reply By: The Esplanade - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 16:59

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 16:59
Thanks for the thoughts.
The car has done now 100K. I get around 15-18k/l. This was on a 8000k trip to the centre in the middle of the year.
My mate had a 05 LC100 TD with a CT and was getting around the 12k/l. He would get an extra 250+ k's per tank. This is a big advantage. I carried a jerry and still would run short.
I realise that all cars need the fuel I am more interested in the extra distance I can get with the better economy. Plus diesel is cheaper out back.
I am not keen on CT's and so with x2 kids need all the space I can get to carry gear and water. So any extra jerry's for fuel is a pain. Need the jerry's for water.
I have a spare wheel carrier on the back and space for x2 jerrys. Roof racks as well.
I also think carrying petrol in Jerry's is not that good.
My mate just traded his 05 TD in for 2k less than what he paid for it as a demo 2yrs ago. (Lucky sod) Paid 60k and got 58k plus 7k of the new LC200 TD. Had done 50K.
If I get around 30+K for the car and then need to spend another 30K for the new TD then it is not worth it.
My mistake was to buy the V8 in the first place. Oh well.
Someone told me that the TD chassis is different anyway, and that the TD will not fit.
So I think I will just stick with what I have rather than throw money away for the sake of having a TD. The depreciation of the V8 willnot change much now.
I will look into the extractors and chip to see if t helps. Anyone done it?
Regards
Andrew
AnswerID: 264736

Follow Up By: Patrol22 - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 20:01

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 20:01
Andrew...is that really 15-18 k/l??? If so, don't shift to a diesel....best you will do is about 14l/100k (or 7 k/l) [My mate gets around 14 l/100k from his LC100 1HZ and I get around 13l/100k from my 2.8 patrol] - I'm guessing you really meant 15-18 l/100k
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Follow Up By: BennyGU - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 20:34

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 20:34
2.8 he he he this is where the little bugger gets it own back.

My GU 2.8 with 33" BFGs has a long term average of 12.7l/100km and whilst it isnt flogged it isn't driven for economy either. Sits on 105km/hr with two surfboards and a/c and will get 11l/100km.

looking forward to see what happens when 3" zorst and chip go in.......... might pull the skim off a glass of milk at least.

Ben

PS: Andrew
Beaudesert exhausts do a decent extractor and 2.75???? inch exhaust in mild or SS for the 100 V8. ph (07) 5541 4114 they ship AUS wide for around $100 too.

Taipan XP said they are releasing a kit for the V8 shortly, highly reccomend this lot they are doing my GU next month.
07 5593 5225

Also fit a Unichip for more stonk and a long range tank, I do not reccomend the K&N air filter as the oil can stuff your MAF ($$$$) and they lot a lot of rubbish in compared to the old OE filter, and your on a winner. You may not have the economy of a TD but when you need absolute power the V8 will destroy a diesel and this is coming for a life long diesel owner. I would pick the V8 over the 4.2TD cruiser any day, $12k buys alot of petrol.

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Follow Up By: The Esplanade - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 20:34

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 20:34
You are correct. I realised this after I had submitted. Too bad we are unable to edit our posts.
I generally get around 15 - 17 l/100km. Whereas teh TD get around 10-12 l/100km
Thanks for the correction
Andrew
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Follow Up By: Member - Rotord - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 07:29

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 07:29
$12,000 would buy more than a lot of petrol ! If you bought $12,000 worth of units in Colonial First State Global Rescources Fund a year ago today it would be worth $17.139 . That puts you $5,139 ahead , and a year has passed so capital gains tax falls to roughly 25% , so now you have $3854 to spend on petrol , and you have your original investment to earn you petrol money next year . The return rate will increase in line with any fuel price rises , and you have emergency funds available , and when you finish driving you can cash in your investment and get your money back . So anyone who spent the extra money on a deisel just for economy probably made the wrong decision .You would of course be even better off if you paid your fuel bill out of pocket , rolled over the dividends and let the investment increase at a compound rate .At last years rate of increase that would double your money every 1.7 years and this is unlikely but doubling your money every 4 or 5 years could be possibe . And yes I know that plenty of you are already doing this with shares in breweries .
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Follow Up By: The Esplanade - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 07:42

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 07:42
Rotord, that is very serious numbers for so early in the morning.
I guess if we had bought $60k of Colonial we would be even better of and just ride a bike. (only joking)
I keep returning to these ideas as often we are driven by the heart and not by sound economic judgment.
Thanks though for the info. It is good to hear other peoples thoughts.
Regards
Andrew
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FollowupID: 526625

Reply By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 20:27

Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 20:27
Did a similar thing Andrew but brought a 4.8lt petrol Patrol, wish it used less but to be realistic its cheaper than the diesel anyway.

Looking at your car , all the state car associations with there figures show clearly that the TD cruiser is on net just dearer to run period than the V8 petrol and the new landcruiser is looking like another dud in the real cost of ownership stakes. The big influence of course being depreciation.

So while it would be great to do better, its the way it is.

The simple traditional things like higher tyre pressure , narrower tyres and lower revs , dropping speed etc are the only practical way to go.

For me though there is another possible way - I am considering trading to a V8 petrol cruiser (i.e. your type car) which uses 10-15% less fuel than mine particularly with a part time driveline conversion.
Sounds strange but figures would bear this out.

In the meantime I have found big fuel tanks which mean I mostly buy at city prices to be a real and practical advantage.

Robin Miller





AnswerID: 264772

Follow Up By: The Esplanade - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 07:33

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 07:33
Thanks for the running costs figures. I have also read these and use them to convince me to stick with the V8. Just somewhere deep inside tells me the the TD is better. Maybe it is a result of too much reading and that we all need a TD. I have been very happy with the V8. Great 4wd. Taken me everywhere I have needed to go.
I only really noticed a problem when we went on a big trip this year. The smaller range compared to the TD was shown up. Buying fuel at elevated prices in outback areas. Also. carrying fuel and water in jerry's took up valuable space.
I guess having a long range means that I will need to put x2 spares on the rear bar. Water will then need to go somewhere else. Questions questions questions.
Life is always full of compromise.
Regards
Andrew
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Follow Up By: Kev M - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 09:55

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 09:55
Esplanade,

Have you thought about fitting a combo long range tank. The TR62 LR Tanks hold 122l of fuel and 55l of water. It may free up some space for other items.
or
The TR52 LR Tank holds 182l of fuel and store the water in the vehicle

Both tanks will not fit with a OE towbar

Cheers Kev
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Reply By: Member No 1- Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 08:11

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 08:11
it will cost a lot of $$$ to drop in a diesal and or to change over to a new TD 4wd.....all of which will buy a lot a petrol

AnswerID: 264820

Reply By: Philip A - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 10:07

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 10:07
I would not waste my money on extractors etc either.
A modern car like a LC V8 , runs at an optimum Fuel air ratio at cruise.
Now it may run only at 14.7:1 or may have a "cruise" mode where the ECU leans out to say 15.5:1.
Extractors on old models used to lean the mixture at cruise,but this will not happen with your Cruiser. The ECU will automatically compensate. Th eexhaust back pressure of modern engines at cruise is very low. Its only really at high revs/load that you get any benefit
Similarly fancy aircleaners generally do nothing but let more dirt in at cruise revs and not much at high revs. The Cruiser has one of the best cleaners in the business.
Really the best ways to improve economy are
reduce weight
reduce air resistance( no roofrack)
put on non aggressive tyres
drive slower
It is possible to maybe fit a piggyback ECU to lean cruise mixtures ( if your ECU does not already do it), but few of the tuners IMHO know much about this emphasis.
The two wheel drive conversion will give a miniscule improvement of maybe 2%. Most people do this to "save" front axle wear.
Regards Philip A
AnswerID: 264835

Follow Up By: The Esplanade - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 10:54

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 10:54
Hi Phillip
Interesting info. Have you had any experience with the extractors?
The dyno reports indicate that there is an improvement. The return maybe not worth the outlay. Around $2500 for the exhaust.
I have also heard that the OE air cleaner is excellent. The foam filters are OK but need to be cleaned very regularly.
Regards
Andrew
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Follow Up By: Paul (WA) - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 19:08

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 19:08
Philip,

Maybe have a look at the original factory fitted exhaust manifold picture on my rig page and see if you think extractors wouldn't make a difference. They did on my car. Quite noticeable in fact. It can breathe now.

Armadale 4wd told me that up to 17% increase can be achieved with one particular system - measured on the dyno. The average is around 5-10% apparently

Regards,

Paul
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Follow Up By: Philip A - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 22:14

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 22:14
I concede they look pretty terrible, but I can show you a series of tests on very similar chev manifolds where the difference between them and extractors was very small. And Rams Horns ( type of Chev manifold with 2x2 into centre dump) were AFAIR better. Also the V8 is a low revving engine and with an auto should rarely exceed say 2500RPM in day to day use.
However I have no doubt that it is possible tio get up to 15% extra peak power, and you will certainly feel it. But you will not see 15% better economy.

However I am not saying that a complete exhaust system will not give more power across the range, just that most sellers compare the complete system with a standard system and never tell ( or maybe know) where the gains are.Pipe size? mufflers? extractors?

It may be that you will get 80% of the improvement with just a free flow muffler for $200. And this improvement will be only at high gas velocities, ie full throttle, as most of the time the muffler passes plenty of air for part throttle operation with low back pressure.

Second, in the real world you are not driving the car like on a dyno ( full throttle), so from the point of view of fuel economy on say 10%TPS setting, I think the gains are very small.
ask the exhaust supplier
1 where are the gains muffler? pipe size?extractors? %s?
2 Show me a dyno chart at 10% throttle at 2000RPM
3 Show me the specific fuel usage at 2000RPM on equal loads but maybe different throttle settings, if in fact more power is made.
I bet they can/will do none of those things, and its not in their interests to sell you just a muffler when their business is in selling extractors/systems with far more profit.
Regards Philip A


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Follow Up By: The Esplanade - Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 06:29

Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 06:29
Thanks for the very insightful information. I guess you can make any figures represent anything if you try hard enough.
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Follow Up By: Paul (WA) - Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 08:52

Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 08:52
Philip,

Thanks for that. Some valuable info there.

Maybe I do notice the difference in my vehicle because it is a manual and is regularly revving over 2500 rpm when.

Maybe more power isn't made, but the vehicle feels more responsive to throttle inputs.

You could be right about where the gains come from. I had the muffler fitted first and then the extractors and hi flow cats. It seemed like there were small gains on both occasions.

It will be interesting to see whether a piggy back chip provides any additional benefit. The person I spoke to said the engine can be tuned down to 1200 rpm (for a manual). I have spoken to a number of people about his tuning skills and he has a good reputation in the 4wd industry.

The reason for making these changes was to improve performance and economy, not one or the other. Not sure if both criteria have been met. Certainly enjoy driving the vehicle more.

Regards,

Paul



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FollowupID: 526800

Follow Up By: Philip A - Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 14:15

Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 14:15
I agree. My car has 50% !! more power from idle tapering to say 20% at 3000 up to 40% at high revs over a standard 3.9.

To say that I am happy with the performance is an understatement. Outdragged a 4.8 auto cruiser the other night with 3 people in, and only driver in Cruiser. Had to get that one in.
But the economy is sh1thouse.
If you want good cruising economy, you should find the revs you want and tell the dyno guy to tune it to say 15.5:1 AFR at those revs at small say 10 % throttle.
Now many will resist this as it may cause detonation, the lean condition has to be tapered into the other settings, and the rule of unintended consequences( or Murphy's) for short, may mean you get a "tip in " hesitation , or it may be a dog when warming up, may stall etc.
Graeme Cooper said to me that they conservatively set the Unichip timing lead, so that there is no detonation, seeming to ignore the fact that I am an educated consumer , and am quite capable of retarding the timing.
They are very concerned about comebacks.
Regards Philip A

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Follow Up By: Paul (WA) - Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 08:06

Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 08:06
Philip,

Thanks for the information on the cruising economy. I'll definitely ask about the air fuel ratio you suggest when it gets done.

It's understandable that they go for conservative settings on the Unichip to avoid any possibility of engine damage.

I haven't really seen that much difference in fuel economy around town. On the open road slightly better, but it would be better if it wasn't revving at 2600 rpm in 5th gear at 100 km/h (compared to the auto which sits on 2,200 rpm at the same speed). The 6 speed in the 200 series will make a difference there you would think.

Regardless of the little things, it's still a pleasure to drive whether on the road or out in the bush, which is probably the same as a lot of other 4WD brands and models.

Regards,

Paul


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Reply By: Philip A - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 15:22

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 15:22
Andrew,
I have not had experience with an LC100 V8 but have with several other engines.
Dyno reports will almost always concentrate on max power, and rarely if ever on gains at cruise on very light throttle where you drive nearly all the time.
I have had extractors on several cars but nearest is a Range Rover V8. The standard injection manifolds are superior for noise,and low down power. There was no discernable diference in economy.
I would be very surprised if the Toyota standard manifolds were not a sound design.
Most gains from after market exhausts are from the free flow muffler, which lowers back pressure at WOT, and most dyno shops will compare a fully standard system with their modified system without quantifying where the gains were made.
Of course dyno charts also will compare full throttle with full throttle. I have never seen one comparing cruise horsepower . Depending on the design, you may lose torque at cruise revs.
There are also several text books on the subject . I will give you some references if you want.
I have fitted the following to my Ramnge Rover to try to improve fuel economy.
Updated Thor inlet manifold ( more torque down low)
Unichip
free flow exhaust
modified heads with higher compression
more modern injectors
Result just about nil.
However I have just fitted oxy sensors to my ECU, and this looks like it may have made a difference. The Range Rover Classic had O2 sensors in the USA but not here. The greater mixture control seems to be having some effect, but I do not expect more than 5-10%.
Regards Philip A
AnswerID: 264867

Reply By: Paul (WA) - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 18:52

Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 18:52
Hi Esplanade,

Was in a similar situation to you when I bought my V8. You may want to have a look at my rig and see some of the mods. Am planning to install a Unichip in the near future.

The exhaust system made about a noticeable to power and torque, but need to get the car on a dyno to accurately measure improvement. Economy may have improved slightly, but depends how and where you are driving obviously.

Mine has done just under 50K and has never had a problem. A pleasure to drive.

Hope all goes well with whatever you decide,

Regards,

Paul
AnswerID: 264903

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