Diesel conversion
Submitted: Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 16:46
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Taf68
Hi all,
I have a 2002 3 litre automatic mitsubishi challenger that i love, apart from the fuel economy. I am currently getting about 16L per 100 km. this meant that a full tank , $100, is only getting me 460 kilometers. I love the car apart from the fuel economy and dont want to replace it. I use this car as my daily ride but am also looking to do trips as
well. while i dont expect to be crossing the
simpson desert in it quite yet i do want to make sure that i can go there , or anywhere else i find appealing.So i am wondering if its possible to have a diesel enging fitted to the car and what else would need to be done for this to be possible
any information that you could give regarding if this is possible, how much it would cost, which is the best engine to have put in there etc etc etc would be appreciated.
thanks
Taf
Reply By: Rob! - Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 16:53
Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 16:53
Taf68
I believe you could take the Triton diesel engine + bits and fit it to your vehicle, but I think you'll find the costs of doing this are such that you could be better off buying the newer diesel challanger.
R.
AnswerID:
450323
Reply By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 18:51
Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 18:51
Hi Taf,
Have you considered converting to dual fuel. Govt. is still handing out cash to encourage it as far as I know.
These are my 80 series figures taken from my old 4.5 petrol 97 model and the current 96 model TD.
Petrol 80 on gas around town 4.5 kpl 16 cents per k
towing 3.5 kpl. 22.7 cents per K
80 turbo diesel around town 8.6 kpl. 17.7 cents per k
towing 5.5kpl. 27.8 cents per K
Fuel prices Kempsey / Port Macquarie area
Gas 75 cents per liter
Diesel $1.53 per litre.
Cheers, Bruce.
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Follow Up By: Taf68 - Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 20:26
Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 20:26
Hi Bruce,
thanks for the reply. I had a discovery in the past that was gas converted and found it economical but unfortunately I cant afford to lose the space that would be taken up by gas tank if it was inside the car and i dont want to lose ground clearance by having the tank under the car.
Cheers mate
Taf
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Follow Up By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011 at 19:51
Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011 at 19:51
Hi Taf,
That's fine mate, just a thought.
It does pose a few problems I admit.
Cheers, Bruce.
| At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.Lifetime Member
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Reply By: Madfisher - Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 20:11
Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 20:11
To fit a diesel motor would cost more then your 4wd is worth. You should be getting 11/12 on a trip. Have you had it to an expert to have it checked. If a Mitchi is running cold they will use heaps so get your thermostat checked.
Cheers pete
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450352
Follow Up By: Taf68 - Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 20:30
Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 20:30
Hi Madfisher,
Thanks for the reply. At the momen ti am getting 15/16. I reckon that is probably due to the addition of the bullbar(aluminium), all terrain tyres and 2 inch emu lift.
I had a reconditioned radiator put on her last november and the thermostat was checked at the same time. Apparently it was ok , but it was checked at auto tune ....what experts were you refering to,
Cheers Mate,
Taf.
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Follow Up By: Madfisher - Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 20:59
Monday, Apr 04, 2011 at 20:59
When you say 15/16 is that to work and back or trips. To give you a comparasion by wifes Jack is and auto and has b/bar and ats but no lift and will do 13s on a trip and 16s around town. Mate any good mechanic with the right diagonostic gear should be able to check it for you. But challengers where always excepted as being the most economical of the v6s being a lot lighter with a smaller motor.
You could spend $12000 to save $4.50 per 100 and that is not factoring the extra servicing and dearer filters. The above saving would save you $900 per year, which would not even pay the interest on the cost of the conversion.
If you could get hold of a 2nd hand trition with the 2.8 then swapped motors and did all the work yourself it may just pay.
Good luck Pete
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011 at 09:16
Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011 at 09:16
Taf,
I looked at doing a conversion into my Patrol and for the price you can buy fuel for the next 5 years. Drive it till it dies and then buy a newer car with the engine you want.
AnswerID:
450390
Reply By: TerraFirma - Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011 at 12:42
Tuesday, Apr 05, 2011 at 12:42
The cost of this conversion would far outway the reduction in fuel costs. It is not a good idea to fall in love with cars, unless you have a big bank account. When the time comes don't fight it..! LOL
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Madfisher - Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 07:01
Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 07:01
It could be worthwhile ditching the auto a d getting a man. That should be worth 1 to 2l per 100.
Cheers pete
AnswerID:
450550
Reply By: Taf68 - Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 08:35
Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 08:35
Hi all
Thanks for all the replies and information. Looks like i am going to have to stck with her for a few years and then replace her for something shiny and diesel powered. Probably not a bad thing as in a few years my kids will be doing their own thing and it will just be me and the missus traveling together, so i can build a set up around what we need rather than what the three teenagers in the back need.
see you all out there
Taf
AnswerID:
450556
Reply By: ross - Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 11:21
Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 11:21
Its going to cost you $5k for good diesel or thereabouts,then you have all the other headaches
Will the gearbox mate up to a completely different engine?
Will the gauges recognise the sensors on the new engine?
Will the radiator in/outlets be in the right place.
Generally,"no" will be the answer to those three questions and there will be a lot more questions such as diff ratios being the same or different.
The other biggie is what will be on the same side?
Exhaust system, aircon compressor,alternator,starter and power steering may be on the opposite side requiring them to be moved over which means extensions to wiring and hoses.
Diesels also need a vacuum system rigged up to operate the brake power booster
These are all the things I had to contend with converting a petrol landcruiser to diesel.
The only way to do it is to have a donor vehicle of the same year available.
IMO,you better off with what you have or buy another car.
AnswerID:
450567