Here is another engine conversion that I did when I had my workshop. Not quite as interesting or challenging as the Celica conversion, but a nice end product that’s for sure. The v
ehicle is a 1993 Toyota Hilux 4×4. Originally fitted with a 2.8 litre diesel engine and five speed manual transmission, it was bought for the right price as it had overheated and cracked the cylinder head. The cylinder head had been removed and the bores were very rusty from sitting around for so long. To repair the diesel engine would have cost around $5000.00 and the old 2.8 was never a powerhouse, usually very reliable but performance was a bit lacking. So we decided on fitting a 3.8 litre Buick V6 engine from a 1990 Holden Commodore. The cost of the engine and the bits and pieces needed for the conversion was around $1500.00 less than the diesel rebuild and the difference in power is incredible.
Luckily people have been doing these conversions for a while now and all the bits and pieces needed for the change are available over the counter from a couple of firms. We chose Marks 4×4 as they had everything we needed in kit form. So out came what was left of the diesel engine. The original gearbox was retained, with a change of bellhousing and clutch plates and slave cylinder. The passengers side origin
al engine mount had to be cut off the chassis rail and the new one welded to it. Because this vehicle has independant front suspension the steering damper had to be relocated, one bolt on bracket and one welded bracket needed there. Then it was time to fit the engine and bolt everything up. As you can see it looks like it belongs in there! The next thing was to wire it all and install the computer inside, behind the passengers kick-panel. The fuel system had to have a bit of work, running high pressure lines to and from the engine, fitting a high pressure pump inline and fitting a surge tank. We had some custom hoses made up to mate the Holden power steering pump and A/C compressor to the Toyota units and adapted the air intake to the original Toyota filter. The original radiator was used with an adaptor to mate the bottom hoses together and an electric cooling fan was fitted. The exhaust system uses the original Holden manifolds with a custom set up back from there.
What we
ended up with was a totally different vehicle to drive. The difference in acceleration alone was great, and it didn’t matter what gear you were in it would still pull like a steam train. Even though the diesel engines are super reliable and still get you where you need to go, this conversion has made this Hilux very pleasurable to drive. It has even shocked a few people who think they can blow it into the weeds because it has diesel bagdes on the back! Have to take those badges off it one day, naah let’s leave them on, it adds to the fun! Take care and be safe on the roads.
Craig
4 Users Responded in " Yet another engine conversion "
hello Craig,
interesting article. My 1994 2.8 diesel is making some sinister noises and will need to be replaced soon. Do you know of any reputable businesses in Adelaide that handle such conversions? The vehicle itself is in excellent condition so too good to write off but not worth much to sell with the motor knocking! thanks shep
Hi Shep,
I don’t know of any workshops in your area that could handle such a job as I am located in Brisbane, however there is one supplier of the Marks 4×4 conversion kits in South Australia and they may have the information you need. Their details are -
FNB4WD, 18 Simper Crescent, Mt Barker, Phone-8391 4594, Fax-8391 4595, Email mymates@fnb4wd.com.au
The conversion isn’t a particularly hard one to do, the only real ‘out of the box’ type stuff that needs to be done is a little bit of welding, the setting up of the efi fuel system, placement and wiring of the engine’s computer and fabrication of the exhaust system.
Just one word of warning, a friend of the guy that we did the conversion for had the same job done at another workshop up here(using a VS commodore engine and auto rather than the VN engine and retaining the Toyota five-speed) and he didn’t ask for a quote and got slugged $12,000! Silly bugger paid it too! If you do find a suitable candidate make sure you get a written quote and have them call you if anything comes up that is going to cost more. Crazy stuff!! Also the VN Series 1 engine seems to be the pick of them for this conversion as they have more torque than the later engines and the efi system is easier to wire up.
Anyway, good luck with finding someone that can do it for you, in my opinion the end result is so much better than spending your money on the diesel and the power increase makes them a much more ‘driveable’ fourby.
Also if you strike out with the guys listed above, an email to Marks 4×4 themselves might be worthwhile. Their email address is info@marks4wd.com
Regards,
Craig
hi,im thinking of doing v6 conversion to my 87 4×4 diesel hilux with a 95 toyota lexcen v6 that i already have but have heard that the toyota v6 has less power and torque than the holden v6,is this true and if so how much difference is there. also after info and pictures off anyone who has already done conversion of 87 hilux in NSW around newcastle. thanx matt
Hi Matt,
As far as I am aware (and a quick search around the net) the Lexcen and Commodore engines have exactly the same power output. The Lexcen is just a re-badged Commodore and the only change I could see resulting in lower power figures would be a change of computer, which could allways be changed for a Commodore unit if you are in any doubt of your engines output.
I am not aware of anyone in your area that has done the conversion, hopefully one of our readers will be able to help you with that one. If there is anything else I may be able to help you with regarding the conversion please let me know.
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