Nissan VH41 or VH45 or diesel cw51 rd8 v8

[gary_in_nz]

has anyone installed one of these in their GQ by any chance??
Nissan VH41 or VH45. diesel cw51 rd8 v8 i have since found this last one is a truck motor that is in excess of 14L!!!

Whats involved? are there any kits available? what do you have to do for motor mounts?? mounting up to the gear box? fuel pump?
just sort of looking to get some more juice out the old girl, i had a quote to get her turbo'ed and that came in around $6k!!!
Just been looking on our favorite trademe and see that their are some of the previously mentioned motors going from as little as $950!!

Pros and Cons please??

cheers

[doddzee]

There has been some discussion on VH41's and 45's here before so hit the search button. You could also get in contact with darinz he has a turboed 45 in his using the auto mated to the partol transfer box.

Or look here viewtopic.php?f=18&t=9789 at fatboys build.

There are not any kits availabe for installation yet but i dont think it will be too long before they start becoming availabe in aussie. So alot of custom work is involved.

I have a VT V8 commodore motor in my safari and are happy with the results, it was a fairly easy conversion aswell with lots of aftermarket kits available.

You quote for a turbo sounds expensive but a V8 conversion will exceed that $6k unless you have some very good contacts or are able to do everything yourself even so you will be lucky to do it for under 6k, its the little things that add up and end up costing you.

[darinz]

Turboing the TD42 is the easiest, cheapest and most reliable option. If it is a club truck and daily driver then do this! 150rwkw isn't that hard to get out of a TD42 and that is alot of power compared to the 50ish you currently have!

A VH conversion will cost a bit. The motor will be between $1k-$2k. You can use the factory ecu quite happily and if you are auto then it will use the same auto as the Safari with a few things changed ie input shafts etc, but you usually get the auto with the motor so you have all the parts you need.
You'll need to either shift the motor foward or the body back to clear the firewall. I couldn't see any way of cutting the firewall as the steering and pedal box is in the way of the engine.
Custom manifolds and exhuast. Custom engine mounts. Factory radiator will do the job with a good electric fan. Falcon ones are the perfect size. I have a 3 core Safari rad with EL Falcon fans and that keeps my turboed VH45 cool enough.
You'll need a very good 12v supply with any V8 conversion. A lot start with a reducer bu they don't last so end up either converting the whole truck to 12v or running 2 alternators. I have 2 alternators but the 24v is for the winch only.

So if you can do most of the work yourself you'll have change from $10k, if you pay someone then don't expect anything from $15k.
I don't know exacty what mine has cost. I haven't paid retail for anything, I've had a lot of stuff sponsored and I've done most of the work myself and mine has cost around $12K to $14K which for 280rwkw is pretty cheap!!!!!

[gary_in_nz]

ok cheers, looks like maybe turbo is the option, thanks heaps!!

[gary_in_nz]

hey, was thinking of a Holden 5ltr v8?? one from Vn's onwards, heard you maybe able to get conversion kits??

[turoa]

hey, was thinking of a Holden 5ltr v8?? one from Vn's onwards, heard you maybe able to get conversion kits??

I wouldnt say you could get a conversion kit, you can get a bellhousing from marks adapters to marry it up, but all the engine mounts, exhaust and wiring etc you have to do yourself or pay for it to get done.

[darinz]

I think Marks adapters do engine mounts as well. For the work of fitting a 5.0 why don't you just get an LS1 as they are getting pretty cheap now?

[gary_in_nz]

yeah i was also thinking that ls1 getting cheap enough, but i think i will go turbo diesel any how. just want to explore all possibilities before spending big bucks!!

[darinz]

For a club truck a TD42T is a pretty good option and a lot cheaper than a V8. If I was building a club truck that is what I would do. The V8 is great for comps but the HP I have is hard work so you can't relax which is fine for comps but.....