KZJ78 Prado with Holden 3.8 V6?? Any Good

[kbushnz]

Hi Yah Guys
Quick questions...
Has anyone here done a Ecotec 3.8 Holden into a Playdoh?
Getting a bit tired of the diesel and wanted to see if its a viable option..(If I put in a V8 I can see me destroying diffs or cv's )
Would like to know what its like off road...
Engine has similar torque to the diesel but more horses and I have read they have a flattish torque curve.....
Also typical fuel usage...
Just thinking out loud..

[TJ]

Put a V8 in it and be done, you know you want to.

[kbushnz]

$$$

[sig]

ls1 is better

[rob-mu]

There was a maroon one on here with a commy?i remember seein it on trademe for cheap and he seemed to like it

[GotFlex]

I rekon the Commy conversion would be good in this truck,
You could even throw a supercharger on it later,
Seen whole cars with the V6 supercharged motor sell cheap on tm

[TJ]

ls1 is better

$$$

How much is LS1 these days? V6 can't be that much cheaper. You'll be paying for cert and all the work regardless of the engine choice (which makes it cost neutral).

As for breakage, well that may or may not happen.

[TJ]

Actually, this might be even better:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/chevrolet/engines/auction-611557695.htm

[kbushnz]

Now now guys, don't hijack the thread....Loose 2 cylinders and get back to V6 3.8 commy motors...

[TJ]

Ok, so 3.8 V6 Ecotec at $1k for the engine (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/holden/engines/auction-610034781.htm)

Seriously though, what about 1UZ (like http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/toyota/engines/auction-611555817.htm) - I don't know too much about Toyota compatibility but I would've thought this might be easier to adapt to your existing transmission and drivetrain?

I know you are worried about the budget and possible breakage down the line with extra hp, but 1UZ should be in your consideration.

[evolution02]

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... 47&t=33355
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... 22&t=33333

This guy did one and used a rodeo bell housing to join to prado box. Pretty sure he had it for sale earlier in the year

[kbushnz]

1UZ nope... not going there.. Need to rev its nuts off to get into the sweet spot...

Plan in my head is to get a donor car.... Turners / TM etc etc.... Use the whole engine / trans / ecu / ignition system etc etc.
Adapter for GM auto to Cruiser transfer case..

I will do all the work myself. Time isn't an issue.

[Petemcc]

Whats wrong with the 1kz? I would have thought a commy motor would be going backwards? especially if you are still doing some road driving. All the ones I have seen in hiluxs use heaps of gas.

If you are after more power probably better to spend the money you would on the conversion on getting more power out of the lkz. rebuild and or new turbo etc. or supercharger if you want more off the line.

with the way fuel is these days you would be devaluing it with a petrol motor?

[Clint]

1UZ nope... not going there.. Need to rev its nuts off to get into the sweet spot...
.

With the 4.88 diffs in mine & 33's there's no worries getting the 1UZ in the zone Too much so for the diffs at times but that could have a bit to do with my driving style. The price of LS motors has dropped heaps since I put in my 1UZ though so I'd be giving serious thought to that option if dropping in an 8 again.

Jason Delahunty from Tauranga has an earlier Holden V6 (i think) in his LJ71 winch/race truck & that goes pretty damn well.

Cheers
Clint

[kbushnz]

Whats wrong with the 1kz? I would have thought a commy motor would be going backwards?

I am getting sick of the diesel... Noisey clattery thing... Engine bay is full of so much stuff.. Intercoolers, turbos. Just thinking about something simple clean etc etc.. As said just a thought at this time... Info gathering exercise...
Not a daily driver anymore.... Its now my play truck....Hmmmmm

[juz]

Im with clint, if i was to do it again Id go for an LS1 over a 1UZ, a commy V6 just seems like itd be doing too much hard work imo. Funny your sick of the 1kz im sick of the 1uz and about to buy a 1kz hilux

[Lawrence]

If i was you i would be putting a 1hd-t into it. Ideally i would like to put one into my kj78 at one stage...

Then you just need some patrol axles under it and your away laughing

[yael]

I say stay with what you have... IMHO petrols+water don't really mix well with ignition side if things also if u kill your alternator they won't run for that long if at all just on the battery.

Where as with what you have the 1kz with the manual pump give the old girl clean air and fuel and then you don't really have to worry about anything else.

That's my 2c worth any how

[imsohi]

If you are keen on the community I say go for it they seem to perform and using the auto trans with the adapter will be the best and proberly easyest. If you want it go 4 it

[imsohi]

If you are keen on the commy I say go for it they seem to perform and using the auto trans with the adapter will be the best and proberly easyest. If you want it go 4 it

[drive it ...]

Turbo off supercharger on. Like Richard (Bulletproof) truck. All the goood points of a diesel with (some of?) the extra power you're looking for.

[shortylux]

I had an older commy V6 in my single cab Hilux. Had a Hrado axle/cv's in the front. Running 35" simex I never had an issue with cv's. Did blow a diff once but that was significant driver error. So yes your drive line should be happy as.

If you were going from a 2.4 turbo diesel I would say you should be happy with the V6. But going from a 1kz and in a full bodied truck, I'm not sure you would be satisfied. Yes, you would have a bigger rev range and that might be useful enough to justify the effort. I did like the torque and compared to a NA 1UZ, the commy has its merits. (Start and alt positions, wasted spark coils etc)

If you were going to do it I would say plan on a factory supercharged engine.

Hope that helps your decision process.

[kbushnz]

This is all good stuff...
I have the opportunity to drive a truck with said engine in it..
Its based on my chassis and running gear, just has a single cab (older 70 series) on it....(winch challenge truck) So it will be a bit lighter...
Was a Navi / passenger in it over Queens Birthday weekend and was impressed how it went and felt....

[turoa]

Slap a 1hdt in. Done deal.

[mudbugga]

Buy a damaged vehicle from Turners and get the V6 loom and ECU out of it.
Mate at work buys heaps from Turners and parts them out. Buys most for under $400.
Makes very good money from it which helps pay for his stockcar.



Here's another place that does damaged auctions up your way......
http://www.manheim.co.nz/damaged-vehicl ... rchResults

http://www.manheim.co.nz/damaged-vehicl ... rchResults

http://www.manheim.co.nz/damaged-vehicl ... rchResults

[suzukisport]

We have run the V6 Commodore motors, first was an early VP 3.8 and current is a VX 3.8 factory supercharged.

The early motors have problems with blowing MAP and CAS sensors and we also had trouble with the DFI module and a couple of coils. One of the good things though is the early motors are cheap as chips and heaps of parts available. We still have a couple sitting in the shed.

The later model motor we run now we havn't had any trouble with yet. It runs really well and makes some decent power and torque thanks to the blower, plus if you want some more boost you can throw a smaller pulley on the blower.

Saying that though there are some lighter and more powerful Japanese V6 motors that make a lot better power figures out there. The Commodore 3.8 are a little old technology IMO.

[lexlux]

2jz is another option would bolt too what youve got .
you should get hold of phil clark he has a 4 door with the back cut off ,we will be at the pig farm tomorrow from 10.00 .