V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
Had a few issues with my landcruiser last weekend. Was towing my boat to coramandal when the turbo oil seal blew. It filled the turbo instantly with oil turning it into an oil pump. The turbo self distructed sending it all through my engine. Now the big decision. I would like to drop a V8 diesel into it with a manual gear box. I have heard of this being done with a chevy 6.2L diesel but have no idea where to start or what I would need to get. Any done this or know where I could get good sound information from I would greatly appreciate.
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
dont bother with the chev 6.2,try for a chev 6.5 .way better motor.6.2 will rattle your cruiser to bits making f all power.
FJ40,INJECTED SB 406 CHEV, LOCKER,35 SIMEXS,warn winch , 80seies vx 4.2 24v turbo diesel ,fr and rear lockers 3" exh top mount intercooler, 021 724482
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
are you talking about sourcing a later model landruiser 4.5 litre diesel V8?
or the 6.5 litre chevs in OZ?
http://www.sideshows.net.au/uncategoriz ... -4wd-show/
or the 6.5 litre chevs in OZ?
http://www.sideshows.net.au/uncategoriz ... -4wd-show/
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
You can ring Brunswick diesels in australia, they do a drive in drive out job and there conversions pop up on gumtreeevery now and thenDiorama wrote:Had a few issues with my landcruiser last weekend. Any done this or know where I could get good sound information from I would greatly appreciate.
Realistically you are better off rebuilding/putting a 1hdft with a Gturbo and running 30psi daily. It's bolt in job, no cert needed. Do it over a weekend or two rather than a year of weekends waiting for parts from america with the 6.5. I put off buying a gturbo for years and prices have gone up a lot $2500+ but pretty happy with it. I also have a crappy top mount intercooler to hopefully catch any turbo bits that explode.
Seeing as you haven't made up your mind... another option and there is a step by step guide - 1VD single turbo 4.5 V8 from a tray back ute. http://www.australianimages.com.au/conversion/ but it looks liek the engine gets mounted quite far forwards,
drinking hatorgade
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
was looking at the 6.5 chevBlakeNZ wrote:are you talking about sourcing a later model landruiser 4.5 litre diesel V8?
or the 6.5 litre chevs in OZ?
http://www.sideshows.net.au/uncategoriz ... -4wd-show/
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
Realistically you are better off rebuilding/putting a 1hdft with a Gturbo and running 30psi daily. It's bolt in job, no cert needed. Do it over a weekend or two rather than a year of weekends waiting for parts from america with the 6.5. I put off buying a gturbo for years and prices have gone up a lot $2500+ but pretty happy with it. I also have a crappy top mount intercooler to hopefully catch any turbo bits that explode.
Will it give me much more power than the 1HDT. At what would be the best option for transmission. Ive always wanted to go manual as a tow a big boat. A like the auto for cruising but its always been the week point.
Will it give me much more power than the 1HDT. At what would be the best option for transmission. Ive always wanted to go manual as a tow a big boat. A like the auto for cruising but its always been the week point.
- Crash bandicoot
- Hard Yaka
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Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
There is a crew in wellington that specialises in importing american engines and boxes...specifically you are after the 6.5 litre twin turbo and trans from a Chevy suburban.
There is a old ford f series chassis for sale on tm with the v8 diesel and running gear still in it i d suspect that would be a 400ci block so a big unit.
There is a old ford f series chassis for sale on tm with the v8 diesel and running gear still in it i d suspect that would be a 400ci block so a big unit.
Waiter...there is a drought in my glass.
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
Realistically you are better off rebuilding/putting a 1hdft with a Gturbo and running 30psi daily. It's bolt in job, no cert needed. Do it over a weekend or two rather than a year of weekends waiting for parts from america with the 6.5. I put off buying a gturbo for years and prices have gone up a lot $2500+ but pretty happy with it. I also have a crappy top mount intercooler to hopefully catch any turbo bits that explode.
The more I think about it going to a 1HDFT is probably a better option. Will start another thread on everything I'm going to need.
The more I think about it going to a 1HDFT is probably a better option. Will start another thread on everything I'm going to need.
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
bare in mind you could buy another running 80 series for what you could likely end up spending buying/rebuilding/replacing/upgrading the engine in your existing truck.... just saying 

Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
Yea I know that's where its a hard choice. My truck already has a 6" lift with 37"tyres. Both diffs have been done including changing the ratios. $4500 spent on trans. Installed an ARB diff lock as well. Has exhaust brakes. Its all set up how I want it except the turbo went bang. Its either buy another 80series and transfer everything over or replace the motor. Its always been a bit under powered. Its always hard to know which way to jump. But at least this way I won't have to go through the cert process again.derk wrote:bare in mind you could buy another running 80 series for what you could likely end up spending buying/rebuilding/replacing/upgrading the engine in your existing truck.... just saying
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
my uncle brought in an 05 2500hd about 10 years ago.
it was bloody rare being 4x4 single cab and longbed.
the 6.5 duramax (isuzu based?) was a bloody monster .
bunce converted it with the total build being on par with a new hilux for a year old truck.
towing with the max and allison auto was effortless .
had his 26ft launch with twin volvo diesels up to opua without even sweating and not holding anyone up in the slightest .
thing is though i wouldnt suggest converting one.
the toyota gear behind it simply won't last.
id buy a 2500 like his in a heartbeat though awesome rigs.
it was bloody rare being 4x4 single cab and longbed.
the 6.5 duramax (isuzu based?) was a bloody monster .
bunce converted it with the total build being on par with a new hilux for a year old truck.
towing with the max and allison auto was effortless .
had his 26ft launch with twin volvo diesels up to opua without even sweating and not holding anyone up in the slightest .
thing is though i wouldnt suggest converting one.
the toyota gear behind it simply won't last.
id buy a 2500 like his in a heartbeat though awesome rigs.
problems are only a problem if you not willing to learn how to find solutions
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- Bush Crasher
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Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
The later model chevy transfer cases are left hand side drop, stick to your original trans. Unless you want to keep your truck forever rebuild what you've got. Hard to sell modified trucks and you will spend a lot doing it. my 5c
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
What about one of the diesel V8's from a 70 series (probably more likely to get one from Aus rather than NZ)
70 series prado (KZJ78) and 90 Series Prado (KZJ95)
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
You mean the single turbo V8 found in the diesel slurping VDJ79's?Jerry wrote:What about one of the diesel V8's from a 70 series (probably more likely to get one from Aus rather than NZ)
They are getting cheaper to buy but not a silver bullet as the VDJ79 have wider chassis to fit than the HDJ79
If your interested some Aussie did something similar but sold it off after a few months
http://www.australianimages.com.au/conversion/
Simplest is to upgrade turbo, will keep the speed up longer, TC locked longer, temps down longer, win, win, win.
Drive a 80/100 with a well set Gturbo or similar and you won't want a $40k Duramax conversion
drinking hatorgade
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
what gears are you running?
towing on 37's has to be a compounding factor with the trans generating heat.
did you happen to see the 80 with the isuzu truck motor fitted over tauranga ways?
towing on 37's has to be a compounding factor with the trans generating heat.
did you happen to see the 80 with the isuzu truck motor fitted over tauranga ways?
problems are only a problem if you not willing to learn how to find solutions
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
you should get yourself a tow wagon and just use that thing you keep want to modify for playing off road...


If you already know everything, DON'T ask bloody questions!!
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
How has this gone? Looking at some new tires myself...Diorama wrote:derk wrote:I want a weapon.
drinking hatorgade
- catalystracing
- Hard Yaka
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Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
Try Brendan at V8 Imports, damn helpful guy to work with.
https://www.facebook.com/V8MotorImports/?fref=ts
http://www.v8motorimports.co.nz/
https://www.facebook.com/V8MotorImports/?fref=ts
http://www.v8motorimports.co.nz/
Re: V8 diesel conversion in an 80series
Exhaust brakes possibly the reason the turbo popped? Just a thought, as I have pondered exhaust brakes on a diesel a few times. Anyway did you end up upgrading turbo or going v8?Diorama wrote: Yea I know that's where its a hard choice. My truck already has a 6" lift with 37"tyres. Both diffs have been done including changing the ratios. $4500 spent on trans. Installed an ARB diff lock as well. Has exhaust brakes. Its all set up how I want it except the turbo went bang. Its either buy another 80series and transfer everything over or replace the motor. Its always been a bit under powered. Its always hard to know which way to jump. But at least this way I won't have to go through the cert process again.