hiace 4wd 1kz-te conversion

[ajthompson]

Hi guys,
I have a 1992 hiace 4wd that recently became a crack head.

its tempting to buy a new van, but this one has a lot going for it. long wheel base, double sliding doors, lock/freewheeling hubs with hi/lo ratio when in 4wd.

so, im thinking of replacing the engine as the existing one ( 3L 2.8 ) can be a bit smokey at times, and its done 315,000ks.
I want to go turbo as i use the van as a tow vehicle a lot, and the 3L is sluggish up steep hills.

one easier option could be to get a 5L engine bolt on a 2l-te turbo, but a recon engine will set me back aound 4k without the turbo and manifolds etc.

Research has lead me to believe that the 1kz-te is a better motor, which is why im leaning in that direction.

I wanted to ask a few questions that you guys will hopefully be able to answer.

1. bellhousing. if i get a 1kz gearbox (auto or man) will the bellousing bolt straight on to my existing hiace gearbox and/or will a 1kz manual gearbox fit into the hiace chassis and existing driveshaft?

2. engine mounts. if i get some hiace supercustom engine mounts will they bolt up to my hiace chassis or will i need to do some modification/ custom engine mounts?

3. Sump. will the 1kz sump have enough clearance or could i change it to another sump so it will fit?

4. ECU. Ive heard that 1kz ECU is not rocket science to wire up, but would it be easier to convert to mechanical fuel pump? would be better for tuning it too.

is there anything else i'm not thinking of?

any help would be much appreciated. cheers!

[imsohi]

Hi guys,
I have a 1992 hiace 4wd that recently became a crack head.

its tempting to buy a new van, but this one has a lot going for it. long wheel base, double sliding doors, lock/freewheeling hubs with hi/lo ratio when in 4wd.

so, im thinking of replacing the engine as the existing one ( 3L 2.8 ) can be a bit smokey at times, and its done 315,000ks.
I want to go turbo as i use the van as a tow vehicle a lot, and the 3L is sluggish up steep hills.

one easier option could be to get a 5L engine bolt on a 2l-te turbo, but a recon engine will set me back aound 4k without the turbo and manifolds etc.

Research has lead me to believe that the 1kz-te is a better motor, which is why im leaning in that direction.

I wanted to ask a few questions that you guys will hopefully be able to answer.

1. bellhousing. if i get a 1kz gearbox (auto or man) will the bellousing bolt straight on to my existing hiace gearbox and/or will a 1kz manual gearbox fit into the hiace chassis and existing driveshaft?

2. engine mounts. if i get some hiace supercustom engine mounts will they bolt up to my hiace chassis or will i need to do some modification/ custom engine mounts?

3. Sump. will the 1kz sump have enough clearance or could i change it to another sump so it will fit?

4. ECU. Ive heard that 1kz ECU is not rocket science to wire up, but would it be easier to convert to mechanical fuel pump? would be better for tuning it too.

is there anything else i'm not thinking of?

any help would be much appreciated. cheers!

1 Bellhousing yea a auto one should bolt straight up and so will an auto one as long as you have a r series box pretty sure all vans of that era are, check vin tag.

2. no mounts will be different i have just done this cut old mounts off chassie move back around 100mm and weld back on.

3. Prob best to try and find a 1kz van sump or complete motor as lots of little things you will find are different ie position of bolt ons ect.

4. Manual pump would be the more expensive way to go but its really up to personal preferance.

Hope this helps

[ajthompson]

1 Bellhousing yea a auto one should bolt straight up and so will an auto one as long as you have a r series box pretty sure all vans of that era are, check vin tag.

2. no mounts will be different i have just done this cut old mounts off chassie move back around 100mm and weld back on.

3. Prob best to try and find a 1kz van sump or complete motor as lots of little things you will find are different ie position of bolt ons ect.

4. Manual pump would be the more expensive way to go but its really up to personal preferance.

Hope this helps

Thanks! This is really helpful!

I looked at my vin plate and i have a G series gear box.
it reads: trans/axle G52 G144.

so the question is.. will a 1kz bell housing (or any other) fit?

[evolution02]

If you are looking to fit a 1kz you would be best to get one from a van as there are heaps of differences including intake and radiator cap position etc

[imsohi]

1kz will not bolt to that gearbox you will need a 1kz van gearbox as there is no bellhousing to suit

[ajthompson]

ok so i had a good look at my drive train. i think the 1 kz is in the too hard basket.

before the gearbox connects to the driveshaft it basically has a bolt on extension. (gearbox looks like a limo version of the normal hiace one).
that extension connects to the transfer case and also to short offset driveshaft running to the front wheels.

so now im looking at the 5L turbo route.

theres alot of info about people doing this to hilux engines. you basically use a 2L-T or TE turbo and manifold. bolt it on and make a custom exuast.

anybody heard of a hiace set up the same on 3L or 5L engines?
I know the engine is compatible, I just want to know it fits in my tight engine bay.