Engine conversions for an MK

[Gunmetal_45]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum,

I have a mate that has an 85 MK shorty,
with a standard 2.8 petrol, and he has asked me to give him a hand with an engine conversion,
What conversions are good, ie: fairly easy, and good performance, as i am a Toyota guy i havent played around heaps with the patrols, so if someone could shed some light on the following.

253 V8 or a 250 ford crossflow - is the standard box and transfer case strong enough, and how many dificulties are the relocating the power steering and A/C pump and Compressor.

or is the Mavrick motor a bolt in job and if so what is the best option,
and what are the main problems experienced.

or, is it better to port the 2.8 head and supercharge it?

Cheers.

[V8Patrol]

The "Bible" has all your answers from those that have done this conversion......

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... hp?t=22197

Forget the 250 crosflow and the 253 V8, look at a 308+, also better with fuel injection

[Gunmetal_45]

Sorry for the post, i looked at the bible after,

looks like the 308 will be the go, though i have a couple of questions.

how much difference will the V8s weigh be?

can i use the A/C and P/S pump/copmresser from the V8 to save time in making mounts?

also is it worth putting a bigger radiator in?

what throttle cable, choke cable to use, and how big should the snorkle pipe be to give sufficient air for the V8?

Is there any problems with weight distribution since the V8 will sit back in the engine bay?

and do you need custom extractors built as the V8 is wider?

[V8Patrol]

how much difference will the V8s weigh be?

The V8's weigh less than the 6cly motor !

can i use the A/C and P/S pump/copmresser from the V8 to save time in making mounts?

Yes, but you'll have problems addapting the other conections, IE aircon hoses.... metric threads versus imperial threads, & quite often differant sizes in the connection nuts on the ends of the hoses. Much easier to run the std nissan air/pwr etc ...... bracketry isnt that dificult.

also is it worth putting a bigger radiator in?

The MQ/MK range came out with a 3 core radiator as std, how much bigger do you realy want????, many of us have fitted thermo fans, twin thermo fans, single thermo fan with an engine fan, and just a straight engine fan. It will depend largely on your driving style and conditions but it will mostly come down to the condition of the radiator you intend to use.

what throttle cable, choke cable to use, and how big should the snorkle pipe be to give sufficient air for the V8?

Use the V8 throttle cable.....
Choke cable.... dont know any one who has one fitted or uses one !!
Snorkels .....start thing "twin snorkels"

Is there any problems with weight distribution since the V8 will sit back in the engine bay?

None what so ever.

and do you need custom extractors built as the V8 is wider?

Most certainly not, those of us who fitted extractors did so for specific reasons, better horsepower, better economy, better exhaust note !!!,
but in reality for deep river crossings, cold water and castiron exhaust manifolds dont play well together, this is the main reason we fit extractors and its not for the lumpy note .... honestly
As for "custom" extractors.....why bother ???, go to the bible again and lookup "Castle Autoelectrics"( in the V8 conversion section), they make several differant "blockhugger" extractors that will suit your needs perfectly.

Kingy

[Gunmetal_45]

Thanks Mate,

One last thing, that might be a big ask.

I want to be able to pull this off in a weekend ie: friday 6pm start - all nighter, all saterday and all sunday.

I have done a couple of other conversions in the past not in 4wd's (drag cars and street cars), and it would be greatly appreciated, if someone could give me what the reccon is a complete shopping list, to save us wasting an entire day part hunting during the conversion,

With includes of things that helped etc...
bit that dont jump to mind,
anything that needs some sort of tool fabricated etc...
also as may of the bolts/size that you remember needing.
also the easiest kit/supplier.

Thanks in advance.

[Screwy]

If u want to do a straight forward conversion without the hassles of welding etc.

use a complete marks 4wd adapters kit as it comes with bolts and everything.

cheers

[MKPatrolGuy]

Go the Small Block Chev, he wont look back!!!

[V8Patrol]

If u want to do a straight forward conversion without the hassles of welding etc.

use a complete marks 4wd adapters kit as it comes with bolts and everything.

cheers

Odd thing is your using a Castlemaine Rodshop kit..... Does this mean your not happy with what's fitted to your rig or you just like wasting other ppls money ??





I have done neuromas conversions and I only use 1 manufacturer and seeing its to go into a L28 setup MQ/MK then there's only one choice for a strong adaptor kit that's sensibly priced ( under $500 )....
http://www.rodshop.com.au/
Ring Rod and get the bellhousing drilled to suit both turbo and non turbo patterns, this way you have an option of running either a chev or older Holden motor, and yes the bellhousing is more than strong enough to take the extra holes unlike other makes !

Or you can offcourse get the marks kit, of which half the stuff is no longer made .....(try ordering an engine mount !! ) and expect to pay around the $1500 mark for a kit that they now class as "obsolete" !!!
http://www.marks4wd.com/

As for motors.... the choice is endless and will depend entirely on the budget you have in mind. A VN-VS 308 will do the job extremely well as would a motor from an older "vintage" Holden IE red or blue motor. Then as Dave suggested the mighty SBC is a definite consideration ..... try Sam at "Enginemart" for chev stuff, I have found him to be the cheapest and most reliable of all ..... 0403 741 708

LPG will be something that you will need to consider too if using an older series motor for legal emission issues and engineering woes....its also a far cheaper fuel too !

Kingy

[V8Patrol]

Thanks Mate,

One last thing, that might be a big ask.

I want to be able to pull this off in a weekend ie: friday 6pm start - all nighter, all saterday and all sunday.

I have done a couple of other conversions in the past not in 4wd's (drag cars and street cars), and it would be greatly appreciated, if someone could give me what the reccon is a complete shopping list, to save us wasting an entire day part hunting during the conversion,

With includes of things that helped etc...
bit that dont jump to mind,
anything that needs some sort of tool fabricated etc...
also as may of the bolts/size that you remember needing.
also the easiest kit/supplier.

Thanks in advance.

Should be able to easilly in a w/end, the fact that you have experiance in conversions in the past will be of tremendous help. The only trick bit will be clutch setup......

1/
You'll need to cut ~10mm off of the front gearbox shaft ( this is only for the L28 conversion and is not done for the diesel conversion where it needs a special spigot bush to reach the shorter diesel shaft ).

2/
Clutch choice is large..... I use the std red/blue motor holden flywheel ( redrilled to suit the chev crank if going chevy or late model holden motors )
a 260mm nissan clutchplate from a 99 model TDI patrol
& a holden "towing"or "heavy duty" pressure plate.
Alternativly you can fit the clutch plate and pressure plate from athe SD33 to the holden flywheel but I have found that larger capacity engines ( 350 and up ) tend to wear em out very quickly especially when they are placed in wet conditions ( river xings). Again Rod at Castlemaine Rodshop can do all the flywheel machining/redrilling upon request and at a reasonable rate.

Radiator conversion is straight forward, simply a matter of swaping inlet/outlet sides. Try a plumbing place for large "copper" elbows to assist with increasing radiator hose sizes. Use Stainless steel tube to "elongate" the radiator hoses ( scrap metal joints are kewl ).
A 16" Davis Craig thermo fan will set you back around the $250 mark and should fit between radiator and engine fan, it will provide that extra airflow when offroading..... a cowl will help heaps, an SD33 cowl will fit up to a chev conversion as sweet as !

The gearboxes are phuckin strong !, they are made at the "Truck section" of nissan so will easilly handle the grunt you shove infront of em.

Rewiring should take about 3 hours ........ its a slow and tedious job because everythin is on the other bloody side compared to the jap setup if you go holden...... not so if using the chev.

The only other "oddball" that may catch ya out if using a Holden motor is the oilfilter/pump placement on the holden block.... you will need to mod the chassis mount that holds the enginemount so that the pump and filter clear.

As for bracketery....... its always slow and painfull, but not imposiable.

Kingy

[Gunmetal_45]

Cheers guys,

Looks like Rod's Adapter will be the go, as i have used one b4 and was very happy,
car already runs gas so emmisions should be fine.
looks like it will be easier if i get some 4mm angle iron and some plate, to make my brackest and different mounts as the pricing for them seem a bit steep.

ive got plenty of wire for the wiring and, he decided to buy the 308 red that i have in a street sleeper i used to drive until i got defected and havn't had the time to get back on the road:) plent of grunt.

I'll let you know how we go, just have to sorce some final parts and drive out to castlemaine.

Cheers

[Screwy]

If u want to do a straight forward conversion without the hassles of welding etc.

use a complete marks 4wd adapters kit as it comes with bolts and everything.

cheers

Odd thing is your using a Castlemaine Rodshop kit..... Does this mean your not happy with what's fitted to your rig or you just like wasting other ppls money ??


Kingy

No im very happy with my rod shop kit.
The point im making is that the Marks kit it BOLT ON. If bought for the correct car, NO welding or machining is required to fit it.
It is by far the easiest conversion choise. Comes with everything.

I would go a rod shop again, for price strength etc. very happy.....
Though if u cant weld or kno a mate that can, this setup is useless to u as all mounts etc. have to be fabbed up.

screwy

[RMP&O]

cool read...even though lot's of the info is already in the bible.

I got one question for Kingy.....how is/are the v8's handling deep water? The v8 motors mentioned and being used I do not think were designed with lot's of water in mind. Sooooo....??

No im very happy with my rod shop kit.
The point im making is that the Marks kit it BOLT ON. If bought for the correct car, NO welding or machining is required to fit it.
It is by far the easiest conversion choise. Comes with everything.

and that is what makes Marks the bomb, most all of it is bolt in...but they stop production of their goods before I get any of them so to me that makes them stinkers.

[V8Patrol]

The point im making is that the Marks kit it BOLT ON. If bought for the correct car, NO welding or machining is required to fit it.
It is by far the easiest conversion choise. Comes with everything.

Everything except ..........
pwr steering mounts ( you have to make them ....)
Aircon mounts, ( again more fabrication .... )
But wait ..... you get
a clutch kit......
& not the one of your choice I might add, Normal value aroung the $200 mark
enginemounts ..... wooooo hoooo, like they are hard to make, again an all up value of $50 each!
so $300 bucks worth of stuff for a grand extra ....... I'm impressed !

Does it come with a cowl to suit the V8 .....nope !
Does it come with the radiator mods ......... nope!
Does it come with a new wiring loom ........ nope !
Does it come with a modified chassis mount for the Holden motor .... silly question hey !

Though if u cant weld or kno a mate that can, this setup is useless to u as all mounts etc. have to be fabbed up.
screwy

The ONLY 2 MOUNTS are the ENGINE MOUNTS !!!.... ya still have to make the Air + Pwr brackets !
I still fail to see how spending an extra grand saves you a heap of welding ...... 2 engine mounts arent worth THAT much !..... if they are then there's a bill in the mail for your pair .......


Kingy

[V8Patrol]

I got one question for Kingy.....how is/are the v8's handling deep water? The v8 motors mentioned and being used I do not think were designed with lot's of water in mind. Sooooo....??

After a few simple mods the water problem is non existant, the changes are the same for sealing up the L28 motor too....
small zip ties around each end of a sparkplug lead
Vasoline jelly around the dizzycap/ dizzy conection
Vasoline Jelly around the inside of each sparkplug cap.

Problems solved
the V8 dizzy is actually mounted higher in the engine compared to other petrol engines so its a simple case of water sealing as above.
The only other drama I have seen is hot castiron manifolds cracking when immersed in cold water, again a simple and relativily simple solution of fitting extractors solves this, for added enginebay room I sugesst the use of "blockhuggers", these allow for full clearance around the motor and do not head off towards the transfer case where its a damn tight fit for exhaust pipe clearance...

and that is what makes Marks the bomb, most all of it is bolt in...but they stop production of their goods before I get any of them so to me that makes them stinkers.

Its called "Ageing Market", they belive that the market place for these kits no longer exists in any great quantity, therefore why carry such stock? problem is that they have left heaps of ppl out on a limb with zero options for "replacement" parts should something break....... unless offcourse you want to pay their "hourly rate" to make a specific part, for example they quoted me for 2 engine mount at $420 !! ......oh and thats plus the GST TAX and postage

Guess where they were told to send em

Kingy

[J Top]

I agree with Kingy except for the accessories.
Use the ones that came with the motor,you cannot beat the manufacturer for strength , tidiness , lightnes and best of all alignment.
I always have a hose doctor come and finish off the hoses for me, it makes for a neat and quick swap.
J Top

[Screwy]

marks is the easier kit to use, all be far more expensive as it may be............ it still is easier.
Either way, at the end of the day, both kits work, one is more expensive but easier and one is cheaper but ivolves more work.
choise is urs.

screwy

[V8Patrol]

marks is the easier kit to use, all be far more expensive as it may be............ it still is easier.
screwy

And you've installed how many V8s using the marks adaptor ?

On the 2 occaasions I've been involved with em they saved the manafacture of a pair of engine mounts !

on a differant note .....had you have used that exotic flywheel you had with the kit we couldnt use .......where exactly would you have obtained a spare should it have become fractured or unservicable ? .... marks dont carry spares for it any more so alternativly you would have either had to get one custom made or fitted another kit....... more hard earned dollars down the shite shute.

[Screwy]

mate, my kit was the first marks kit, since then they have changed it.
I would have got a new flywheel and a spacer off the new kit and used it.

but thats irrelivent, im not out to argue. Just voicing my opinion.
If u cant weld a bolt up kit may be easier to install, even if its more expensive.

screwy

[Gunmetal_45]

No problems welding, have a TransMig, am interested to know what the problems people have had with the kits though.

[V8Patrol]

No problems welding, have a TransMig, am interested to know what the problems people have had with the kits though.

pretty simple ........

Marks kit = no longer availiable !

Rodshop = still availiable, but have to make
own engine mounts
mod a flywheel
& supply own clutchpak..... I've listed all the other tips bar 1 ( you'll find that out when you decide on which pressure plate ya gunna use )

Kingy

[Screwy]

Actually i hate to get into yet another arguement.....
but the marks kit is still available. there are 3 variations. the latest one is still gettable,

BUT....

if ya can weld.... definatly get the rodshop kit

[Patroldude]

So sad to see lovers quarel.... he he he

Mk

[Screwy]

So sad to see lovers quarel.... he he he

Mk

At least i can hold onto my hat
I love that new mark on my bullbar

[V8Patrol]

Actually i hate to get into yet another arguement.....
but the marks kit is still available. there are 3 variations. the latest one is still gettable,

BUT....

if ya can weld.... definatly get the rodshop kit

ok so then explain ......

NISSAN MQ & MK PATROL ENGINE CONVERSION INFORMATION

Last Updated: 11/12/03

NOTE: The following engine kits will not be available after the current stocks are depleted

GM HOLDEN V8 ENGINE CONVERSION KIT

TO

REPLACE THE P40 & SD33 ENGINE

taken from ......
http://www.marks4wd.com/nismqe.html

or are you confused by ....
GM V8 ENGINES

TO

NISSAN GQ/GU 5-SPEED INFORMATION


???????

When in doubt give em a call and ask ..................... I did !

Phone: (613) 9702 7366

[MARKx4]

You seem to forget DELLOW AUTOMOTIVE. They supply the kit and enigine mounts at a price cheaper then what Mark's were offering. I think Marks only get away with there pricing because of there name and people dont bother searching.

[Gunmetal_45]

My Mate whos car it is, has decided on the dellow kit, though has anyone had any experience with them?

[RMP&O]

I have spoke to Dellow on the phone and also by email. They have some sweet kits and are wellinfromed. Nice people but never used them as I am on this side of the pond. ---------->USA

[Camshaft1]

[quote="Gunmetal_45"]Thanks Mate,

One last thing, that might be a big ask.

I want to be able to pull this off in a weekend ie: friday 6pm start - all nighter, all saterday and all sunday.

Dont get excited. No big conversion ever gets done in a weekend. Something always doesn't go to plan. Whether it be the fan hittting the radiator, your mates who promised to show up go to the movies with there girlfriends or the power in your sheds go out. NEVER THINK A JOB WILL GET DONE QUICK. BECAUSE IT DOESN'T!

[Patroler]

Yea ive got a dellow bellhousing, mq box-sbc, its pretty well made, it was on the car when i got it, i just had to make up a cowl for it - much easier when the box was out, it is alloy and doesn't look over engineered, but hasn't had a drama with strength yet and ive just broken another gearbox this morning....

[MKPatrolGuy]

My Mate whos car it is, has decided on the dellow kit, though has anyone had any experience with them?

My MK has a Dellow kit, only problem is thay don't make the clutch fork hole to suit a boot, as they decided it is a good place for the clutch to breathe from