83 hilux 18rg engine conversion????

[delux13]

I'm looking at replacing my 18r engine in my 83 hilux with an 18rg engine. Has anyone done this conversion or can anyone help me out with some info about it?

[Chucky]

The only differnece between the two engines should just be the head, The 18RG should be a twin overhead cam. The 18RG should line up with the old engine mounts and the gearbox should also line up no worries. Are you running twin carbies or going EFI. You can put EFI on the engines for only a couple of hundred bucks.
I did this same swap in a celica about 9 years ago. Back then it only cost me $150 for the fuel injection manifold complete with injectors and the computer only cost me about $100 as well. A mate who is a auto sparky wired it all up for a carton. But it really wasn't hard to convert over to EFI. A wiring diagram and some pataince is all it would really took.
Good luck on the conversion and if you have any problems just PM me.

[delux13]

Thanks Chucky,

I'm probably going to run the twin Carbys. Can I just put the 18rg head on my 18r motor? Any pics of your conversion?

[Chucky]

I don't know if you can just swap heads, I never tried it or bothered checking it out as I needed to swap the whole engines over after putting a hole through my old 18R block. I can't see why not though as the 18R is a over head cam, however it is chain driven where the 18RG is belt driven so if you change over the belt pullys, and get the timing right I can't see why not. Just make sure you get a new timing belt even if you are swapping the whole engine over. I snapped mine on the 18RG and ended up stuffing the whole engine.
I don't have any photos of the the 18RG in the celica, The only engine bay photo have have of the car is with a 3TGTEU, a 1.8Lt twin cam, twin ignition, turbo engine.

I also think that the twin carby might not be the way to go in a 4by. I don't know if they will handle the steep angles too well.

With the cost of the 18RG and finding parts for it, have you considered going for the v6 conversion. A much better option IMHO than the 18RG if power is what you are after and parts are dead easy to get.

[Stackson45]

It will bolt on - as we went the opposite - bought a hilux with an 18RG twin carb, sold the engine (were going to go V8), then ended up putting an 18R back in, bolted in no worries.

[bear]

i run an 81 lux with a 18rg fitted. Thats the twin o/h cam with twin carbs. Its a thirsty bugga but goes well off road. I am havin trouble fimdin a exhaust manifold/ extractors for it but otherwise its ok to get spares for it. Iam lucky i know a rally mech who tunes my carbys as they are a bit hard to twin tune if you dont kow what you are doin. If i had my choice i would put a newer style engine in but if you already have it it will bolt straight in as the blocks are the same its just the head configuration that changes.