Page 1 of 2

County engine options

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:35 pm
by all4fun
If you have a County with a V8 petrol what is the easiest/best option to convert to diesel?

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:48 pm
by V8 Rangie
Drop a 6.5 turbo V8 Chev into it. Depends how much you can spend i guess

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:52 pm
by all4fun
Turbo 6.5 Chev is a piece of shit, I was thinking of something that would bolt up to the existing gearbox? What motor was the Isuzu that was offered in the county? Would this bolt up? How do they perform with a blower? Are they available?

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:06 pm
by shakes
Turbo 6.5 Chev is a piece of shit, I was thinking of something that would bolt up to the existing gearbox? What motor was the Isuzu that was offered in the county? Would this bolt up? How do they perform with a blower? Are they available?
for those comments .... click here , has lotsa info!!! :finger: :D

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:11 pm
by Loanrangie
Cant go past the isuzu 4bd1 3.9, 4be1 3.6 motors but good luck finding a bellhousing to fit one.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 11:43 am
by ISUZUROVER
Loanrangie wrote:Cant go past the isuzu 4bd1 3.9, 4be1 3.6 motors but good luck finding a bellhousing to fit one.
ISUZU 4BD1(T) is almost a bolt-in - providing you have the correct bellhousing (these are possible to find - despite what LR posted above). It is a great motor, and lasts between 500k and 1 mil km between rebuilds. Output is 99Bhp and HEAPS of torque in county spec. Factory turbos have about 120-130Bhp depending on spec - but you can get more out easily enough. The engine has a bit of a tractorish reputation, and vibrates a fair bitt at idle, but is a great motor, and has an almost flat torque curve right through the rev range, making it great offroad.

The isuzu engined countys had 1" metal blocks welded to the chassis to lower the bump stops, and different engine mounts to a v8. Apart from that it is a bolt-in job. If you use an engine from an ISUZU truck you need modify the sump, change the oil filter from downward to upward facing, and change from 24V to 12V starter.

Installing a 4JB1T is probably just as easy (rodeo/jackaroo 2.8L TD). Adaptor kits are available in the uk for about 300GBP.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 3:48 pm
by KiwiBacon
Loanrangie wrote:Cant go past the isuzu 4bd1 3.9, 4be1 3.6 motors but good luck finding a bellhousing to fit one.
Stick the matching Isuzu gearbox in. Much better idea.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 3:52 pm
by ISUZUROVER
KiwiBacon wrote:
Loanrangie wrote:Cant go past the isuzu 4bd1 3.9, 4be1 3.6 motors but good luck finding a bellhousing to fit one.
Stick the matching Isuzu gearbox in. Much better idea.
I agree, but a lot more engineering - I think he was looking for the easiest option.

A4F - if you haven't bought it yet I would hold out for a diesel - they will turn up.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 6:07 pm
by Mark2
The Isuzu has its fans but there's nothing wrong with a good V8 on dual fuel........ They sound better, go much better, are lighter, quieter, and dont shake the car like a 3.9 Isuzu. You also have the option of bolting in a ZF auto behind the V8 which is a great off road combination - much more difficult with the Isuzu.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 6:29 pm
by KiwiBacon
Mark2 wrote:The Isuzu has its fans but there's nothing wrong with a good V8 on dual fuel........ They sound better, go much better, are lighter, quieter, and dont shake the car like a 3.9 Isuzu. You also have the option of bolting in a ZF auto behind the V8 which is a great off road combination - much more difficult with the Isuzu.
You get a boatload more torque out of the Isuzu than you're ever going to get from the V8. That's the main reason you can't run the ZF behind them, too much torque.

The fuel consumption of the Isuzu is slightly more than half the consumption of the V8. In my rangie I'm getting around 900km per tank.

My main beef with gas (besides the petrol engine) is the large amount of room the tank takes up.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 6:37 pm
by Slunnie
The 4BD1 motor was 66kw and 245Nm. I'm not sure how that is boatloads more than a V8, but anyway I was also under the impression that this motor didn't work with the ZF as it rattles the transmission to pieces. The ZF 4HP22 will handle about 380Nm and the ZF 4HP24 roughly 480Nm, figures that the 4BD1T are not even remotely close to with 90kw and 314Nm.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 6:55 pm
by KiwiBacon
Slunnie wrote:The 4BD1 motor was 66kw and 245Nm. I'm not sure how that is boatloads more than a V8, but anyway I was also under the impression that this motor didn't work with the ZF as it rattles the transmission to pieces. The ZF 4HP22 will handle about 380Nm and the ZF 4HP24 roughly 480Nm, figures that the 4BD1T are not even remotely close to with 90kw and 314Nm.
Stock figures for the 4BD1T are 100kw and 330Nm.
That's with fueling that gives a max EGT of about 450 deg C. It's a state of tune that delivers 500,000km between rebuilds.

If you don't need 500,000km of engine life, you can wind it up to whatever you please. 500Nm isn't a problem.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 7:14 pm
by Slunnie
Even those figures the ZF will handle fine.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 7:31 pm
by KiwiBacon
Slunnie wrote:Even those figures the ZF will handle fine.
JustinC's experience indicates otherwise.

http://carl.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopi ... ht=4bd1%2A

Diesel torque and petrol torque don't arrive in the same way. Petrols reach peak torque smoothly once they've got some revs on. Diesels fight from idle.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 7:48 pm
by Slunnie
KiwiBacon wrote:
Slunnie wrote:Even those figures the ZF will handle fine.
JustinC's experience indicates otherwise.

http://carl.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopi ... ht=4bd1%2A

Diesel torque and petrol torque don't arrive in the same way. Petrols reach peak torque smoothly once they've got some revs on. Diesels fight from idle.
My TD5 is putting out around 500Nm also and the auto is handling it - not well, but then again it is a little over the 380Nm rating so I don't believe it has to do with the power delivery of the diesels.

Looking at your link though, the first post comments and thread are in line with what I had typed previously, being that the ZF doesn't cope with the vibrations of the 4BD1, rather than it not coping with the torque output of the motor.
justinC wrote:The torsional vibration from this engine is huge - at idle, the dash shakes and the tyres on the vehicle vibrate. I have had 2 identical trans failures to date, and one snapping/ destruction of a sprag due to too much boost and right foot. I have reached the conclusion that the engine is going to keep vibrating these autos to bits,

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 7:55 pm
by Mark2
Plenty of V8's produce heaps of torque from idle and higher total figures than a 4BD1T. I believe the reason the ZF's dont last behind the Isuzu is the vibration and pulses of power due to the inherant unbalance of a 3.9 litre four cylnder.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:00 pm
by KiwiBacon
Mark2 wrote:Plenty of V8's produce heaps of torque from idle and higher total figures than a 4BD1T. I believe the reason the ZF's dont last behind the Isuzu is the vibration and pulses of power due to the inherant unbalance of a 3.9 litre four cylnder.
And a big 4cyl puts a lot more low speed oscillation into a box than a smaller engine with similar numbers.

I don't find vibration to be a problem above about 800rpm. But my crank and conrods were balanced. I recall 17g being removed from the heaviest bigend.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:09 pm
by Mark2
KiwiBacon wrote: But my crank and conrods were balanced. I recall 17g being removed from the heaviest bigend.
Thats surprising for the Japs - I'd expect something like that on a Land Rover component :P

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 9:09 pm
by D110V8D
http://www.autotrader.com.au/iteminfo/a ... Used+Cars_



http://www.autotrader.com.au/iteminfo/a ... Used+Cars_

Isuzu engined County's still fetch top dollar. I recently bought 2 110 V8's, one for $3400 in good condition, the other for $2000 in very good condition.

Diesels are nice economy wise, but I can buy alot of fuel for $9500. :D (refer to second link)

The rover V8 can also have a very long life if well maintained.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 9:11 pm
by Loanrangie
ISUZUROVER wrote:
Loanrangie wrote:Cant go past the isuzu 4bd1 3.9, 4be1 3.6 motors but good luck finding a bellhousing to fit one.
ISUZU 4BD1(T) is almost a bolt-in - providing you have the correct bellhousing (these are possible to find - despite what LR posted above). It is a great motor, and lasts between 500k and 1 mil km between rebuilds. Output is 99Bhp and HEAPS of torque in county spec. Factory turbos have about 120-130Bhp depending on spec - but you can get more out easily enough. The engine has a bit of a tractorish reputation, and vibrates a fair bitt at idle, but is a great motor, and has an almost flat torque curve right through the rev range, making it great offroad.

The isuzu engined countys had 1" metal blocks welded to the chassis to lower the bump stops, and different engine mounts to a v8. Apart from that it is a bolt-in job. If you use an engine from an ISUZU truck you need modify the sump, change the oil filter from downward to upward facing, and change from 24V to 12V starter.

Installing a 4JB1T is probably just as easy (rodeo/jackaroo 2.8L TD). Adaptor kits are available in the uk for about 300GBP.
If you can find bh's so easily i know 3-4 people who are looking for them, not so easy to find.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 9:12 pm
by ISUZUROVER
D110V8D wrote:http://www.autotrader.com.au/iteminfo/a ... Used+Cars_



http://www.autotrader.com.au/iteminfo/a ... Used+Cars_

Isuzu engined County's still fetch top dollar. I recently bought 2 110 V8's, one for $3400 in good condition, the other for $2000 in very good condition.

Diesels are nice economy wise, but I can buy alot of fuel for $9500. :D (refer to first link)

The rover V8 can also have a very long life if well maintained.
The one in your first link sold for about $6k AFAIK. I have seen 3 sell in the past few months for between 5k and 6k. They are not that much more than a V8.

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 9:22 pm
by D110V8D
Yeah I see alot of V8's that are WAY over priced too. :D

Still see people tryin to sell V8 county's for $7000 to $8000. :shock:

Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 10:51 pm
by jsttry
As someone already mentioned, I'm selling my V8 County. If anyone is genuinely interested in PM me. Open to reasonable offers.

Ad posted here:
http://carl.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?t=106573

Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 12:27 pm
by ISUZUROVER
D110V8D wrote:Yeah I see alot of V8's that are WAY over priced too. :D

Still see people tryin to sell V8 county's for $7000 to $8000. :shock:
Since the cost of them is pretty low now, the price really depends on what sort of nick they are in - i.e. MOST have some rust (door frames, etc) and very tatty interiors - but some don't. For example - I have a mate with a county that looks better than it did when it drove off the showroom floor - he is absolutely fastidious about maintenance and cleaning - it still has all original paint, a perfect interior, WORKING AIRCON and has never had any dents. On top of that it has twin maxi-drives, a turbo, a rebuilt gearbox, and many, many other goodies - and only 150k km on the clock.

I think in his case he should easily be able to get 10-15k for his.

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 7:40 pm
by muddydigger
jsttry wrote:As someone already mentioned, I'm selling my V8 County. If anyone is genuinely interested in PM me. Open to reasonable offers.

Ad posted here:
http://carl.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?t=106573
Man if I had a spare $7000 id snap that up :cry: :cry: nice looking truck very nice

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 2:45 pm
by Dave_S
If anyone wants one, I'll be selling a 4BD1 out of a County soon. I'm located in Brisbane. It will come with the bell housing to fit an LT95 box, plus various other bits and pieces for a conversion. PM me if you think you might be interested.

Cheers, Dave.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 4:57 pm
by KiwiBacon
If you want a 4BD1T auto, this guy has a good plan

http://www.isuzudieselswapper.com/

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:27 am
by Dave_S
I just advertised my 120 trayback ute with 4BD1 power if anyone wants one. I may sell the engine & everything else needed for a conversion if anyone is interested.

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:38 pm
by Bush65
IMHO it is the impulsive nature of the torque at idle/low speed from the 4BD1 that cause the transmission problems.

Although the chipped TD5's can produce 500Nm, it is at much higher speed and delivered more smoothly.

I also believe a 4BD1-T could be coaxed to deliver far in excess of 500Nm.

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:31 am
by andrew e
Bush65 wrote: I also believe a 4BD1-T could be coaxed to deliver far in excess of 500Nm.
feel free to use mine as a test rig. :D

They are a tuff motor. my temp gauge died a month ago and i recently blew a water line off my turbo and ran out of water. i then drove to work and back - 70 odd freeway kms. it looks as if i have gotten away with it without any damage. Try that with a TDi/TD5..... I love cast ironheads and block.

Andy