Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I have an RB30 Patrol Wagon. I have just put on a set of 315 x75 x16s and spent the weekend trialling. 400kms bitumen used 95 litres, 200kms offroad used 63 litres. Power to run along the highway was a real struggle. Offroad country that used to be 2nd and 3rd gear quickly became 1st gear. Assuming that I want to keep the tyres, I have fitted suspension 3 inch plus 2 inch body lift to accomidate. What would be my best options?
Is it possible to just put a 4.2 litre into the existing setup. I Dont have any knowledge but hope that someone can help.

sounds to me like you have lost your economy because of the tyres dude. i am running 35 and there alot harder to turn and your economy is also gonna be terrible. the only real way to increase overall economy as far as i know ( other people may have better suggestions) is to put diff gears into your car to increase all round perforemance in all ranges as well as your economy. also make sure your intake system is good air cleaners etc and your engine is nicly tuned and perhaps a good free flowing exhaust. perhaps fit some extractors.
hope this may help
matt.

i got a 4.2 td and if i go hard on the tar or dirt i can use 20 litres per 100 kms.ive got 4.88 ratios
maybe u need 4.6s ratios and u wont need to change down(gears) as often.

i got a 4.2 td and if i go hard on the tar or dirt i can use 20 litres per 100 kms.ive got 4.88 ratios
maybe u need 4.6s ratios and u wont need to change down(gears) as often.

since you have the RB30 you should have 4.3 diff ratios, there fore, to maintain the orig gearing, you really need 4.88's to be close to standard,

this will help drive alot better, if you mechanically minded and have the dollars, id look at throuwing injection and possible a turbo if you want the hassle, or fittin a tb or td 42 motor, but with this, you will also need the gear box too.

Depends on your budget.. How deep are your pockets??

Ask yourself, whats your long term plan
- keep the truck and fully build it up?
- engine swap in future? if not, budget for $8k+
- sell it and upgrade - RB30 GQ's are worth $0.00 give or take a $.

As can tell, your tires are your issue.

Yes you will have 4.3's.. 4.88's are probably the go, but depends how much you wanna waste before you go for an engine change (which you will do long term.) or what your plans are.

No, TD42 wont just 'drop in' with the same running gear. You need G/box, wiring etc...

So, short term 4.88's will be good, but if you go to a TD42, 4.88's will be too short for highway work with them hoops..

350 Chev is another option, your economy will be better, search for the thread few weeks old on chevs and V8 economy..

If it was me and bottomless pockets, I'd go with the TD42 Turbo fitout OR 6.5 Chev Turbo Diesel . I like diesels though.
If I didn't have bottomless pockets, I'd go with the TD42 Turbo fitout OR 6.5 Chev Turbo Diesel .

YMWBB.

There is a shit load you can do to the RB 30 lump if your keen. The commador VL uses the same motor so all the bits of that fit, including the turbo. Or if you won't to go the hole hog the Rb 26 head off the skyline fits too allong with all the other bits. have a look at http://www.meggala.com/RB30head.
Makes for a very tempting read.

[quote="embryo"]I have an RB30 Patrol Wagon. I have just put on a set of 315 x75 x16s and spent the weekend trialling. 400kms bitumen used 95 litres, 200kms offroad used 63 litres. Power to run along the highway was a real struggle. Offroad country that used to be 2nd and 3rd gear quickly became 1st gear. Assuming that I want to keep the tyres, I have fitted suspension 3 inch plus 2 inch body lift to accomidate. What would be my best options?
Is it possible to just put a 4.2 litre into the existing setup. I Dont have any knowledge but hope that someone can help.[/quote]

If you calculated the 400k & 200k trip from your speedo then your distance will be out. I believe fitting different size tyres will throw out your speedo and odometer readings.

Someone correct me if Im wrong..........

AFeral wrote:There is a shit load you can do to the RB 30 lump if your keen. The commador VL uses the same motor so all the bits of that fit, including the turbo. Or if you won't to go the hole hog the Rb 26 head off the skyline fits too allong with all the other bits. have a look at http://www.meggala.com/RB30head.
Makes for a very tempting read.

or you could go for same price a 350 chev, or better

no you are right
in my 97 GQ 4.2 tdturbo with4.6ratio on 35s we went from brisbane to tuff truck then back and recorded about 1200 odd kays on the clock but in my opinion if the subject is keen for an engine swap id go for an injected 5.0 commo motor yes the rb30 injected and better still turbo is a good motor but i think thay are best suited to shorties not wagons due to the weight but hay horses for corses
Cheers Jamie

I have a friend that has a VL como and it has around 450hp at the wheels, so if you want to spend some dollars, them little engines can rip..

Or you could just put the 350 in like bogged said, thats my choice,,,,

Casey

fuel wise the aussie 5.0 is a lot better on fuel than a gen 3

casey i do agree they can get them going really hard but to go that extreme in a 4b would be fun but comp intended vehicle i would think for a nicer day driver i still think the 5.0 as i wish now i did when i droped the little 2.8rdturbo from mine a went a turbo 4.2 d but hay i can stil;l save like mad and brake the 42td or 2 sell the 42t and sell it off but hay back to the horses thing

fuel injetion off a vl + extractors make a huge difference, im getting 5-5.5 km/L running 35's compared to about 3-3.5 running 32's with the carby

not2.8

How ya doin mate

I recomend the early 350chev, as I have one in my MQ on straight gas, I think it goes pretty hard, very reliable and cheap to repair, I dont think I would go a late model gen3 as I would need to see a holden dealer or an up to date auto elec to do computer diagnostics, and I know that if you rocked up there (holden dealer) with problems with your patrol 4x4 fitted with a gen3, They would say "tell your story walking pal" we dont have the time to fix that"..., I ve seen it with a mates torana fitted with 5.0ltr commo engine, though it is running good now, when it was playing up, they wouldnt fit the tech 2. he had to spend heaps on an auto elec to fix the problem, wich ended up being the air flow, but there are so many things to go wrong with that sort of computer system, I much prefer the straight gas aproach, easy to fix, most shop sell lpg equipment, or can get them. Its cheapish to run a big hp motor (though wares a little faster) and you get good power from it. Also clean burning, NO ADR's, easy to compliance.

Straight gas for me....

Though the biggest problem with straight lpg is "availabilty", thats the only down side, my opinion anyway. Ohh and the tank can hinder your clearance, I can live with that..


I reckon the rb30T motor would be no good as a 4x4 comp car, to much lag for down low 4x4ing, also revs would need to be higher to get you in that sweet power range... But you can make em hammer, lol.... Wee your pants hammer.....

Casey

the trouble you will have is trying to get an adtaptor to fit the v8 to your oringinal box, as they dont make them due to the box being weaker. so you would need to swap it with a 4.2 box

hows it going mate,
i noticed your dillema well i have the same engine in my GQ i could have bought any of the others but wanted the 3.0 simply because i have had them in all my cars from Vls to a highly modifed HZ ute. I am currently turbo charging mine with genuine nissan/ VL commodore bits and so far its cost me $1500 and whats better is that the power it makes on a lazy seven pounds is more than the current V8 land cruiser, I have helped a few friends do this conversion and they are wrapped with the result. I run a small intercooler in the front and 3 inch exhaust, its quiet, reliable and pulls my 20ft ski-boat through the black spur at the speed limit all with 33's and standard ratios.

Seroiously this is a very cost effective upgrade and if you'd like i can give you all he wiring diagrams i have painstaikingly drawn up.
cheers brunsy