Notice: We request that you don't just set up a new account at this time if you are a previous user.
If you used to be one of our moderators, please feel free to reach out to Chris via the facebook Outerlimits4x4 group and he will get you set back up with access should he need you.
If you used to be one of our moderators, please feel free to reach out to Chris via the facebook Outerlimits4x4 group and he will get you set back up with access should he need you.
Recovery:If you cannot access your old email address and don't remember your password, please click here to log a change of email address so you can do a password reset.
3.3 in a Terrano / Pathfinder
3.3 in a Terrano / Pathfinder
Has anyone swapped a 3.3 turbodiesel into a Terrano / Pathfinder?
What I´m thinking is to use a Patrol engine/gearbox/t-case combo in a first generation Terrano. I HAVE seen a thread somewhere about a Terrano with a Z-car six, so I know that an inline six CAN be stuffed in there, but as I have the 3.3 diesel already, thats the engine that interests me.
I´d probably do a solid axle swap at the same time, Patrol or LJ70.
Comments anyone???
Ingthorsson.
What I´m thinking is to use a Patrol engine/gearbox/t-case combo in a first generation Terrano. I HAVE seen a thread somewhere about a Terrano with a Z-car six, so I know that an inline six CAN be stuffed in there, but as I have the 3.3 diesel already, thats the engine that interests me.
I´d probably do a solid axle swap at the same time, Patrol or LJ70.
Comments anyone???
Ingthorsson.
if you don´t know its impossible, you just might do it!
Of course I can measure it!
I know that if I really wanted to I could stuff practically any engine in there. I don´t need any wiseguy to tell me what can and can´t be done.
But Possible is not the same as Practical.
I´m simply asking if anyone has done this kind of swap and if its practical.
Would it need firewall surgery, oil sump relocation and so on.
Obvious things like exhaust redesign, fuel line mods and such are well,.....obvious.
Please, stick to sensible answers, something that might help.
I don´t want views; I want advice from someone who´s done this swap.
I can live without visecracks!
Ingthorsson.
I know that if I really wanted to I could stuff practically any engine in there. I don´t need any wiseguy to tell me what can and can´t be done.
But Possible is not the same as Practical.
I´m simply asking if anyone has done this kind of swap and if its practical.
Would it need firewall surgery, oil sump relocation and so on.
Obvious things like exhaust redesign, fuel line mods and such are well,.....obvious.
Please, stick to sensible answers, something that might help.
I don´t want views; I want advice from someone who´s done this swap.
I can live without visecracks!
Ingthorsson.
if you don´t know its impossible, you just might do it!
You want a sensible answer? Ask a sensible question.ingthorsson wrote:Of course I can measure it!
I know that if I really wanted to I could stuff practically any engine in there. I don´t need any wiseguy to tell me what can and can´t be done.
But Possible is not the same as Practical.
I´m simply asking if anyone has done this kind of swap and if its practical.
Would it need firewall surgery, oil sump relocation and so on.
Obvious things like exhaust redesign, fuel line mods and such are well,.....obvious.
Please, stick to sensible answers, something that might help.
I don´t want views; I want advice from someone who´s done this swap.
I can live without visecracks!
Ingthorsson.
Measure the f*cking thing. If you did that you'd have not asked such a question. Blind Freddy knows it wont fit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GU3 Patrol Wagon.
Ooh, touchy, touchy!
Now you´ve really given me a challenge, ´cause I just love to prove those guys wrong who say something can´t be done.
It´ll take me some time because I don´t have all that much time to spend on building, but we´ll see, WISEGUY!
Ingthorsson.
Now you´ve really given me a challenge, ´cause I just love to prove those guys wrong who say something can´t be done.
It´ll take me some time because I don´t have all that much time to spend on building, but we´ll see, WISEGUY!
Ingthorsson.
if you don´t know its impossible, you just might do it!
I want to see pics too.ingthorsson wrote:Ooh, touchy, touchy!
Now you´ve really given me a challenge, ´cause I just love to prove those guys wrong who say something can´t be done.
It´ll take me some time because I don´t have all that much time to spend on building, but we´ll see, WISEGUY!
Ingthorsson.
GU3 Patrol Wagon.
Ok mate. You will, if and when.
I´m not saying it can, in a practical sense, or will, be done. I´m just trying to get a civilized discussion going about it.
I still think the question is legitimate and as to measuring,...... well, it´s a bit hard for me at the moment, ´cause I´m in Sweden right now where I live, but both the Terrano and the Patrol are in Iceland where I work.
Give me ten days and I´ll have it measured and made my mind up about whether or not to take on your challenge.
In the meantime I´d still like to get comments from someone who´s actually done it, or tried and failed, or just evaluated the practicality of it in a professional manner.
Ingthorsson.
I´m not saying it can, in a practical sense, or will, be done. I´m just trying to get a civilized discussion going about it.
I still think the question is legitimate and as to measuring,...... well, it´s a bit hard for me at the moment, ´cause I´m in Sweden right now where I live, but both the Terrano and the Patrol are in Iceland where I work.
Give me ten days and I´ll have it measured and made my mind up about whether or not to take on your challenge.

In the meantime I´d still like to get comments from someone who´s actually done it, or tried and failed, or just evaluated the practicality of it in a professional manner.
Ingthorsson.
if you don´t know its impossible, you just might do it!
The biggest thing I have seen in a Pathy/Terrano was a small block chev. The amount of work that went into it was way beyond the scope and $$$$ of a normal person. Massive firewall reconstruction. Tunnel rework too. You want to go an extra 2 cylinders in length?ingthorsson wrote:Ok mate. You will, if and when.
I´m not saying it can, in a practical sense, or will, be done. I´m just trying to get a civilized discussion going about it.
I still think the question is legitimate and as to measuring,...... well, it´s a bit hard for me at the moment, ´cause I´m in Sweden right now where I live, but both the Terrano and the Patrol are in Iceland where I work.
Give me ten days and I´ll have it measured and made my mind up about whether or not to take on your challenge.![]()
In the meantime I´d still like to get comments from someone who´s actually done it, or tried and failed, or just evaluated the practicality of it in a professional manner.
Ingthorsson.
GU3 Patrol Wagon.
Thank you!
Now you´re giving me an answer that helps!
This being true, the swap already seems less feasible, but as I am a pigheaded sob, I´ll do the measuring anyway, ´cause I DO know that the smallblock Chevy has quite some length in front of the block itself and that the 3.3 is rather compact for an inline six.
It may also hang on the shape of the firewall.
I would do all the work myself, so cost is not an issue, only the amount of work involved.
I´m glad we´ve gotten this discussion to a civilized level.
Thanks again,
Ingthorsson.
Now you´re giving me an answer that helps!
This being true, the swap already seems less feasible, but as I am a pigheaded sob, I´ll do the measuring anyway, ´cause I DO know that the smallblock Chevy has quite some length in front of the block itself and that the 3.3 is rather compact for an inline six.
It may also hang on the shape of the firewall.
I would do all the work myself, so cost is not an issue, only the amount of work involved.
I´m glad we´ve gotten this discussion to a civilized level.
Thanks again,
Ingthorsson.
if you don´t know its impossible, you just might do it!
It always was! MEASURE it.ingthorsson wrote:Thank you!
Now you´re giving me an answer that helps!
This being true, the swap already seems less feasible, but as I am a pigheaded sob, I´ll do the measuring anyway, ´cause I DO know that the smallblock Chevy has quite some length in front of the block itself and that the 3.3 is rather compact for an inline six.
It may also hang on the shape of the firewall.
I would do all the work myself, so cost is not an issue, only the amount of work involved.
I´m glad we´ve gotten this discussion to a civilized level.
Thanks again,
Ingthorsson.
GU3 Patrol Wagon.
Oh boy! Here we go again!
I thought we´d covered that ground!
Please just simply stay off the subject if your comments must be is such an arrogant, negative manner.
If you haven´t done it, tried it or measured it yourself, you have nothing more to add!
Ingthorsson.
I thought we´d covered that ground!
Please just simply stay off the subject if your comments must be is such an arrogant, negative manner.
If you haven´t done it, tried it or measured it yourself, you have nothing more to add!
Ingthorsson.
if you don´t know its impossible, you just might do it!
Just some things i noticed when looking at putting this same engine into a Series Landrover, which also had very limited space in the engine bay.
The Bellhousing for the Diesel is much larger than the equivilent Petrol engine. This might involve bulkhead modifications to allow this to fit into the TErrano. You might be able to do away with the engine driven fan and run 2 electric fans in small shrouds if space at the front of the engine is a problem. The sump on this engine is also fairly large, and fitting might be a problem with the independant front suspension. I think from memory, the front driveshaft exits on the lefthand side of the transfer case (patrol on right). Exhaust clearance might be a problem here, as the SD33 exhaust is on the lefthand side as well. Are you going to use an MQ/MK gearbox/transfer case or GQ/GR type?
Nick
The Bellhousing for the Diesel is much larger than the equivilent Petrol engine. This might involve bulkhead modifications to allow this to fit into the TErrano. You might be able to do away with the engine driven fan and run 2 electric fans in small shrouds if space at the front of the engine is a problem. The sump on this engine is also fairly large, and fitting might be a problem with the independant front suspension. I think from memory, the front driveshaft exits on the lefthand side of the transfer case (patrol on right). Exhaust clearance might be a problem here, as the SD33 exhaust is on the lefthand side as well. Are you going to use an MQ/MK gearbox/transfer case or GQ/GR type?
Nick
Thanks Nick.
This is just the kind of info I´m looking for.
I´d most probably use the gearbox/t-case combo that comes with the 3.3,
and I´m planning to swap in LJ70 axles at the same time so the IFS goes to the junkyard where it belongs. The LJ axles have the pumpkins on the right side, high pinion front too, so that would mate up.
Electric fans are a good idea.
I also think that the need for firewall surgery might be lessened with some bodylift, no more than two inches though. I may also be able to mount the engine a bit lower in the frame than it sits in the Patrol; depends on how high the driveshaft flanges on the t-case are. I don´t want the t-case to stick down to get stuck on, so to speak.
Exhaust on one side and driveshafts on the other,,,,,,,,goooood.
Thanks again,
Ingthorsson.
This is just the kind of info I´m looking for.
I´d most probably use the gearbox/t-case combo that comes with the 3.3,
and I´m planning to swap in LJ70 axles at the same time so the IFS goes to the junkyard where it belongs. The LJ axles have the pumpkins on the right side, high pinion front too, so that would mate up.
Electric fans are a good idea.
I also think that the need for firewall surgery might be lessened with some bodylift, no more than two inches though. I may also be able to mount the engine a bit lower in the frame than it sits in the Patrol; depends on how high the driveshaft flanges on the t-case are. I don´t want the t-case to stick down to get stuck on, so to speak.
Exhaust on one side and driveshafts on the other,,,,,,,,goooood.
Thanks again,
Ingthorsson.
if you don´t know its impossible, you just might do it!
He says he is going to do a SAS at the same time. The sump will still be an issue even if he does do the SAS. It will have to be custom fabbed. The MQ/MK live axle is the same width as the Pathy/Terrano rear, so will go straight in. 4.625:1 and 4.88:1 ratios are available with the MQ/MK live axle. The Pathy/Terrano share the same ratios. As for the exhaust, they are on the same side.Woop wrote:Just some things i noticed when looking at putting this same engine into a Series Landrover, which also had very limited space in the engine bay.
The Bellhousing for the Diesel is much larger than the equivilent Petrol engine. This might involve bulkhead modifications to allow this to fit into the TErrano. You might be able to do away with the engine driven fan and run 2 electric fans in small shrouds if space at the front of the engine is a problem. The sump on this engine is also fairly large, and fitting might be a problem with the independant front suspension. I think from memory, the front driveshaft exits on the lefthand side of the transfer case (patrol on right). Exhaust clearance might be a problem here, as the SD33 exhaust is on the lefthand side as well. Are you going to use an MQ/MK gearbox/transfer case or GQ/GR type?
Nick
This is one very ambitous engine swap. A heap of modification will be required to get it in the very small engine compartment that is effectively only 680cm long. That measurement is taken front the firewall to the radiator.
GU3 Patrol Wagon.
OK.
Good to see a constructive contribution!
Thanks for that.
Personally I do not see the end-swapping of an oil sump as a problem, just as a bother, a piece of work that would have to be done.
The Toy axles seem preferable because of the availability of ratios and lockers, but if the track of the Terrano and the Patrol axles I have is the same, I will consider using them. They come from a rescue service truck and have the lower ratios while my LJ axles have 4,56.
I must confess that I haven´t a clue as to which witch is which, MK, MQ, GQ or GR.
To me a Patrol is a Patrol, different yearmodels and wheelbases, and a Terrano / Pathy is a SUV type KingCab with a more sophistcated rear suspension.
There is obviously more to it than that, but that really doesn´t change anything.
Ingthorsson.
Good to see a constructive contribution!
Thanks for that.
Personally I do not see the end-swapping of an oil sump as a problem, just as a bother, a piece of work that would have to be done.
The Toy axles seem preferable because of the availability of ratios and lockers, but if the track of the Terrano and the Patrol axles I have is the same, I will consider using them. They come from a rescue service truck and have the lower ratios while my LJ axles have 4,56.
I must confess that I haven´t a clue as to which witch is which, MK, MQ, GQ or GR.
To me a Patrol is a Patrol, different yearmodels and wheelbases, and a Terrano / Pathy is a SUV type KingCab with a more sophistcated rear suspension.
There is obviously more to it than that, but that really doesn´t change anything.
Ingthorsson.
if you don´t know its impossible, you just might do it!
Only the MQ/MK are the same width. All other Patrols are too wide.ingthorsson wrote: I must confess that I haven´t a clue as to which witch is which, MK, MQ, GQ or GR.
To me a Patrol is a Patrol, different yearmodels and wheelbases
Ingthorsson.
Last edited by Vsicks Pathy on Tue Oct 04, 2005 9:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
GU3 Patrol Wagon.
Thanks for the positive attitude mate.
"The icelandic treatment" would certainly include 38s. A truck the size of a Terrano wouldn´t float in the snow on anything smaller.
But, as I live in Sweden and don´t need that kind of flotation, I´ll settle for 35s.
So lets call it "an excile icelanders treatment"
Ingthorsson.
"The icelandic treatment" would certainly include 38s. A truck the size of a Terrano wouldn´t float in the snow on anything smaller.
But, as I live in Sweden and don´t need that kind of flotation, I´ll settle for 35s.
So lets call it "an excile icelanders treatment"

Ingthorsson.
if you don´t know its impossible, you just might do it!
I have seen a Holden blue straight six engine in a Navara. The guy had to modify the radiator support panel to make it fit. The old SD33 is taller but about the same length.
Don't ask me, ask them. I'm just runnin for my life myself.
Well they are all following you...
No they ain't, I'm just in front...............
Well they are all following you...
No they ain't, I'm just in front...............
The navara is exactly the same barr the fact that it is a cab chassis. The 4x4 Navara comes with a 2inch BL standard as opposed to the Pathy/Terrano which sits hard on the rails. The BL will help you tunnel wise but not length wise.ingthorsson wrote:Now that is good news!
The question remains though; how alike are the Navara and the first generation Terrano?
Can you get pics?
Thanks,
Ingthorsson.
I will get a donk lengnth for you.
GU3 Patrol Wagon.
Sorry cannot help with pics, it was about 3 years ago & I dont know the bloke who ownes it, I was doing a rego check on it at the time & wondered why he did it because the 3.3 Blue motor from Holden was a bit of a shitter.
He had a bellhousing custom made by Dellow I think.
He had to remove the fan, modify the radiator support & place the radiator in front of the radiator support behind the grill. It was pretty ugly. Lucky he had a bullbar as the radiator was pretty exposed.
He had a bellhousing custom made by Dellow I think.
He had to remove the fan, modify the radiator support & place the radiator in front of the radiator support behind the grill. It was pretty ugly. Lucky he had a bullbar as the radiator was pretty exposed.
Don't ask me, ask them. I'm just runnin for my life myself.
Well they are all following you...
No they ain't, I'm just in front...............
Well they are all following you...
No they ain't, I'm just in front...............
Thanks for the info. Now at least we know it CAN be done!
From here on it´s a question of how NICELY it can be done.
Radiator practically in front of the grille doesn´t sound either smart or stylish.
I´d much rather do a "slight remodelling" of the firewall. (BFH).
Custom bellhousing???......Well, I´ve done that myself once but I´d rather not do it again unless I absolutely have to.
I´m back in Iceland now, so I´ll be measuring things up soon.
Ingthorsson.
From here on it´s a question of how NICELY it can be done.
Radiator practically in front of the grille doesn´t sound either smart or stylish.
I´d much rather do a "slight remodelling" of the firewall. (BFH).
Custom bellhousing???......Well, I´ve done that myself once but I´d rather not do it again unless I absolutely have to.
I´m back in Iceland now, so I´ll be measuring things up soon.
Ingthorsson.
if you don´t know its impossible, you just might do it!
I did some measuring yesterday
The 3.3 is 80 cm long fram the rear of the head to the front of the water pump pulley, and thats not counting the fan.
The engine bay of a Terrano is only 70 cm from firewall to radiator.
It would take more than a little remodelling of the firewall to get that engine in there.
As I'm told that the 4 cyl 2.7 td is in many ways a better choice than the 3.3, apart from fitting without a hassle, I just might try to get hold of one.
Anyways....engine choice will have to be reconsidered.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion, I think we have, finally, gotten some constructive answers, hopefully helpful to others as they have been helpful to me.
Ingthorsson.

The 3.3 is 80 cm long fram the rear of the head to the front of the water pump pulley, and thats not counting the fan.
The engine bay of a Terrano is only 70 cm from firewall to radiator.
It would take more than a little remodelling of the firewall to get that engine in there.
As I'm told that the 4 cyl 2.7 td is in many ways a better choice than the 3.3, apart from fitting without a hassle, I just might try to get hold of one.
Anyways....engine choice will have to be reconsidered.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion, I think we have, finally, gotten some constructive answers, hopefully helpful to others as they have been helpful to me.
Ingthorsson.
if you don´t know its impossible, you just might do it!
!60 - 170 hp sounds good. They also claim that it's a very economical engine. Maybe hard to get both; power and economy.
Better low end grunt in the 3.3 is exactly what I was thinking myself.
What I do next depends on what parts/cars fall into the reach of my greedy claws. I might use that Patrol driveline I´ve got in a Rangie and sell the Terrano, or somerhing.
Ingthorsson.
Better low end grunt in the 3.3 is exactly what I was thinking myself.
What I do next depends on what parts/cars fall into the reach of my greedy claws. I might use that Patrol driveline I´ve got in a Rangie and sell the Terrano, or somerhing.
Ingthorsson.
if you don´t know its impossible, you just might do it!
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests