Outer Limits 4x4 Board

just out of curiosity...

does anyone know what engines would be able to be put into a 92td MU? (lack of constant power is really annoying me!!!)

would it be possible to put the 2.8 petrol rodeo motor in it?

im only new to this whole 4wding thing so be nice

Have you done anything to increase power from the 2.8TD yet? They dont go that badly..
What do you use the car for mainly? Then it will determine what type of power and engine would be best suited to the application.

not really.. just wound up the boost about 1.5psi. its also auto... and it revs out to about 4000rpm in first but once it goes into 2nd its just dies! :(

oh and i'll be using it on road the majority of the time!

How much money do you want to throw at it?

An engine conversion can be costly, perhaps engine upgrades coule be of benifit. These would include:

Exhaust
Extractors/headers
More efficient intercooler
Injectors
Internal engine work (Big $$$)
Power chip (if available)

sierrajim wrote:How much money do you want to throw at it?

An engine conversion can be costly, perhaps engine upgrades coule be of benifit. These would include:

Exhaust
Extractors/headers
More efficient intercooler
Injectors
Internal engine work (Big $$$)
Power chip (if available)

dont know of a chip for the 2.8, can certainly work it, but maybe a v6 out of the rodeu would be an easy conversion....not sure if the gear box is the same but I am sure it would bolt up. the rodeo v6 has as much grunt as the commo engine, but it is a fuel guzzla. Also I am sure a commo v6 kit would be avialable and you can pick one up fairly cheap.

thanks guys... who wants to put their hand up to help me do a conversion?

If you want a faster road car... go and buy one

The majority of 4x4's are meant to be fast.. and neva will be.. They are capable in what they are designed for.. and that is not drag racing.

I think the 2.8 is fragile, but with an intercooler from a Jackeroo/BigHorn a BigBore exh, up the boost and up the fuel it should outdrive the vehicle.
A 3.1 is probably the easiest swop.
J Top

it has an intercooler from the 3.1 and the boost has been wound up...

im undecided what i want to do! engine swap or bigger turbo.

If you've increased the boost already.. adding a larger turbo would most probably leave you with a blown motor. You can only increase them a bit over factory safely without other modifications.
As said b4, the power is probably enough for the vehicle you are in.. It should have plenty of torque and pick up really well... If you want a high revving road car.. well you know

How much offroading do you do?? Also, what type of work are you doing most?
You cannot decide on an engine based on just having more power... You need to know the purpose also.

just forget i even asked

Why, they are all trying to give you reasonable courses of action and answers from previous experience or other peoples knowledge. We of the diesel people know our diesels are slow, if you wanna go fast either dont buy a diesel or go buy a piece of rice or a wheel chock

I assume you have the 4JB1T ?

They are a pretty good motor compared to other diesels of a similare size, do you know someone with a jackaroo/rodeo/mu with the same engine that you can compare?

MissMU wrote:just forget i even asked

Obviously by this comment you dont go offroad... and you must only want to beat people from the traffic lights.
You asked a question..and we were 'trying' to help.. we cant just throw answers about not knowing what you are specifically asking...

Are those wheels in your avatar a photochop?? They look quite nice.
Either way, what size tyres do you have on your car... Too large of a diameter could be sucking power from it due to gearing changes.

Also, you said once it goes into 2nd it dies... have you had the gearbox serviced lately?

Perhaps your motor just has an issue.. rather than the motor not being powerful enough.. it may just need a good tune.

I have a pretty similar motor and I find it goes hard for what it is

haha no way those rims are NOT on the MU! they're 20s.. and WAY TOO BIG!!! thank god i seen the light and didnt buy them

i plan to do a bit of off roading... and it has a fair bit of pull straight off at the lights!

its funny you mention the gearbox... i have this feeling it prob doesnt have 2nd at all. hence it being absolutely gutless once it changes from first... but im not sure! will take it into a gearbox place tomorrow and book it in for a service

i got the MU really cheap so it doesnt surprise me if it does have a few things wrong with it! but like i said in the other thread.. i have nothing to compare the MU to

Yeh go and get the box looked at just in case... get a service none the less.

Its hard with diesels.. I drove my bro in laws before I bought mine just to make sure I'll like it.. yes they are slower.. but the torque is good and it gets there in the end.. albeit a touch slower.. but they'll keep goin 4eva

Due to the boost controller and exhaust and such.. I'd think a good tune up by a professional is essential, where they can get the fuel pump spot on to utilise these mods.

thanks again for the advice!

have had so many people telling me all different things about diesel engines its starting to do my head in

i could always do what the guys at livinglow are doing body drop it and chuck in a 5L v8 engine

if you wanted to do a petrol engine transplant you're probably better looking at selling it and statring with a petrol MU instead.


The sort of prices Chimpboy was getting quoted to put a rodeo V6 in were starting at $4000. I think that with work to the diesel and maybe a different turbo you'd do better than a rodeo v6 anyway - they're not hugely powerful.

Another possibility with the diesels is LPG injection but that's a very specialist field.

Does anyone know anyone who does Diesel-LPG injection in brisbane?

MissMU wrote: i could always do what the guys at livinglow are doing body drop it and chuck in a 5L v8 engine

Do you wanna get that ricer comment again

A couple of thoughts (from a former MU owner):

- If you wanted a petrol MU, you shouldn't have too much trouble selling the turbo diesel and getting a petrol for a similar price. Most people would MUCH prefer the turbo diesel.

- If you are going to do an engine swap, you might as well go the whole hog and put in a V8 - but be prepared to spend a lot. I am pretty sure that there are kits to put a holden 6 cyl into a rodeo, ie the buick 3.8 from a commodore, but you'd still be better starting with a petrol MU for this.

- the 2.8TD is not a totally gutless motor and for the weight of the car, shouldn't be too shabby.

- did I read elsewhere that you have an auto? If so I'd be looking at a gearbox swap as a cheaper option than an engine swap. Your car is almost 100% holden rodeo so gearbox and clutch plumbing should be easy to find. Auto + 4 cylinders = slug.

For what it's worth, unless you want to blow a lot of $$, I would say do this:

- get the 2.8 looked at and tuned up by someone who REALLY knows diesels, not just anybody.
- consider swapping in a manual 5 speed, which at a wild guess should come comfortably under $1500

If you think you are going to use it off-road, you will DEFINITELY need to look at some kind of diff locking for this car, an LSD at the very minimum. Open diffs at both ends are a big weakness for off-road duties, probably even more so than the lack of suspension travel.

MUs are cool. I kind of miss mine, actually.

Last point - MUs are available in the US as Isuzu Amigos. There is some good tech on them on US websites as well as some okay aftermarket parts.

Jason

HotFourOk wrote:

MissMU wrote: i could always do what the guys at livinglow are doing body drop it and chuck in a 5L v8 engine

Do you wanna get that ricer comment again

Whats your story man. i've had twin turbo's and now building balanced blueprinted alloy headed 351w for a dirty old rangie does that mean i "should buy a ricer" jesus MissMU just want's some more go.

She's tha cats mother

she not he!

chimpboy wrote: MUs are cool. I kind of miss mine, actually.

Last point - MUs are available in the US as Isuzu Amigos. There is some good tech on them on US websites as well as some okay aftermarket parts.

Jason

Agreed - i miss mine too. Sometimes.

Amigos also very common in NZ. There are a few owners on this board. Blue one with bar lockers exhaust etc looks the goods. Can't remember the guys name though. One worder. There is also some tech on a NZ Forum.

i had exactly that 2.8TD auto. bit sluggy, looked at manual conversion but $$ stopped me. Just boot it harder! Then fuel system went also (had to prime it every morning) and ended up selling due to MAASSIVE repair bill i was looking at. Lost some serious coin.