Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi all,
Just joined the site but have visited here heaps of times. I have a dilema that I hope someone can help with. I have a 92 80 series with the 3F EFI motor and 4 speed auto. The car seems to be very indicisive as to which gear it wants to be in when I'm towing the 16ft caravan. It will drop into top gear when it reaches 100klms per hr. As soon as it does it loses road speed instantly neccesitating the need for slightly more go pedal, it will also do this when not towing. As soon as I depress the accelorator ever so lightly, it drops back to 3rd gear and revs to about 3200rpm. I love the car but hate how it tows and at 32ltrs per 100k's when towing I don't get real far on a tank of fuel. Any ideas would be appreciated. Have considered a power upgrade to perhaps a 5litre EFI V8, Would this solve the shifting problem and what sort of fuel consumption could I expect. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kozzy
This auto is it one of the 123dnrp models?? If so, you should tow in 3...as od is too much for the motor and box....
You can fit quite a few motors infront of this auto, the common one is the 5 litre holden, but a 5.7 would be the pick of the lot....also a shift kit for the auto and lower stall torque converter would make it all work well together...rodney from wholesale autos in Melb is the guy to speak to 0415393755

Yep. Thats the auto box I'v got. If I was to leave it in 3rd for towing I expect I should also limit my highway speed to about 80ks so as not to over-rev the motor, eh. I like the sound of a 5.7 V8. Thanks

read my V8 conversion post if you would like costs as the engine I started with was the 80 series 3FE as well and I have gone for the 5.7ltr chev.

Thanks Brian, I read your posts and it sounds like you've had some trials and tribulations but I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end. Makes me wonder though whether or not it would be easier wiring wise with an EFI V8 motor or would it be easier just to transplant a later model 4.5 EFI Toyota six. I still like the idea of a thumpin big, sweet soundin, stump pullin power of an 8. I hate decisions!!!!!!!!

Just sold my 94 fzj80 auto for $8400 straight and honest needed tyres and more rego. Try to mod yours for that money....your better off doing what i did and buy newer, onsell older...you can pick up 97 model petrold for 14k....with ABS...even 100 series for 20k

dow50r wrote:Just sold my 94 fzj80 auto for $8400 straight and honest needed tyres and more rego. Try to mod yours for that money....your better off doing what i did and buy newer, onsell older...you can pick up 97 model petrold for 14k....with ABS...even 100 series for 20k

Yep that's what i would do. I paid 9k for mine and it's a 96 petrol auto. After spending some money I've got it up to 165-170hp at the rear wheels. It's nice to drive now, but still not like a 350 chev or 5.7. You can turbo it or supercharge to get up to and beyond v8 power perhaps. Depends on how fatr you want to go.