- Location
- Huntsville, AL
WOW! Just doesn't quite sum it up.
RoninJiro's Build (now diesel)
- Thread starter Roninjiro
- Start date
WOW! Just doesn't quite sum it up.
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
glad to hear you've thought through all of the bases sir! I'm looking forward to hearing what your end result is, hopefully everything works great!
Thanks dhyde! I can't gut spending a pretty penny and not be 99% sure I can do it and it would do what I needed. If my wife were on the forum she would tell you I have spent literally years plotting and planning the conversion. I am just hoping that me doing this will help others fulfill a dream they have without having much doubt in it.
Ok, guys got an update on the shipping of my TIG welder, it will be at my door sometime the middle of next week. So next weekend I will be fabricating the new motor mounts and digging into the wiring harness. It looks like I should be driving it by early to mid March. I will be selling my Subaru STi to help fund this project too.
lol, thats what I thought too, but my wife and I share no really memories with the STi.... the xterra is nothing but memories and good times. Also I just bought the STi only to have spun a bearing 2 weeks after normal driving.... so in actuality I am pulling engines in 2 vehicles at the moment and the subaru is costing me over $1k in parts (for a stock rebuild) with me doing the work... so it has got to go! lol
- Location
- Western Massachusetts
Awesome...great work man!
And welcome to XN too!
Sent to you from my very own piece of East Coast paradise.
And welcome to XN too!
Sent to you from my very own piece of East Coast paradise.
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
I hate when that happens...buy a car with an awesome reputation for being a BAMF only to get a bad one....happened to the father in law with his last corvette....C5 that was utterly gutless...I felt bad for him (but not bad enough to crawl under the hood and work on a chevy for him).
Church thank you for the welcome, I am glad to be here!
dhyde, yea it is a huge downer and setback for me. The car looks perfect inside and out and only looks 2 years old at that..... I would love to keep it, but after seeing what it will cost me just to rebuild it myself, i am pretty pissed about it. I think it is more of a sign though to let go of my old fast addictions. I have never had a traffic ticket, and don't ever plan it. This car will most likely be the one that gets me in trouble. I don't know, everything about the car spells trouble for me so I have to let it go.
dhyde, yea it is a huge downer and setback for me. The car looks perfect inside and out and only looks 2 years old at that..... I would love to keep it, but after seeing what it will cost me just to rebuild it myself, i am pretty pissed about it. I think it is more of a sign though to let go of my old fast addictions. I have never had a traffic ticket, and don't ever plan it. This car will most likely be the one that gets me in trouble. I don't know, everything about the car spells trouble for me so I have to let it go.
Food for thought:
I was WRONG about gearing!!!
original vehicle had a rated top speed of 93mph and weighed in at around 3900lbs.
auto gearing in the diesel and gas transmissions are the same, as well as stall revolutions (torque converter and valve body is different though).
the only things that makes the the two different are: torque converter, bell housing, factory hd skid plate, stock wire harness, and the neutral switch.
I forgot to even look in the factory service manuals i have lol (to know the exact ratios, shift schedules, torque lock up, and vehicle speeds at shifts)
EDIT:
All you manual guys... the transmission is the exact same (same part number, gear ratios...etc) as you have on your 3.3's. the only mandatory difference would have to be the belhousing
I was WRONG about gearing!!!
original vehicle had a rated top speed of 93mph and weighed in at around 3900lbs.
auto gearing in the diesel and gas transmissions are the same, as well as stall revolutions (torque converter and valve body is different though).
the only things that makes the the two different are: torque converter, bell housing, factory hd skid plate, stock wire harness, and the neutral switch.
I forgot to even look in the factory service manuals i have lol (to know the exact ratios, shift schedules, torque lock up, and vehicle speeds at shifts)
EDIT:
All you manual guys... the transmission is the exact same (same part number, gear ratios...etc) as you have on your 3.3's. the only mandatory difference would have to be the belhousing
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Xterra Performance
Sliders
- Location
- MOORPARK
Bravo Sir...Bravo!
- Location
- PA
Love your X!
Guys I have lots of ideas racing through my head... just picking and choosing is the problem. Once I get the drivetrain how I want it, I will be looking into ideas of micro camping with the xterra. It will not be for the faint of heart though.... lots of fabrication will be involved. Or as my wife says "getting it ready for travel". The only problem is... designing something that will work for 2 kids, 2 adults, and 1 small dog. After experiencing the minimals for the past few years, I think it is possible on such a small platform. When I picture in my head i automatically think transformer, but that is still in the planning stage. Anyhow, on the to do list as of now:
1. custom snorkel unlike any seen yet on xterras
2. rear winch
3. micro camper conversion
4. spare tire mount (have an idea, but will wait till I try it)
5. mud flaps (functional ones)
6. replace driver fender
7. aux lighting
8. dual batteries w/ switchable isolator
9. dc/ac converter
10. surveying pan/tilt low light cam on pneumatic mast (for surf fishing)
11. HAM system
12. many other things
1. custom snorkel unlike any seen yet on xterras
2. rear winch
3. micro camper conversion
4. spare tire mount (have an idea, but will wait till I try it)
5. mud flaps (functional ones)
6. replace driver fender
7. aux lighting
8. dual batteries w/ switchable isolator
9. dc/ac converter
10. surveying pan/tilt low light cam on pneumatic mast (for surf fishing)
11. HAM system
12. many other things
- Location
- Dickinson, TX
Really!!
- Location
- Hainesville IL
mmm diesel!!!
little update, I have been in the moving process and have not had a chance to touch the truck. I have however reviewed all wiring schematics and know what I will be modifying. I still have not had time to make the new motor mounts, but have ordered and received the steel stock I needed. When time permits guys... when time permits...
also my other bogging task lately is rebuilding this sti engine and ordering parts and it is dam*ed expensive! this rebuild also takes priority over the xterra build, as this will fund the xterra project.
also my other bogging task lately is rebuilding this sti engine and ordering parts and it is dam*ed expensive! this rebuild also takes priority over the xterra build, as this will fund the xterra project.
Apparently, my business is still registered as active and not dissolved. This is what the comptroller told me yesterday, and I have been thinking. If I started doing conversion full time, how much interest would I get? I was thinking turn around time would be around 3-4 weeks as long as I have all parts needed in stock and not backordered. If I have to order the engine/trans it would add around 30-60 days to that. Just a thought right now since I can't get to my truck right now to finish it. Oh how I would love to make messing with xterra's full time with no distractions!
Dude, I know! So wish I had the same thing for mine.
Man, I'm sure a lot of guys would love for you to swap diesels into their Xterra/Frontiers. I just don't know if you could make it affordable enough to get the volume you would need to make a full-time living doing it. I really, really wish you the best of luck with that idea, because I want to see it happen!
BTW, how much are you going to sell the STi for, and what year is it? I may be interested, and I know a few guys who would definitely be interested if I couldn't buy it.
BTW, how much are you going to sell the STi for, and what year is it? I may be interested, and I know a few guys who would definitely be interested if I couldn't buy it.
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Everett, I hope it works out too but I have a feeling if I do it, I will only be able to swing it part time and do it silently in my apartment garage to offset costs. So for all you higher than 3" lift guys.... crank em down or take off your roof racks!!! lol.
The STi engine is almost completely back together and I should have it back in this week. I will be selling it for kbb, or edmunds pricing. It is definitely worth the value stated and I rather keep my temptation on earning speeding tickets to zero. But keep in mind anyone who does buy it needs to follow proper breaking procedures and not dog it until after 1k miles. year is 2006 in WRB, stock everything except the 2010 nitrate crank and 2011 connecting rods, and rally mud flaps. should be under 70k miles last I checked. body is in excellent condition with no dings or scratches I could find, interior is in excellent condition as well and a non smoker car.
The STi engine is almost completely back together and I should have it back in this week. I will be selling it for kbb, or edmunds pricing. It is definitely worth the value stated and I rather keep my temptation on earning speeding tickets to zero. But keep in mind anyone who does buy it needs to follow proper breaking procedures and not dog it until after 1k miles. year is 2006 in WRB, stock everything except the 2010 nitrate crank and 2011 connecting rods, and rally mud flaps. should be under 70k miles last I checked. body is in excellent condition with no dings or scratches I could find, interior is in excellent condition as well and a non smoker car.
Whew. That's about $21k. Can't quite bring myself to spend that, not right now. I'll tell a couple of guys I know, but I'm sure you'll have no problem selling it, especially near Ft. Hood. GL with your sale, so we can see more of this diesel swap!
ChiXterra
Wheeling
- Location
- Northern Illinois
If I may ask: how much money do you have tied up in the diesel conversion? A friend of mine wants me to do it with my X, and I have been thinking hard about it.
ChiXterra
Wheeling
- Location
- Northern Illinois
Ouch.
- Location
- Rhode Island
Less than a SAS job!
- Location
- Huntsville, AL
Less than a professionally installed SAS.
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
for a first attempt, I'd say not that bad, I'd bet he could go through and do another one once he's done with his for far less...
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
TheFauxFox said:
less than a good sas job....
ChiXterra
Wheeling
- Location
- Northern Illinois
I am going to SAS it myself, but I'll put together an SAS, and I'll not buy the kit. And a diesel swap would be done with some help from a couple friends. But, 6K is a hard number to swallow. At that point, I have to ask myself whether the cost is worth it in the long run. I am looking to see what kind of savings I can get fuel wise. I think it would honestly be more cost effective when the mileage on the 3.3 gets way up there.
lol it is less than your professional SAS installs with parts included. The price I pay to stay all Nissan! Next Nissan I get will be a CC frontier short bed 4x4 and that will also get the swap! Lol I may be getting carried away with this.
I can't commit to doing a SAS yet, never needed anything more than what I have.
I can't commit to doing a SAS yet, never needed anything more than what I have.
- Location
- Huntsville, AL
Less than a professional install, but I see you are a fabricator. I'm sure you could do it for less than 5.
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
I dunno dude, the thing is, if you can't do the wrench work yourself to rebuild the diesel, I don't suggest you get one...the maintenance costs *ARE* higher on diesel, which, given the higher price of the fuel as well, I don't see how you'll be making up the cost of doing the swap anytime soon, nor justifying it from the fuel economy standpoint. sure the diesel may have more torque than your 3.3 but, that's all it's got on it really.... as far as a SAS...if you spend less than 6K on a SAS, you've either got a fantastic hook up on parts, or you didn't upgrade to BETTER parts while you did the SAS, you're just getting it in there and will be doing the upgrade later....(there's a LONG thread on this on the nissan 4x4 group on FB, most everyone estimates a SAS job should run you 6-7k unless you junkyard parts absolutely everything, fabricate all mounts/brackets/etc yourself, and even then you're pushing your luck because of adapters that you need.)
Roninjiro: do you have an estimate on what you expect the fuel economy to be on the diesel swap? HP/Torque numbers? I'm curious, I'd like to do a pros/cons on the gas vs diesel...
part of the cost is the equipment I bought to do the job
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Pros and cons:
~~~~TD27T Diesel~~~~
Pros:
-Installed with no HP/TQ mods... looking at around 30mpg (based on others with Terranos, most slightly modded)
-Easier to troubleshoot then the 3.3 and smaller in size (mechanical injection)
-retains stock nissan sensors and stock transmission (with bell housing change)
-Mounting only requires custom engine mounts but still uses stock drivetrain
-considered a bulletproof platform by owners in oz land.
-Fits like it was supposed to be there with no drivetrain mods (SAS, driveshafts)
-can increase power output safely with proper mods
-all stock gauges retained without modification using stock signal inputs
Cons:
-initial cost
-At stock configuration, low HP/TQ numbers (non after cooled rated at 100hp 160lbft)
-In frame rebuild will cost you around 2k (gaskets, rod/main bearings, pistons, liners)
-Swap is not for the faint of heart or anyone not familiar with motor swaps, fabrication or diesels.
-Finding an exporter/importer to locate and ship the power pack for you
-Parts distributors can be hard to find!
-OEM oil filter costs $25 from nissan :O
-You NEED to know how to maintain and rebuild diesels if needed, as your regular show will be like WTF is this??!!
~~~~~~VG33e ~~~~~~~~
Pros:
-Non modified stock power
-Generally bulletproof
-Parts availability
-Some aftermarket support
Cons: (these are the cons I experienced)
-tight fit, can be hard to access repair or maintenance areas
-Fuel mileage!! (my biggest pet peeve)
-overheating issues (radiators fault)
-cracked headers
-PITA to remove
ALL of the pros and cons are my opinion... especially the VG33e portion. Stacked side by side, most will not and should not perform the conversion (especially you emission guys). I am the guinea pig here, so just sit back and watch if you are still interested in doing something like this and would like to know the hassles and troubles involved. As dhyde79 stated there are other things you can do with 6k, I chose a different route to suite my needs.
You can always try to do a 4BT swap or something similar if you wanted but as far as costs goes your guess is as good as mine. Like with any swap you have to consider the history of nissan swap history and consider your odds as well. The frontier swap with the titan engine for instance was a partial success with transmission shifting issues. There are other TD27T swaps in the USA but they are usually done in the older nissan pick ups and I have not found otherwise. As time goes and progress continues I will add to the Pro/Con list on the diesel side.
fuel savings:
gas at $4/gal 15k miles a year at 14mpg (my average) $4,286
diesel at $4.20/gal 15k miles a year at estimated 30mpg $2,100
3 years for me to make back what I put into the swap (parts and tool cost), this doesn't account for if I go wvo.
Or 4 years if I do an in frame overhaul in that time period
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