Fix 3.0 L TD in 2004 model, or replace engine?

[Grootseun]

Jip also only drive and own Nissan , now if only Nissan had n nice 4 or 5 litre v8 diesel motor - one sweet patrol if you fit that beast

[Tinus lotz]

keep it real......if you want a toyota engine buy a cruiser and fit it there

[pdasilva]

Open a zd30 that is still running, I can guarentee the head is cracked. But nevermind them[quote][/quote]


Not to sure about the above qoute I just had the head gasket and other gaskets replaced on my 3.0 patrol to sort out an oil leak.The head was not cracked.

[JG Shields]

This debate includes a strong element of PRIDE vs COMMON SENCE. A good test for this statement lies in a report/discussion with at least two "previously ZD30' Patrol owners" with now Lexus fitted engines. In my mind I clarified two issues for myself.

1. The ZD30 engine is a failure. By that I do not say it does not go well when it's up and running, and that does not imply at all that the "Patrol" is a failure. It is a pitty that Nissan ever decided to fit the ZD30 in the Patrol. It did harm the Patrol's reputation...and tells me something about Nissan's bad engineering judgement. I am however certain that I will never ever drive a vehicle with a ZD30 engine without that little hammering devil called "doubt" sitting on my shoulder.

2. If the Lexus 4L V8 engine had a Nissan badge on it, this debate would not exist. In my mind it is therefore a debate about RELIABLE IRON EQUIPMENT vs BADGE (BRAND). For the loyalists the BADGE outweigh the EQUIPMENT and vice-versa.

[beast]

On Saterday we had 2 Lexus conversions at SAC and the one in the short wheel Patrol only got 130 on back wheels, the other one much less. Navara 4l with Maus 143, and it needs a remapping exercise which will push it to 160kw on back wheels

[Grant]

Why not look at an Infinity engine. They are available although a bit more expensive than a Lexus.

[Herrie]

Even Giniel battled with his Hilux (with the Lexus V8) during Dakar everytime he hit soft sand

[JG Shields]

Cobus, and despite the "sandy" difficulties, he still achieved 3rd place!

[Alex Roux]

On Saterday we had 2 Lexus conversions at SAC and the one in the short wheel Patrol only got 130 on back wheels, the other one much less. Navara 4l with Maus 143, and it needs a remapping exercise which will push it to 160kw on back wheels

Nico,
I arrived 11:30 on the dot at SAC on Saturday and it is a pity my Bastard vehicle did not participate.
However I do have results from the flywheel which is slightly better than the 4.8, both in terms of Kw (197 vs 190) and torque (435 vs 425).
Saturday's test were on the wheels, which is obviously different and hence not comparable. However I am sure on any given day, my results would have been very close to that of a 4.8 (either slightly better or slightly worse - since it seems not always to be exactly the same).

Granted, my torque is greater at higher revs and the 4.8 is greater at lower revs (refer to Herrie's comments on Giniel), but even there the difference is not significant.

But here comes the punchline:
I drive easily 1.5km per liter more than the 4.8 does.
And this on an engine that is simple. relatively cheap to maintain and parts readily available.

I am a Nissan fan, don't get me wrong. My next vehicle is a Qashquay for the city and I do not ever intend to sell my Bastard Witblits.
I just whish Nissan never made this serious error of judgment and fitted such an inferior engine onto such a great chassis & gearbox.

[Alex Roux]

Oh, and about the Infinity?
It does not seem like a bad idea. I understand it is in actual fact an Infinity used in Redbul's F1 car?

The pros for the Lexus though is that it is (I think) the most common conversion in the country.
There are many who do it, so one can research and get the best surgeon for the job (I have already mentioned the parts issue).
And then the Infinity engine is at least R5,000 extra given that the engine is more expensive.

Now why does Nissan not replace the 3TD with the V9X (from the new Pathfinder)?