Toyota KZ-TE Turbo in the 81

[freeze]

So I've talked to Gary (Winch) about this swap into his Tacoma and it's got me thinking if it would work with the 81 as I'm looking to go diesel in both of my trucks.

http://www.brian894x4.com/sitebuilder/images/KZ-TE_3.0_turbodiesel-268x227.jpghttp://www.brian894x4.com/IK-ZTE_specs.gif

I'm doing more research on this but anyone have any thoughts on the this possibility?

If this is a decent possibility I'll be doing this this winter.

Pros:

Parts are available world wide
Gobs of torque
Decent power
Excellent Mileage


Cons:

Tad heavy
Electrical wiring to Carb
?


Link to Toyota Diesels site
http://www.toyotadiesel.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5984&page=4

Or maybe better off with a 2L Turbo or 3L for simplicity?

[Andyl]

I'm just gonna put this out there...

VW diesels are easier to find (and find parts for) and are easily built up into the 250+hp range (not that a toyota truck needs that) - and fit nicely in the toyota engine bay... While loosing weight & making lots of room for intercooling :)

There was a good lookin 94 passat with the 1.9 TD in PYP today; I was seriously thinking about grabbing that engine... But the 1.6block / 1.9 head frankenmotor at about 160hp is where I'll stick...

Wanna buy a vw adapter plate? :D

[Winch]

Nathan, I actually just talked about this with the group again over the weekend. I'm still seriously looking at doing that 1KZ-TE swap in the Taco as well, but I will go with the intercooled equiped version which makes 145 hp. Would be nice to get 40mpg.

[freeze]

I've really been tossing the idea around with going with the VW, however I've been leaning more towards keeping it all Toyota inside and out.

I'm a little worried about the computer aspect of the 1KZ-TE, although I've been reading that you can go mechanical on the fuel side.

With a 2L TE is again FI but, all the motor mounts and transmission stuff line up perfectly. The only problem is I would have to get another transmission... Marlin 5 spd W56 or G52 as mine is the Marlin L52 HD 5spd without the removable bell housing. For the 81 it's been Marlin or nothin'.. Swap just the bell housing and bolt it all in. Then it'll be a mess with the wiring.... paging oriontaco!!

[Andyl]

1KZ-TE is an engine I'm not familiar with - but the more you guys talk about it - the less I like it... EFI on a diesel - that eliminates the '1-wire' hookup niceties (ok so it's actually 8 on my VW).

[freeze]

what about going with the mechanical fuel system instead of the EFI set up.

The 1KZ-TE is able to work off a mechanical fuel also similar to the newer VW TDI set up.

[Andyl]

what about going with the mechanical fuel system instead of the EFI set up.

The 1KZ-TE is able to work off a mechanical fuel also similar to the newer VW TDI set up.
Newer TDI setup can't really be converted either; yes you can slap a 1.9idi / mtdi pump to it... But you're still running that VNT turbo - not so easily addressed (variable vane, computer sets the vane angle - not so easy to workaround). And you're not getting near the TDI power (of course you're not having the EGR problems either... but I digress)

If you want toyota - go with the 2LT - at least its mechanical, turbo'd and not horridly bad - definitely a bolt up. Can even find parts locally for it :)

Otherwise, benz and vdub - the benz are nicer turbo diesels; but the VW has a certain appeal given that you're going smaller, lighter and there is ridiculous amounts of information on how to build for any level of HP...

[Winch]

I'm a little worried about the computer aspect of the 1KZ-TE, although I've been reading that you can go mechanical on the fuel side.
Then it'll be a mess with the wiring.... paging oriontaco!!

I think most people prefer just buying a half-cut - that way you get everything. The motor, the tranny, the computer, the wiring, the instrument cluster.

[canadian bum]

2L-TE engine is a POS. Stick with the 1KZ-TE. There is a reason imported Land Cruisers with the 2L-TE is like 5 G cheaper than one with any other Toyota diesel. I know nothing about Toyota diesels trust nothing I say ;-)

[874runnersr5]

3.4 swap!!http://www.andrewzook.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=5445&g2_serialNumber=13

[canadian bum]

GAS!!! Gross take it away.

[Winch]

3.4 swap!!http://www.andrewzook.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=5445&g2_serialNumber=13

Anthony, there is a reason why I am considering swapping my 3.4 out for a 1KZ-TE (and many others have done so) - trust me. The 3.4 sucks compared to the 3.0 turbo diesel. :)

[Andyl]

Oh, the 2L-TE is definitely junk - but it's a different engine from the 2LT... 2LT will bolt right up in place of a 22R (different engine mounts of course) no wiring nightmare will be encountered. Head gaskets like all toyota diesels are an issue - usually more of a maintenance thing...

JDM means parts are going to be a bloody pain... Go to auto value (or better yet napa in canmore) and ask for a fuel filter for a 1kz-te - see what happens. Then think about that head gasket you'll need to replace eventually. Sucks if you're 100 miles from nowhere and need to wait for parts to be overnighted from japan (ok yeah not that bad - but it was the only good few words in fast n furious ).

Electronics = 1/2 the reason to go diesel - what electronics... switched power to fuel solenoid, power from alternator... Glow plugs, starter wiring. Done. I can't understand why anyone would want a EFI'd diesel for that reason...

[canadian bum]

To my knowledge and I have lots of it head gaskets aren't a big issue with the diesels. Just the 2 liter range ones.

[Andyl]

I keep finding the opposite - and it keeps getting re-emphasized with all these JDM sales lately - there's an awful lot of the delica's/surfs/etc that are selling cheap with cracked heads/blown head gaskets/ "Blown engine", little surfing on the auzzie forums - and the toyota diesels don't have the most stellar of reputation since the 80's...

[874runnersr5]

Anthony, there is a reason why I am considering swapping my 3.4 out for a 1KZ-TE (and many others have done so) - trust me. The 3.4 sucks compared to the 3.0 turbo diesel. :)


wanna donate your 3.4 to moi :D:D:D:D

[canadian bum]

You need to research the Land Cruiser diesels. Not the surfs all those little engines aren't the best at all. And not the Prado with the 2L-TE. Has to be 13B-T, 3B, 12H-T, 1HD-T, and the 1HZ. No head gasket issues with these engines. So once again Land Cruisers for the win haha.

[Andyl]

Yeah but the land cruiser diesel is a lot heavier than the smaller diesels... Then it becomes a beefing up the rest of the truck to accept that engine - which then kinda defeats the purpose...

3B - heck ya!!! Now we're talking but then ya need the rest of the landcruiser drivetrain to go under the truck, then you've got frame strength issues, then... ?!?

This is what drove me to the VW engine, keeping similar weight (actually loosing weight (about 60lbs) - depending on final configuration) similar HP/Torque numbers, keeping the simple mechanical diesel system. Thus the truck should preform similar to stock, if you've gotta beef up everything because you slapped 300lbs of extra weight on - and now you're going to be blowing out the front axle - whats the point?

And yes I'm one of those disturbing people who like toyotas for being light weight with low hp - and when kept in that form - they're virtually unbreakable :)

[canadian bum]

could just buy a land cruiser no beefing up of anything like me haha. I don't like my Taco want to get the 45 on the Road Asap. The 40 is a long ways away.

[nlowry]

I don't necessarily agree with the bad rep the 2LT-E has gotten. Sure if you read the Aussie site half the guys on there will complain about the cracked cylinder heads...but keep in mind, they bag the s#%t out of those trucks in +40 degree heat. Anybody with half a brain would expect a 98hp, 4000lbs vehicle to overheat and damage the engine the way that those guys drive.

My surf was imported nearly 4 years ago and my 2LT-E has never had a single issue with it. I drove it out to Lake Louise one day last February...it sat outside all night (-40 with the wind and the block heater not plugged in), and it fired up first try. How many vw, chev or dodge diesel drivers can say the same? It's been by far the most reliable vehicle i've ever owned.

That being said...if you're going to spend the time and money to do an engine swap...the 2LT-E is simply way too underpowered. The 3L and kz-te are allegedley bullet proof. And throwing an aftermarket turbo on the 3L is not supposed to be a big job. The kz-te from the 3rd generation surfs are even more powerful, 165hp and 250lbs of torque...don't know if they're available though.

[canadian bum]

The 2LT-E is still a troublesome engine even over here. I know guys who have gotten lucky and other guys who haven't I wouldn't put one in anything I own or buy something that had it in it. But there are a few that have luck with them but not a huge number by any means.

[Andyl]

The number of people who b*tch about things online is disproportionate to those who have no problems and would never bother to look for a place to voice their ... satisfaction :)

I know a few people with 2L & 2LT's - they're not as bad as they're made out to be... Like a lot of diesels - they got a bad wrap for being a diesel in a N/A market... Just like my 6.2 diesel - slow as a dog, if it's not maintained - it's a b***h to fix up, but generally it's unstoppable when kept you maintain it and keep it within its limitations... You've just got to understand you're not getting a 7MGTE - you're getting a 70's era diesel...

[canadian bum]

Well considering I am a diesel mechanic and hate gas. I have never researched the 2LT-E because I used to go to auctions and see all the time the 2LT-E running with a huge cloud of burning antifreeze out the back. Or its running so rough that it can barely move its own wieght. I have no reason to research an engine that small I just have seen first hand how many of them don't run properly. The 1HD-T is not a good engine until you swap out the bottom end bearings because toyota messed up the bearing alloy so they pile quickly.

There are much better engines out there so why not swap them in instead so you can actually be happy spending the time and money on it.

The 6.2L is slow and gutless but they get great mileage. The 6.5L is junk IMO always doing injection pumps and for a turbo charged engine terrible power. My N/A 7.3L diesel had better power only thing is a blew a huge cloud of black smoke since there was no turbo.

So I will still stand by my word of stay away from a 2LT-E's because unlike a lot of peoples opinions mine is from first hand experience.

[Andyl]

Hey bum - wanna come do a timing chain on mine then? :D Cuz I can't find a mechanic I'd trust - who's willing to work on it :)

6.2's are a great engine - for what they are - gutless but damn, i'm still averaging 400km to a 45L tank (thats with I'm betting a stuck open injector right now). Like everything - I tend to believe engines need to be thought of in context... And I do believe 90% of diesels (north american) have the issues/reputations they do because of poor maintenance / owner in-experience... It doesn't take much to keep a diesel happy - but it doesn't take long for an unhappy diesel to go south fast...

[canadian bum]

If you brought it to Bashaw. I will charge but not as much. Injectors are easy to change you should pop a new one in. Crack the individual lines until you find the one that when you crack it has no affect on how the engine runs. Pencil injectors are cheap.

[Andyl]

Yeah, just clued into the injector thing... Was pretty sure soemthing was up - but just noticed the back bumper on thursday... One side pure soot, other side - clean... Thinking the drivers side is fueling just a WEEEEEe bit more for some reason on that side...

PM'd :)

[freeze]

K.... i'm thinking KZ-TE as I saw a Toyota Scout with one in it and I'm pretty sure I'm going to want the extra power to haul some bigger meats and tools, gear, parts and RTT to Moab and California...... let the games begin!

[canadian bum]

Careful Gary might try and steal it on you haha.

[freeze]

haha.... maybe we can go for a two for one!

[Winch]

haha.... maybe we can go for a two for one!

I'd be in for that! I think it's only a matter of time before I get a small holiday trailer, and the 3.4 just ain't gonna cut it.

[canadian bum]

Winter project Gary. Would be fun. i could come give a hand for a weekend, we might not get much work done though haha.

[freeze]

k.... let's do it! Order the engine... Probably best to get the transmission too. I hope my transfer case can bolt up to the transmission.... it should.

[Winch]

Here you go: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyota-H-Surf-4Runner-1KZ-TE-Turbo-Diesel-Engine-Trans_W0QQitemZ140346561960QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMoto rs_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item20ad4e95a8&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

[canadian bum]

That has an automatic though gross haha.

[Winch]

That has an automatic though gross haha.

Yeah, if I was ready buying one, I'd see if they'd take just a G for the engine alone. They can keep that auto tranny, and also I'd be sure to buy the intercooled version of that motor. They don't say in this ad.

[canadian bum]

Gary I can rig up an intercooler system for you. As well do you still want to go gung hoe with the hydraulic sway bar set up that we discussed?

[freeze]

haha... yeah the automatic isn't going to be much use!

[freeze]

Soooo..... Gary.... updates? :D Maybe a build thread for the red beast?!?

[Winch]

Soooo..... Gary.... updates? :D Maybe a build thread for the red beast?!?

Yeah, the update is that I decided to go with the newer more powerful and more efficient 1KD-FTV motor instead. We're going to swap the electronic fuel injectors for mechanical injectors from a 1HD-T, the electonic fuel pump with one from a 1KZ-T and the electronic variable vane turbo with a much bigger Garrett turbo and oversize intercooler and do completely away with all the electronics, all the sensors (except RPM, oil, temp), the ECU and almost all of the wiring. Should leave me with just 3 wires to figure out.

I found a complete front clip out of a 2006 Hilux, but upon researching the seller found out that they have an extremely bad reputation, so now I'm leary and think I should search a bit more. Will keep ya posted :D I think my goal is to get about 325-350 ft/lbs of torque with this setup.