I bought a TDI!

[Taylor95]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Much better than taking the risk of an engine runaway. BTW did you use a stock turbo or an aftermarket one?

I went with a Borg Warner unit, which is basically the stock replacement. Bad news is I don't think I am getting any boost since the install, which I am still trying to figure out.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Taylor95

I went with a Borg Warner unit, which is basically the stock replacement. Bad news is I don't think I am getting any boost since the install, which I am still trying to figure out.

Is there any leakage on the pipes? Oiling issues at the variable nozzle?

[SkauneJohan]

interesting that you bought a TDi, so did I

but mine is a 1995 audi A6 with 5cylinder 2.5 liter 116hp engine

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by SkauneJohan

5cylinder 2.5 liter 116hp engine

I didn't remember the 2.5 TDI ever had such a conservative power rating, yet it would probably be nice to swap into a VW Transporter T3

[SkauneJohan]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

I didn't remember the 2.5 TDI ever had such a conservative power rating, yet it would probably be nice to swap into a VW Transporter T3

off topic, but this is the same as the 140hp volvo and audi AEL engine, only difference is smaller injectors and suposedly cast pistons

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

It's quite surprising how Volvo resorted to Volkswagen for 5 and 6-cyl Diesels, while some older 4-cyls resorted to Renault, switching to the Peugeot-designed Ford DLD-416 and ZSD-420 engines later. Parts interchangeability becomes a PITA sometimes, even though often an aftermarket turbocharger may serve to all of those engines better than a stock one would. Not sure to which extent it would be possible to find aftermarket turbochargers from Biagio in the USA as it may be to find Master Power turbochargers (supposedly for off-road use only), but it might be worth taking a look as Biagio often claims to improve efficiency and decrease emissions.

[Taylor95]

So it looks like I will no longer be joining the 50+ mpg club any time soon. It appears that the transmission is bad- increasing rpms after 2nd gear and the feeling that there is no power. I thought that it was the turbo but I did not find any problems there. Apparently the VW automatic transmissions from that era are probably the worst ever since the automatic transmission was conceived. I will not be wasting time trying to fix it (some say a new valve body does the trick). The reason I bought the car was to turn a Grand Cherokee ZJ into a 5-speed diesel! I hope to start on that early next year after I move. I won't hold my breath for 50+ mpg though...

[skyking]

bummer man. On the VE engines:
Oil in the intercooler piping is normal. it gets in there and just hangs out. i put a drain on one of my beetles to dump it out the low point.
If they are stock, the ASV valve will prevent a traditional runaway engine. If you delete the EGR and install a "race pipe", then you lose that benefit.

[freebeard]

The reason I bought the car was to turn a Grand Cherokee ZJ into a 5-speed diesel!... I won't hold my breath for 50+ mpg though...

Why not? It might look ready for the Salt Flats, but isn't that a good thing?

[Taylor95]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Why not? It might look ready for the Salt Flats, but isn't that a good thing?

I'm not sure. A lot of other Jeep owners have done the TDI conversion, but they report mpg to be in the 30s. However, none of the builds were eco minded and the ZJ is already a lot more aerodynamic than other Jeeps.

I found a company that makes hybrid kits for nonhybrid cars. If I could get that, then I think 50 mpg should be easy.