Diesel engine swap
 

Hey guys im looking for suggestions. Ive got a 1990 honda civic wagon dx automatic im considering doing a manual trans swap and a diesel engine swap on a seriously low budget. Im wanting to use some kind of industrial engine air or liquid cooled and between 25-30 hp. What honda trans would you recommend and what engine do you think would be best. Right now this project is in the thinking stage and i want as many opinions as i can get. My goal is to be able to cruise at 55-65 and not lose to much speed on hills and still be able to carry a little extra weight. Thanks in advance

That is a very low HP. Any reason for that? I would think you could get an old VW diesel quite cheaply since there were so many made for the USA (relatively, the numbers are still kinda small because diesels are not so popular here). Anyway, I am also interested and hope to learn from your thread.
james

The reason for such low hp is i don't need great acceleration. Im looking to make it get great mpgs just cruising on the highway. How much hp do you guys think i need? A vw diesel would be great but they arent easy to find and parts arent either. I dont mind going slow my diesel blazer has if i remember correctly about 140 horsepower it does just fine because of the torque. :turtle:

I think you'd need only 10 or 15 hp for 55 or 60 mph freeway cruise on level ground, but climbing any hill at freeway speed would probably ask for more than the 30hp you're considering, unless you don't mind slowing a lot. I think that's true.

Thats about what i was thinking for flat ground maybe ive underestimated how much power hills require:o i guess i need someone who paid more attention in school to help with the math!!!!!!

Here's some numbers. I'm making wild guesses as to weights and drag because I'm too lazy to look up more accurate numbers, but it will give you an idea. Remember that the power available at that speed depends on the transmission gear ratios, so rated engine power will need to be higher.

Assume:
55 MPH
6% grade
3500 lbs with driver, fuel, dirt, and stuff
15 hp to hold 55 MPH on a level road
85% driveline efficiency

Then the power needed to climb the hill is:
3500 lbs X 0.06 grade X 55 MPH X 1.467 (convert to ft/sec) / 550 (ft-lbs/sec/hp) = 31 hp at the rear wheels.

Engine power needed is then (31 + 15) / 0.85 = 54 hp
Add 3 hp to run alternator, water pump, power steering pump = 57 hp.

The bad point regarding the smaller industrial engines is the power-to-weight ratio, but some 3-cylinder water-cooled ones from Lombardini/Kohler and that rebadged Daihatsu once sold by Briggs & Strattons are not bad options at all. There is also that Perkins-designed Caterpillar C1.1 rated at 28hp, but I'd still take a look at a Kohler or that Daihatsu. You may also consider the engine out of a Kawasaki Mule or that Polaris Ranger. BTW are you considering to test WVO and other alternative fuels too?

. Thanks man i'll be doing more research and playing with that formula a little bit! If it weren't for minimum speeds on the highway my original plan would have worked lol

Yes i would like to play around with alternative fuels. Ive considered running wvo in my blazer i just havent done it yet. Im also considering adding and electric motor in my car to drive the rear wheels after i switch to a manual trans it would really help my fuel mileage quiet a bit + id be the only guy around here with a diesel electric hybrid.

Seems like a redneck-engineered version of the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 :thumbup: