Fuel efficient (small!) diesel engine for Pickup truck

[bennelson]

I have heard from the veggie oil guys that they love the Benz 5-cylinder.

A quick look on FuelEconomy.gov
shows a 1985 300D as getting in the low 20's, but average reported from actual drivers as 27 mpg. I would think that I could get that higher with a manual transmission.

Also, that's a longitudinal engine, instead of a transverse engine, so that might make it a little easier to install in a rear-wheel drive truck as well.

Ideally, it would be nice to increase both fuel economy and towing ability through conversion to diesel, but I bet that's asking a bit much!

[Christ]

Anything diesel will help you out with towing b/c of the lower/more stable torque curves that diesels tend to have.

Flat torque is always going to be better than peaky torque... especially if you're using long gears, like you will be w/ a diesel. (Remember, 4K redline on most.)

[Christ]

It wouldn't kill you to use a turbo, would it? You could realize much higher output numbers with the same amount of fuel without ever going into positive boost w/ a turbo, just keeping it away from fully spooling, so that it keeps the engine running as though it were getting 100% VE as often as possible.

BTW - if you want something that will get you decent mileage, and will bolt into your truck with a simple mount kit - Olds 307 Diesel engine.

[The Atomic Ass]

Ben, if you're looking to drop a diesel in your dime, would you be open to the idea of buying a whole vehicle, and keeping the engine/selling the body?

Cause there's this nice little Rabbit Caddy going on the 'bay right now, fresh paint and recent veggie conversion, but I don't have the money to snatch it up.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Christ

I do wonder what type of problems you'll run into w/ the S-10 being OBD compliant though... You (obviously) won't be able to run the stock ECU and sensors, and may have a problem with emissions crap trying to make everything work if you don't have an emissions based engine (would technically have to be at least the same OBD rating as the chassis, preferably newer.)

Can try to fool the stock ECU with some auxiliary modules used in aftermarket CNG conversions. I've considered to do that into a Nissan Murano to retain the CVT and the AWD while converting it to an all-mechanical Iveco-SOFIM 2.8L turbodiesel.

[bennelson]

My S10 is a 1995, so it is pre-ODBII.
I think it's all less of an issue because of that.

Turbos are nice, but I can never seems to find anything affordable with a turbo on the used market.

[pete c]

The benz I5 turbo version is the way to go. Plenty of power and they will outlast that S-10 a few times over. BTW, I am talking of the old (85-earlier) OM-617. It is cast iron, top to bottom and will go a million miles if maintained at all. The newer benzes are partly aluminum and don't have anything close to the same reliability/longevity.

[ecomodded]

My 1.9 TDI pulls my jet ski and trailer @1000 lbs very well the motor does not hardly notice it. My ford ranger with its 3L v6 towing the same set up felt slow and labored ,
with the Ranger it felt like i was pulling a 20ft boat.

The auto auctions would be a good place to look.
With what ever motor you decide on getting, the whole vehicle would be the way to go, for the computer, fuse boxes and other electronics that could be left on the car.

[pete c]

Originally Posted by ecomodded

My 1.9 TDI pulls my jet ski and trailer @1000 lbs very well the motor does not hardly notice it. My ford ranger with its 3L v6 towing the same set up felt slow and labored ,
with the Ranger it felt like i was pulling a 20ft boat.

The auto auctions would be a good place to look.
With what ever motor you decide on getting, the whole vehicle would be the way to go, for the computer, fuse boxes and other electronics that could be left on the car.

I also own a 3 liter V-6 ranger. The vulcan V-6 is a very good reliable motor, but, they don't call it the 3.slow for nothin'.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by bennelson

My S10 is a 1995, so it is pre-ODBII.
I think it's all less of an issue because of that.

Turbos are nice, but I can never seems to find anything affordable with a turbo on the used market.

Yeah, most OBD1 issues are quite easy to bypass.

If you're looking to boost a motor, the best thing you can do fi you cant' find a OE turbo motor cheaply is to research adding boost to the motors you can find. Many diesels are extremely receptive to a little forced induction without changing much if anything to get there, often just some settings you'd be modifying with a "tune-up" anyway, such as pump timing and adjusting "max fuel" settings.

Then, of course, finding a proper turbo that will work well with your engine and expected power needs. The hardest part of installing the turbo is piping oil to it, honestly. Depending on the turbo, you'll have to install a restriction in the pressure line and make sure the drainback line is sufficient or else you'll be coking oil in the turbo. Drainback, just bolt it to a flange welded to the oil pan.

If you need any turbo information, I'd be happy to provide links for as much as I can find related to your project.