Fuel efficient (small!) diesel engine for Pickup truck
 

Hey Folks,

I am toying with the idea of replacing my Chevy S10 2.2l gas engine with a small diesel engine.

Yes there actually was a diesel S10, once upon a time. They are nearly impossible to find now though.

I believe that the engine in the diesel version of the S10 was an Isuzu 2.2l 4-cylinder. These were also used on things like Bobcat skid-steers.

I saw a Bobcat engine listed on Craigslist, and I asked the seller for more information on it.

Also, there are still a lot of older, NON-turbo, direct inject VW engines around. These were 1.6l 4-cylinders - mostly used on the front-wheel driven Rabbit.

Would one of these work in my pickup truck? Any idea what I would need for a transmission to connect it to? What kind of performance might I get? Mostly I am looking for fuel economy and the ability to run on bio-fuel. I would like to do some basic towing and hauling with the truck, but most of the time, it's just a one person vehicle.

Any thoughts on what might work for a basic, fuel-efficient diesel pickup truck setup?

Thanks,

-Ben

The rabbit P'up engines are turds, they were never designed to do anything more than haul groceries and pets around LOL.

Just about any small diesel engine will have plenty of torque to get you where you need to go, including some small equipment engines, like Bobcat and Hyster (Hyster mostly used Mitsubishi 2.0/2.4 gas engines).

Depending on what you want to haul, you may be able to find an older 40 HP 3 cylinder Suzuki snowmobile engine, which usually produces lots of torque down low to keep the sled from bogging down, and are a popular swap for trikes, even though they're gas, and not what you're asking about.

Almost any engine that is small enough to fit in your engine compartment will work though, and bolting it to the tranny is a matter of making an adapter plate - which you're already familiar with.

I'll put my nose out there and see what I can come up with as far as possibilities for you to look into though.

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.)

I'd recommend a 5-cylinder Benz diesel.

The 5 cylinder Benz engine is surprisingly powerful and efficient! I worked on a Dodge Sprinter van fully loaded with this engine and I was completely blown away on how well the engine performed.

Another note. The S10 has always been known for V-8 swaps usually the 5.0L or 5.7L Chevy engine was the popular choices. Well, back in the day, GM had a 5.7L diesel engine available in it's large cars, but they were notorious for head problems. Basically, the 5.7L gas engine converted to diesel could not handle the compression, but if you read up on these, I think there are builds out there that have become very reliable.

This is a Daihatsu engine rated for about 26 HP max, but I didn't find a dyno sheet for it:

432447-522447 drawings - Briggs & Stratton

Briggs & Stratton small engine sales by Tulsa Engine Warehouse

Seems like it'd be a pretty good replacement for a gas engine from a Metro, being 3 cylinders and ~1.0L (950cc).

The first link is the dimensions and the second link is the order info and a rep pic of it.

I'd bet with boost and some tuning, that thing could make a few more than 26 HP, and be able to haul a decent amount of crap in your truck while getting great efficiency!

Or a Vanagon/Doka. :turtle:

Most of the problems seen on VW diesels had to do w/ poor maintenance. Not changing the timing belt and having pistons meet valves, over-tightening the t-belt when changing it and shredding the intermediate shaft bearing, not rebuilding the injectors, not adjusting internal pump pressure when diesel makeup changes, etc...

1.9tdi FTW!

If you want a 1.6 non turbo diesel VW in a truck just buy one; they are cheap. Very slow, but cheap and efficient. Edit: http://www.mpgomatic.com/45_MPG_Pickup_Truck.html

I've got a few friends who have owned them in the past if you have any questions.

There is a thread on TDI club about putting a 1.9 in a toyota Pickup; looks like a nice swap. Edit: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=176999

Edit: I'd recommend that you stick with an automotive diesel, most of the industrial / equipment units run fixed injection timing which is less than ideal for street use.

I've heard that people really like the 5 cylinder Mercedes engines.

I have actually seen a few older Mercedes for sale lately, but I really don't want to drive one of those. A Benz engine in my truck though - hmmmmm.

I can get a 1.6l VW non-turbo for $500. I was talking to a guy earlier tonight on the phone. He said those engines were great, if there were ever problems, it was from people not maintaining them. I have also heard that they are real easy to work on and have lots of potential for modification.

I also mentioned using an engine from a Bobcat to that guy, and he said that technically, it might not be legal to do. Since I have already been talking with all the people over at emissions testing, I did find out that diesel swaps are practically a loop-hole in the state of Wisconsin. If you put a diesel engine in a gas car, you don't have to get tested for emissions at all. Yet an electric car still does....

PS: My truck is a 1995 - OBD1

The problem there is that in Wisconsin, it might be fine - but according to the EPA and NHTSA, it't illegal to bypass the OBD-2 system in favor of ANY swap that still uses emissions controlled fuel.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, for obvious reasons, but just a heads up, just b/c the state doesn't say anything doesn't mean the fed won't.

PS - those VW engines aren't bad, they're just weak and slow LOL. They're great and reliable, yes, but if planned on hitting 50MPH with anything in the bed, you better have a long straight stretch LOL.

Ok, maybe that's exaggeration - but you get the point.

The only Fault I know of with the 1.6 idi which is not maintenance related is the headgasket, which fails for no reason.

I have to recommend that you drive something with a 1.6 idi before doing the swap; honestly the slowest vehicle I've ever ridden in; just not sure how much power you *need*.

The I5 Benz is short on power also, but not nearly as much so as the VeeDub. But I'd drive it no problem.

Sprinter is great; I've been after my dad to buy one since 04.

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!

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.)

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.

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. :(

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

Another vote for the 1.9 TDI - it has all the advantages -

- Can run on veggie oil
- Available, find a scrappie TDI, and if it breaks there is another one available
- Conversion kits for N/S installation are easy
- Tuneable, up to 180hp/300+ lb/ft if you like being able to stuff 'vettes without trying.

The 5 cyl Merc is good if you like a "plugger" type engine - enough torque to keep going forever but nothing much more. Its kind of a European truck engine fitted to a car.

Haha 3. slow
It was a thirsty truck as well, I never tried to get good mileage in that truck, 20-21 mpg was the numbers i was seeing with it. Sold it, bought my Beetle and enjoy 3 times the mileage.
For every $50 i put in the :snail: Beetles tank i would have had to put $150 :eek:into the Rangers tank.
I have a hitch & trailer for the beetle so it does everything i need it too.

Can you say heavy? The turbo is the only choice to get any torque at all out of the cast iron Benz engine.

You could buy a turbo and make it fit.
I was able to find my holset HE351VE turbocharger on cregslist for $180.
You could buy a working used IDI diesel cheap and a working used small turbo charger for dirt cheap and make them work together.

Not being OBD-compliant is a good point, since it solves all the issues in that matter. You can use any engine, either all-mechanical or electronically-controlled. Would worth to take a look at a Mercedes 240D (yes, the 4-banger one).

If its 4cyl OM616 can move the van below (Spanish-made Mercedes-Benz MB180-D, with an upgraded 79-ish hp version of the engine and a FWD transaxle), wouldn't be a bad option for an S10.
http://spb.fotolog.com.br/photo/59/4...72227489_f.jpg