Gas ----> Diesel transfer... discussion

[ModelE]

I've been toying with the idea of swapping my 3.3L stock gas engine for a diesel, say maybe a 4 cyl. 2.8L? any and all discussion/comments on this topic would be/is much appreciated. it would be for a school project perhaps. or just for fun.

BTW the engine/drivetrain is fine and low miles, and i would sell the gasoline components.

[Big Dave]

For the Frontier, I presume?

Get a stick shift. Diesels are tough on automatics, particular automatics with lock-up torque converters.

Check your RPM range. Your final drive may be too numerically high for a diesel.

[ModelE]

sorry, yes its for the frontier.
I know it would be a lot of work to swap out the engine, and maybe the tranny, but how much is "a lot" in that case..... also a rough ballpark on the cost. where would i even go about getting my hands on the right diesel engine? they make a frontier with a diesel, unfortunately its across the pond...

[Johnny Mullet]

The cost will outweigh the benefits and you will be stuck with the slowest, stinkiest Frontier in the nation.

Just find a beater with a diesel.

[Johnny Mullet]

BTW, I see your Buick has the same name as my Metro

[ModelE]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

The cost will outweigh the benefits and you will be stuck with the slowest, stinkiest Frontier in the nation.

Just find a beater with a diesel.

haha, yeah thats just about what i figured
oh wells.

[ModelE]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

BTW, I see your Buick has the same name as my Metro

haha yes, i figured it was a clever name, would make people think it was fearsome in some way, until they find out its a buick...aka G-pa ride

[Vwbeamer]

I wouldn't do that to your frontier,but I would sell it,buy a nice s10 with a blown motor cheap and do this-

Cummins 4BT & Diesel Conversions Forums - Powered by vBulletin

The Cummins 4BT is a 4 cylinder HD Cummins diesel.It uses a standard chevy bellhousing,so it's a easier swap into any GM or Chevy light truck. The motors are bullet proof and can make 500 hp easy.......and still deliver 30m +mpg.


BTW,you would be hard pressed to ever recover the cost of converting your present truck .

[Christ]

Originally Posted by younggun

haha yes, i figured it was a clever name, would make people think it was fearsome in some way, until they find out its a buick...aka G-pa ride

I wouldn't be too quick to call any Buick a G-pa ride LOL...

Consider that Buick used the 3800 engine in several of their rides that produced in excess of 150 HP (V6 engine) and still got nearly 26MPG in EPA estimates... cap that off with the Eaton M60 or M90 blowers that came OEM equipped, you get a quaint 260 HP and still nearly 26 MPG EPA.

By the way, Christine is a VERY commonly used name LOL. I'm pretty sure that most people assume the same thing you did.

The frontier is very new, to the extent that it may yet be worth more retail than it is in pieces.

If you do decide to go through with the swap, you'll probably have better luck advertising your current gas engine to tuners and kids with small RWD Nissan cars, who are looking for a swap.

Transferring the diesel engine won't actually be that much work, but make sure, as was noted above, that you check your gears and such, b/c your current config may not like the diesel too much. (Diesels tend to be happy at lower RPMs)

With all that said, I second the idea that you sell the Nissan and get something a little older, a little lighter, and better suited for the swap.

[roflwaffle]

Keep in mind you can't "officially" swap in a diesel that hasn't been EPA approved for LDVs during whatever MY your vehicles is, so it would have to be something like a VW 2004+ VW TDI engine, etc.. If ya don't have any inspections, any engine should be O.K. for flying under the radar, but otherwise it has to be from the same year as your vehicle or newer and it has to be EPA approved for use in another LDV.