initial Vitara 5 door 97 diesel economy results

[ted frater]

Ive run a 3door 1600 petrol Vitara for a couple of yrs, as it has the ruggedness for my lifestyle.
However, here in the UK with the rising fuel prices, I want to go down the make it yourself biodiesel route, as I can get all the WVO for free, and I have the space and facilities to make my own biodiesel plant.
So 1st find a diesel version of my existing. car.
Not so easy, after several failed attempts at finding a 3 door with the Peugeot 1900cc XUD turbo unit, apparently only 16 were made in Santana in Spain for import to the UK, I found a 5 door, ie long wheel base but heavier at 1.5 ton kerb weight, with the Mazda 2ltr RF turbo intercooled diesel, this car being made at Suzuki's plant in Japan.
Well, to cut a long story short, this in fact is a much better power unit than the Peugeot unit, also it was a great deal cheaper, being a kerbed vehicle in need of chassis straitening.
So to get onto the fuel efficiency facts.
i drive following as many of the ecomodder ideas as possible,
coast everywhere, brake as little as possible accelerate gently etc, etc,for the car,
took off the ultra wide 215,65 16's and replaced them with 185,75,16 commercial 8 ply van tyres running at 40psi. Ride firm but nor harsh.
Blanked off the rad half way, use the thinnest oil allowed in all units. useing biodiesel which has a highter cetane rating, the engine runs quieter.
On the last 2 brimmed fuel checks against the trip meter, hit the magic 40mpg to imp gallon.
Thats on urban stop start driving.
Not taken it on a long run on motorways yet where one will get a steady state speed/ against total drag economy figure.
Will need to fit a led illuminated boost gauge to work out if running at the peak of the torque curve , approx 2000rpm at 50mph without boost is less economic
than say 60mph with 2lb boost.
The turbo wastegate opens a 8psi as currently set.
Hope this is of interest.
Will update results when a long run say, 250miles on motorways has been done.
Ted
Dorset UK

[bandit86]

what mpgs did you get before the engine swap? I'm looking for a 95-98 sidekick 16Valve 5speed for next vehicle, my last 16V was averaging 32 usmpg not trying

[ted frater]

Hi bandit, The 1997 5 door came with the mazda diesel from the factory.
the 3 door petrol has the 8 valve carb engine and I was getting 28 running about and 32 on a run Imp gallons. Same as you. I have found a suitable engine for the 3 door, its the Isuzu 1.7 TD unit, has the over here its in the Vauxhall aka general motors Cavalier saloon. Thats a project for later in the year. Until i get the engine and gearbox out of the cavalier I wont know what ive to do to marry the Isuzu to the vitara bell housing The problem will be the bigger flywheel of the isuzu.. There are a no of ways to do this, Make a new one to suit, or to make one out of the 2 by cutting and tig welding the ali halves together.Somefolk have suggested making a thicker flywheel to keep the mass the same but with the Vitara dia and ring gear.
hope this is of interest.
Ted
Dorset
UK