"Hypothetical" engine swap ideas

XterraJunkie

Test Drive
Location
Colorado
I've been doing research on engine swap alternatives to the stock 3.3L V6.

I just want to know some ideas of what engines would fit in a first gen Xterra. And I'm looking for the best engine for off road purposes diesel or gas. Curious to see if there are any good diesel options, again this is more of a hypothetical future thing but I need some info. And lastly, would the 2nd gen 4.0L V6 fit in a first gen??
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Size wise, no. A 4.0 probably wouldn't fit.

Anything in the VG family of engines would probably bolt up OK and you'd just need a computer and wiring to make it work.

In the gasoline realm, if you want to go crazy I'm willing to venture that an SBC or SBF would fit pretty easily. Fuel injection and parts would be cheap. You'd just have to figure out the rest of your driveline.
 

Jbat

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Utah
You can make anything fit if you're willing to do some serious fab work. As far as bolt in stuff I know there are a couple guys that have imported the Nissan diesel that's offered elsewhere in the world and put it in.
 

akuria

Wheeling
You can make anything fit if you're willing to do some serious fab work. As far as bolt in stuff I know there are a couple guys that have imported the Nissan diesel that's offered elsewhere in the world and put it in.

That's the route I'm going. Gotta keep as much Nissan as I can. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

StupidFish

Need Bigger Tires
Location
The moon
Nissan Td27 is good. Its mechanicaly controlled so no computer stuff required, its light enough to still work with the ifs, and is a engine thats proven itself. Works with the gen1 tranny too although i think the bellhousing is different.
 

akuria

Wheeling
Nissan Td27 is good. Its mechanicaly controlled so no computer stuff required, its light enough to still work with the ifs, and is a engine thats proven itself. Works with the gen1 tranny too although i think the bellhousing is different.

You are correct. The only thing different on the tyranny is the bellhousing. It's low on power but since it's turbo you can easily increase the boost.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

StupidFish

Need Bigger Tires
Location
The moon
Yea. I want one. Theres a company outside miami that imports them. If my vg ever gives up i hope to do the swap myself.
Unless jbat decides to sell me his......
 

XterraJunkie

Test Drive
Location
Colorado
You can make anything fit if you're willing to do some serious fab work. As far as bolt in stuff I know there are a couple guys that have imported the Nissan diesel that's offered elsewhere in the world and put it in.

Is it hard to get those Nissan diesels? And how well did that cummins fit in your X? Did you have to beef up the front suspension even with the SAS?
And lastly pricing, are those Nissan diesels going to be more $ than the 4bt?
 

StupidFish

Need Bigger Tires
Location
The moon
Should note that u dont want a td27tei (think that's what it's called) its electronically controlled as opposed to mechanical. Td27 or td27t is what you're looking for.
 

Jbat

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Utah
Is it hard to get those Nissan diesels? And how well did that cummins fit in your X? Did you have to beef up the front suspension even with the SAS?
And lastly pricing, are those Nissan diesels going to be more $ than the 4bt?

No clue on availability but it sounds like stupidfish has a line on them, and from what he says they are probably about the same or slightly cheaper than the 4BT. The 4BT also requires major fab to get it to fit and yes I also had to beef up some bracketry on the front suspension
 

StupidFish

Need Bigger Tires
Location
The moon
No clue on availability but it sounds like stupidfish has a line on them, and from what he says they are probably about the same or slightly cheaper than the 4BT. The 4BT also requires major fab to get it to fit and yes I also had to beef up some bracketry on the front suspension
Ive done a bunch of research on this. I obsess which means i don't sleep which means i obsess some more which means i don't sleep....... you see where this is going.
 

akuria

Wheeling
Oh I dream for the day when I get to buy a TD27 turbo and slap it in my X. I obsess over it and covet it. "Have you ever sucked dick for a swap?" I think so. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

XterraJunkie

Test Drive
Location
Colorado
Should note that u dont want a td27tei (think that's what it's called) its electronically controlled as opposed to mechanical. Td27 or td27t is what you're looking for.
So after the SAS with the calmini kit using a dana 44, do you think the suspension would need beefed up at all with the td27t?
And after researching more into Cummins engines, I found this one. How well do you think it would work? (Weight, fit, etc.)
https://cumminsengines.com/showcase-item.aspx?id=89&title=ISF2.8+for+Light+Commercial+Vehicle&Filters=0&Categories=99#overview

 

XterraJunkie

Test Drive
Location
Colorado
And I was doing research on the td27ETi and it was saying there was a more power and torque with that setup. Why don't you want electronic versus mechanical?
 

akuria

Wheeling
So after the SAS with the calmini kit using a dana 44, do you think the suspension would need beefed up at all with the td27t?
And after researching more into Cummins engines, I found this one. How well do you think it would work? (Weight, fit, etc.)
https://cumminsengines.com/showcase-item.aspx?id=89&title=ISF2.8+for+Light+Commercial+Vehicle&Filters=0&Categories=99#overview

All you'd need to do is maybe get heavier spring rates on the coils. I am currently running 300lb springs. I would probably go up to 350lb soon with the added weight of my bumper and maybe up to 375-400lb with the diesel swap. otherwise that calmini kit is more than strong enough.

Didn't Ronin run his with the stock IFS?

He did. He was going to SAS but decided to sell it instead.

And I was doing research on the td27ETi and it was saying there was a more power and torque with that setup. Why don't you want electronic versus mechanical?

You could use the ETI but you'd have to figure out the computer and wiring stuff thats all. Some don't feel it's worth the while cause on the regular td27 you can just add more boost and a intercooler to get more power and torque.

And are the 2.8L turbo diesel brazil xterra engines hard to find?

I'd stay away from those motors simply cause they are not nissan motors and are made by a company in brazil. the parts would be hard to come by. the TD27 is a very popular motor and was used on many different models of cars plus it was used here in the states in some nissan forklifts.
 
Last edited:

StupidFish

Need Bigger Tires
Location
The moon
The td27 is not heavy. Not even close to a 4bt anyway. The stock suspension will work just fine. If you use the td27eti you'll have to find the computer for it too. And hook it all up. You dont want all that.
 

StupidFish

Need Bigger Tires
Location
The moon
That 2.8 cummins would probly work just fine.....and cost mad $$$$$$$. Especialy after buying the tranny and a transfer case. Td27t is your best bet for a "cheap" swap.
 

akuria

Wheeling
That 2.8 cummins would probly work just fine.....and cost mad $$$$$$$. Especialy after buying the tranny and a transfer case. Td27t is your best bet for a "cheap" swap.

That's if you wanna go diesel and why not??? Lol. I'm in love with the TD27 and once I buy my better half a new car (I'm banned from doing any more crazy mods on the Xterra tell that happens) then I'm going straight for a TD27 swap.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Riz98

Test Drive
Location
lemoore, ca
All you'd need to do is maybe get heavier spring rates on the coils. I am currently running 300lb springs. I would probably go up to 350lb soon with the added weight of my bumper and maybe up to 375-400lb with the diesel swap. otherwise that calmini kit is more than strong enough.

I currently have the 250 pound springs with my coils and that is with an aftermarket front bumper with a winch. I wouldn't go more then 300 for just a bumper.
 

Silver dude

Sliders
Founding Member
I don't understand the facination with the TD27. Why swap to a slower engine, noiser engine with less power that starts very hard in the winter with no US parts support? I just don't see it. Sure fuel economy. But, even a big V8 would get similar or better to our current VG33 mileage and at least then you could have Horsepower.
 
Top