"Hypothetical" engine swap ideas

StupidFish

Need Bigger Tires
Location
The moon
Oh im a huge fan of the 350 small block swap. But the td27t is upgradable, light and small enough to not have to do the sas, and hey,its diesel. Plus some states (va included) won't let you engine swap with an out of model engine if it's older than the model of the vehicle. If the engine says nissan on it you most likely won't have any problems. And did i mention the td27t is a diesel?
 

akuria

Wheeling
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.

I don't want similar MPG and more power from a V8. I want MPG period. I don't care if I get a little less HP doing it. I drive like a grandma anyways. In return though I'll get a ton of low end torque and that's where it's at. Also there is us parts support for the TD27. That motor is used in Nissan forklifts that are used here in the states. Plus some small box trucks use it too here in the states. And parts are easily found on Amazon and eBay. The tranny, front dif is the same so no worries there either.


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XterraJunkie

Test Drive
Location
Colorado
Yeah I agree, low end torque is where it's at. Doesn't the td27t have more torque than the 3.3L anyway?
And so you can leave the stock transmission with the swap?
 

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
So since I'm most likely going to be replacing my engine before long, what bell housing would you have to use to do the swap?

sent from the middle of a corn field.
 

akuria

Wheeling
So since I'm most likely going to be replacing my engine before long, what bell housing would you have to use to do the swap?

sent from the middle of a corn field.

You may need to get one for the diesel specifically but soon I'll do some testing and see if the bell housing from the 4cl gas motor that the Xterra came with may work too.


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akuria

Wheeling
I wouldn't for 1 simple reason. The motor isn't Nissan. It's a Brazilian made motor. Not saying that it's a bad motor cause of that but it's quite unique and parts would be hard to find. Where as the td27 is a Nissan motor and is very popular all over the world and is used in forklifts here in the states so parts are easy to find.


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ellisfamilyokc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
OKC
My understanding is that the MWM 2.8 is in use worldwide under the International brand. I was in Costa Rica last month and there are quite a few that far north. I dream of driving the Pan American highway and I'm positive the parts support is there anywhere south of the USA. For my purpose it would be hard to beat.
 

BEEFY

I Smile when Gasoline Can Freeze
I have looked and have found lots of people talking about swapping chevy 6.0L in, but haven't found a build where it has actually been done. Has anyone come across anyone that has actually done it. i'm asking because I have a line on a complete truck with a good 6.0L.
 

akuria

Wheeling
I have looked and have found lots of people talking about swapping chevy 6.0L in, but haven't found a build where it has actually been done. Has anyone come across anyone that has actually done it. i'm asking because I have a line on a complete truck with a good 6.0L.

Would it even fit?


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BEEFY

I Smile when Gasoline Can Freeze
Thats kinda what I was wondering, is if would even fit. I have a spare xterra out back that I will use for test fitting to see if it is posible before I cut into the good one. And If it doesnt fit in the X I will try and use it in my Jag project.
 

ellisfamilyokc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
OKC
There is a 1st gen Frontier on one of the Nissan forums with an LS3. It looks like it fit fine. The 6.0 is the same size package.


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harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
I got to thinking I still want to do a diesel but would a Chevy 4.3 vortex work? They are reliable as hell and are a dime a dozen around here (I need a engine bad).

sent from the middle of a corn field.
 

Trexterra

Wheeling
Founding Member
Location
Alabama
I got to thinking I still want to do a diesel but would a Chevy 4.3 vortex work? They are reliable as hell and are a dime a dozen around here (I need a engine bad).

sent from the middle of a corn field.
Yes, there are even engine mounts available

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harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
So I am going to see f i can get financing to get a engine; and i was wondering how much a td27 swap would run roughly? i am trying to figure out the best rout to go.
 

akuria

Wheeling
So I am going to see f i can get financing to get a engine; and i was wondering how much a td27 swap would run roughly? i am trying to figure out the best rout to go.

I think ronin said he sent about $5k on his swap but there was also a lot r&d with him. I think if you check out his build you might be able to save a few pennies.


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harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
I think ronin said he sent about $5k on his swap but there was also a lot r&d with him. I think if you check out his build you might be able to save a few pennies.


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I will have to find his build thread. I was thinking if I do another vg33e I will have to buy another xterra for as cheap as I can and pull the engine and basically do the timing belt, seals, head gaskets, distributor, plugs, wires, and headers, and exhaust so I don't know if I would be much cheaper just doing that.

sent from the middle of a corn field.
 

Joey

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Indianapolis
I find it interesting that no one is interested in the super charged 3.3 liter swap from a 3.3 liter. This seems like it would produce more power and be fairly straight forward for a swap. Of course I know nothing about this so don't beat me up to bad.

I've thought about getting a super charged 3.3 liter and mounting it on an engine stand to slowly go through the complete motor. Lets face it, once you add weight and larger tires these trucks are wayyyyyyyyyy under powered.
 

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
I find it interesting that no one is interested in the super charged 3.3 liter swap from a 3.3 liter. This seems like it would produce more power and be fairly straight forward for a swap. Of course I know nothing about this so don't beat me up to bad.

I've thought about getting a super charged 3.3 liter and mounting it on an engine stand to slowly go through the complete motor. Lets face it, once you add weight and larger tires these trucks are wayyyyyyyyyy under powered.
To me it would not be worth it but that is just me. The cost of the engine and the fact that you have to run premium gas with no boost to mileage. Plus the fact with more moving parts leads to more potential problems.

sent from the middle of a corn field.
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Personally I'd just throw the SC on the regular vg33....they're made for boost, and the 8.9:1 isn't a big enough difference over the 8.3:1 of the SC motor. Regular to Premium is around C$5 per tank more...

The only extra moving parts is an extra idler pulley and the SC itself
 

Joey

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Indianapolis
Personally I'd just throw the SC on the regular vg33....they're made for boost, and the 8.9:1 isn't a big enough difference over the 8.3:1 of the SC motor. Regular to Premium is around C$5 per tank more...

The only extra moving parts is an extra idler pulley and the SC itself

What about the wiring harness and computer wouldn't they need upgrading also?
 

Trexterra

Wheeling
Founding Member
Location
Alabama
Only if they come with the adapter plates to the trans. Would be fun in my 87 pathy.

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XterraJunkie

Test Drive
Location
Colorado
Bump, looking for serious engine/transmission swap options. Been talking with some guys about an LS swap. And I have a friend who swapped a 4.3 vortec into his 80’s Toyota pickup. I wish there were more diesel options. I’m wanting better fuel economy and reliability, and more power would be bonus. SAS is a for sure thing regardless. So weight isn’t a super big issue but around 500 lbs would be good. It’s gotta be fuel injected with a timing chain, and it would be nice to keep it a manual. Plus I just hit 176,000 miles on my 3.3 and I’m dealing with knock sensor codes that don’t make sense. It’s been a great engine for sure but it’s not worth upgrading and I’ve heard that rebuilding an engine is a waste of time and money.
 
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