Quick question about the FZJ80 and 6bt

[ExpoGeorgia]

Do a little bit of research before swapping out a VE pump. The VE's are known to get better millage than the P pump trucks and actually have some performance advantages (variable injection timing) at lower horsepower levels.

It may sound silly to some but a non-intercooled VE pump motor with some careful tuning (good injectors, well matched turbo, 4K RPM governor springs) would be a very very good match for a stock axled 80 series. This would not be an ultimate horsepower configuration but would be extremely driveable for how most people use a cruiser.

Thanks for the comment. The turbo on the 12v motor I have is an Hx40 but I'll be looking into the gov. spring modification once I get started with the actual project.

 

[squeezer]

I think an HX40 is way to much turbo for the kind of tune I am talking about...

People rarely tune a 6BT for lower torque and higher RPM. It would take some research and more importantly the willingness to not follow the common "Cummings" formula. But some smaller injectors, a quick spool waste gated turbo (HY35) and a diligent pump tune (paying attention to timing as well as quantity)... Makes for a very smooth running 6BT. Years ago we had a 1989 shop truck (first gen, non-intercooled, 5 speed). That pulled down 24MPG all the time. It was the smoothest and quietest 6BT truck I have ever driven. Not a powerhouse by P-pump standards but everybody who drove it loved it. Duplicate that type of tune with some RPM headroom added by changing governor springs and you might not wish for a Toyota diesel anymore...

 

[Cody1771]

one thing you will need to concider is that the torque from the 6bt may rack your frame. not to mention it weighs 1100lbs without the tranny. you will need to run 1 ton axles. and generally you will be looking at a 4" lift to clear the oil pan.

 

[Viggen]

I'd rather have the Toyota diesel installed however you have to look at the avalibility of parts that are both cheap and readily avalible.Plus as I've said I already have a 6bt for a swap. But as I said with the 6bt and 4bt, I know the 4bt can carry the weight of a fully loaded FJ80 with trailer, but how would it do in higher elevations?

Fuel and boost tweaks will take care of that. All motors, gas or diesel, are going to go down on power when in elevation but if you pay attention to your pyro gauge and adjust boost/ fuel accordingly, youll be just fine. Im just not too sure that a 6BT in an 80, or Cruiser of any model, is such a smart idea. A 4bt weighs ~750 lbs. and the 6bt 12 valve is just shy of 1000 lbs. Thats a lot of weight. A 3FE weighs in at ~700 lbs. 1000 lbs of motor plus a couple hundred pounds of front bumper and winch makes for a serious amount of nose weight. At least with a 4bt, they are tucked back a little bit. Its all personal preference really.

A diesel at elevation will be fine with a turbo. I have a 3B powered 60 and am planning a trip to Colorado. I am hoping to have all the bits for a turbo setup together and installed by then but I just bought a ring ( :wings: ) so I might not get it all together in time. Ill just limp around at elevations and adjust the fuel as needed once I get there.

The only downside to the Toyota diesel is the lack of availability but anything is a day away. They all were available in Canada so parts can be had there and there are numerous US suppliers that stock the bits you are going to need that are Toyota specific. I just rebuilt the injectors on my 83 3B and was able to get the parts from Nippon Densos warehouse in California with no issues whatsoever.

 

[Spur]

Can't comment on swapping a 6bt into an 80, although I've seen a couple and they sure are cool. I'll share my experiences of running a 1st gen at altitude.

My 6BT is from a 92 intercooled, 1st gen. I have a new ve pump from PDR that is turned up a bit, slightly more aggressive pin, Bosch 190 injectors and an HX35 turbo. It pulled HARD when I was living in Texas.

Now that I've moved to 9000 ft in Colorado, it's been a little disappointing. I had to completely detune the pump, backing out the starwheel and smoke screw to flush. That's gotten rid of most of the raw unburned diesel smell and the clouds of white smoke at startup.

Still, I'm not sure I want it to be my DD for another winter. 9000 ft + sub-zero temps + old diesel technology = not so much fun. YMMV. One thing about old diesels, is that they are all unique. One will have no issues with cold starting, another will yell and scream if you don't have the block heater plugged in all the time.

No problems with EGTs, even on long mountain passes. If I'm going up steep grades, I can hit 1000. Once, I hit 1100, but I was going over a long pass in 5th gear.

 

[iggi]

My buddy Cody has a FJ80 with a 6BT and NV4500. Its on airbags so I'm not certain of how much lift is required.

He's running 37's on stock axles.

You can find him on mud if you've got questions.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/members/cody-c.html