Tow vehicle modifications

[leeke0]

Hi All,
Just wondering how many members have either diesel chipped and/or larger exhausted their CT tow vehicle?
Wonder the reasons why you have/haven't, do you "get your money back" in fuel savings, does it improve towing etc etc etc?
Has anyone done one and not the other?
Thanks
Malcolm

[andrewdale]

Hi All,
Just wondering how many members have either diesel chipped and/or larger exhausted their CT tow vehicle?
Wonder the reasons why you have/haven't, do you "get your money back" in fuel savings, does it improve towing etc etc etc?
Has anyone done one and not the other?
Thanks
Malcolm

Hi Malcolm,
I did have a turbo fitted and also a 3'' exhaust to my naturally aspirated 4.2 diesel GQ 1991 Patrol wagon in 2010. The power gain was incredible, and I wondered why I had dithered for years about taking such steps, afraid of what all the experts were telling me, an old engine would not be able to accept the changes at over 250,000 kms.
The end result was magic and I never regretted spending the $3,500. AMMS now Roo systems did the work, and I was never to hold up another convoy as a result.
That motor couldn't be chipped, however I now have a ZD30 GU and am intending to chip that in the near future. It already has a 2 3/4'' exhaust so I am sure the previous owner removed the chip when he traded the vehicle.
The main benefit is that the motor works so much better and with less throttle to achieve what previously required pedal to the floor. Brunswick, Berrima, Roo systems, Beaudesert are all diesel specialists for the professional opinions you would be best to listen to. Not sure where you live so popped in a few well known names.
Hope it helps, Cheers AndyD. Qld.

[armbrup]

I guess my opinion is different to many.

While I really like the idea of chipping a diesel to get easy power, the issue that raises it's head every time is that of exhaust temperature.

I have a TD5 Discovery 2 and some people have modified theirs to produce 50-80% more power. They are one of the strongest and most tunable engines.

However I have asked the question many times as to whether at the end of the day after chipping/or remapping , the cars are limited under load , say going up a long hill towing, by the exhaust temperature.
The general response is yes, you have to watch exhaust temperature closely to ensure that you don't exceed the meltdown temperature of say 700C for more than a short time.

So while chipping and more power is nice to have for say overtaking trucks, the engine is ultimately limited by its exhaust temperature, which may get near maximum under full accelerator in a stock engine , but probably lighter accelerator in a chipped engine.

But the end result is similar.
While usually trucks don't have equivalent engines in cars, generally truck engines are derated from what is possible to safeguard them. Even the Landcruiser 70 series has a significantly derated engine compared to the 200 series.

With regard to exhausts it depends on the engine and installation.

The 4.2 L patrol motor exampled has an extremely low output in NA form and even Factory turbod has less output that the 3.0 litre. There is probably a good reason that Nissan did this. But yes I understand the old 4.2 is a different engine with an aftermarket turbo, but even then it has a very low output compared to modern engines.

The 3.0 litre is notorious for failure of head gaskets and pistons even in standard form, and while it mainly happened in older models I have seen instances in even the latest . It is a brave owner who modifies a 3.0 l without a Dawes valve, and an EGT gauge.
Regards Philip A

[andrewdale]

I guess my opinion is different to many.

While I really like the idea of chipping a diesel to get easy power, the issue that raises it's head every time is that of exhaust temperature.

I have a TD5 Discovery 2 and some people have modified theirs to produce 50-80% more power. They are one of the strongest and most tunable engines.

However I have asked the question many times as to whether at the end of the day after chipping/or remapping , the cars are limited under load , say going up a long hill towing, by the exhaust temperature.
The general response is yes, you have to watch exhaust temperature closely to ensure that you don't exceed the meltdown temperature of say 700C for more than a short time.

So while chipping and more power is nice to have for say overtaking trucks, the engine is ultimately limited by its exhaust temperature, which may get near maximum under full accelerator in a stock engine , but probably lighter accelerator in a chipped engine.

But the end result is similar.
While usually trucks don't have equivalent engines in cars, generally truck engines are derated from what is possible to safeguard them. Even the Landcruiser 70 series has a significantly derated engine compared to the 200 series.

With regard to exhausts it depends on the engine and installation.

The 4.2 L patrol motor exampled has an extremely low output in NA form and even Factory turbod has less output that the 3.0 litre. There is probably a good reason that Nissan did this. But yes I understand the old 4.2 is a different engine with an aftermarket turbo, but even then it has a very low output compared to modern engines.

The 3.0 litre is notorious for failure of head gaskets and pistons even in standard form, and while it mainly happened in older models I have seen instances in even the latest . It is a brave owner who modifies a 3.0 l without a Dawes valve, and an EGT gauge.
Regards Philip A

Hi Phil,
I was greatly cheered by your excellent post, in which you covered a number of cons in such an understandable fashion.
Most of your points, I have indeed heard before, and I will admit to knowing more about splitting the atom than diesel engine frailties, which is why I suggested visiting professionals, Berrima is one name which has been around for years.
My thoughts being that they would have gone under years ago, if motors melted after their ministrations. I have driven 4.2's with EGT gauges where you spend more time watching the guage than the road ahead, maybe it's time for EGT temps to be reflected up to the windscreen in the way the cars speed is now done, for safety.
Another point worth mentioning is the introduction of an oil catch can to help negate the oil mist which coats the MAF sensor in the air intake, I make a practise of spraying it {MAF) with CRC cleaner everytime I clean or replace my airfilter. This to improve the air /fuel ratio and thus increase my klms.

At the end of the day there is always risk of some kind, and after my 4.2 power up, I cooked batteries, as often as bacon and eggs take your fancy. So an AGM in the rear of the car bears some thought. Thanks for your informative post Phil.

[leeke0]

Hi,
Thanks for your comments.
I should have put in the original email I have a 2006 D22 Navara, ZD30 turbo diesel engine.
Sits on the highway towing the CT nicely but comes to a reasonable hill and sometimes loses the pulling power a bit. If I change down early enough to keep the rpms up, pulls nicely and you wouldn't know the CT was there.
I have commented to my mechanic and he said that motor likes the rpms.
He also commented about a larger diameter exhaust (2 1/4" to 3" I think he mentioned) may help as it will allow the exhaust gases to escape easier rather that being restricted. (bit double dutch to me but sounded feasable)
(Andy, I have camped with you, Barrington, Cambroon and GI)
Thanks
Malcolm

[WomblingFree]

I have a Prado 95 and a Landcruiser 100, both factory turbos with chip and exhaust. Prado has a DP Chip and LC has a Dtronics. Both very good chips and both trucks are pretty useless without them.

However there are a lot of different chips out there and not all deserve to be connected to an engine. Some simply poke in more fuel without regard to the potential damage whilst other are smarter. You want one that still allows the factory ECU to be able to shutdown the engine if things go amiss, not all chips allow that so you can stuff the motor.
Some chips can be tuned by the installer to tailor it to the engine, others cannot.
Put simply, its like winches and every retailer has to have his own brand hence quite difficult to cut through the BS.

Strongly suggest you do a google for a Navara specific forum and ask owners for the reality experiences however you cannot go wrong with a Berrima DP Chip.

[leeke0]

Thanks for your comments.
They are appreciated. Gives me more to consider and which way to jump.
Malcolm