own a 1999 ford transit 2.5 TD motor home ,we have just completed the big lap the transit was very reliable but way under powered before we head off again I need a power upgrade .
Has anybody fitted a different engine to one of these or ideas in upping the pulling power, it runs the Lucas epic injector pump and being an auto I am told the Bosch pump can't be fitted.
So there is the Holden V6. Or the Ford Windsor V8 has anybody done one of these conversion and can tell me if it is a worth while project. I would have liked to stick to diesel but I have no idea what type would be ok
My brother did a conversion last year and dropped a commodore V6 into his transit van. There is some panel beating to do to clear the rear of the motor from the firewall.
A conversion kit was purchased from V6 conversions in Moree and comes with the new engine, holden radiator, gearbox supports and plugin wiring harness. It cost him $2000 dollars for the conversion kit plus the fuel tank had to be repositioned and a new tail shaft made. There was still some work to be done by an auto electrician. My brother found it cheaper to buy a second hand commodore as he could hear it run and then he had all the parts he required. (motor, radiator, gearbox, harness etc). He sold the leftovers to the local wrecker for a $100 when finished. It is not easy if you haven't pulled motors in and out and I spent more time than my body wanted to give under the vehicle when installing the new motor. The V6 conversion people will do the conversion and comes with a certificate of compliance which you may have to have depending on your states regulations. Best of luck whichever way you decide to go.
Just a quick edit I may confuse you with the kit. When I said it came with the new engine, holden radiator, gearbox supports I meant it to read engine support mounts, Radiator support mount/ brackets and Gearbox support mounts.
Gotta remember to take my meds after I send replies but the colored lettering does look good
I have a 302 V8 Windsor + C4 Auto + 9 Inch Ford diff in mine, I bought it allready converted. The motor is pretty tight but didn't need any body mods to get it in. Conversion was done in Queensland to Australian Standards, so in theory it should be able to be re-registered in any state. Testing that theory via inquiries shows that it can be re-registered in all states EXCEPT NSW where they say it must be re-enginered to "NSW - Australian Standards".
All that aside, we're very happy with it. Driving conservativly @ 2700 RPM (80 to 90 KPM) it gets 5 to 6 K's per lt on Unleaded 91, over that 4 K's per lt or less. I have thought about having the Diff Ratio's tweeked to lower RPM a bit, but I'm unsure what ratio it's got now.
We did the full lap last year in it and had a ball, the trick is driving for ecconomy and carrying some extra fuel because the 68 Litre tank limits the range. We came close a couple of time to running out. Headwinds will also increase fuel.
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Steve, Di & Ziggy We named our Motorhome "Roadworx" because on the road works "On The Road Again" Ford Transit with 302 Windsor V8 conversion, C4 Auto, 9 Inch Ford Diff All Lighting L.E.D., 260 Amp/h AGM, 530 Watt Solar + Kipor Backup Gen.
our unit is a 2005 mid length campervan with a 2.4L turbo and 6speed manual box and we are very happy with the performance. Fuel economy is around 10.6L/100Km. I am certainly no motor mechanic but wonder whether this engine might be an option.
Good luck with what ever you do.
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BJC
"A year from now you'll wish you had started today."
I would look into turbo, intercooler upgrade from std engine ? It's mainly the torque your after .. Infect if you go to MTQ they hi flow turbo's while overhauling as well . A larger exhaust helps big time .. http://www.mtqes.com.au
thanks for your reply , I have been leaning towards the v6 , as there seems to be a few vans about for sale with the V6 in them so if I decide to go this way I would try and buy the whole van that way I would have everything.
I wrote to Castlemaine rod shop they do a v6 conversion but they suggested an efi 302 Windsor V8 so that's why I am doing the research .
thanks for your information , very helpful , fuel economy not to bad at that , thought it would be a lot worse . I'm very happy to sit on 80 to 90ks but not 30 to 40 going up even the slightest hill , we want to eventually tow a small boat so need that extra power. You have given me a bit to think about thanks again.
Thanks for your reply I have written to a couple of transit wreckers to see if the 2.4 would fit but as yet have not received a reply. I would prefer a diesel but an auto would be better for us but I guess that's the problem as the auto engine is less powerful than the manual
the problem is the Lucas epic pump , not many people here do a chip for these can get one from England but if it shows no improvement I am down the tube a couple of grand , which I could put towards another engine.
Thanks for your help , I did write to a few diesel " experts " but didn't get a reply . My motor is pretty solid and in the early days figured a few tweaks would be all that's needed but with this motor I would need to change the Lucas injector pump to a Bosch then change the auto to manual ( as the auto will not work with the Bosch ) then probably new bigger injectors , bigger exhaust and possibly a bigger turbo as well as getting the computer re mapped . So I am guessing the cost would be greater than swapping engines but I am willing to look at anything at this stage
thanks for your information , very helpful , fuel economy not to bad at that , thought it would be a lot worse . I'm very happy to sit on 80 to 90ks but not 30 to 40 going up even the slightest hill , we want to eventually tow a small boat so need that extra power. You have given me a bit to think about thanks again.
regards
Terry
This is just a thought, might or might not be worth following up..... I've often thought if a 4cyl toyota or isuzu diesel from a 4 to 5 ton truck with its appropriate gear box could be fitted into a transit. I had a Dyna a few years ago and it had a 4.1 Lt 4cyl diesel motor and had heaps of grunt. These are a lot more common from the wreckers or 2nd hand import motors/gearboxes from Japan.
Regards Steve.
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Steve, Di & Ziggy We named our Motorhome "Roadworx" because on the road works "On The Road Again" Ford Transit with 302 Windsor V8 conversion, C4 Auto, 9 Inch Ford Diff All Lighting L.E.D., 260 Amp/h AGM, 530 Watt Solar + Kipor Backup Gen.
I would say that the general impression of your motor in that Transit is bad around the trade. I have no direct knowledge but judging by the number that seem to have been replaced by some other I suspect it is true. So the idea of upgrading the power seems misguided to me. Costly to work on as well
A Toyota diesel motor and box may be a good idea but they are in demand and expensive because they are better IMHO. I have heard that Commodore V6s are a common transplant but again have had no direct experience. Run it on LPG gas for fuel cost savings.
thanks for your advice , yep this engine is not one of fords best , it's very reliable but so underpowered . I have been doing a lot of research both here and overseas and it's a common problem with this model with the Lucas epic pump.
I have had a couple of great replies on this forum with the Holden V6 and the Ford 302 V8 but I am really wanting some one to say I fitted a ............. Diesel and it's bloody fantastic, it's a costly project if I go " trial and error "
I have limited experience here but from my observations generally on engine swaps and changing things around "the devil is in the details". Anyone can swing another engine and box in and weld up a few mounts. Gosh even I could do that myself in a couple of days. BUT all the little things and some big ones that come after that are the difference between success and a happy owner, or a bitch of a thing that is always having a problem one way or another. I have seen a few of the latter and you do not want that out there in the sticks.
Better to buy another vehicle that does what you want. If I did not convert it myself I would not drive it around on a 'lap'.
thanks for your advice , yep this engine is not one of fords best , it's very reliable but so underpowered . I have been doing a lot of research both here and overseas and it's a common problem with this model with the Lucas epic pump.
I have had a couple of great replies on this forum with the Holden V6 and the Ford 302 V8 but I am really wanting some one to say I fitted a ............. Diesel and it's bloody fantastic, it's a costly project if I go " trial and error "
So at the moment it's between the V6 and the V8
Thanks again
regards
Terry
Hi Terry, If you do go with a V6 or V8, I'd strongly suggest the V6, not that I don't like the V8, far from it there's another consideration to consider... The REGO, there's a surcharge on the Rego for a V8. Added to that I would think if the V6 is matched to a good gearbox/transmission and diff I would imagine the fuel ecconomy would be better. That said nothing beats the sound of a V8, people certainly hear us coming!.
Also if the conversion has been done right and you have it all serviced before you go why should there be any problem, We've done the lap with ours and would do it again in a heartbeat. I'm no mechanic, but what I've got is "old school" so if there's a problem, mechanics are easy to find almost anywhere and they are all curious on thev8 conversion.
Regards Steve.
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Steve, Di & Ziggy We named our Motorhome "Roadworx" because on the road works "On The Road Again" Ford Transit with 302 Windsor V8 conversion, C4 Auto, 9 Inch Ford Diff All Lighting L.E.D., 260 Amp/h AGM, 530 Watt Solar + Kipor Backup Gen.
I was at my brothers today and took a couple of photos of his conversion.
You can see the new gearbox mount, new exhaust and the new repositioned fuel tank.
The photo of the engine shows how little room there is to work. My brother said if he was doing it again it would be easy as we know all the problems now.
We would also do it when we had less years of wear and tear. It does have heaps of power. Hope these are of some help.
Thanks David looks like a good tight fit I think I will be going for the V6 as the kit is pretty good has most bits that I need and there are plenty of them around , V 6s that is , now all I have to do is try and sell my Lamborghini replica to fund this little upgrade
thanks all for taking the time to answer me and for all of your helpful advice
