Help me decide TD42 or LS1?

[Reddave]

My GU series 3 has a ZD30 auto, I didn't buy it for the engine!!!

I bought it because it was auto, yep another lazy driver!!

Over the next 12 months I will be fitting reduction gears to the transfer and starting to acquire bits to start a conversion.

But which motor, TD42 or LS1?

Pros of a td42:
It's diesel, easy to get bits for and easy to maintain
Cons of a td42:
Unless I can win tatts, would have to change to manual

Pros of a ls1:
More than enough power, can keep the auto, easy to get bits for
Cons of a ls1:
It's petrol

A few questions:
Will a ls1 still give me decent economy for long distance touring?
How is it possible to keep my auto but still have a td42?

Budget at this stage is around $10k, and will be doing MOST of the work myself, have access to a workshop and am a mechanic by trade.

What would you choose and why?

The car is currently set up as a tourer, and take every opportunity to put the camper on the back and disappear for a weekend.
I don't really want a comp truck, just something that is more reliable than a zd30, something I can just drive and not have that grenade factor in the back of my mind.

[Yendor]

Have a chat with Killa Kustom Kables, I believe they can modify your engine harness so you can run the TD42 engine with the ZD30 auto.

[threedogs]

Been down the V8 chev conversion road 18/100 hwy never again, for a daily driver to do long outback trips no brainer T/D 4.2 with auto bolted to the back.

Mind you 350 chev was fun for 18yrs .

[Reddave]

Have a chat with Killa Kustom Kables, I believe they can modify your engine harness so you can run the TD42 engine with the ZD30 auto.

Thanks mate, they do both looms

Td42 to zd30 and ls1 to zd30

[nissannewby]

Yeah they will. Also patrolapart has kits for these as well. Patty wagon on here has done the same conversion td42 to 3.0 auto maybe flick him a pm for some info.

[Reddave]

Thanks mate, I'll send a PM once I get closer to to the conversion

[russ81]

How's it going mate, I've just finished the conversion to a 6.0L L98 and I'm pulling between 20-22L/100km, I love having the V8, but if economy is a priority I would be going with the TD42


Sent while temporally motionless

[Reddave]

How's it going mate, I've just finished the conversion to a 6.0L L98 and I'm pulling between 20-22L/100km, I love having the V8, but if economy is a priority I would be going with the TD42


Sent while temporally motionless

Cheers mate, the economy of the ZD30 with all my gear in is woeful anyway (19l per 100km)
But that's with the camper on as well

Sort of hoping for 15s or lower to make it worth it

Looks like the TD is the winner

[Yendor]

Thanks mate, they do both looms

Td42 to zd30 and ls1 to zd30

So why would you want to fit an LS1 for touring then?

[Reddave]

So why would you want to fit an LS1 for touring then?

That's why I'm asking the question, I have had falcons not commodores and have no idea on economy