increase power and economy

[tliu41]

Hey Guys,

I got a 1999 Patrol GU TI with the TB45E engine and a LPG gas conversion on it.

Just driving it generally, especially up hills I find it very very sluggish I am just wondering is there any upgrades i can do to increase the power of the car.

Futhermore i have been keeping an eye on my fuel economy recently. I found that i was 27L/100KM on LPG. I find this pretty terrible. Is there anything i can do to increase economy such as a tune.

I am new to this so please keep it simple.

Thank You

[nissannewby]

Not a lot you can do they are a thirsty motor. You could run down the turbo option whihc will help slightly if done correctly. these will generally do around 20/100 onpetrol anyway. I would just give her a good service plugs, leads, filters, use a good quality oil, keep tyre pressures checked. I have found with the air con in the patrols they make a big difference to economy as well.

[Thirsty]

Hey mate,

I have recently done some basic things to assist with your above problem. Mine was sluggish off the mark and continued to kick back out of overdrive on the highway. At first i didnt think there was much of a difference but after a tank of juice i am now seeing it. I cleaned the O2 sensor, distributor, rotor button and MAF. I'm also running some Lucas fuel conditioner. Doesn't kick out of overdrive as much and a little bit more responsive on take off. i don't have floor it to keep up with traffic. Next thing is the tappets. There can be good gains there if there not set right. Mine is very ticky so I'll keep you informed.

Cheers

[FullFlxd]

Turbo kits are available, I've spoken to one of the Mechanics at Nissan (when showing him probs with mine) he mentioned he slapped a turbo of a GQ on his TB45and his wife stopped naggin' about it's sluggishness.
There are also stroker kits available but thats a long path. otherwise give her plenty of air breath, a zorst to fart, good service parts maybe schip it as well!!!

Remember big lift big tyres and roof racks will decrease economy as well

[tliu41]

thanks for the advice guys.

few more questions

how much will the turbo and a new exhaust system will cost me?

do you guys know any reliable mechanics in victoria that can get these done?

[97_gq_lwb]

A few things worth looking at as well if it has the mixer ring for the gas they can be restricting airflow .
Bp ulitmate 98 fuel.
Adjusting the distirbutor timing advancing it a few degrees.

[Jamie]

Hi Mate, I've got a 98 4.5L on gas and have had similar issues. For what its worth heres my story, the mods I've done and the results thus far. Mine is sluggish, particularly when towing. The bigger issue for me was the economy as my petrol tank was only the stock standard reserve which didn't give me alot of economy and range if I wanted to go off the beaten track. I bought mine with about 150k on the clock and the very first job was to check and set the tappets as I had heard with gas valves can burn into the head. My mechanic did this but not too well. Tappet noise increase and the rocker cover gasket developed a leak. I took it back and he rectified it, however the gasket has again developed a leak.

Next I had a snorkel fitted and a new 76L auxillary petrol tank to improve range in preparation to for a trip to Dargo Christmas gone. I then went to a gas expect "so called" who fitted a bi pass tube and tunes the gas for the snorkel; at the same time he addressed a couple of electric issues with the gas system. He also told me I needed a new mixer which I booked in to get done. When I picked up the car he told me they drilled the mixer out and it was okay. Anyway off to Dargo I went and the car ran well on gas, shocking on petrol which was my only option in the high country.

Off I went to another mechanic, who has a dyno and was a 4WD specialist. He put the car on the dyno and immediately identified some issues to resolve; too much exhaust back pressure, blocked fuel filter, no fuel pressure (rooted fuel pump), mixer not working properly and undersized (200 unit on the vehicle and he's recommending a 425 replacement), loose tappets, leaky rocker cover gasket etc. Sounds bad!

Okay I replaced the exhaust totally, extractors, 21/4" pipe, high flow cat and muffler and without changing or fixing any of the other bits the car has improved in power substantially. A comment on the pipe size; some people had recommended a 21/2" system but the bloke who fitted it advised my against it as the drone would be too great on the highway. Good advise as the system is louder enough.

I had previously read up on both the forum and a couple of other websites about differing approaches to improving the 4.5L engines performance and the exhaust is right up there as a first step. The other recommendation was to fit an after market chip which I have now obtained on ebay second hand off a bmw and am fittiing it this next week along with the bigger mixer, new fuel pump, tappet work and gasket and then dyno tuning for optimum performance. Now the chip I've gone with is an XEDE (must be a H series for the patrol) which can be tuned with multiple maps i.e. petrol, gas, turbo etc. So I'm hoping that this will give me a big improvement in performance and economy. "see link"

http://www.autospeed.com.au_cms_A_2957_printArticle

I'll keep you posted on the improvement. The mechanic tells me he's done similar with other Nissans and I should be happy with the results. The final option although expensive unless I can sourse a second hand unit somewhere is a turbo charger which he tells me will really make a difference. I hope I haven't bored you to death but I thought you might find my experience a help.

Good luck.

[Jamie]

Hi Mate, I've got a 98 4.5L on gas and have had similar issues. For what its worth heres my story, the mods I've done and the results thus far. Mine is sluggish, particularly when towing. The bigger issue for me was the economy as my petrol tank was only the stock standard reserve which didn't give me alot of economy and range if I wanted to go off the beaten track. I bought mine with about 150k on the clock and the very first job was to check and set the tappets as I had heard with gas valves can burn into the head. My mechanic did this but not too well. Tappet noise increase and the rocker cover gasket developed a leak. I took it back and he rectified it, however the gasket has again developed a leak.

Next I had a snorkel fitted and a new 76L auxillary petrol tank to improve range in preparation to for a trip to Dargo Christmas gone. I then went to a gas expect "so called" who fitted a bi pass tube and tunes the gas for the snorkel; at the same time he addressed a couple of electric issues with the gas system. He also told me I needed a new mixer which I booked in to get done. When I picked up the car he told me they drilled the mixer out and it was okay. Anyway off to Dargo I went and the car ran well on gas, shocking on petrol which was my only option in the high country.

Off I went to another mechanic, who has a dyno and was a 4WD specialist. He put the car on the dyno and immediately identified some issues to resolve; too much exhaust back pressure, blocked fuel filter, no fuel pressure (rooted fuel pump), mixer not working properly and undersized (200 unit on the vehicle and he's recommending a 425 replacement), loose tappets, leaky rocker cover gasket etc. Sounds bad!

Okay I replaced the exhaust totally, extractors, 21/4" pipe, high flow cat and muffler and without changing or fixing any of the other bits the car has improved in power substantially. A comment on the pipe size; some people had recommended a 21/2" system but the bloke who fitted it advised my against it as the drone would be too great on the highway. Good advise as the system is louder enough.

I had previously read up on both the forum and a couple of other websites about differing approaches to improving the 4.5L engines performance and the exhaust is right up there as a first step. The other recommendation was to fit an after market chip which I have now obtained on ebay second hand off a bmw and am fittiing it this next week along with the bigger mixer, new fuel pump, tappet work and gasket and then dyno tuning for optimum performance. Now the chip I've gone with is an XEDE (must be a H series for the patrol) which can be tuned with multiple maps i.e. petrol, gas, turbo etc. So I'm hoping that this will give me a big improvement in performance and economy. "see link"

http://www.autospeed.com.au_cms_A_2957_printArticle

I'll keep you posted on the improvement. The mechanic tells me he's done similar with other Nissans and I should be happy with the results. The final option although expensive unless I can sourse a second hand unit somewhere is a turbo charger which he tells me will really make a difference. I hope I haven't bored you to death but I thought you might find my experience a help.

Good luck.

[Leighw85]

Hey mate.
Ive had my Patrol for about 6 months now. 3.0 ltr TDi. Has the Diesel/Gas conversion. 70% Diesel 30% Gas is what it runs.
Great economy and ALOT more power. You really feel it when the gas runs out, and its just running diesel.
Get about 1000km to 1100km to my main and sub tanks. Standard size tanks.
Id recommend it. Not sure on the cost, as mine was done already when i got it

[Bob]

I have a 98 4.5L GU Manual and obtain the following Fuel Consumption Figures

Gas
18/19L per 100 K's Highway Crusing
23/24l Around Town and also towing a Jayco Dove
Petrol
Around the 16L per 100 K's
I have just replaced the Head with a Reconditioned Head from Cave Engineering Services with Serdi Cut Valves and Inlet Ports enlarged.
Improved the Pulling Power no end.
Surprisingly the Fuel Consumption did not alter after replacing the Head.
I regularly clean the MAF Sensor

[teleman]

Try Outback 4x4 in bayswater. These guys are 4x4 specialists. Great mechanics and good guys.