LS or Diesel swap or Turbo the 45

[Dean Reid]

Hey team I own a 2000 GU that I use daily for my landscape maintenance business it also tows 2.5t all day every day. Now it currently runs the faithful TB45 which is reliable but it’s got over 500k on it now and it’s getting a bit tired mated to a manual box so my dilemma is should I:
1-LS swap.
Should get 340hp and about 300 toque not to bad of a swap and comparable fuel consumption.
2-TURBO DIESEL swap
Lower fuel consumption and reliability
Or
3-REBUILD A TB45 with a TURBO
Completely refurbished engine with a turbo for more power maybe slightly less fuel consumption but unsure how far it can be pushed before it becomes unreliable.
I’ll be doing the majority of the work myself.
I’m wanting it to be reliable, easy enough to repair when needed and parts a plenty.
I also won’t be selling it as I plan on keeping it for good.

Let me know your thoughts suggestions whatever.

Cheers in advance
Dean

[BrazilianY60]

As for your option 3, I have never seen a turbo'd engine get better fuel consumption. The argument that it needs to rev less to do a job because it is more powerful is understandable, but nobody can resist the spooling sound so it actually uses more fuel at the end.

I believe the more reliable option really is to rebuild it and take some other 500k of life from it if the fuel is not killing you. Conversions are fun, but take a toll on down time and patience. Definitely not ideal for a "income generating tool".

From reading posts here and watching things on the internet I was led to believe that the TB45 is not a good turbo option, even though the older TB42 takes it happily.

[PeeBee]

My observations are that LS conversion owners don't hang onto their vehicles for the longer term after doing the hard yards - unsure if this is a reliability thing or an investment decision? The turbo pathway is perhaps the least invasive in my view once the engine is freshened up and able to handle the increase loads you will generate. The conversion to TD from TB whilst staying within the Nissan umbrella is not going to be any more difficult that the simple path of discovery - wiring loom is perhaps the greatest issue, maybe the TB and TD are the same, cant say @Rossco maybe can comment?

I am addressing your question from the perspective of someone who has modified and converted a GQ into a monster with many modifications and my only comment would be to stick as close to factory as possible unless you have an inexhaustible pile of patience , time and money - conversions are a folly in my view after my journey, and its not over, by choice!!!

[Dean Reid]

My observations are that LS conversion owners don't hang onto their vehicles for the longer term after doing the hard yards - unsure if this is a reliability thing or an investment decision? The turbo pathway is perhaps the least invasive in my view once the engine is freshened up and able to handle the increase loads you will generate. The conversion to TD from TB whilst staying within the Nissan umbrella is not going to be any more difficult that the simple path of discovery - wiring loom is perhaps the greatest issue, maybe the TB and TD are the same, cant say @Rossco maybe can comment?

I am addressing your question from the perspective of someone who has modified and converted a GQ into a monster with many modifications and my only comment would be to stick as close to factory as possible unless you have an inexhaustible pile of patience , time and money - conversions are a folly in my view after my journey, and its not over, by choice!!!

Agreed that doing a turbo tb45 is the least invasive just don’t see many of them around so makes hard to gauge weather it’ll be worth it versus a swap.

[CrazyCntTree]

Being told to get BMW X5 or X6 engine. 3.0L turbo engine and the people suggesting it say by far most reliable and economical engine for the Patrol GU.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

[mudnut]

Depends where you are, the ease and cost of obtaining the new engine, your ability to do the conversion or to pay someone else to do it. Getting an engineering certification for registration is a concern in Australia. Also parts availability and servicing of the new type has to be taken into account. You will have to do a cost analysis between just replacing the engine or doing the conversion. Good luck in making your decision.

[PeeBee]

Have you looked at the turbo barra option? I had a ride in a GQ conversion and and with a moderate tune it was responsive, not twitchy but there are enough around now to allow you to standardise on a well thought thru conversion. I still hold firm on sticking with the factory motor however since you are casting the net, this is a good option I reckon.

[mudski]

In my opinion, stay with a Nissan engine which ever way you go. Purely for the legal side of things. Its much easier to do an engine swap to another motor if it also came out in that same vehicle. LS swap or Barra, you will have implications. I did get an email maybe 2 years back from the engineer who did my Patrol and he was saying they no longer can legally do LS swaps. New certification rules have stopped all that due to some emission rule. So i can only assume it would be the same for Barra swap.

Out of the crate. A TD42t is just as slow as a TB45. Probably slower. But with a gentle tickle they can go really well.

The conversion won't be too hard. Engine mounts will be the hardest part. Wiring loom theres a few mobs who will convert your loom for you. I did this with mine, it made it so easy. I never needed to cut any wires, just plug and pray.