What would you do?

[Firetrol]

Personally start with your gauges..
Scan gauge does all but egt and oil pressure.. Imo 2 big ones..
I have blocked my egr completely and have had no issues with it throwing codes but some do..
The scangauge will let you clear those codes if it happens. .
Catch can.. well there are so many varieties it's really personal opinion.. but a good thing.. not under performance in my list though but maintenance of the engine..
Once gauges are done the with the crd it's uo to you..
You can do the whole dawes and needle valve setup but they do hold 16 psi well.. if you want to push it more then the valves are needed.. many say 18-20 psi is the sweet spot for these engines..

The 3" exhaust may throw it into limp mode due to spool up being too quick.. if this happens then the dawes and needle valves are the fix..

Once the basics are done then it's how far you wanna go..
Upgrade the intercooler.. upgrade intake.
Upgrade turbo..

How deep are ya pockets lol..
A bloke in QLD has dropped $27g into his engine..
The only stock thing is the case lol.. But it is insane.. spins 37" tyres with ease..

Cheers Biggqwesty, it's easy to dream with a new chariot but realistically I will be aiming at the basics as finances & wife allow.
The info & feedback on the forum so far has definately helped me see things differently.

[Bigcol]

always a good place to start is the Basic's

change all fluids (oil / water / diffs ) (maybe need some cooling looked at - fan / hub / thermostat / fan belts, maybe do some diff breathers while your there...........)
do the brakes - change pads, check rotors & replace if needed - make sure calipers are working
check under dash for loose wiring, and check battery for connections that dont go anywhere (even check previous owners fittings and wiring.... ya never never know............)
check and re grease door hinges (use graphite powder)
check your winch actually works, and make yourself familiar with its wiring and how it works

basically make sure its all working, and everything is safe to use

once you have done that, make a list of "WANTS"
new tyres
Snorkle
bigger Intercooler
bigger Turbo
new Exhaust
LED lights in the back
etc

then "shuffle" this list around using the "have to do for safety first" method

then just play it by ear mate...........

[togenshi]

I might as well chime in. My car was seriously down on power.

I will go with the solutions that are cheaper to acquire vs reward rather than do x,y,z @ couple grand a pop.

1. Block EGR. You don't need to be a scientist to work out the EGTs will go down. I removed the entire system and used 2 hand-made blanking plates with the gaskets. I rerouted the cooling using t/y junctions and looked at super cheap for water hoses that would work.
2. Get a scanguage II (or equivalent) to clear the P401 error and monitor your Litres per Hour (LPH) and LOD (Load on Engine).
3. If the car has been nursed all its life, clean out the intake manifold. Being nursed ironically damages the engine faster as it keeps the EGR open more often.
4. Get a catch can installed. I spent $300 for a kit but I know you can get one setup for cheap.

Thats the cheaper stuff out of the way. Now you will have a bunch of stuff that will be kind of dependant on each other. This is actually my next time the list as I have done the above.
5. 2.75"/3" Exhaust System.
6. EGT/Turbo Boost Gauge. I am gonna spend a little more for a Redarc combo guage but you can get a gauge for cheap.
7. Dawes and Needle Valves. Dawes to limit max boost pressure and needle for the spool rate.

Now its nice to haves.
8. Sealed intercooler for better cooling and old intercooler could be leaking.
9. Chip system tuned to the car.

Whatever you do, use the OEM or Delco air filter.

[threedogs]

You dont need to throw Heaps of $$$$$ to get it running effieciently.
All the mods mentioned are done over time and I suspect behind the
Girlfriends/wifes back, Quick tip dont get caught, you'll need to explain calmly that the Patrol
positively needs its and it will save money in the long run.
Coming from the Capitol I wouldnt think a tint would be high on your list as I suggested earlier
research the Beaudesert 2.75 exhaust nothing but good reports about them here on the CRD

EDIT;;On that P401 error that blocking the EGR will bring you can drill a 10mm hole in the plate
so the EGR thinks its still open etc
this is CRD only

[Clunk]

You dont need to throw Heaps of $$$$$ to get it running effieciently.
All the mods mentioned are done over time and I suspect behind the
Girlfriends/wifes back, Quick tip dont get caught, you'll need to explain calmly that the Patrol
positively needs its and it will save money in the long run.
Coming from the Capitol I wouldnt think a tint would be high on your list as I suggested earlier
research the Beaudesert 2.75 exhaust nothing but good reports about them here on the CRD

EDIT;;On that P401 error that blocking the EGR will bring you can drill a 10mm hole in the plate
so the EGR thinks its still open etc
this is CRD only

And what's the point in putting a blanking plate in, if you're only going to drill a hole in it?

[Firetrol]

always a good place to start is the Basic's

change all fluids (oil / water / diffs ) (maybe need some cooling looked at - fan / hub / thermostat / fan belts, maybe do some diff breathers while your there...........)
do the brakes - change pads, check rotors & replace if needed - make sure calipers are working
check under dash for loose wiring, and check battery for connections that dont go anywhere (even check previous owners fittings and wiring.... ya never never know............)
check and re grease door hinges (use graphite powder)
check your winch actually works, and make yourself familiar with its wiring and how it works

basically make sure its all working, and everything is safe to use

once you have done that, make a list of "WANTS"
new tyres
Snorkle
bigger Intercooler
bigger Turbo
new Exhaust
LED lights in the back
etc

then "shuffle" this list around using the "have to do for safety first" method

then just play it by ear mate...........

Cheers Bigcol, already working my way through some of it. As I'm yet to learn my way around the vehicle, I had the 130km service done by my usual mechanic who gave the Patrol a good going over. They have given me a few things to look at & possibly replace.
The previous owner had done a fair bit of electrical work himself & most of which is a long way from tidy & easy to follow.
I will get an electrically minded mate to give me a hand going over the electricals, tidy it up & check it all etc.
I like the sound of the "want" list & safety first justification.

[the evil twin]

And what's the point in putting a blanking plate in, if you're only going to drill a hole in it?

Agree... leave the plate intact... a couple of button presses on the Scan gauge clears the code

[Firetrol]

You dont need to throw Heaps of $$$$$ to get it running effieciently.
All the mods mentioned are done over time and I suspect behind the
Girlfriends/wifes back, Quick tip dont get caught, you'll need to explain calmly that the Patrol
positively needs its and it will save money in the long run.
Coming from the Capitol I wouldnt think a tint would be high on your list as I suggested earlier
research the Beaudesert 2.75 exhaust nothing but good reports about them here on the CRD

EDIT;;On that P401 error that blocking the EGR will bring you can drill a 10mm hole in the plate
so the EGR thinks its still open etc
this is CRD only

Yep, will definately have to be done behind the wife's back threedogs. Out of interest I enquired about a quote from Beaudesert, came back with $1240 delivered. I'll add it to the Possible Future List.

[Firetrol]

Righto so I've got a Scangauge 2 ordered. If I get my boost/pyro gauges, can I hook up the pyro to my standard exhaust if I'm keeping it for the time being? Would it just be a case of drilling and welding a nut on?
I also did a bit of an external inspection of the standard IC. There is definately some oily black residue coming out where the crimping join is on one end & underneath. The leaking doesn't seem huge but still evident. How urgent is replacing it?
After looking into a replacement IC I read about tube & Fin or bar & plate cores. Are either of these better or worse than the other? I am only after a standard size replacement as I don't have the $1200 to only throw at an upgrade. Any advice on what I should be looking for?