Diesel conversion 93 Pathfinder?

[ChuckD]

I'm process of re-building my 93 Pathy. The engine overheated and needs to be re-built. The truck has the AC's UCAs, Rancho rear Springs and rolls 32/11.5x15 BFG ATs on 15x10. With the stock VG30E it was fine in town but struggled in the mountains. To help with that I have purchased VG33 from a 98 Fronty with 28k on it. I have a good idea what is involved (crank snout and or accessories issues) with that fairly common swap. With prep work on the VG33 I was planning the 'VG34' build without the overbore and pistons. Cams, port, oil pump etc. Should produce around 225 to 240 HP. I was considering changing that plan and going diesel. For about the amount of money I would be sinking into upgrades/building the VG33E, I can purchase a used Nissan TD27T. I know the diesel produces more torque down low and not nearly as much HP as the gassers. I am trying to find information on the conversion from gas to a Diesel Pathy. Thanks and ChuckD

[Packman5280]

it would be tough to license, as I don't think there is a US sold car with the TD27t. most of the time (depends where you live) the motor you put in must be newer or the same year as the one you took out. also, if you change the type o motor, there are a whole series of hoops to jump through to get it approved. you will spend a lot more money for a diesel. perhaps a cummins 4bt, although i don't know much about it, i know it is popular for swaps in other makes, and it sold in the US.

[ChuckD]

Thanks, Where I live I don't have any emissions testing. The Pathy is no longer my daily driver, well not since the it over heated (read: crashed on the beach in Mexico). It's intended uses will be, wheel'n in dunes and desert, 4x4 camping and towing my boat in the summer months. The towing is the what got me looking at the diesel. That and I found a td27 for what I paid for the VG33. The ability to run alternative fuels also is a benfit over the VG33 to me.

[elementalvoid]

I would assume that if you went diesel they you would need to get a different transmission as well. That could mean a custom drive shaft, too.

If I'm wrong about the transmission would someone explain why. I'm figuring you'd need one because of the lower rpm limits on diesels. Your current tranny is meant for an engine that rev higher. As soon as you drop the revs, you need more gears; or at least different gears. Meaning different ratios.

[tmorgan4]

The main downfall to the diesel engines is WEIGHT. I can't remember the numbers off hand, but they sure are heavy.

[DamnHippie]

This is the first I've ever heard of a motor change affecting licensing in any way. My first question would have to be: how would they even know I've swapped my motor?

[ChefTyler]

Where you live, Ian? Easy, come emissions time :D

[DamnHippie]

Well for a diesel swap, yeah, but Jamie's post implied that there's bureaucracy involved even swapping out for the same type motor.

[Packman5280]

yes, i looked into it a couple years back. if you did a vg33 swap, most likely, nobody would notice, and you would never have to worry. the ecu stays, it says its the right year, obd code, etc, then if it passes a snif test, yer good. however, the law says, if you swap a motor, it must be the same year or a newer year (for emissions purposes), same mfg, same obd series, etc. i think it would actually have to have been available in the car originally as an option, otherwise, referee. if you swap a different brand in, you must see a referee, who has to approve of the job, and the work, before you can get it registered. if the motor you are swapping in isn't a street legal motor, you must see a referee. the td27t isn't sold in the use on street legal vehicles (i think just forklifts and the like), so i would imagine you would need to see a referee.

for my honda, i should have seen a referee to get it approved because i put in a JDM motor, even though it is virtually identical to the one that was there. i didn't, and may get into trouble when i try to sell it. went from a b16a2 to a b16a. most likely not, since i'm not trying to hide it, and it passes emissions just fine.

[Allen Cox]

Actually Jamie, your emissions have to pass for whichever is newer. You can put a engine from the 50's into your Honda, as long as it has all the emissions equipment and passes the Honda's specs. But if you put an engine from an '05 in there, then the emissions have to meet the '05's specs, with the '05's equipment intact. Whichever is newer, the engine has to meet.

Most times, folks don't have issues, as the high school drop outs that run the emissions places don't know the difference. I ran my old '77 F100 through there, with the charcoal canister completely disconnected (in plane view as well!), an engine out of a 4 year older LTD (with an auto trans, the truck originally had a "3 on the tree") and no cats on the exhaust. Flew through there. Idiots.

I had to go all through the emissions training to get my license. That's why I'd get a $10k fine for messing with the emissions of a vehicle, even my own.

I've also looked at converting my wife's '02 Xterra to diesel. Run it on Bio, for cheaper, switch her to full synthetic with a 4WD conversion and take her off the dependency of foreign oil. Just have to get the money for the engine first.

[Packman5280]

that sounds right, thanks for correcting me. wouldn't the replacement motor, regardless of year, have to be emissions legal in the US?

[Allen Cox]

You can get a waiver for spending up to a certain amount, to be determined by the ref, to make it legal for the US. And that depends on how it did the first time through.