It's been a while since i've posted here- I've had a petrol/LPG 80 series for a few hundred thousand kms now with OME
suspension and a few bits'n'pieces for touring.
My biggest problem was range.
Last night I just got back to the NSW south coast, after buying another 80 series Landcruiser in
Cairns- a turbo diesel this time. The wife and I flew up, we checked it out and spent the last 4 days driving it back- the inland route thru Charters Towers,
Emerald,
Robe, Murrarundi and so on.
Anyway this 80 series has a brand new crate 6500 Optimizer Chev turbo diesel in it, converted and engineered by Gryphon Engineering in
Cairns (who are now the East Coast distributors for Brunswick Diesels).
Ive done a huge amount of research on these engines, and am very confident the latest, brand new crate Optimizers optioned with the mechanical injector pump, are a good thing. Handed a receipt for $26,000 for it, I'd hope so too!
Mine also has had a full driveline rebuild, brand new 3.7:1 diffs with twin ARB airlockers... with a $7,000 receipt for the work.
I got to know the beast over the 4 day trip- and I am still very happy with the fuel efficiancy and the unbelievable, immense amount of power it puts out.
The conversion included the fitmant of a new Garret GT35 ballbearing water-cooled turbo and 4" exhaust- dyno tuned with very impressive figures... Over 220kw and almost 700nM of torque... insane considering it delivered economy of less than 14L/100kms at 110km/h- and i'm sure if i didnt have to get back to work andf knocked a few km/h off the figures would be better.
So i thought i'd just post this, as i have read so much negative publicity about these engines- but it all seems to be around rebuilt earlier versions which certainly did have crankshaft, cylinder head and PMD problems.
So if anyone is considering the conversion, especially those with a time-bomb 3L Patrol (his most common chev conversion), I HIGHLY recomment it!
I cant wait to fit a liquid/air intercooler now and boost it a little beyond it's current 12psi!