4jx1 engine swap

[geeves]

It can be done but there is a bit of magic involved trying to get the older engine to talk to the new auto. If I was doing it I would use a matched trans for the replacement engine but most of the 4jb1s are manual so you have to fit a clutch peddle etc. I know there was a company in England specialising in this swap a while ago but no more details Try here for more info
http://www.itocuk.co.uk/forums/viewforu ... 2537cfcca4

[bazza2541]

I already done this conversion.
I'll post a few pics.

[bazza2541]

As it was 4jx1

As it is 4jb1

[bazza2541]

I managed to keep the original air box, turbo, downpipe and exhaust.
I made a small adaptor to mount the 3.0 turbo to the 2.8 manifold, this required cutting the turbo oil return pipe which I then sleaved with a piece of rubber tubing.
I used a FMIC from a Landrover TD5 which lined up perfectly with the original Frontera intercooler piping.
There was a few other odds and sods needed modifing (some still do) but I'll not bore you with them unless you want to know.

[PureZoo]

Hey All, I now about the recall issues with the 4xj1 motor but what else is there, and why would you go from an engine that produces 115 kw for one that's 68kw? (standard form)
Only had ours for 35000kms so far, but has 240k on the Odo now (on the third cam belt), and the only engine issues I had so far (touching every piece of wood I can reach) is a heater hose replacement.
I have noticed our local mechanic new bugger all about them (a terrano driver) and at the first service they had to be told its got two oil filters and two fuel filters. Wonder if that's an issue with them - bad servicing? I don't get that Isuzu who has probably made diesels longer than any other Jap manufacturer would get it wrong in a basic design, outside supplier part issues like the injector seals - yes that was an oops! But the basic design should be sound.
I really like the old girl and with 10L/100kms and it easily keeps up with the traffic, tows the boat really well and for $3200 kiwi with all recalls done, as a basic work hack who can complain? TaG

[bazza2541]

Mr Isuzu replaced the engine in mine after the seals let go and the turbo found it could run really fast on a mixture of engine oil and diesel. Then about six months later the replacement injectors also failed and had to be replaced. Then the replacement injectors for the replacement injectors failed, albeit in a different way (just stopped working).
Then once all that was sorted, the oil pressure guage would drop to zero for a few seconds and come back up again (not good for the heart, that) then it blew the radiator top hose, then the head gasket went.
So now it resides on the floor in my garage and I have complete trouble free motoring with the 4jb1.

[PureZoo]

Hey Bazza, hate hearing stories like that, seems those injectors would have been the cause of most your issues and I probably don't really understand the utter frustration that you would have felt, but I could guess. Most of the feedback on the OZ sites that I have read seem to point most of the blame to 2No things, (1) the injectors and looms being faulty & (2) Bad or Uneducated Dealer servicing. I've already experience this lack of knowledge from mechanics on my own ride, even though its now 12 years old and done 240k'kms, they still don't understand it! Its a shame as I drove Toyota's, Nissan's and Mitsubishi's before I drove the Wizard (all about the same age) and the others just weren't in the same league either on power, positive steering or comfort. I didn't know about the awesome mileage at that point either. Well I guess I just keep my fingers crossed and see how I go. Cheers Grant

[peter6163]

frpm the owner off a original 2.8 only thing i have as a prob is the rear water lines to the oil filter deteriate and should be watched pain to change only found when i did the clutch Peter

[peter6163]

oops i went full hydraulic sylicon hoses thicker but should now out last the engine
again peter

[geeves]

Yes those hoses are fun to change

[bazza2541]

As far as transmissions go, I removed the spacer plate from behind the bell housing on the 2.8, screwed the bellhousing from the 3.0 onto the 2.8 engine, then added the 3.0 flywheel. The trans bolted straight to that.
Engine dropped straight onto the 3.0 mounts and it was all good to go.
Change the oil pressure sender on the 2.8 to a 3.0 unit (2.8 operates in reverse).