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South American 2.8 turbo diesel swaps?

90_K5 Blazer

90_K5 Blazer

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Hey guys, not sure what forum this fits in, so...

Just wondering if anyone has ever swapped in a late model 2.8 turbo diesel (not the 2.2 from the 80's) from one of the south American 2nd gen s10's into an American 2nd gen s-series? I know they still make them, and the current ones have something like 180 horse and 300 ftlbs and get close to 30 mpg.

I don't think the swap would be too difficult if you had a complete donor truck, the only problem is how you would; A. Find one, and B. get it into the states. I live in Michigan so there are NO emissions checks whatsoever and no one cares anyway
biggrin.gif
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Has anyone ever done this or know anything about the new generation 2.8 turbo diesel motors?

I was also thinking of maybe a swap from one of those GMC/Isuzu cab over deliver trucks

Thanks!
 
Sounds like an expensive pain in the ass to me. The Feds would care if you imported it for one.

Much easier to drop in a 4BT. Google "4BT swap" to find out about that.:D
 
I would think the 4bt would be a bit heavy for an S10... Toyota or VW diesels would be more common already in the US. If you were to find the motor your talking about though, just import it for "agricultural" purposes.
 
ya, I was thinking a 4bt originally, but if somehow I could find a 2.8 motor, I was thinking that (computer, wiring) would plug right in because its s10 to s10, I know it would not be easy, but if you had a complete donor truck it may not be extremely hard considering they would both be 2nd gen and 200(1-5) year trucks.

I actually saw an article recently were a guy put a turbo in his awesome 4bt powered bronco.

The other thing is, with a 4bt, I'm sure the nv3500 trans would blow up, and I have no idea how you would fit it in front of a 4L60e... If I was going to do it, I would want someone to open the hood and go; When did gm do that?:D

I was wondering how you would import something like that;). I don't know how I would find one in the first place, does Brazil have an auto trader in english?:haha:
 
Dunno about the GM engines but there was a guy on eBay a few years ago in Arizona I think who was selling complete engines from Brazil that were the same Internationals as Ford Rangers got down there. I talked to him at the time about my Ranger but he said (at the time) they were only working with GM trans.

Not cheap though. Even if you did manage to get one of the GM diesels I doubt it would be a bolt in swap without an entire donor vehicle.
 
The 4BT's were put in GM step vans. When they did, they were usually in front of a TH400. You could use that adapter to put a 4L60E behind it. As far as looking factory, that's all in the care you take in detailing it...

Another idea: Chrysler is coming out with a small crate diesel for Jeeps. I'm just it will be expensive, but it might be about the right size and weight for an S10.
 
ya, that's true, it would probably be a pretty hard swap without a complete donor vehicle. How much were those ranger diesel engines selling for?

I have heard about the 4bt being put into step vans. that's would be awesome, but I don't think I have the time or money for that either, along with the jeep crate motor.

But, that is awesome they are putting a small diesel motor out there! If they bring it out in a wrangler for production, i'll for sure buy one in a few years, if they haven't already put the 2.9 diesel into the H3 by then :D
 
Several grand for the engine in a crate at your doorstep. Forget how much exactly but no, not cheap.
 
hey, thanks for the links, but way to expensive! I agree with you, ebay is a good place to sell, but not buy much anymore

that video with the 2.8 Isuzu running and the turbo spooling up...:D:D:D
 
How much do you guys think you're going to pay for a good shape, low mileage, non-US market turbo diesel that someone imported from across an ocean or two?

Those aren't the Brazilian 2.8L Powerstrokes from their Rangers. The guy I was talking about seems to be gone now.
 
I take it you won the lottery recently? I couldn't imagine blowing that kind of money on a motor swap. I usually get my new motors for free... after selling the rest of parts I don't need.
 
That might work if we were talking about something that was US market but try finding a small diesel from the 90's here.
 
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