[ThirstyV6]

I've searched this forum and others on the subject of converting a Vitara to diesel, in Australia there seems to be much hypothetical negative opinion about diesel powered ZOOK's in general. It seems to be more common in Europe (Renault/VW/Citreon) and the US (VW). Has anyone on this forum either driven, converted on participated in such conversions. In my opinion torque gets it done of road with less snap, crackle and pop and the larger Vitara may be more receptive to such a conversion than the lighter Sierra.

[Fatzook]

I haven't done, seen or participated in a diesel swap into a vit, but I reckon a 2.4-2.6L TD would be a sweet conversion!

But to make it worthwhile, you be best to get a new gen CRDI motor from something european. Big $$$ unfortunately.

Worth looking into tho.

[ThirstyV6]

yeah I had thought CRDI but reckon the generation of diesels prior to these engines would still be sweet with no power loss and with out the head ache of working with technology that factory mechanics don't understand.

[Fatzook]

ThirstyV6 wrote:

yeah I had thought CRDI but reckon the generation of diesels prior to these engines would still be sweet with no power loss and with out the head ache of working with technology that factory mechanics don't understand.

True.

But most are still cast iron blocks, so weight will be a factor.

[ThirstyV6]

Have to bolt a steel bar out back to balance it all up...never been a fan of Mazda's but was thinking RF-T out of a RWD Bongo.

[Fatzook]

The RF's are a good strong reliable motor. Having IFS in the front of the vit will help with the weight. You'll just have to spring and shock it to suit the extra load.

[ThirstyV6]

I've never done an engine conversion on a vehicle which wasn't a direct swap, if any one has pointers for mating box to dissimilar engine etc. Not saying I'm gonna do it, but this info may help with research into viability. What would the second hand H20A be worth with CPU and engine loom.

[Fatzook]

ThirstyV6 wrote:

. What would the second hand H20A be worth with CPU and engine loom.

Tom has bought a few of these Tom?

[ThirstyV6]

Any one have feelings about Brisbane Motor Importers, or is there a Engine importer who has a good relationship with AZ.

[Fatzook]

ThirstyV6 wrote:

Any one have feelings about Brisbane Motor Importers, or is there a Engine importer who has a good relationship with AZ.

Give John at Asian Auto Spares at slacks creek a call. (07) 3208 0133 He may have something for you.

But before you start calling importers you really need to make a short list of motors that will suit the application.

[Gwagensteve]

I've discussed this at length with Cj! - he even sought out Diesel Vitaras for sale in New Zealand (where they were available factory) to assess the feasibility, eventually finding someone who would let him have a drive of one knowing he was never going to buy it. He binned the idea.

It's not really feasible. It's going to cost thousands and might not be a good swap in the first place.

The RF Mazda diesels were factory fitted to Asian market Vitaras. tHey are not especially powerful or economical, being an old school diesel. They have a reputation for cracking heads (certainly in vitaras) from what I understand.

In European markets, vitaras were fitted with Renault engines. Again, there are a series of improved performance versions over the years, but they are going to very difficult and expensive to get over here and running in a vitara, not to mention parts availability hassles.

I think complete and running, this swap will cost more than your vitara is worth (before you do the swap. It will be worth less after the swap) You will be adding weight, loosing rev range, and definitely loosing power unless you crank the poor little diesel up so far it will have a short, hot, expensive life.

I know this sounds like I'm being a hater - don't get me wrong, I love diesels, but just because a conversion can be done doesn't make it a good idea.

If you are set on a smallish diesel wagon, drive an import 1KZ engined Surf. They're cheap and quite good.

As for making a H20 better - put a H25 or H27 in it

Steve.

[303zuke]

ThirstyV6 wrote:

I've never done an engine conversion on a vehicle which wasn't a direct swap, if any one has pointers for mating box to dissimilar engine etc. Not saying I'm gonna do it, but this info may help with research into viability. What would the second hand H20A be worth with CPU and engine loom.

It is a direct swap. The Mazda RF 2.0 diesel came out as a FACTORY Vitara engine as the SV420D, and again later in the GV body as the SQ420D up to 2001, the Suzuki went with a Peugeot 2.0 engine. The Current 1.9 diesel in the GV is a Renault engine.

The RF engine uses the exact same chassis part number as the H20A SV620 Vit and also in the H25A SQ625 Grand Vit. THe gearbox used in the SV is not the same as used with the H20A, it is a stronger type which IS the same as used in the 2.5lt SQ625GV. If you can source a SQ625 gearbox and t/case in Aus, and a SV/SQ420D bellhousing from NZ, it will drop in.

[303zuke]

The RF Turbo Intercooled Common-rail Diesel used in the Mazda6 in Aust puts out 106Kw and 340Nm. Figures for the H20A are 100Kw and 172Nm. I know where a well cared, for low Km engine might be coming up for auction soon in Sydney.

I have the parts book for the SV vit including Workshop Manual Diesel Supplement, and there's not many different bits required to fit a RF into a V6 Vit.

[ThirstyV6]

303zuke thanks for the info, pls PM me when the engine comes up for sale, this is the way I'd like to head. Would be a hot prospect scuse pun, sorry for your loss.

[ThirstyV6]

Any one got a contact over in NZ who would be a good contact for bell housing.

[303zuke]

For some reasons pics won't add.

Forgot to add that in the 1430Kg Mazda6, the diesel gets about 6.0lt/100Km, in the heavier and less aerodynamic Vit I think you'd still be well below 9.0lt/100Km. Note too that the RF diesel redlines at 4500rpm. With all that torque available, I'd think about going to higher diff ratios (4.3?) and getting lower T/case gears.

Mudbits in Tauranga are the country's biggest Suzuki wrecker and would be the place to start. +64 296832487, or 029MUDBITS.

[Gwagensteve]

303 Zuke - That's not really comparing apples with apples though, is it? The Mazda 6 common rail motor is going to be just incredibly hard to get into a vitara - wiring, emissions, plumbing, cooling etc are all going to be a a totally new frontier.

Do you know that the RF in the Mazda 6 shares the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the RF in a vitara? There's no guarantee of that, or that a RWD sump or oil pickup will work, there's holes tapped on the block for side-hung engine mounts....

There's a lot more to this than looking at some HP numbers, part numbers and declaring it feasible.

[quote=303zuke]...but the ECU and VSS are shot. Mazda are so completely different to Suzuki or Toyota in making available technical support to vehicle owners that they don't even produce a Workshop Manual, other than the series of books they supply to dealers for $1200 annually. Without a parts book and service manual, I'd be hesitant in transplanting a common-rail, ECU controlled diesel without knowing what's going on with sensors and codes.[/quote]

Even you said it yourself. How much of an epic PITA would this swap be?

Steve.

[gravity_powered]

There is a thread on here somewhere about 2.5 V6 GV's and hilux's using the same gearbox with different bellhousing and input/output shafts. Using a GV box and the right bellhousing and input shaft would allow you to use toyota engines.

I try to find it.

[303zuke]

I am confident that the block and bellhousing pattern the same between the SQ420D and the Mazda6 RF engines, as a mate has upgraded his SQ420D in NZ with a Maz6 engine and wired it up. He is a Saab/Scania Truck maintainer and had worked his way thru the electronics side of it, something I wouldn't have the skills or knowledge to do without a technical reference to guide me. Similar to the Sierra/Swift G13 blocks here, all the fittings, threads and outlets are there but you need the correct Vit bits to bolt onto the block. But the block will physically bolt in and plumb up with fuel and coolant to the appropriate places.

If, like me, anyone attempting this finds EFi Voodoo in the dark, there are other variants of the RF that came out in the 626/Capella/Bongo in every form you could imagine: N/A, Turbo or Supercharged; Mech Inj pump, Elec Inj pump or full CDi; and 8 valve, 12 valve or 16 valve heads.

Although the version fitted to the Maz6 is the most technically complex, by far and away the RF 2.0 Diesel is the easiest diesel engine to fit to a Vitara using factory parts.

I don't have any detailed pics of the fit-up here, the the two pics below show the bellhousing from a 1985 Mazda Bongo van with RF, and the SQ420D bellhousing to transfer case assembly. Not the best comparison angles, but from what you can see of the bellhousing paterrn, they are the same.

[gravity_powered]

Found the topic, guess who the author is ^^^

http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=9848&highlight=gearbox

[gravity_powered]

I'd love to put a 3 litre prado motor in a GV. It would probably be waaayyy too much weight over the front end, but with how well they move a 2200kg Prado, it would turn a 1400kg GV into a rocket

[303zuke]

gravity_powered wrote:

Found the topic, guess who the author is ^^^

http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=9848&highlight=gearbox

Yeah, and look at the condition of the Sierra in the first pic in that link and compare it to the pics in the "well cared for, low Km" link above!

[ThirstyV6]

303zuke 1/ any ideas if the output shaft on 2.5 box is compatible with RF or would you be better looking for box, and bell housing in NZ. 2/ any chance your mate made some notes on his conversion

[303zuke]

The parts list show 2 different part numbers for the SV620 and SV420D input shafts. Whether that is because of a different spline count due to a heavier clutch, or if there is a length difference it doesn't say.

Yeah, I'll get in touch with him and pick his brain on the swap.

[ThirstyV6]

Thanks for that 303zuke

[303zuke]

ThirstyV6 wrote:

Any one got a contact over in NZ who would be a good contact for bell housing.

Mudbits are currently wrecking a Diesel Vit, just a shame it's an auto, you'd have to get the whole drivetrain.

[watermouse]

Bump,

Any more information come to light for this thread?

If this was possible then you are onto a winner.

Personally I'd would still be tossing up whether to buy a complete RF or Pug Diesel Vit from japan or a front cut of said vehicle.

2003 models seem to be selling for 5000-6000AUD FOB.

[suzukitas]

Interesting.

[fordem]

watermouse wrote:

Any more information come to light for this thread?

There's a thread over on the Suzuki forums (http://www.suzuki-forums.com) where a guy in Canada bought a front cut and swapped the diesel over into a Sidekick Sport - search for posts by Ezzie and you should find it.

[watermouse]

I think I did read that, back in 2010 or so. I have since had more experience with JDM Suzuki diesels and lost a bit of enthusiasm for them.

303zuke's info above is good. I have often referred back to this thread.