4bt, midsize platform= 38mpg?

[JDMills]

I was looking at some of the VW's TDI as a primary daily driver, then I got to thinking that may be a 4bt could provide most of the economy, with out the payments... My main objective would be to have a economical Diesel. It could be put in any of the 'Big 3' sedan's so as to have a source of repair parts available. I am sure that a VW would be a better car in the end, but it would not be Cummins powered.

How about a 4bt in a Malibu, or Cutlass shell, form the early 80's?



Or the same motor in a Diplomat? May be all the above are too heavy.

Could a 4bt be put in a Camaro? Can not even imagine what that would be like.

I guess I am wondering how the TDI manages 50 mpg? Small motor, overdrive, efficient package?

Could the 4bt be set up to be almost that economical?

Jason

 

[HoleshotHolset]

The TDI has emissions/electronics that are hell bent on NOT smoking and getting the absolute best economy possible.



No matter what... you'll never get a 3. 9L 4BT to compare to a 1. 9L TDI's mileage.



My TDI (which is for sale, by the way... . *hint, hint*) never got below 43mpg on the highway.



TDI's have Mass AirFlow sensors... . this is a much more precise method of metering fuel into the engine based on airflow than a traditional speed/density system with only a MAP sensor.



Aerodynamics come into play a little bit... . plus I think my car weighs 3400# soaking wet... . so that's another consideration to ponder.



A 4BT weighs like 600#... . you could have two TDI's for that weight.



Matt

 

[DKarvwnaris]

One of the guys in our off road club put a TDI in his Jeep wrangler. The power of that little kraut knocker is incredible. He claims he has been getting over 32 mpg with it running 32" tires.

Another guy in the club had us put a 3. 9 in his CJ-7 and is getting right at 28 to 30 mpg. He is pulling a hunting trailer most of the time with it though and I doubt the VW plant could handle the load and still have power.

VW's off the dealer lot will do over 100 mph up hill and still accelerate. I was dumbfounded by the torque one of our friends 01 jetta tdi wagon has. If you could find a similar weight vehicle to put the engine in, I am sure you'd do well with one. You'll need to find a omplete donor car as the electronics are not all on the engine like the 24 valve cummins are in the dodges.

I would be more looking towards a 2wd k-5 blazer than a 80' sedan to put a 4bt in if I wanted a commuter car. with an nv-4500, you could really get so,e MPG with one. I had a straight six gm with 4 speed in my 83 2wd blazer, I got better mileage than my mothers 88 caprice classic. (plus I had a removable hard top in the summer months) Parts are readily available for these off of the 2wd pickups . Just my 2 cents

Due to the subframe based camaro's I would really hesitate using one, not to mention the low hood profile being way to tool low to allow a tall engine like a 4 bt to fit

 

[JDMills]

Huh,

May be the 1. 9 VW is the way to go, but... I am kinda stuck on the idea of a 3. 9L.

guess it would be too tall anyway, now that reality is comming into focus.

Thanks for your information.

Jason

 

[jlast]

4bt would almost have to be in a truck based application, too tall for most engine bays. Maybe an older car with like a I6 engine used to be, maybe?



4bt in should fit any most mini trucks, dakota, s10, scout, if smaller size is needed,



BTW 1. 9 TDI in a jeep?

pics, pics, pics, INFO, INFO, INFO PLEASE.



also interested in the 4bt cj7, info and such.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

the TDI's are nice, but there's one thing they'll NEVER be...



a Cummins!



I'd like to have a 3. 9B to drop into something...



Forrest

 

[DKarvwnaris]

I know where there are a few still in trucks. Mostly older rotary pumps on them but still running engines. Typical age of the fleet we get them out of is 85 to 89. Last one I picked up was around $2800 for the entire truck, p-30 chassis GM with 4speed manuals.

 

[LAlessi]

wow, thats high!

frito lay here dumps them for 1500 for manuals to 2000 for th400s

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Originally posted by LAlessi

wow, thats high!

frito lay here dumps them for 1500 for manuals to 2000 for th400s

IF you see more coming up for sale, let me know. I'll need another 4 by the end of this summer for next winters repowers.

Both auto and manuals will do. The ones we get come with serice records and are maintained up until the last day as if they were to stay in the fleet. We picked one up last fall that had a 30,000 mile cummins recon engine in it. That is when we pay the full price I listed above. I have yet to find one for under $2000 though.

 

[LAlessi]

ours are well maintained too... ... there are 3 or 4 coming end of march beginning of may.

it takes MONTHS to sell them, as the market here sucks... all th400s... .....



mine was reconned in 92, and had over 100,000 on it, $800 with a bad clutch for the whole truck

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Originally posted by LAlessi

ours are well maintained too... ... there are 3 or 4 coming end of march beginning of may.

it takes MONTHS to sell them, as the market here sucks... all th400s... .....



mine was reconned in 92, and had over 100,000 on it, $800 with a bad clutch for the whole truck

Sounds like you should be getting into vehicle sales as a side line. A running truck like that on Ebay alone is over $3000 easy. I watched one a few months ago go from a reserve of $1500 to $4500 in a 3 day auction.

If you decide to get into pulling engines and shipping them, let me know. I can find a market for the engines alone for you, the trucks as a whole make excellent plumbing, electrical, and other various trade industry platforms.

 

[LAlessi]

hmmmmm i like that! i can pull the motor and transmission (still together) through the side door in less than 2 hours and not damage the rest of the truck...



i thought about doing that..... and i still may.