Fist off, thank you for an entertaining and educational site. Been reading your forum and following these threads for awhile. Just getting ready to start my own swap, which I plan to thoroughly document here. What I have is a 2000 Isuzu VehiCROSS, currently running a 3.5L V6, 4L30E auto trans with the Borg Warner TOD full time 4WD package. The VX runs about 215 hp, 4.08 geared axles with double wishbone suspension. Here's a link for reference:
http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ID/3844/Project-Isuzu-VehiCross-Part-1-What-Are-We-Getting-Ourselves-Into.aspx
What I plan on converting it to is a TDI powerplant , TDconversions Adapter to an Aisin AX15 manual 5-speed trans and a NV 231 TC.
Since there isn't a lot of height in the engine bay, I'm leaning towards the PD with a rear sump and steel oil pan in case I need to fabricate a custom pan for clearance. I've read here that the AFN might be an equal candidate. External water pump housings concern me, but not as much as wiring an ECU in the case of running an ALH.
Isuzus are becoming more and more scarce, the VX was rare to start with. Have you seen many Isuzu TDI swaps? I've read the Isuzu PUP swap line, however mine will be much more technical as the 4WD and compact engine compartment complicate issues.
What engine selection advice do you have for me? Is a purely mechanical MTDI the best solution, or is a Malone tuned ECU worth the brain surgery level of rewiring?
http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ID/3844/Project-Isuzu-VehiCross-Part-1-What-Are-We-Getting-Ourselves-Into.aspx
What I plan on converting it to is a TDI powerplant , TDconversions Adapter to an Aisin AX15 manual 5-speed trans and a NV 231 TC.
Since there isn't a lot of height in the engine bay, I'm leaning towards the PD with a rear sump and steel oil pan in case I need to fabricate a custom pan for clearance. I've read here that the AFN might be an equal candidate. External water pump housings concern me, but not as much as wiring an ECU in the case of running an ALH.
Isuzus are becoming more and more scarce, the VX was rare to start with. Have you seen many Isuzu TDI swaps? I've read the Isuzu PUP swap line, however mine will be much more technical as the 4WD and compact engine compartment complicate issues.
What engine selection advice do you have for me? Is a purely mechanical MTDI the best solution, or is a Malone tuned ECU worth the brain surgery level of rewiring?