Hare Brained Idea?

Since we can not get the neat, small, fuel efficient diesel cars that they have in Europe and England, what would be the obstacles to me doing my own? I have a very good friend in England. I'm thinking of buying, say a wrecked diesel Mondeo, stripping off what I need and having him ship the parts to me here, where where I would install said diesel and parts, into something like a Contour or Focus. I'm not looking to end up with a performance vehicle, just something to drive and return over 50 mpg, on a budget. I think the recent run up in gas price is just the tip of the iceberg. Am I barking up the wrong tree?

And I thought this thread was about a VW.... Well, an American version of one.

minimac wrote: Am I barking up the wrong tree?

Nope. Bark on, sage dog.

I would choose a smaller car. Although there aren't many to choose from anymore, but maybe put a modern small diesel into a Festiva, Rabbit, or older Civic?

I think you'll be good to go. Only thing I'm not sure about is that I thought there was some federal engine approval process (see SR20DET, BEAMS 3S-GE, and RB2XDETs), and if there is, and it applies to diesels, I'm not sure that these conversions would be street legal.

However, raise enough ruckus, and it might show the auto manufactuers that, yes, we Americans DO want some damn small diesels over here, thank you very much. I mean, look at VW - the only TDis on lots are already sold, and did so for over sticker.

ReverendDexter wrote: I *think* you'll be good to go. Only thing I'm not sure about is that I thought there was some federal engine approval process (see SR20DET, BEAMS 3S-GE, and RB2XDETs), and if there is, and it applies to diesels, I'm not sure that these conversions would be street legal.

I think that would vary state to state. Here in Indiana, if the car's shell has a VIN and a matching title, you can license it. You could put a Briggs in a Beetle and no one would probably notice, except the people behind you being held up in traffic.

build me this please!!! Ford Focus TDCi 2.0

Small British diseasal + shipping across the Atlantic + emissions/grey market inspection = can't you do something here cheaper?

But I've been confused before.

Dan

914Driver wrote: + emissions/grey market inspection

Wouldn't a VW valve cover be easier? I mean... who is checking the origin of the engine at inspection time? Who even questions that sort of thing... and further - who questions that sort thing when there is a whole cooler of free beer in the looking the other way side of things?

GPS- edit your post before this whole tread fall apart in a format debacle.

Formatting fixed. Carry on with the banter.

alfadriver wrote: GPS- edit your post before this whole tread fall apart in a format debacle.

For posterity (and as a weapon for future use) what exactly did I do to hose up the formatting?

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

alfadriver wrote: GPS- edit your post before this whole tread fall apart in a format debacle.

For posterity (and as a weapon for future use) what exactly did I do to hose up the formatting?

I sure have no idea, and would like to know so that I don't accidentaly send a thread into oblivion.

914Driver wrote: .... + emissions/grey market inspection = can't you do something here cheaper? Dan

This is the whole idea. Using a used engine(from overseas)= no grey market inspection.

Installing into a car already here= minor (if any) emissions testing.

Assembling the two myself vs. buying one of the few diesels available for sale here= save$$$$$

I think this would work just as well for getting stuff from Mexico and /or Central or South America.

Mondials were all gasoline powered;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_Mondial

Were you looking for something that a VW TDI can't do? Not that it's the best selection in the world, given all the other choices, but it is one available domestically, which would certainly save much in the way of shipping and other hassle. There was an article in GRM a while back about a guy who upgraded his TDI beetle such that it made 150 hp and 425lbft or some ridiculous number.

On another note, I was in South Africa over Christmas, and they were talking about a BMW 2.0 diesel that makes 201 HP/295 lbft and returns high 30's MPG in the X1. If the 1-series wasn't a bloated pig, that would be a great option (think E36 318ti ~2700lbs= much better). The 335d engine would also be a great start, but I'm betting they are worth their weight in gold. Ditto for the Mercedes 3.0 diesel. I'd love to have either of those in a Ford Ranger.

I've had an idea for a while that would compliment your idea minimac:

Import "jdm" (and also euro spec) diesel half cuts into the US and sell to folks who want to do exactly this. Admittedly, my idea was born of the WVO fuel concept...but it all works just the same.

In Japan, they tax cars more as they get older. A 10 year old car still on the road there is quite the anomaly. (FYI...the idea is that you tax older cars so people keep buying new cars which keeps a nation of people busy building cars, earning a paycheck, etc.)

My idea woudl be to get hooked up with recyclers there and have Diesel engines (from cars that were sold here without the diesel option) shipped over by the container load.

Unfortunately, I live smack in the middle of the US...not exactly a prime location for importing stuff by boat.

Clem

Teh E36 M3 wrote: Were you looking for something that a VW TDI can't do? Not that it's the best selection in the world, given all the other choices, but it is one available domestically, which would certainly save much in the way of shipping and other hassle.

That was my thought too. Really excellent torque in the 185 - 215 ft-lb range out of the small diesels.

There is/was a company in Knoxville using JDM (yo!) clips to repower 90s Toyota pickups and SUVs with diesel drivetrains. Used all factory parts but the guy doing the work bitched he had to butcher the RHD wiring harness to make it fit. Cost was something like $7k PLUS the cost of the truck.

If I had the spare cash it would be a cool thing to have, but for what you spend you could blow a ton on gas or buy a domestic diesel pickup/SUV.

minimac wrote: Am I barking up the wrong tree?

What is your number one priority? If it is to save money, yes, you're doing it all wrong. There are some good cars that get great mileage for not much money in most all genres, and for the remaining genres it seems a lot easier to use a US fuel-economy-minded powertrain in a US car than an imported powertrain in a US car. Even if you got 50% better fuel economy than anything sold in the US in your genre (a stretch, obviously), that takes a long, long time to recover considering the costs you're talking about for a complete powertrain+accessories+shipping+time. Not to mention that getting parts and support is likely going to be extremely difficult. If your first priority is to have something unique that you liked in Europe but can't have here, then it sounds like a fine plan.

Bryce

crx hf
ford aspire
I've found tdi engines in the couple thousand dollar range NEW
old golf tdi's aren't that expensive if you can find one on cl
you have a few good options
maybe a 300d engine in something that doesn't weigh as much as rhode island?

corytate wrote: maybe a 300d engine in something that doesn't weigh as much as rhode island?

heh the engine is what weighs more than rhode island.

anyway, what's the real goal? build something unique and cool, or get a cheapie commuter?

As noted, getting this to fly largely depends on your state's DMV.

Not only would it be next-to-impossible in NV, the fact that diesel costs 10% more than gas makes it a silly idea.

Find a late 90's Civic HX, and get your 40mpg.

The BMW diesels are imported here.

BMW 2.0L diesel

BMW 3.0L diesel

Stand alone engine management and all. Just swap the manifold (wet for dry ones, or just find one off of a previous gen 4BY or 6BY and trade with the owner, they would be very happy to it!) and harmonic balancers (extra heavy to help with torsional vibrations on Marine apps, or you could leave it on and have a very smooth, but not as quick revving diesels.)

I have always wanted to get the 6BY-260 and put it in a Wramg;er. Only about 200lbs difference than a 4.0L and a mountain of torque.