Swapping a diesel into a petrol cage

**ManDownUnder** · 7th November 2006, 10:20

Is repowering the car the bloody awkward job I anticipate (i.e. I shouldn't bother considering it) or is it doable? We're talking a '97 Forester turbo here, although it's necessarily going to be the victim of choice if there's an easier way.

I simply don't know what I don't know on this one.

Comments?

**nadroj** · 7th November 2006, 11:37

Go & see Geoff Cottle at your local garage & tell him I sent you. He has vast experience in certifying repowers so will know what works & doesn't.
Kevin
Ex NZHRA Zone 5 director

**Motu** · 7th November 2006, 11:38

Well for a start - Subaru don't make a diesel engine.....but they are part of GM and some Izusu's get badged as Subaru's.Plus the original motor is flat,and inline 4 cyl diesel is not,there could be some height issues.The Subaru is only 2 cyl long and all alloy,hanging a heavy 4 cyl diesel out there is going the create some big problems too - I don't think it's an ideal choice of vehicle.

Otherwise apart from the usual time comsuming task of putting it in and making it run,there is the problem of gearing.Diesels rev lower than petrol engines,but make more low end power,so usualy pull a taller gear ratio.Often you end up with a vehicle that runs out of revs at 80kph.

Anything is possible - I've done it both ways (shut up!) diesel into petrol,petrol into diesel.....it's all good if you can handle the frustrations.

**paturoa** · 7th November 2006, 11:42

like motu says, u need to address / assess the gearbox / diff ratios too cos diesels rev lower

**Motu** · 7th November 2006, 13:27

Not always - Escorts have the same gear ratios whether petrol or diesel.I was worried about that with my Escort when I replaced the diesel with a petrol engine,but no problem....I think it was doing 4,000rpm at 100mph - I used to cruise it at 90mph,it was happy at that speed.

**pervert** · 7th November 2006, 13:31

...and then there's the electrical side of it...which is never fun...

**Motu** · 7th November 2006, 14:18

One wire to the fuel shut off solenoid and the glow plug relay,no drama.Going the other way is just as easy....unless you want to run a computer and all the sensors.

**pervert** · 7th November 2006, 14:23

Originally Posted by Motu

....unless you want to run a computer and all the sensors.

Which most modern engines will need won't they?

**Flyingpony** · 7th November 2006, 14:36

2nd everything that Motu said so I won't bother typing it here.

If you are going to do what I think you're going to do, then you should pick some sort of station wagon, ute, or van for all the extra cargo and misc stuff.

Try to find something like an old holden, bed ford or land rover, etc. You'd probably like to see air around the engine otherwise it's tricky to fit stuff in the engine bay, and I'm only thinking about the donor engine which you'll have serious issues with if you're running with the Forester and it's flat short light weight engine.

Edit: Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a run about diesel from the wreckers?