Diesel + Gas or Bigger Dump Pipe and free flowing exhaust?

[mackerelmauler]

Currently I tow around a five metre plate alloy boat with a towing weight all up around 750kg. The Prado (95 series 1KZ-TE) tows this boat fine and only struggles on really long sneaky hills where you lose too much speed before you realise it. The Dtronic chip made a really big improvement to low down torque.

Now I looking at getting a bigger boat around 6.6 metres which will weigh around 2.1 tonnes fully loaded. I want to be able to maintain a decent cruising speed and be able to climb hills fairly easily I would like some more torque to pull the whole operation.

I have been doing a fair bit of research on various sites and it appears to me there are two options;

1. Get a Diesel + Gas conversion

The base cost I have priced is $4400 less $2000 Commonwealth rebate less $1000 WA government rebate means a net outlay $1400

2. Get a bigger dump pipe 2.75" and free flowing exhaust frpm Beaudesert exhausts for example for around $900.

With gas fitting I would have 40 Litre (approx) bottle in the vehicle because the bottle that can be fitted outside is too small IMO.

I don't want the Prado to be noisy so a noise level as close as possible to standard would be nice.

Both options appear to give a decent boost in torque/power and reduce fuel consumption when you are not using all that extra torque/power.

Could I have advice please as to which way would be the best way to go in the long term http://www.lcool.org/forum/images/smiles/icon_question.gif
_________________
Ray Denn

[v6hilux]

Obviously, if you can afford it, get both mods. If money is a factor, then go the exhaust mod first and see how it goes, as you will probably need this mod anyway to achieve optimum results, if you decide to go the Diesel/Gas conversion. You can run a straight through sports muffler and it wont be that noisy, because the turbo already absorbs a decent quantity of the noise. I personally think a 2.5" exhaust without any muffler sounds right, but that's a personal opinion.

Also for the DP chip, is it (in all honesty from the seller) compatible with D+G conversion?

[fatboyvncalaisv]

you will need to do the exhaust anyway if you do the gas, so do the exhaust first. If you still need more power then get the gas too.
I have been for a drive in a few cars with gas systems.
Low down torque is Massively improved, and economy too (if you have some self control)

[Patrolling Paddy]

I would recommend getting both mods done as they will compliment each other. Prior to getting my gas fitted I had the 3" dump and straight through system fitted and the difference over a 2.5" dump and 3" system was remarkable, and very noticable.
The gas is awesome too and gives a noticable improvement in all aspects.

Without trying to be smart is a 3L Prado really the best option for towing a 2.1t boat? Do you tow it often enough to be able to justify a bigger engined 4b?

PP

[mackerelmauler]

I would recommend getting both mods done as they will compliment each other. Prior to getting my gas fitted I had the 3" dump and straight through system fitted and the difference over a 2.5" dump and 3" system was remarkable, and very noticable.
The gas is awesome too and gives a noticable improvement in all aspects.

Without trying to be smart is a 3L Prado really the best option for towing a 2.1t boat? Do you tow it often enough to be able to justify a bigger engined 4b?

PP

Most of my travelling with the boat is around Perth to various boat ramps launching the boat. Once or twice a year we go on a big trip to places like Kalbarri or Augusta and occasionally to Exmouth. On those trips the extra torque will make climbing hills a more relaxed experience. All of the towing will be done on Bitumen roads.

When going to a 4WD fishing spot I will either not be towing or towing an ordinary box trailer of up to 750kg.

Ray Denn

[mackerelmauler]

After experiencing a drive in Mark Smith's (*) Prado fitted with the Beaudesert exhaust and bigger dump pipe I have decided to;

1. At the time of my next service which is about two months away i will get the beaudesert exhaust including on the Prado new dump pipe.

2. In about a year I will get gas fitted to the Prado.


mackerelmauler

(*)Mark Smith is on another forum

[Patrolling Paddy]

Sounds like a plan.
If possible can you get a before and after dyno done so that anyone wanting the same thing can see the gains of doing it the same way you have.

PP

[TUFF IFS LUX]

I just fitted a Sterling exhaust system to my 07 hilux D4D yesterday after work.

Its a 3 inch system with a 3 inch dump pipe, free flowing exhaust and cat. cost me $780-

You can notice the increase in torque and when accelerating onto the freeway, you can "feel" the engine breathing better, or atleast thats how it feels.

with my 33's, the lock up converter in 4th gear kicks in earlier, at lower revs, holds easier and longer.

before the exhaust when on the freeway sitting at 100kph, if there was a slight incline in the road, the hilux would jump out of the lockk up converter and the revs would increase 400rpm in 4th gear, now it just holds it and accelerates smoothly.

at idle, theres a slight rumble upto about 2,000rpm and at 100kph, you can hardly hear it its that quiet.

awesome, contact HUMEX exhaust in Albury, (as in albury/wodonga), they can freight out a system anywhere.

hope that helped.

[Nutta]

I just fitted a Sterling exhaust system to my 07 hilux D4D yesterday after work.

Its a 3 inch system with a 3 inch dump pipe, free flowing exhaust and cat. cost me $780-

You can notice the increase in torque and when accelerating onto the freeway, you can "feel" the engine breathing better, or atleast thats how it feels.

with my 33's, the lock up converter in 4th gear kicks in earlier, at lower revs, holds easier and longer.

before the exhaust when on the freeway sitting at 100kph, if there was a slight incline in the road, the hilux would jump out of the lockk up converter and the revs would increase 400rpm in 4th gear, now it just holds it and accelerates smoothly.

at idle, theres a slight rumble upto about 2,000rpm and at 100kph, you can hardly hear it its that quiet.

awesome, contact HUMEX exhaust in Albury, (as in albury/wodonga), they can freight out a system anywhere.

hope that helped.


I noticed the same with the nissan; jumping back a gear on the slightest incline, the dtronic made a big difference, no more gear swapping(auto), just waiting for the exhaust, so that should also make a huge change.

Cheers, Wayne.


.

[v6hilux]

free flowing exhaust and cat.

I might be "old-school" but is a "cat" required for a diesel?

If the D4D is petrol or the laws (of physics) have changed, please advise me!

[Corgie Carrier]

1. Get a Diesel + Gas conversion
With gas fitting I would have 40 Litre (approx) bottle in the vehicle because the bottle that can be fitted outside is too small IMO.
________________
Ray Denn

As far as the gas bottle size goes, remember the mix you are running is 80% diesel and 20% gas, so the normal 25lt tank placed underneath will last one or more fills of diesel and it will leave your interior uncluttered.

[Renasc]

I just have a question. Are you able to still run 100% diesel iin a diesel-gas system if in the event that you run out of gas?

I have been for a drive in a few cars with gas systems.Low down torque is Massively improved, and economy too (if you have some self control)


A block of wood stuck to the back of the accelerator pedal aids self control :P

I might be "old-school" but is a "cat" required for a diesel?

If the D4D is petrol or the laws (of physics) have changed, please advise me!

My bravo (diesel) has a cat converter.

[v6hilux]

My bravo (diesel) has a cat converter.

Possibly new emmission laws or even a particulate filter (if it's very newish)?

[TUFF IFS LUX]

yeah, the new diesels DO have cats, the older ones dont, they have to comply with Euro IV emission requirements or something like that.

[v6hilux]

Thanks

[Patrolling Paddy]

I just have a question. Are you able to still run 100% diesel iin a diesel-gas system if in the event that you run out of gas?


YES. The Gas is added into the induction while running Diesel and if you run out of Gas it will continue to run on Diesel as if the Gas was never installed, not so the other way, the engine will not run on Gas without Diesel.

PP

[mackerelmauler]

I just picked up my Prado today after it has had gas fitted (D-Gas system).

I went with the gas only after finding out that it was impossible to have the 2.75 exhaust and the gas fitted. The vehicle could not pass the pits because the exhaust would be too close to the gas cylinder.

The exhaust was modified so that the gas cylinder could be fitted. With gas fitted the Prado is a little more noisy when accelerating. However the vehicle definitely accelerates much more quickly (V6 Commodores should be afraid at traffic lights).

I also picked up my boat after it's annual service and I was having to take the foot of the accelerator when taking off from the lights because I was going faster than the vehicle in front.

Driving on the Chokeway(Freeway) the Prado has now got better pick up when accelerating after those inexplicable slowdowns of cars in front.

Accelerating out of roundabouts is considerably faster than before.

Once I get over the using the extra torque and power just for the fun of it I am sure my fuel consumption will drop.

I am a happy camper with a gassed Prado.:truck::D


mackerel mauler

[Goldielux]

As far as the gas bottle size goes, remember the mix you are running is 80% diesel and 20% gas, so the normal 25lt tank placed underneath will last one or more fills of diesel and it will leave your interior uncluttered.

I have the 1KZTE also.:truck:
I have a 3inch dump pipe and system, it made a huge difference to power and a about 40kms per tank more, it is not noisey at all.
I have the diesel/gas system on order and was told it is set at 1/3 consumption....IE-60lts of diesel = 20lts of gas.

[hillbilly123]

Have just fitted a 3" mandrel bent exhaust and a DTRONIC chip to my 2005 Croozer TD. Makes a noticeable difference without increasing exhaust noise.
Got it fitted by AMMS at Sandgate in Brissy. Its a DTS ehaust and cost $1100 fitted and Dynoed.
The Dtronic I got off Ebay brand new for $900
The Dyno figures are below
Red is stock
Blue is with Chip only
Green is with chip and exhaust