The BritishV8 Pub

I think I touched on this topic once before, but I've reached the point where a decision needs to be made.
I'm repowering my Volvo TGB 1111 C303 military truck.
It's a 5500 lb 4X4 with 5.99 to 1 portal axles and 375/65/R16s on 16x14 wheels.
Brakes have been upgraded with much work to 13" vented discs front and rear.
Having driven this as a daily driver for a couple of years. AWD is deemed mandatory. Not so much for traction, but more for braking as the rear end is very light. I need the AWD to balance out the front to rear brake bias that this thing has. Volvo actually has a brake actuated 4X4 engagement mechanism just for this purpose.
As well the axles are rated at 300 lbsft of torque and I intend to be at or over that so the AWD gives me a comfortable margin.
So, due to the axles, a right side offset transfer case is required. Front and rear drives must be in the same plane and not offset.
The Lovely Lynne does not drive a standard trans. (that she remembers, except for the v8 gremlin :) , right dear!) . And the gear ratio demands overdrive. It just happens that the RangeRover ZF trans BW transfer case combo fits the bill perfectly.
The original B30 6cyl made 117 hp and 165 lb-ft torque. OK but just barely. A little more motivation is needed.
My random #s are 200hp and 300 lb-ft torque or better.
The engine bay is narrow and long @ 40" long by 26" wide. I would like to use a short engine to keep the weight more rearward. As well as giving me some room up front for a hot water tank.
The current engine choices (because I have them) are VW ALH TDI lightly modded to 200hp and 300 lbs-ft torque. Rover 4.6 V8
easily capable of those #s or Volvo 2.5 turbo 5 cyl tuned to 275hp and 390 lbs-ft torque.
The Volvo engine is the logical choice but it doesn't leave room for the water heater. The TDI will bolt up to the Rover trans but it's a diesel and will work but probably maxed out for this vehicle. The Rover engine is the sentimental choice, because it would have the power and sound right. but fuel mileage will suck!
What do you think, or is there another option that I haven't considered?

Cheers
Fred

Well, you are asking this on a website called "BritishV8"...

...would a Rolls Royce 6.75l suit your needs?

Fuel mileage? In a 5500lb vehicle with AWD? :)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/2016 10:45AM by MGBV8.

Yah I know.
I really want to put in the 4.6 but my gut says the TDI or the Volvo is the better choice if I ever decide to sell it.
Looking for a nudge one way or the other I guess.

Pray-tell, a water heater ? Would the less informed of us, call it a radiator ? If someday resale, is helping to nudge, then my WAG is Volvo/Volvo. I don't think you'll like the mileage or longevity of a 4.6L RV8, drudging 5.500lbs/plus, all the time. Here in US, diesel is measurably cheaper than gas. You didn't mention grade required ? A direct injected gas motor, would compare more favorably, for consumption vs diesel. I bet you could find a "crafty" place for the water heater ? Good Luck, roverman.

I thought the Dodge Ram's (Cummins) diesel would've been suggested by now...

Since Curtis mentioned Cummins, for your 200 Hp a 4BT Cummins with a better turbo (or compounds), an air to air charge cooler and some minor pump mods should get you there.

Or a 4BD1T Isuzu with similar mods.

Here's the big problem.
The axle ratio is 5.99 to 1, the only other option is 7.00 to 1 for the 6X6.
Even with the 36" tires and over drive I'm still at 3700 rpm at 60 mph.
So the big diesels are not going to be happy with me. (I have a 4BD1T that I was going to use, but I spun one up to 4000 rpm and I really didn't want to be anywhere near it!)
I also have a 2.8 VM Motori CDI engine that would seem to be perfect. But they blow up just sitting in the driveway and parts are spendy.
Was even thinking SBC but then the trans/transfer case combo will need to be revisited.
To me the perfect engine would be the Mercedes 5 cyl CDI from the Sprinter ( the v6 is way too wide) It has enough power, without breaking everything. It's short enough and narrow enough. It can rpm where I need it to be and the engines are available everywhere.
The problem is the price of a used engine, and the security built into the engine ecu. It can be overcome but I haven't seen a solution that I'm comfortable with yet.
Anyway... still looking.

Cheers
Fred

Looks like a Powerstroke or Duramax might be worth looking into as they are a shorter stroke engine and will rev higher. Looks like the powerstroke is available as a 5 cylinder and the duramax is available as an inline 6. Something like that may be in the ballpark.

I know you are aware that not all diesels are low RPM slugs, and it would seem a diesel might be a good choice. So a little research should find a few good prospects. Any diesel with a mechanical pump will work without all the anti-theft stuff. I'd think most of the new ones could be retrofitted.

VW makes good, powerful, high revving diesels, just not very big ones. But other companies do so they have to be out there. I would think the problem would be too many choices, not too few.

Jim

"Portal axles", as in gear reduction ? Change ratio in the transfer case ?

Yep Portal axles Art.
19" from the bottom of the diffy to the ground.
Drove over a Volvo station wagon with it a few years back.
Thought about the ratio change for the transfer case. Going to open one up to see what can be done.

Cheers
Fred



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/2016 07:32PM by DiDueColpi.