LUVTruck.com

I have a 79 4X4 with a hole in the block. I would like to keep the stock 4 speed and replace the 1.8l with a 2.3 or 2.6 isuzu if it is an easy/ moderate swap.

I guess that what I need to know is what WILL and what WON'T interchange between the 1.8 and the 2.3 (e.g. motor mounts, bellhousing pattern, flywheel, manifolds, etc.)

This may have been covered already, I just was unable to find it while searching archives.

Thanks for helping. Leif

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12797

give this a try

_________________
In life there is the "Way things should be" and then "There's the way they are".

2005 Silverado 3/4T Crew Cab
1981 Luv 2WD
1979 Luv 4x4 Currently going through Open Heart and Cosmetic surgery
1995 Roughneck JetBoat
1981 Luv parts trk

The 2.3 will bolt up to the 4 speed 4x4 trans with no problem just use the 1.8 flywheel and clutch so it will fit in the trans housing, The only problem you'll have is firewall clearence where the 2.3 dist. is located and you'll have to address the motor mount difference. Do a electric fan mod and 38 weber, header and you'll luv the power you'll have I know this because I have one.

IMHO the best combination would be a 2.6 with a 2.3 carb intake and electronic distributor/ignition module because it will bolt right up to your transmission. You'll have very few mods to do to get it to squeeze in - but you will have a huge increase in hp/torque. And I agree...the weber 38/38 would be the best carb to use.

Also if you can get the exhaust manifold from the 2.6 that would be a cheap header because it has the try-y design from the factory and YES the 2.6 would be the one of choice. I got one here still bolted to a 4-speed auto 2wd that I'm dying to put in a samurai or something, Run's great just can't find a good donor been wanting to put it in a 2wd luv but didn't want to tear up the firewall that much but would be a good ride with the overdrive.

Thanks for tips. Can anyone post pictures of the necessary firewall modification? I'd like to see what I am getting myself into; swingin' a hammer or cutting and welding?

thanks Leif

would it be posibale to use the 2.3 crank in a g 200 block?

I can't imagine it would take very much modding. IMHO...the 2.6 isn't really that much bigger than a stock 1.8. There's a local guy around here with a built 2.6/2.3 hybrid engine/5 speed combo in his 2WD shortbed Pup. I've peeked under his hood, but I've never noticed any big mods to his firewall, and he never mentioned anything about any big firewall mods he had to make.

(But since at the time I was a little ticked off because he had just whooped me while we were both getting on the freeway...I wasn't really looking for them either....lol)

But I'm sure a few moments with a tape measure and a notepad checking out the difference between the 2 engine compartments and the differences in the 2 engine dimensions should get you all the info you need.

FYI...the stock G180 1.8 engine produces 75 hp and the stock 2.6 produces 125 hp. Add a few mods and the few measly pounds of weight difference, (plus the money, blood, sweat, and tears it took to install a 2.6/2.3 hybrid) won't much matter.

And no...I don't think a 2.3 crank will work in a 2.0 engine. They are 2 different types of Isuzu engines.

A 2.3L crank will not work in a 2L (G200Z) because the 2.3L has even bore spacings and is shorter. And the G200 has a larger gap between 2 & 3 cyl and a longer snout on the front of the crank to drive the oil pump.

You can not put a 1.8L flywheel on a 2.3L, one has 6 bolts holding it on the other has 8.

The G180Z and G200Z motors have a totally different archetecure to the 4ZD1 2.3L and 4ZE1 2.6L motors. Very little interchanges. They share very close to the same port spacings on the manifold so they interchange, the G**Z motors have square exhaust ports and the 4Z*1 motors have round exhaust ports. The water transfer on the inlet side is slightly different in height.
To a point the mounts can be made to work, but its not the best option.

You will not have clutch clearance issues on a 2.3L. You may on a 2.6L as it runs a bigger clutch. Basically if you do have a clearance issue it will just be a tollerance issue with the thickness of the bellhousing as 20 years earlier when your Luv gearbox was made they had no idea that the 2.6L would have the edge of the pressure plate poking out wider than the ring gear.

You could put a 2.3L flywheel on a 2.6L.
But then a trail fit and 5 mins with a die grinder will see the 2.6L work if it rubs a bit. Ive trial fitted 2 random boxes to a 2.6L and both had clearance..

The Hybrid engine mentioned into PUP, the pup came out in 85 with the 2.3L engine and it was the same cab and chassis as the pup started with in 81.

So for your luv, it should jsut work with some Pup engine mounts on the 2.3L 2.6L and maybe a massage of the fire wall. Not sure havent done it yet but will be soon. 2L turbo from an Impulse goin in my 79.
I have seen the pictures of the Luv chassis and the pup chassis in the factory workshop manuals i have here and the basic frame and crossmembers are pretty much in the same spot.




Im with tumwatertaz and smokey on there thoughts above. If you wanted to be real clever using one of Mokodeaths Offy inlets port matched to the head would be the ducks guts. Better still would be a 4bbl Offy manifold and carb if you could find one, rare as hens teeth.
Smokey is right on the manifold, keep in mind that they a prone to cracking when looking for one. The thing to do would be to get it running and play around with the 2 into 1 part, which is fabricated exhaust pipe, tune the length of this and you will get better performance.

If you do go for the 2.3 or 2.6 definately look at going with a bigger tyre to get better mpg. Its just the same as swapping the diff ratios but less work. But it will put your speedo out.


Cheers, Bob.

_________________
Current project, 1979 KB Isuzu Ute.

Daily driver, '86 Rodeo Spacecab.
Chasing parts for Isuzu Impulse.

Thanks Bob! Nice to hear from a knowledgeable source. I think a trip to the junkyard is in order. Leif

A couple of things to watch for: the G-series engines have the cooling fan centered, the 4Z-series have it offset to the driver's side, so you'll need the 4Z fan shroud. Stock LUV radiator is smallish, maybe fit the larger 4Z. Also the 4Z fan clutch appears longer, may get really close to the stock radiator location. You DON'T want to get a 4Z hot, it will shed head gaskets.

_________________
'78 Chevy LUV,1.9,4sp,headers,31's,SAS Dana 30,Dana 20,SOA rear w/Aussie Locker, rough body, bought new 12/4/78.
'87 Trooper,2.3,5sp,headers,31's,ball joint flip & spacer,Aussie Locker rear,Superwinch hubs,brush guard w/5.5K winch,more to come.

If you are going to spend the money and time to do this...you might want to look into an aftermarket head for your 2.6 engine block. The local guy in my town that is running around with a built 2.6/2.3 hybrid engine in his Pup told me he had cooling/head gasket problems with his old stock head. Swapping it out for an aftermarket head fixed the problem and it wasn't too expensive if I remember.

There is an old post somewhere around here from a thread made awhile back where some one here talked about the best head to use.

Just a thought....

Edit...I found it:

http://forums.luvtruck.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17304&start=0&hilit=2+6+head

There are links there to a ton of info about 2.6's and 2.3's.

Good luck!

The results of me actually searching, before I ask a dumb question, led me to this thread...

So don't flame me for being a thoughtless NOOB, who can't search.

So, it looks like swapping a JDM G200 DOHC is a little out of the question....

Soooooo, looking for a bolt in swap, how about the 2.6L???

I understand the tranny will bolt up...but will the motor actually bolt up to my '75 LUV???

Do I need to make a bracket mount?

i know theres 6 GENs of heads for the 2.6Ls
the late ones like tell 94 amigos are the GEN 5 and 6,
or 2WD rodeos tell 97, granted there not super easy to come by.

there's some difference in combustion chamber size, in the late model ones too.

_________________
86trooperT/D 2.2
84 L\B 4x4Diesel LS 2.2
84 S\B 4X4 gas rust bucket 1.9
86 L\B 4X4 gas 5 speed 2.3
the twins, 81 pup and 81 LUV both are diesel 2.2



The Energizer Bunny is trying to keep up, and is starting to gasp for air!!

That's cool...at least there's room to play with various setups there. Maybe a few cam choices to help wake these motors up.

I'd just like to find a nice, bolt-in means for more power in my '75 LUV.