TD42TI into a RD28T. Need a few questions answered please [Archive]

florix

31st May 2013, 08:37 AM

Hey all.

After several discussions with the old man I have decided to do a conversion to a TD42TI. I have a donor car and will be going up on monday to check it all out and see if its acceptable. Hope all goes well.

Now after many different answers and forum searches I am still confused with one thing and was wondering if somebody could shed some light on the subject please.
The Donor car is a 2003 GU TD42TI ute. I want to keep my tail shaft and alot of people are stating I cant. I am thinking they just want me to spend more money. Can I keep the tail shaft and just bolt on or do i need to change something in order for it to fit.
The throttle pedal in the RD28t is electronic. has anybody done this conversion and kept it or did you change it and why (need to or just to be safe)

Can I use my exhaust from my RD28T GU or will I need to change the the bracket from the turbo. I have a 3" mandrel bent straight through exhaust.

One more thing too. Does anybody have a BMR radiator in there rig? They literally custom make a radiator to your specs. You tell them the size. engine, and use and they make it for you. They are 2 row rads but they state you dont need more because of the way they make them. They are however aluminum so you run the risk of destroying them. Was thinking the BMR would be good and easy to do with the conversion so its just a 'bolt on' instead of mucking around with the radiator.

Anyway. I will keep an update of the conversion with before after. If you have any advise or want to know certain things when I am doing the conversion then please dont hesitate.

nissannewby

31st May 2013, 02:03 PM

The flanges on the diffs are different, the 2.8 are smaller. So you may have to change either the tail shaft flange around or change the flang on the diff and use the 4.2 shaft.

You need to change the accelerator pedal. It will be easier and cheaper to use a mechanical setup. Don't know of anyone making the electronic one work.

The exhaust you should be able to use the majority of it. The only will difference will probably be the dump pipe. Haven't used bmr but this will be up to you. Just weigh up the costs of he custom unit against a 4.2 item with necessary items.

florix

31st May 2013, 04:47 PM

Ok thanks for the info. Will be more interesting than what I thought. Having a look at the TD42TI tomorrow instead of Monday now

nissannewby

31st May 2013, 06:43 PM

If it is the factory intercooled one then make sure you get all the wiring these have electronic timing control on the injector pump which has an ecu.

happygu

31st May 2013, 06:54 PM

Use the diff and tailshaft out of the donor truck, as this will keep your gearing and fix your tailshaft issues.

Mic

nissannewby

31st May 2013, 07:47 PM

Use the diff and tailshaft out of the donor truck, as this will keep your gearing and fix your tailshaft issues.

Mic

You will need to change the front diff centre as well if you do this. The 2.8 runs 4.6 ratios while the 4.2 runs 4.11

happygu

31st May 2013, 08:08 PM

You will need to change the front diff centre as well if you do this. The 2.8 runs 4.6 ratios while the 4.2 runs 4.11

I meant to write diff(s).... plural ..... oops.

Mic

florix

31st May 2013, 08:28 PM

I am running 35s so the ratio is nice and perfect for that. I am looking to keep the RD28 ratio. plus it means less mucking around and people have not had any issues in the past.

florix

31st May 2013, 10:21 PM

Just a thought but can you get a bell housing adapter kit to suit a RD28ETI box? I am thinking not but worth a shot

florix

2nd June 2013, 10:41 AM

wont that mean i will end up with the 4.1 ratio instead of keeping the RD28s 4.6?

nissannewby

2nd June 2013, 10:57 PM

No they don't make them. It's more so the 2.8 box won't be as reliable behind a 4.2 as a 4.2's box. The difference is quite substantial

BigRAWesty

3rd June 2013, 07:13 AM

What's the issues with the donor car? This sound like it would probably be a lot easier to either body swap, or split the 2.8 as wrecking and repair the 4.2..

Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

florix

3rd June 2013, 07:19 PM

I'm not wrecking my Patrol. Thats just madness. I have completely removed the wobble and that was a big job, I have a 4k sound system in it and all my gauges plus i know my wagon, I dont know the next one and this way I will know my engine is good because its not going in dirty and with problems. PLUS the ute is kissing its ass almost, somebody run a red light and smacked into the cab

I understand that the box is smaller and not as strong but i am sure that there are people who use it.

If i can swap the transfer case that would mean I can use the box is that correct?

The only reason why I am wanting to do this is because I dont want to f**k around with the tail shaft. I am told that the 4.2 box wont fit to the tail shaft.
The donor ute is just that, a ute. Even if I had to swap the tail shaft its too small to fit a wagon. I am going to run 35 inch tyres so changing diffs just to then open it up and change the ratio just doesnt make sense to me.

I understand that everything isnt as heavy duty as the 4.2 stuff but I am not going to drive it off/up a cliff sort of stuff.

If I can fit the box in and keep my tail shaft then sweet as, but somebody tell me how to exactly do this and what is needed. if not then i need to know if i can swap the transfer case/bellhousing around and everything fit and work?

When I start talking to people about doing the conversion its like I own a Pajero and I am wanting to put a Patrol engine in it. I'm literally told to throw everything out and replace it. Nissan make both these 4bs but everybody is certain nothing fits at all. i am looked at like a weirdo when i say im doing it one fella even said its a three month job!

nissannewby

3rd June 2013, 07:27 PM

You can use the 4.2 gbox with the 2.8 transfer.

florix

3rd June 2013, 07:39 PM

beautiful. that way I just wack it back onto the tail shaft and bobs your uncle.

happygu

3rd June 2013, 07:39 PM

You need to use the 4.2 box as the 2.8 is too light duty for the extra torque of the 4.2.

2.8 box is based off a Nissan passenger car

Mic

florix

3rd June 2013, 08:13 PM

ok Thank you. I will use the 4.2 box then. I also have the issue to address of my exhaust. I have a very nice mandrel bent 3" no muffler that I am thinking I will need to fabricate a part to make the dump pipe suit the 4.2 turbo. Not to mention all the wiring and the issue of a radiator and even the thought of moving the intercooler to the front or getting a better scoop so I am getting more flow. Then once this is all done I am up for a dyno tune. So the less f**king around the better.

happygu

3rd June 2013, 09:19 PM

Florix,

Your can buy a dump pipe off the shelf, from heaps of different exhaust shops. Bolt that up, and then sort out the joiner piece with an anti vibration pipe in your new fabricated piece.

You could even drive it to a good exhaust place and they would make it up fairly cheaply

Mic

nissannewby

3rd June 2013, 09:58 PM

You might be surprised with the exhaust. It may just be the mounts that need moving. Most 3" systems run the 3 bolt flange so if the 42 has a 3" dump pipe you may get lucky and it will line up.

florix

3rd June 2013, 11:51 PM

I should be good with the pipe. Its just from looking at it the turbo on the RD28s sit a lot lower than the TD42TI. I need to get the dump pipe to suit and then make a section to bolt up to the existing exhaust. Im just wondering if I will have enough play to move the exhaust so I dont need to fabricate a 'joiner' I know somebody who has a mandrel bender so I should be good with that. If I replace the turbo with say a Garrett or a Denco or something later on will the dump pipe suit or are they again completley different? Dont want to be sorting out custom pieces and then finding out later I need another one.

I have found a guy who makes one wiring harness from two so no more mucking around with the dash, Killa Kustom Kables in Pinbarren QLD.

florix

12th June 2013, 06:02 PM

Ok so I have been busy the last two days doing things and thought I would share some pics of whats been going on.

I have Removed engine and box (RD28t) and cleaned and touched up paint in the engine bay and under body.

I also used both Tail shasfts and made one to suit. pulled the guts out as this was the easiest way to do it. The T-shaft mounts up to the TD42 box and the RD28 diff thus keeping my 4.6 ratio and also minimizing work.

This afternoon it decided to rain so work has stopped for the day and i decided to have a bourbon and then..maybe.. pull the centre console out. Had a chat with my local mech about getting a dump pipe to suit and also making up a "spacer" so I dont cut and weld a new engine mount.

Only thing is I may have to change the gear lever around because looking at them it may not line up. Only reason I can think why is because it came from a ute and not a wagon. If anybody has info then please share.

Cleaned and painted the rusty bit after photo
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx325/phil_florix/image6.jpeg

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx325/phil_florix/image7.jpeg

Below: the td42 end of the tail shaft, mounting to box
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx325/phil_florix/image5.jpeg

Below: The RD28 end of the tail shaft, mounting to diff
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx325/phil_florix/image4.jpeg

florix

16th June 2013, 11:38 PM

fook me i hate wiring looms!!!

Engine, box and tail shafts are in. waiting on my new radiator then i can plumb it in. still figuring out these engine mounts. at the moment it looks like both mounts are out but i am thinking this because the gearbox crossmember is from the RD28 not the TD42. once all this is sorted then its just the waiting game for my modded wiring loom to be sorted. Once she is in and working I am going to look at a new intercooler and turbo for her. not sure of a Garrett GT2860RS or a UFI TD05 18 G. If there was no such thing as wiring harness the job would take a few of days.

nissannewby

17th June 2013, 11:28 AM

2 very different turbos there mate. What are you wanting from it once its done?

florix

18th June 2013, 09:27 AM

Performance really. I Dont want to be lacking power when it comes to hills and towing really. What is the difference between the two?

nissannewby

18th June 2013, 11:27 AM

The 2860 will run out of puff after about 3000rpm, where as the 18g won't quite have the boost response 2860 does it will hold boost out to 4000rpm.

I tow a 2.5t trailer with my ute with an 18g on it and it does it pretty well considering I'm still runnin factory intercooler and injector pump.

florix

18th June 2013, 09:28 PM

so the 2860 comes on a bit earlier then but as a result drops off earlier to? or do they both come on at teh same time? what psi are you running?

What about changing the intercooler to a PWI6576 (PWR bolt on) and running a bigger scoop?

nissannewby

18th June 2013, 09:36 PM

Yeah the 2860 spools nice and quick and suits GQ pumps and is a good little upgrade for a gu. I'm running 25psi mate and can have 18-20 psi by 2000rpm. I find my turbo suits what I do very well it it gives you room to move if you want to go further in the future. There wouldn't be much between the in boost response.

florix

18th June 2013, 10:00 PM

have all you done is swap the turbo or have you made more adjustments?

On another question, When swapping over the engines I have found out the carbon filter took a hit and I cant use it. Is this a must have item? Will it pass an engineer? Everything is almost finished too. PWR radiator is on its way. engine brackets are getting built (where they bolt to the block) that way no chassis changes. and in a week ill have my wiring harness from kustom kables.

nissannewby

18th June 2013, 10:13 PM

Yeah swapped the turbo then fiddled with my pump a bit myself.

Carbon filter? Can you post a pic of the item your concerned about?

florix

18th June 2013, 10:51 PM

yeah thought so. I may have to play with mine too.

You sound like they are not supposed to be there lol. I gather its not a standard item? must of been something added. oh well im going to block the egr anyway

florix

19th June 2013, 02:44 AM

I did some digging around after your response and found several people talking about them so i found a pic of one online. Its up near the vacuum tank.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/06/122.jpg

nissannewby

19th June 2013, 05:33 AM

Yeah. I don't think I have one of them and mine is a factory TD42Ti, I will check when I have a bit more light and get back to you.

florix

19th June 2013, 10:17 PM

ok thanks mate

nissannewby

20th June 2013, 09:23 AM

Had a look mate and as I thought I don't have anything like that. I don't know if its the difference between wagons and utes as mine is a ute.

93patrol

20th June 2013, 10:27 AM

those are an egr kinda thing mainly to get the vehicles passed the EPA laws and such you can disconnect them and not have a drama

florix

20th June 2013, 03:55 PM

Thanks guys. I thought as much. Only thing I am worried about is the engineer passing it without, but as I have looked at 5 GU TD42ti and only one has it and they are all diffeent then I am thinking he wont even know or notice.

93patrol

20th June 2013, 04:34 PM

Remove it all together and plug the pipe on top of the fuel tank it was mainly there to filter out fumes from the fuel tank and such. Or route it so it looks like its still there

Sent from my iPhone using Motorculture mobile app

florix

20th June 2013, 05:57 PM

I am going to take it off completely. As for plugging the fuel tank. My tank is from a RD28t and it didnt have anything like this so I dont know what you mean sorry.

93patrol

20th June 2013, 06:01 PM

sorry i havent read the whole thread i thought that this was off your vehicle that the 4.2 is going into and you were getting rid of it, in pic it says one line to the fuel tank thats the one i was refering to

florix

20th June 2013, 06:20 PM

Yeah all good. The pic is off the net as the one fromt he conversion has been crushed from the crash.

Benno7

20th June 2013, 07:13 PM

You can keep your 2.8 drive shafts by using the 2.8 transfer case you have to remove the in put shaft seal and use the 4.2 input shaft seal. and you have to use the 4.2 selector arm on the transfer.

florix

20th June 2013, 08:34 PM

She is all done and sorted. Engine box is in and everything fits. I got some engine mounts made up for me (bolt onto block) pick them up tomorrow. wiring is ready in about a week and my PWR0381 radiator arrived today.
I used my tail shafts just pulled both apart and made one out of them so that it would bolt onto the TD42 box and my RD28 diff.

Benno7

20th June 2013, 09:21 PM

can you put up a pic of the engine mounts you have got made when you get them. Im interested how you have had them made as Im not to happy with the ones I used in my conversion

florix

20th June 2013, 10:12 PM

yeah no problem. when i pick them up tomorrow ill take some pics

florix

21st June 2013, 10:25 AM

These are the block mounts. the long one is from the left and I have opted to use all six bolts. The right side I cant as they are being used. One thing I did notice for some reason or another is I have to move both mounts?? Either my car is special or it has something to do with the TD42Ti (5/2003) but RHS went forward 35mm and left went forward 5mm, just out enough that when it was put on the engine mount the rubbers went skew if.

Forgive my paint job, only wanted to give them a coat to prevent rust.

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx325/phil_florix/image5-1.jpeg
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx325/phil_florix/image4-1.jpeg
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx325/phil_florix/image3-1.jpeg
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx325/phil_florix/image6-1.jpeg (http://s768.photobucket.com/user/phil_florix/media/image6-1.jpeg.html)
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx325/phil_florix/image2-1.jpeg

The Viking

28th November 2013, 02:17 PM

So what happened to this interesting build!?!?!?!? The shit blew up and you went for a Toyota :P

florix

28th November 2013, 11:11 PM

nah still have it all done and finished. lifted it 4" flexi and chucked 35s under it. i am looking at some upgrades on it so i can get her to 300hp at the wheels but im affraid of lag lol

Roscoe

29th November 2013, 04:12 PM

Hi florix,i am interested in how you find the diff gearing with the 35s on,i am in the process of doing a conversion on a gq2.8 to 4.2 my self.

florix

5th December 2013, 08:49 AM

With the 35s great mate. Corrects speedo and also works out perfect for gearing and everything.

sooty_10

9th December 2013, 12:39 PM

I've also done this conversion and found that on 33inch tyres it was revving way to much on the highway, so eventually changed back to the 4.1 diff, as I had them lying around. I know you have already completed your conversion, however for others info you can just remove the rear diff pinion flange and put the 4.2 one on. The T/case are identical and so was the front driveshaft. I used the complete 4.2 rear driveshaft, just by changing the pinion flange.