Conveting diesel to petrol v8 in hilux

[hilex]

Hi All

I have ditched my old 2.4 2LTE in favour of a 1uzfe but have questions about fuel delivery, whats the best way to convert my diesel tank and lines to petrol for the 1uz, i will use a VL commodore pump because it seems to be well recommended but whats the best practice for the rest of it?, are return lines used/needed normally in this setup?

any and all help appreciated, links to previous applicable posts etc

 

[Shuey]

Mate, its all quite simple. Follow your factory lines back from and to your fuel tank and you will quickly determine which is the supply and which is the return.
On my conversion, I ran new lines (3/8") down the left side chassis rail then over the central crossmember (the one where your centre bearing mounts for your drive shaft) then plumbed them into the send and return lines on the tank.
I picked up about 6 or 7 tube mounts from my local hose shop (enzed, Tubefit etc.) to secure the new tube... the tube is easily obtained from an auto parts specialist. Its called "Bundy" tube over here and you buy it in 4 meter lengths (from memory).
Cheers,
Shuey

 

[hilex]

Thanks for your reply
Is the standard surf diesel lines acceptable?, also is it best to run the pump a the front or rear of vehicle?

cheers

 

[Guts]

I just reused the standard lines, tank, pickup etc. Run the VL pump as close to the tank as possible, have the fuel filter after the pump. I have had no problems to date with this setup.

 

[hilex]

Thanks guts, i have been given a 3l vl pump but it doesnt have the regulator, is this needed for my application or can i just plumb it straight in?

 

[LOWBOY NZ]

Why dont you go to the wreckers and buy a V6 efi surf tank??

 

[hilex]

That was my initial thought but i rang so many wreckers who said "lots of diesel tanks, sorry no petrols" and the one wrecker i found who did have a tank wanted so much money for it it would have been almost cheaper forking out for a fuel cell!, going down the VL pump route seemed easiest when i got given a 3L VL pump by someone, now i just need to know whether i need the regulator or not, the benefit of the VL pump also seems to be reliability and ease of replacement and/or upgrading to a aftermarket bosch or similar at some stage.

cheers

P.S. Having said all that are there any kiwis out there with a Surf V6 tank for sale or know of a wrecker who doesnt want my first born/house/limb as payment for one?

 

[LOWBOY NZ]

Well i just got a full V6 surf (VZN130) tank and radiator for $250 from a wreaker in whakatane. They also come in the 2.7petrol hilux's which there are a few of around. Best bet is to know someone in the wreaking industry that will stick it on parts link for you.

In regards to the regulator. I was running a BOSCH 910 fuel pump on my last hilux straight out of the old diesel tank and just ran it through the standard lines to the factory fuel regulator on the 1UZ. This worked ok but as i didnt have a surge tank it buzzed a wee bit. Just watch it when you get down to about 1/4 tank that you dont starve it too much, the pumps dont like running dry.

Hope that helps??

 

[Muzza_NZ]

Hi hilex,
you shouldn't to add a regulator, providing you are using the standard fuel rails on the 1uz, it has a reg of some description just before the return line connection.

 

[hi-lex]

I used festo flexible line an ran it in the spare hole in existing fuel line clamps, the extra line is only vapour line to char canister, used existing diesel supply an return lines an vl pump where the rubbr line meets steel line an screwed it to centre bearing crossmember, vapour line goes to tank breather that orig vents to chassis rail, jus remove the one way valve an whack the flex line in

 

[webbie]

I just used the standard fuel lines. Mounted the pick up pump under the access hole, surge tank mounted on brackets at rear of fuel tank (nice and close and protected) then fuel hose to existing diesel fuel lines. Those lines should flow enough for about 350-400hp. Then hook up the charcoal canister if needed.

Dont have car at work to take pics, but can get some if your interested?

Cheers.

 

[hilex]

Thanks for all your help guys, im starting to get a good picture of whats needed, i would love any pics (also welcome crudely drawn diagrams ) that you have available.

Can anyone give me a better rundown on the need and location of a charcoal canister?

 

[LOWBOY NZ]

nah i never ran a charcoal canister in my ute, i think its some sort of aussie thing...

 

[hilex]

thats what i hoped, more of a compliance thing rather than performance or necessity, thanks

 

[hi-lex]

if you dont have to worry bout compliance/legal issues then charcoal can not needed, its not legal in OZ to not have one

 

[hilex]

cheers, so basically the layout is:
factory diesel tank followed closely by VL (or similar) pump (regulated at engine) followed closely by filter (tank end of vehicle) then factory diesel lines to and from engine. So the remaining question is necessity and location of surge tank, once again something that some say no, some say yes and others deem essential...some appear at front in engine bay and others on this site have located them as close to the tank as poss.

i would love input to the final piece of my fuel puzzle

P.S. In the spirit of this forum here are the full details of my vehicle/conversion:

1992 LN130 Hilux Surf, factory 2L-TE which has served 210,000 kms across virtually the whole of New Zealand (fly fishing, 4wding, snowboarding, surf casting), i was offered good money for my engine and thought "heres my chance, decent power here i come", it already has all the standard upgrades, 2 inch bodylift, 3 inch suspension lift, snorkel, manual hubs, OME and rancho suspension, 35 inch Goodyear wranglers, 4.88 gears, 8000lb winch etc. I am retaining the factory R151F as all reports are that its strong and i am using a full conversion kit from Jono at PMW in North Auckland (incredibly helpful bloke). Admittedly its a well worn road as far as conversions go but its still hard filtering the crap from the useful when it comes to all the ideas and info out there, thanks to all that have offered valuable assistance

Jules

Bit about me:

Computer bunny for a "Foodstuffs" company, live in Wellington NZ, keen to meet up with likeminded convertees

 

[LO LYF]

Jules, you wont have a problem using Jono's gear!
I've used his conversion kit in my hilux and have several mates using his gear to.

If you get a chance check out his 2 4X4's one with a supercharged 1uz the other a turboed vvti 1uz !

 

[hi-lex]

I havnt had a surge prob with diesel tank yet, knowing how diesls dont like air in their fuel pump, there must be some surge baffling built in or it would be a prob

 

[Mattmannz]

Jules, I think we have already touched base but you can come and check out my 1UZFE LN130 as soon as I have the right front suspension back together!

I am in Wellington and have a 3in body lift, 3in suspension lift with OME springs/shocks, R151 trans, manual hubs, 33in Maxxis tires, snorkel etc.

You will need to look at the gearbox lever surrounds, the 1UZFE sits the gearbox about 2 inches further forward so the rubber and vinyl surrounds get tight.

I have a noname EFI pump sitting on the inner guard and it can be a little noisy at times, I would definitely move it as far away as possible.

Cheers
Matt.