2.8 sportrak engine conversion

Forum: 

I've recently bought a fortrak 2.8 tdx turbo diesel intercooler for offroad use. On my first outing i didn't like the size and weight of the fortrak but loved the power and was wondering what i would have to do to fit it into a sportrak? Any help would be very much appreciated.

Engine Swaps

Any engine conversion is possible, i and many others are living proof of this, Rover V8 into a 2CV, 6.5 litre V8 supercharged GM diesel into an F20 to name a few.

Changing these engines is not viable from a cost effective or engineering point of view, the work is considerable, and there are often other parameters to consider. Sportrak's are basically lighter variants of the Fourtrak, so considering braking, suspension, and the general strength of the vehicle is a must. There will be many other considerations, and many unforseen problems; such as a heavy engine in a light vehicle will screw up its handling, and the strength of the chassis and the Fourtrak's torque. This will flex the chassis to a point where it will snap unless measures are in place to prevent it.
Basically the Fourtrak is designed for this engine and running gear, the Sportrak is not.
Should you relish the engineering challenge, have the finances, and the engineering capabilities then go for it.

Depends what you want to do

Depends what you want to do with it, does it not? The 4trak is excelent if you want to pull a trailer out of a ploughed field, and has it's fun value too. But if what you want is the 'toy' then a Sporti will hold it's own. Smaller is better in many cases, that's why so many green lainers have Suzuki's. All 4x4's have their pro's and cons. It's a matter of what you want to do with it? Personally I (after many incarnations or 4x4) have seteles on the Sporti (for now). It is powerful enough for the limited amount of towing I do. Will put up with some (not too agresive) off road fun (the 2ltr F20 is for that). And isn't too thirsty.
It's quite shiney at the mo, so is staying prety standard. As it gets beaten up I intend to cut out the wheel arches to get 31' 10'50's in without raising the body or axles, and poss put an F80 engine anf gearbox in. A little more low end tourque, without the half shaft shearing force of the Diesel. But still small enough to be anoying when I can get bettween those two trees that you just knoe big brother wont... Just hope the Sporti diffs are up to it?

Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.

Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.

Agreement

Fully agree with Nev's comments, it is a matter of what you want to do, how much time and money you want to spend, and how much off road ability you require.
Sporties are lighter vehicles and require less power and torque to pull them, they have sufficient of both for their weight and ability, but are very durable vehicles in their own right. Sporties will hold their own with all vehicles in their class, and with very few modifications, and far less cost, will transform into very good off roaders.
Being a lighter and smaller vehicle does offer advantages and disadvantages, but a phased number of changes will improve it, these can be performed as and when time and finances dictate.
The first hurdle is to learn to drive the vehicle properly, as you feel the vehicle, progress into differing and harder terrain; it will surprise you with its capabilities.

Thanks for the all the info

Thanks for the all the info it's very much appreciated Smile I am however planning on doing some hard offroading so i think i'll go with the sporti but some mods are def going to be needed!!! Biggrin

Quote: Thanks for the all

Quote:Thanks for the all the info it's very much appreciated I am however planning on doing some hard offroading so i think i'll go with the sporti but some mods are def going to be needed!!!

buy a winch, learn how to use it, be aware of your capabilities and never go too far off road alone BiggrinBiggrin

Couldn't agree more. The

Couldn't agree more. The optimum number of cars for a good day out is 3. There is alwasys enough umpf to get one car out of the desparetly deep and dodgy with 2 pulling, and 3 cars can stick together quite well, no hanging about waiting for the last car to catch up.
Also get a hi-lift jack (asuming you have somewhere to use it on the car without damaging the vehicle) and a hand winch. Powered winches are good for pulling you onward, but sometimes you want to go backward, sideways or even over when you run out of tallent / luck...

Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.

Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.

Information

Firstly i would read all the posts on modifications to both the sporty and Fourtrak, then compare costs of modifications to the vehicle. Assess what you can do to each vehicle, and the level of off road capability you require, once you have all the information you can make an informed decision.