[Vwdiesel] TDI vs D24T (wasTurbo vs. Non-turbo)

Tyler "Casioqv" Backman casioqv at usermail.com
Fri Apr 11 23:17:40 EDT 2003


I did consider putting a TDI in a volvo for quite some time, but
eventually decided against it. First of all, I wan't able to find a
excellent TDI motor for under $2500, but I bought my 760TD for only
$1000 with a newly rebuilt D24T. I also like to go on long trips in the
middle of nowhere (Baja, Alaska, etc.) and want a simple mechanical
injection system that can keep running without electricity, or be
diagnosed and repaired quickly for reliability, and ease of
installation. Apparently a TDI can be modified to run with a mechanical
injector pump and obtain the same power and economy, but this adds
additional cost. Another issue is alternative fuels. Apparently a DI
diesel does not adapt well to various fuel viscosities because it
changes the radius of the spray pattern from the injectors, and can
result in poor combustion, or fuel washing off the cylinders. This would
not be well suited for Waste Vegetable oil, or whatever else I must run
on in an emergency. Smoothness is also a big issue. The TDI actually has
a quieter and smoother idle, but it cannot match the natural balance of
the inline 6 at higher rpms, which gives the car a very cool feel, and
makes the engine almost unnoticeable at interstate speeds. Displacement
is also a issue, the additional .5 liters of the D24T provides almost 20
more stock horsepower than a TDI, and possibly much more after I get
some modifications done (intercooler, etc.). I need this additional
power for pulling car trailers, and keeping up with people in gasoline
turbocharged volvos. The only real advantage that the TDI would seem to
provide, is increased fuel economy (possibly as much as 15mpg better),
which would take years to make up for the extra time and cost (and never
would if that money were better invested elsewhere), especially if I can
run the D24T on free Vegoil (WVO). I heard from Tom Bryant (who knows a
lot about D24 engines) that he is looking into what it takes to convert
a D24 into a inline 6 TDI. It doesn't look as complicated as one might
think, and if he is sucessful, certainly the modifications could easily
be adapted to a 1.6TD or a 1.9TD. I may consider trying it on a junkyard
engine as an experiment.

-Tyler

James Hansen wrote:
> Even with the old technology 1Z tdi, lag is not there.  If it is a factor,
> slight driving style changes usually address this.  You should wedge a tdi
> into the volvo for fun. Shouldn't be too difficult really, lots of room
> under the hood...




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