V6er or 2.4 gasser

[Einstein]

Hello , Just about to make the plunge and buy my deli, i am gonna go with a v6 or 2.4 gasser, just wanted to know what the owners of such vehicles would tell me... Pros--- Cons. I live in sask and it gets too dam cold on a regular basis, so gasser it is... Thanks alot and if you have any tech info like oilfilters plugs ect info pass it on

[Mr. Flibble]

Hello , Just about to make the plunge and buy my deli, i am gonna go with a v^ or 2.4 gasser, just wanted to know what the owners of such vehicles would tell me... Pros--- Cons. I live in sask and it gets too dam cold on a regular basis, so gasser it is... Thanks alot and if you have any tech info like oilfilters plugs ect info pass it on

Most of the people on here have Diesels as far as I know. From what I understand if you are going for a Spacegear then you want the V6 Gasser over the 2.4. They are harder to get as the Australians snap them up first.

As for cold, I believe Firesong has had no trouble with his Deli in his area.

I believe that the 2.4 Litre Spacegear Gasser is a different model than the regular spacegear, so I would go with the V6. (I am not 100% certain on this, as I have never seen the 2.4 Gas model).

[Manitoba deli]

I have not had any problems with my Diesel l400's in Manitoba here, good dual AGM batteries 0W-40 true synthetic oil and good glow plugs allow for starts in the -30's with out pluging in. I however don't like doing that so I put webasto coolant heaters on my vans, the units are costly, but use so little fuel that they are cheaper to run than a block heater, and you never have to worry about pluging in again.

Jason

[thelazygreenfox]

Einstein
I've listed a few gasser part numbers in the wiki. Search "gas" as well.

My 2.4 liter gasser space gear lacks nothing the diesels have. Without starting a long drawn out argument gas vs diesel, I've owned both and found both okay. An L300 diesel and L400 2.4 gasser.
L400 drivetrains and fuel mileages are similar, weights are similar but the gas engines heat up faster and for winter driving are better for that reason alone. I'd preheat both in manitoba winters.

My L400 gasser will cruise at 160 km/hr and I'm sure the 2.8 diesel will too.

Gassers are cheaper to buy and more plentiful in Japan for that reason. Visually there's no hood scoop on the gasser but no owners at one daytime delica meet even noticed.

Top end delicas (royal) I believe aren't offered in gas engines. Verify that yourself but it's only a snobbery point to me. I never buy top of the line.

Someone said diesels have better fuel mileage in 4 wheel drive but I found that hard to believe.

I'm sure a few others will chime in here in defence of diesel but enjoy whichever you buy.

Wayne
TLGF

[Mr. Flibble]

Einstein
I've listed a few gasser part numbers in the wiki. Search "gas" as well.

My 2.4 liter gasser space gear lacks nothing the diesels have. Without starting a long drawn out argument gas vs diesel, I've owned both and found both okay. An L300 diesel and L400 2.4 gasser.
L400 drivetrains and fuel mileages are similar, weights are similar but the gas engines heat up faster and for winter driving are better for that reason alone. I'd preheat both in manitoba winters.

My L400 gasser will cruise at 160 km/hr and I'm sure the 2.8 diesel will too.

Gassers are cheaper to buy and more plentiful in Japan for that reason. Visually there's no hood scoop on the gasser but no owners at one daytime delica meet even noticed.

Top end delicas (royal) I believe aren't offered in gas engines. Verify that yourself but it's only a snobbery point to me. I never buy top of the line.

Someone said diesels have better fuel mileage in 4 wheel drive but I found that hard to believe.

I'm sure a few others will chime in here in defence of diesel but enjoy whichever you buy.

Wayne
TLGF

I thought that the V6 was a 3.0 litre and the 2.4 was a different model? But, I could be mistaken.

The reason that a Diesel would generally have a better mileage in 4WD is due to how Diesels produce power. My L400 Diesel crusies well up to 140 km/h - but as soon as I go over 120 km/h fuel economy begins to dive. This is because the 4M40 Diesel engine is most efficent at 2000-2600 RPM. In order to exceed 120 km/h I must begin to go over 3000 rpm and out of the power band of the Diesel. Gas engines, however, have more power at a higher RPM.

The reverse is also true - as a Diesel has much more torque at a low RPM than a Gas engine, it crawls slowly with greater power - and less fuel use. Since you generally operate a 4WD at low speeds (or at least you should be!!!!) the Diesel operates closer to its power band than the Gas engine and uses less fuel.

I would agree with you on warming - Diesels need to retain more heat than a gas engine due to thermodynamics, and thus can take longer to heat the cabin than a Gas engine.

As a general rule, a Diesel is about 25% more efficent than a Gas engine due to more efficent consumption of fuel, and the fact that Diesel contains more energy by mass than Gasoline.

[Firesong]

I have the Diesel L300 and my cab heats up fast. It's amazing how
fast the heat comes in. Good lines, Rad etc and drive a couple minutes
and the heat is feeling good.

Just saying is all :)

Firesong

[thelazygreenfox]

Guys These are interesting posts. My L300 didn't reach op temp for at least 5-8 min unless I was driving it hard, in the winter.

My L400 gas fuel mileage on 4X4 is actually very good and noticeably better than my L300 diesel was.

I'm going to get out with some diesels and compare more notes. I've been taking notes for 3 winters and summers but seldom had extensive time with another delica.
Wayne
TLGF

[thedjjack]

I'm thinking Block Heater maybe the reason for the fast warm up (ie. already warm).

I find my heat fast similar to my Ford Escort (that is Ford Escort not person paid to keep you warm). Never timed it.

Cheers
David

[K-Factor]

OK, I have read this through and I am interested to get clarification TLGF, I also have a gasser, but it is in an L300 (2.4). Is yours the 3.0 V6 or the 2.4 I4?? You say you can cruise at 160kmph!!!!! Mine can't do that! Maybe down a steep hill. Mine also burns an awful lot of fuel. I realize my engine has a few issues and I have the automatic which gobbles up a bit extra, but I can't imagine he 2.4 going 160 without a few mods or a good tailwind. I'd love for you to prove me wrong though, cuz that would mean there is hope for mine!!

I am really interested in doing a head swap from a 12 or 16 valve engine with a single overhead cam (many Chrysler products have this) and on paper it should bump it up to 150hp or so. There appear to be a few problems like the distributor and possible manifold mismatches, as well as tuning/ecu challenges. I have yet to see the parts side by side though.

Anyway, keep the gas talk coming.


KSY

[Yokohama]

OK, I have read this through and I am interested to get clarification TLGF, I also have a gasser, but it is in an L300 (2.4). Is yours the 3.0 V6 or the 2.4 I4?? You say you can cruise at 160kmph!!!!! Mine can't do that! Maybe down a steep hill. Mine also burns an awful lot of fuel. I realize my engine has a few issues and I have the automatic which gobbles up a bit extra, but I can't imagine he 2.4 going 160 without a few mods or a good tailwind. I'd love for you to prove me wrong though, cuz that would mean there is hope for mine!!

I am really interested in doing a head swap from a 12 or 16 valve engine with a single overhead cam (many Chrysler products have this) and on paper it should bump it up to 150hp or so. There appear to be a few problems like the distributor and possible manifold mismatches, as well as tuning/ecu challenges. I have yet to see the parts side by side though.

Anyway, keep the gas talk coming.


KSY

WELCOME TO THE 4G64 CLUB!!! I have one too (MODEL: P04W L300 with 4spd AT, RWD, soon to be LSD rear), but I am located in the USA. I get low 20's highway under normal 50-60 MPH. And yes, it would be possible to get close to that speed (around 90 MPH), and sustain it with a stock 8V head 4G64.

AS TO THE CYLINDER HEAD: It would have to be from cars that have a 4G6x engine, as you know. I will be looking to use the 6/92 to 7/96 Expo/Summit 16V SOHC 4G64 cylinder head. Indications are that it will bolt up to everything with no modifications. It even has the distributor in the same position as the 8V L300 head!

I also have thought about the other heads, but I am fairly certain as you are, that not everything matches up that well.

The only things that may make me retain my 8V head is the fact that right now I am non-interference and if I conclude that the 16V head would hurt my fuel economy. The 16V head maybe a better design, so maybe I could even gain fuel efficacy (combined with 2-1/4 inch high flow exhaust system).

[thelazygreenfox]

yokohama
pls keep us informed how your head swap goes. Pictures would be great. There are probably a lot of those heads up here as well but it's always easier if someone leads the way.

Kfactor if you're ever in Coquitlam I'll take you for a ride. I'd like to compare the L300 and L400 with the 2.4.

take care
TLGF

[Einstein]

i second that... thanks would love to see pics, and info not enough information on gasser mods....