Interesting post

[haydn callow]

Saw this on the "other" forum....what do peeps think ??? non starter or worth a bit of research ??

Hi,

I've been a bit of a lurker here so it's a bit bold to ask for advice! However;

Has anyone ever swapped an engine, or even heard of an engine swap for a Bongo? I dont mean swapping Bongo engines, but fitting a completely different engine...


After much chin scratching I've concluded that the standard Bongo engines are irredeemable; there's any number of improvements to be made to them but, fundamentally they'll never be fuel efficient. Not like a modern TDCi engine.

So if:
Bongo engine = Ford ranger engine and if the Ranger engine was replaced by Duratorq units later in its life then shouldnt it be possible to fit a reasonably modern ford unit into the Bongo? I would have thought that an automatic ZSD-422 would fit the bill.

£2000 for an engine and box, and, say £2500 to get it to fit, sell the old engine for £750, total cost £3750.

15k miles/year @ 22.5 mpg = 600 gallons, @ £6.5/gallon = £3900
15k miles/year @ 45 mpg = 300 gallons, @ £6.5/gallon = £1950
So the cost of the new engine would be repaid in less than 2 years.

It adds up, but I know almost nothing about the practicalities.
Any pointers before I get the engine hoist out?

[Rhinoman]

I've been wondering about something like this myself. I think I would do something like this is I ever had a head go on my Bongo. The cost of repair v replacement with the benefits of a more modern engine makes it well worth considering. The downside is that there would be a lot of wiring to do to get a Di engine in and running which would put off a lot of people and then there is the possible issue of insuring it with a non-standard engine.

[rita]

Hi
These engines are fitted to the Thailand-built 2007 Ford Ranger (J97U). the Land Rover Defender and some Transits etc etc,in various sizes,the only thing I would be concerned about is the MPG with a second hand engine.If you can afford it and you do the mileage it might be worth a punt.

[briwy]

I would be very surprised if you got anywhere near 45mpg from a modern engine in a Bongo.

I regularly get about 48mpg from my 2.0 TDi Octavia Estate but the same engine in a VW seems to get around the 35 mark if you're lucky so overall I doubt if it would be worth the hassle.

[francophile1947]

I would be very surprised if you got anywhere near 45mpg from a modern engine in a Bongo.

I doubt if many if us do 15000miles per year in the Bongo either.

[Bob]

Don't think you would ever see your money on this, Bongo weight and aerodynamics come into play, and I really think this would turn out to be far more work than it first seems.

[haydn callow]

Don't think you would ever see your money on this, Bongo weight and aerodynamics come into play, and I really think this would turn out to be far more work than it first seems.

Thats was my first thoughts...and I still think the same

[Bob]

Then you've got to insure it, and it may prove worthless if you need to sell.

Not wanting to smother a good idea, but...