Cummins R2.8

Guys do them into older mini trucks with limited success but I think the 1.9 was rated at like 90hp/150 ft-lb from the factory so it's really really under powered for a Tacoma

 

Did one into a Samurai frame with a VW Rabbit P/U body in '04. Last I heard, it was still driving around on locked Toyota axles in Snohomish County, WA somewhere. He said he was getting nearly 30 mpg.

 

Build thread?

 

This engine makes the same peak torque (267lbft) as the current 2GR 3.5 V6 in the Tacoma except it does it at 1500-3000rpm instead of 4600rpm. Meaning this engine is more powerful than the most current and powerful engine available in a Tacoma in the RPM range most people drive most often.

If you don't, that's fine but most people don't ride around at 5400rpm. I agree, foot to the floor acceleration will not be great but that's just a trade-off for other benefits.

You got me there, all of those poor victims of slow 7.3s that were killed trying to merge onto the interstate during the 90s hate diesels for sure.

7.3s provided perfectly adequate acceleration for vehicles weighing much more than the one we're discussing here despite just 230hp. They're also one of the most sought after used vehicles on the market despite it as well.

 

I own a 7.3. It's slow. It plods along at its own pace from stop lights and when merging. Fortunately it was designed in an era that allowed for it to be driven foot to the floor all day in a school bus and live.

Common rail stuff making 350hp blows it out of the water...hell a 2.7 ecoboost is way quicker in day to day driving. HP is a big deal for daily driveability

 

The big thing with the Cummins motor is that it will be an emissions compliant package for California. This and the Erod are the only legal crate engine options.

 

So newer engine designs are faster, good to know.

Tell me, why do you think the 7.3 is much preferred to the V10 available at the same time that provides similar torque, more HP, is cheaper, and quicker in a race?

 

You missed the point. I was pointing out that HP numbers make a big difference in driveabilty.

A 2.8R would be a step backwards in every single way except fuel mileage from a 1FZ/2UZ/5VZ/1GR/2GR.

The reason the 7.3 is preferred? Diesel fanboys.

 

No, I get what you're saying, and you may get what I'm saying. Perhaps we just disagree, which is perfectly okay. I'm probably a diesel fanboy but I guess that would make you a gasoline fanboy? Or perhaps since you preferred the 7.3, are you a diesel fanboy in denial?

Not a single one of the engines you named could match the 2.8R in torque (and thus horsepower) from 1500rpm-3000rpm, which is the RPM range most engines spend most of their life at (I know RysiuM rides around at redline all day). I fully agree when you punched it, it wouldn't be fast at all. I'm not even saying I wouldn't prefer something else to it, I'm just saying that if any of the engines mentioned are sufficient, so is the 2.8R.

Either way, it's cool man.

 

Hell, I didn't even have internet or a digital camera back in those days. I lived in the sticks ouside of Sultan, WA with a shop full of fab tools and a lot of time and beer to consume. A buddy and I built the whole truck for like $1500 and some bartering. Did the build right after my 1st SAS Toyota project and it was fun but I don't know if I'd do it again. I think it topped out at like 55mph but in that area, you never go faster than that anyway. Too much damned traffic.

 

There is a comparison on the VS subject:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6H5dM-hxdU

 

I agree with two exceptions:
- I do not drive red line but I am not afraid of use it as a limiter when I need to punch it like merging from on-ramp into 85mph highway.
- Most of my driving is between 1700 and 3000 rpm in a city or freeway (at 70mph on my Taco it is 2500rpm on 5th, and my wimpy 2.7 is quite comfortable there). Of course I'm not towing nor plowing. But when I was going from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe (from 20ft to 9000 ft) I was able to keep 70mph easy all the way up just by downshifting to 4th. Yes, with diesel I probably could do it all the way up on 5th but that does not justify all the trouble of having common rail turbo diesel over old fashion gas.

Famous diesel cars reliability and durability (like Mercedes 110D and 200D series) is ancient history now. When I talk to my friends here who have small turbo diesel engine cars (they felt into the same "stereotype trap") they all say, "I wish I have not bought diesel". Actually what I heard German car manufacturer are going away from diesel because of all the problems with reliability while trying to keep up with gas engine performance and emission tightening requirements. Diesels will still dominate heavy equipment market (trucks, field and construction equipment) where the performance over weight is not an issue and the key is fuel economy, reliability and maintenance cost.

Don't think I'm all against diesel engines. I wanted to get Hilux diesel 10 years ago. Especially after watching the "To Gear Hilux series". I was thinking "what the hell, why nobody sells a small diesel trucks in USA?". In Europe you can by tiny compact car with 1100cc turbo diesel from any manufacturer. What's wrong with you USA? Then I met the reality while visiting Europe. These small diesels are more trouble than it is worth it. In order to get the same road performance as gasoline engines these small diesels are turbocharged and tuned to the limits, and of course as soon the 3 year factory warranty is over the car is just a smelly pile of metal.

I still admire classic diesel ingenuity when they are mounted on the farm tractor. There are some funny facts about one Russian small tractor Władimiriec T-25. It has a special cover behind the flywheel to capture the oil leaking from the front main seal and guide it back to the oil pan. And the tool attachment is design to lift the back or front of the tractor for easy repair at the field. That tractor manufactured in 1966 still runs on our farms here 50 years later. This is the diesel I admire.

Edit: I think I can draw the conclusion: If you drive Tacoma as a street or road truck (modest off road) I would definitely not put a diesel in it. If you want to drive a truck like a farm tractor (dunk in mud and rock climbing for example) diesel might be an option for you.

 

So, has anyone had any real world experience with the new cummins 2.8? Would like to hear some first hand knowledge on this particular engine.
I used to drive a ram 3500 pulling a fully loaded horse trailer at 75 mph and got real world 17 mpg doin it. That's the same mpg as I get all around with my 2.7 four banger gasser now unloaded. I've owned the Mercedes 300d(25 mpg) and the Isuzu pup 2.2(35mpg), they both had 200,000 ++ miles on them when I sold them and are still on the road today. I've also driven diesel land cruisers in Australia, which the great majority of 4x4's all have down there. Reliability and efficiency are why we are so keen on diesels.
I agree that a lot of the newer diesels have issues. It's almost 100% due to the DEF bullshit they force on them for emissions. Ask any farmer, trucker, logger, etc and they will agree there must be a better way to deal with emissions such as a simple fuel additive. The super stringent emissions on off road equipment is a major Fubar in my opinion.

 

It's not available to the public yet but a few magazines have done reviews on it thus far.

 

In the '80s when there was a plethora of small diesel trucks, I admired the mileage but the joke was always "0-60 is two cigarettes and a cup of coffee".
There is no free lunch.

 

You can have a free lunch with the money saved on fuel.

 

So let me calculate. I'm doing 18mpg today, let's say with 2.8R I will be doing 22mpg (like Hilux diesel here). In 1000 miles I use 55 gal of gasoline or diesel will take 45 gallons. Wow, 10 gallons difference. That is about 30 bucks by current Sacramento CA prices. 8 grands for the engine will be back in my pocket just after 266k miles. If that diesel last that long

 

Good to see some common sense

 

It'll get more than that, the Ram 1500 4wd is rated at 22mpg combined with the larger, more powerful Ecodiesel and weighs almost 6,000lbs.

Plus, those miles will be more enjoyable. That doesn't have a price.