Can A TDI Diesel Swap Really Pay For Itself??? Is It Just For Fun Or Actually An Investment???

[@hughlancaster7187]

I said "gas mileage but meant fuel* . Cant beat it and lots of power

[@TDISwaps]

No worries, yes the power is amazing!

[@Andrewm-x1u]

Great video. I looks like you are not using the original VW coolant overflow tank right? So what did you do with the 2 hoses that attached to it? Thank you.

[@TDISwaps]

Actually I delete the factory coolant tank and just use the radiator and it's cap for simplicity, you can do it either way though

[@Andrewm-x1u]

Thanks for the reply! If I want to delete the reservoir tank, can I just block the hoses? I think that the lower hose can be blocked but the upper hose it's a return line so i don't think it's a good idea to block it. Please let me know how to delete the facts vw coolant reservoir. Thanks again for your help!

[@TDISwaps]

@user-yp1kq9ic3m no problem, actually if you scroll through my videos or the how to playlist I have a whole video explaining coolant lines that would make more sense than a message.

[@olepedersen2795]

Was that your 10mm socket sitting there 3:30 in. ?

[@TDISwaps]

Ha ha it's actually an 8mm hammered over the 3 sided bolt they use as a security lock on the pump, I just leave one on each pump 😂

[@olepedersen2795]

@@TDISwaps ha ha. Nice. Dreaming of TDI swapping A/my LJ someday if I get it back. Lol

[@TDISwaps]

@olepedersen2795 you would love it!

[@olepedersen2795]

@@TDISwaps got no doubt !

[@christandinewmachinesaerze9818]

will adding an exhaust silencer or muffler help reduce noise? I like the toyota D4d 3.0 diesel's silent exhaust but brute power and torque. wondering if the TDI can come close to this noise level?

[@TDISwaps]

It's hard to say, definitely worth a try though. But I am pushing alot of boost to make the TDI have the same power numbers.

[@christandinewmachinesaerze9818]

@@TDISwaps how much hp and torque do you reach currently?

[@TDISwaps]

@christandinewmachinesaerze9818 my Toyota has the biggest setup so far, I have not tested it, but 36 psi boost and full fuel through .260 injectors should be capable of 240-250 HP 340-360 TQ

[@christandinewmachinesaerze9818]

@@TDISwaps the D4D 3.0 is only at 170 hp. great job! is the fuel pump on your toyota still stock at this state?

[@TDISwaps]

@christandinewmachinesaerze9818 stock tank pump feeding the 11mm ALH injection pump yes.

[@kirkmartin2223]

I don't understand how people can't understand that 2x the mpg saves/earns money. I figured up what it cost to drive my 01 tdi jetta vs my 2012 dodge truck. $.23 per mile in my truck and $.11 in the jetta. Currently here it's $3.22 for regular unleaded and $4.99 for diesel.

[@TDISwaps]

Yup I don't get it either lol

[@ktmfour1007]

Wgat did that engine come from interested in the high mount power steering pump

[@TDISwaps]

That is an ALH TDI from the 99-03 Jetta/Golf/Beetle cars. It put the AC down at the bottom which can be tight but it can also be deleted or relocated.

[@ktmfour1007]

@@TDISwaps pritty sure mine came from a golf manual and the power steering is on the bottom

[@TDISwaps]

@ktmfour1007 as far as the US market goes, I only know of the 04-05 BEW having a bottom power steering setup

[@ktmfour1007]

@@TDISwaps yea i choped the braket so only power steering is their pritty sure the ac pump was over the pump but.

[@TDISwaps]

@ktmfour1007 ya that sounds like the engine that's in my Chevy 1500 swap

[@forrest7546]

90% of these swaps won't pay for themselves, but if you go into the build with a MPG and cost mindset you can build these things really cheap. My TDI is looking to cost less than $3k currently. And parting out my golf (I've sold 10 things from it) has yielded me $700 dollars that I've thrown back into the build.

[@forrest7546]

The guys on TDI swapped trucks always try to squeeze gobs of power out of these engines. I personally don't think power and torque is where these TDIs shine, it's in the fuel efficiency. While they are capable of making great HP and TQ numbers, there are several different engine platforms that are way cheaper to make the same if not more power with vs the I4 TDI platform.

[@TDISwaps]

I mean I haven't come across a cheaper platform than this, but I am sure they are out there. Wyoming does limit my options ha ha

[@forrest7546]

I'm doing a jeep ZJ ALH build, and I'm tempted to just keep the OEM size turbo and OEM size nozzles with an upgraded cam and have Malone build me a custom eco tune and see what mpg I can squeeze out of it. If people can squeeze 25-30mpg on their stage 4 Malone tunes with larger turbos and injectors, I wonder what a stock or lightly modded ALH would do. I'm also within 500 feet of sea level and am on relatively flat ground most of my driving though so we'll see.

[@TDISwaps]

You should have no problem getting over 30 no matter how you do it! I actually was able to lower exhaust and intake temps with bigger turbo and nozzles but you won't need to worry about those near as much at seal level

[@forrest7546]

@@TDISwaps My ZJ only weighs 3700lbs which isn't much more than a Passat, so I figure that EGTs won't be too bad, especially if I can get a better intercooler than the OEM VW SMIC. Main thing I'm worried about is gearing and tires. The jeep has 31x10.5r15 mud terrains and 3.73 gears with a .69 OD, so the rpms are all sorts of whacky and the tires just suck the fuel. My 4.0 gets 12mpg city with the way it's set up, even 25mpg would be doable for a TDI swap. But I don't need 160+hp like most people want, 110hp with a 4.56 regear should be plenty of power for my needs. It's also going to be a jetski/quad tow pig (with me, full tank of fuel and a 900lb load should be close to 5klbs) so a better set up for low end power without having the risk of bending the rods would be nice.

[@hughlancaster7187]

I have a 1992 Isuzu two wheel drive swap. Gets incredible gas mileage and power to boot! I've had some costly mistakes. The main thing is purchase a really great torque wrench. Torque is everything. I was running 80 mph and my timing belt tensioner stud broke. Well you know the rest of the story. Head rod//caps etc., will need to be replaced. Hopefully I can find someone local. No doubt I over torqued with Harbor Freight torque wrench. Also, make sure you purchase a really good adapter kit. Mine was from Randy at TDConversions. Replaced throwout bearing so many times, I can remove the transmission in less than 30 minutes. The new TDConversion plates appear to be better. I purchased a nv3500 (noisy) transmission but works. NV3500 would have been better.

[@TDISwaps]

Yes mistakes are easy to make!

[@bilbobaggins4905]

What solution did you use for your in tank fuel pump? Im swapping an 05 bew into a 92 4runner

[@TDISwaps]

I go over it in one of the build videos if you check out the Toyota's playlist, but I basically made it tee from the feed line to the return line so the fuel pump never builds pressure it just pushes fuel up to the engine and then the excess goes back in the return and then the pump runs all the time

[@bilbobaggins4905]

@@TDISwaps thank you ill have to try and watch most of your videos if i find some time

[@TDISwaps]

@@bilbobaggins4905 glad to help man, I know it's a lot to watch them all and I'm not the best speaker but I tried to get all the important information in!

[@Andrewm-x1u]

Great video. I looks like you are not using the original VW coolant overflow tank right? So what did you do with the 2 hoses that attached to it? Thank you.

[@TDISwaps]

I think you posted this twice

[@leoalmond4967]

I drive 50k a year. Had a 2015 golf tdi that I loved. Drove 100k before vw had to buy it back. Would love to have a setup like yours to run the highway with…

[@TDISwaps]

Getting good MPG in everything I drive is awesome! There's just times when you need more than a car but the US market did not give us a whole lot of options until very recently.

[@infernoking7504]

35 mpg gas car in florida rn is cheaper than a vw jetta tdi getting 45 mpg but when gas prices get higher the price flips to where its worth more to save more money using diesel.

[@TDISwaps]

Ya the math only work if you are getting 2x the mileage, mostly in 4x4s. I can't drive cars though lol

[@jamescallahan6166]

Love the videos, and the realistic cost base analysis using old parts and whatnot. I have a 99.5 jetta and 04 passat wagon, both tdi's. I'm curious what adapter you used on the toyota? You had it listed at 500$. I think the conversion kits from tdconversions are about 1200. Did the prices just go up in the last couple years?

[@TDISwaps]

I got a used kit, but doomsday diesel does sell a much cheaper option

[@trappster48]

Going to electric power steering pump and some other electric assists may increase your mpg even more

[@TDISwaps]

Ya it's definitely possible! The mechanic power steering just worked so smooth it was cheap and easy for now, but I may experiment with gaining mpg later on!

[@rafaelvasquez5708]

Thoughts on mercedes engine swaps? And how did you get an adapter kit for $500 lol

[@TDISwaps]

Used adapter kit ha ha, if you can find a Mercedes cheap they work very well, I just don't have access to them easy

[@rangerdoc1029]

I need a new engine in my 4Runner anyway. I figured about 3 years ROI @ 5,000 miles per year. Assuming diesel continues to be $1 more than gas.

[@TDISwaps]

Yes sir, you really can't go wrong

[@rossconverse9067]

Hi, thanks for the video, very convincing analysis for the do-it-yourselfer. Ross

[@TDISwaps]

Glad to lay it out for you, as always, thanks for watching!

[@timothykeith1367]

If you do mechanical pump conversion, can you use black diesel in a TDI? Of course it will pay off if your time is free and the alternative is a late model purchase - if it becomes a daily driver. I'd like a budget TDI swap in a Pinto or a '60 Falcon - both are 2,200 pound cars stock - performance will be good without mods

[@TDISwaps]

I run black diesel in all my vehicles already, oil doesn't hurt electronics at all.

[@kylemurphin4175]

how much RUG do you add? I have lots available to me, but don't want to hurt the engine reliability @@TDISwaps

[@TDISwaps]

@kylemurphin4175 I usually keep it around 10-20% of the mix just to be safe

[@kylemurphin4175]

Thanks for replying! You have inspired me to TDI swap my 1994 dakota, I might be the first one too! Unless you've already managed to do one of those as well 😂@@TDISwaps

[@__WJK__]

New to the channel and can't get enough... great videos! That said, would love to see a future video on how you're able to register (+ get insurance) once your're done with a swap and ready to take a vehicle on public roads(?) Been wanting to put a TDI in a Wrangler for a longgg time, but figured the issue with registration and insurance wasn't worth the time and cost, only to be denied and stuck/limited to trailering the vehicle to the trails.

[@TDISwaps]

Thanks for watching! Unfortunately I cannot say for sure in an inspection state what is needed. Wyoming has no inspections so there are no issues there, I just tell registration that is has a diesel engine and they change it in the computer, no questions.

[@sargeatlarge24v]

Unless you live in California I don’t see them having any issues with it. Usually emmisions testing is done after 15-25 years so in Ohio I could put a brand new diesel into a 1996 jeep and they would think it’s a 1996 engine. You should double check with an inspection shop that also fixes diesel trucks and stuff like that. They will be alot more understanding then someone at the DMV that has no clue what your talking about

[@wannago2moab]

You should do a video comparing the cost of replacing/rebuilding with stock components such as the Toyota V6 or the jeep 4.0 or even the tbi 350 to a tdi swap. Because honestly…. Not many people are going to start with a vehicle that is running and driving great and do this swap. On top of that I know for a fact that if you know the right people **cough cough kyle cough** you can snag up a tdi for next to nothing. 😂

[@TDISwaps]

All valid points sir!

[@wannago2moab]

But isn’t it boring when you can’t watch the gas gauge drop? I think it’s fun when the wind picks up and you start to wonder if you’re going to make it to the gas station.

[@TDISwaps]

@@wannago2moab ya I do really miss my gas gauge moving, it was way more exciting than the boost gauge 😂

[@wannago2moab]

@@TDISwaps oh yeah I forgot you have the boost gauge now!

[@TDISwaps]

@@wannago2moab ya it's basically like your fuel gauge, but not near as expensive to watch

[@reidwd1]

thanks for the info!

[@TDISwaps]

Thanks for watching!

[@airgunbubba2505]

Loving the channel! I am a big VW fan and what you are accomplishing with the TDIs is pretty amazing. Have you ever thought about the 1.9TDI in an RX8? Plenty of RX8s dead due to the rotary and no one wanting to deal with the headache. Just thought It would be a cool swap. Cheers.

[@TDISwaps]

Glad you like it too! I don't have any RX8s around me, but it would be a blast to swap! Maybe someday I will get to do one for a customer

[@davsmith7334]

That's My dream swap. I have a 2003 ALH Jetta and a 99 Tacoma. I'd love to drop that TDI in it. I'd part out the Jetta and sell the Toyota Engine and use cash to help fund the swap. Rats! I was hoping it would still get around 50mpg....

[@TDISwaps]

That's the best way to do it! I hope to be doing swaps for people part time in a few years