Steve’s Auto Clinic Intercooler conversion on the KZTE

[Gertc]

Hi.
I bought my self a 3.0 KZTE , but it lags some power. I’m thinking of fitting an intercooler and remapping the fuel system. I heard about SAC conversions. Have any body done it? Can you subject any other conversions?

[DOELLOOS]

Last time I checked they charged R16K for this conversion. I know it makes a huge difference in power. As per all conversions, reliability becomes an issue. Your choice really.

[Niel]

Hi Gert, welcome to the forum and enjoy.

I considered it as well and the amount (R14k, if I remember correctly) is what bothered me most. Secondly there was a number of guys that advised me not to do the conversion at all and some that said rather just add an intercooler (believe, similar as to what the Prado's have) but that would still set me back R 8000 if memory serves me rite. In addition the placement of the intercooler below the motor effectively lowers your front clearance with 10mm (approximately).

On the other hand I have heard that after the full conversion this bakkie will kick ass. The motor will run cooler with the intercooler installed and thus also improve the fuel consumption …… – that is what they say.

Steve Fourie also drives the same vehicle and can maybe comment here.

[Gertc]

I got a price in Des.2007 of R.9500.00. Thy claim the KW`s moves from 85KW up to 115KW. With between 5 to 8% fuel saving.

[Niel]

That sound abought rite appart from the price I was quoted. The guys that I called all informed me that there is a lot more woema. R9500 is a very good price but is that a full conversion or does it exclude the power plug

[Gertc]

"Secondly there was a number of guys that advised me not to do the conversion."

Can you remember why they advised you not to do the conversion?

[Papa Joe]

Hi Gert & WELCOME to the forum ...

Re: SAC Intercooler ( & chip)

I recently, had the SAC Intercooler & chip put into my KZTE PRADO. What a huge difference!
Cooler engine, loads more power (103 kW to 120 kW - 16.5% ) & torque (325 Nm to 393 Nm - 21%)
[Manufacturers spec 92 kW & 294 NM]. Total cost ± R10k ...

Should have done it years ago, might have saved my cylinder head at 220 000 ?

Improved fuel comsumption, ... no worst, no better, ... you tend to use the new power you have aquired, hence fuel too.

This whole debate has many good & bad stories, hence it remains a personal decision. Would I do it again? YES !

Good luck ...

[Gertc]

Thanks Papa Joe

I appreciate all comments. I was starting to have second thoughts about the conversion. But something has to be done about this Donkey of mine. I don’t like to make an appointment to pass another vehicle.

[DOELLOOS]

That price doesn't seem too bad. Might be worth it. I would just stay away from plug and play if I were you though...

[Niel]

I believe that you should stick to as standard as far as possible. It seems that there was a few others that have the same point of view. I agree with Ewald it remove the limiter and that spell danger to a diesel motor. m2cw

[JBurger]

Gertc,
I have been driving the SAC intercooler on my 2x4 and then moved it across to my 4x4. Price at the time (+chip) 14K. I have been towing caravan and did a 6500km trip to Nam in the 2x4. My av consumption with all that was 10.9km/ltr. The driving in Namibia was along the westtern routes and coming down we did a lot of river beds, so low gears, low speed, aircon on. The vehicle worked hard in the sand, but never once showed any signs of a problem. It went like the proverbial swiss clock. Towing the caravan in convoy with a 4500 cruiser, I found I often was waiting for the cruiser on inclines. Yes, his caravan is heavier than mine, but at 100 to 110 the wind resistance is very similar.. Bringing the caravan down from Pta to Cape Town, and indicating around 105, the avarage consumption was 11.1l/100km. I still have all the records of consumption and expenses. Now, with the intercooler on the 4x4, I get similar consumption figures if ever so slightly worse, than in the 2x4. To put it in one sentance, I am very happy.
If you have any questions, email me or call after 29 Jan (back in SA).

[Niel]

Hi JB, welcome to the forum and I am sure you will enjoy it here. Seems you are just round the corner from me. Hope to see you when you are back. :D

[Knersus]

Gert welkom by die Forum. Wel miskien moet jy so biejie saam met my bakkie ry dan sal jy voel jou bakkie trek nie so bad nie :) Daai KZTE bakkies loop mos lekker en is veronderstel om nie te sukkel nie.

[Hannes Thirion]

Gert,
I bought my 2001 KZ-TE D/C 4x4 in 2003 with 120 000 km on the clock with a SAC intercooler installed by the previous owner. It stands on 180 000 km + now, and still running without a hitch. I bought this bakkie because I want a KZ, not necessarily one with a intercooler. Unfortunately I cannot compare performance and fuel consumption between before and after. Just a few things to remember if you consider upgrading for better performance:
If you still have money available after the upgrade, fit an EGT to monitor your exhaust gas temp to ensure you does not overcook the engine especially while towing and or on up-hills.
I do believe the cooler air is good for the engine regarding performance/fuel consumption. How you use it is up to you.
Cannot comment on the ground clearance since I use my bakkie to get away from the masses, to remote places with wildlife, and it does just that in a very comfortable and economic way. Even tested my alu-cab at a 4x4-route at Serendipity, and ground clearance was ok. The tow-hitch scratched, so I take it off.
Regards,
Hannes

[pietpetoors]

I fail to see how an inter cooler can make a vehicle un-reliable. All it does is to cool down the air that enters the engine. It is like a radiator for the air. So in my view it can only make it more reliable because the engine will run at a lower temperature.

[DOELLOOS]

agreed, the problem comes in when they start to use plug and play... playing with the boost, etc.

[Niel]

All it does is to cool down the air that enters the engine. It is like a radiator for the air. So in my view it can only make it more reliable because the engine will run at a lower temperature.
I fail to see how an inter cooler can make a vehicle un-reliable. All it does is to cool down the air that enters the engine. It is like a radiator for the air. So in my view it can only make it more reliable because the engine will run at a lower temperature.

Agree

the problem comes in when they start to use plug and play... playing with the boost, etc.

Agree

[Gertc]

Dankie vir almal se insette. Dit word wardeur. En maak die keuses soveel makliker.


Dankie ou Knersus. Ek het n hak agter my bakkie so wees nie bevrees nie jy sal nie agter bly nie.

[DOELLOOS]

So what are you going to do?

[Gertc]

Im waiting for SAC to open on monday to get more Detail on the conversion and price

[ToyX4]

Hi Gert

Ek sien nou eers jy is n Klerksdorper.
Welkom man.

Gaan ook bietjie na oom Nic toe by Nic's diesel, daar oorkant die spesiale Hoërskool(kan nie die skool se naam onthou nie)
Ek speel ook met die idee om n intercooler op my bakkie te sit.

Ek het hom gister gebel, en hy is n amptelike Cirrus coolers fitment center.
Hy kan ook die Dastek chip bysit en hom op sy eie dyno instel. Het nog nie amptelik prys gekry nie, maar ek dink hy sal bietjie goedkoper wees as SAC.
Ek gaan volg week na hom toe.

[Family_Dog]

Gaan ook bietjie na oom Nic toe by Nic's diesel, daar oorkant die spesiale Hoërskool(kan nie die skool se naam onthou nie)

Keurhof.


-F_D

[ToyX4]

Gaan ook bietjie na oom Nic toe by Nic's diesel, daar oorkant die spesiale Hoërskool(kan nie die skool se naam onthou nie)

Keurhof.


-F_D

Dankie F_D. Ek kan nie glo ek vergeet hul naam nie. Was dan self daar

[Family_Dog]

Dankie F_D. Ek kan nie glo ek vergeet hul naam nie. Was dan self daar

Toemaar, Riaan. Die ouderdom vang ons almal. Eendag is ek ook daar...

BTW, wat het van die laaste pic in jou signature geword? Die een met die BB in die hart...


-F_D

[ToyX4]

BTW, wat het van die laaste pic in jou signature geword? Die een met die BB in die hart...


-F_D

Daar het n Storm verby gekom wat toe die blou bul met hartjie en al in die see in waai

[Niel]

Riaan, jy is n poet and you dont even know it

[Gertc]

Dankie. ek sal volgende week maar daar moet gaan draai. Ek het juis vandag gebel vir `n dyne maar het met so verdwaalde siel gepraat wat blykbaar alleen daar was. :roll:

[ToyX4]

Laat weet ons wat hy se en prys.

[Gertc]

Ek het met Nic gepraat vandag maar hy moet eers glo gaan pryse uitwerk hy kan nie so oor die foon `n prys gee nie. Sodra ek trug voering van hom af kry sal ek laat weet. Ps. Hy het gese ek moet nie haastig wees nie.

[Gertc]

Ek het ook vandag met Paul by SAC gesels. Baie behulp saam gewees. Die conversion se prys is wel R9500 wat die intercooler en chip insluit. Nee hulle verander niks aan die boost level nie. Hy reken dit hul sal so 8 ure besig wees met die voertuig. En as jy daar uit stap met jou KZTE behoort die Kw op teskuif vanaf 85 na +/- 110Kw toe. die Nm vanaf 315 na 370 Nm toe.


Paul se as jy vroegtuidig praat dan reel hul `n voertuig vir jou vir die dag. Op die huis.

[Niel]

Die conversion se prys is wel R9500 wat die intercooler en chip insluit. Nee hulle verander niks aan die boost level nie. Hy reken dit hul sal so 8 ure besig wees met die voertuig. En as jy daar uit stap met jou KZTE behoort die Kw op teskuif vanaf 85 na +/- 110Kw toe. die Nm vanaf 315 na 370 Nm toe.

Wat is die spec as jy net die intercooler insit? 85kw na .... en 315 nm na .....?

[Gertc]

Nee . Krag spring van 85KW na +/- 110 KW toe. (Power)

En die Wring krag vanaf 315 Nm na +/- 370 Nm toe.(Torque)

[ToyX4]

Gert, by watse SAC tak het jy met Paul gepraat?

Dis meer wringkrag as n 3.0 D4D!

Ek dink R9500 is nie sleg nie. Sit dan net die EGT op.

[Niel]

Nee . Krag spring van 85KW na +/- 110 KW toe. (Power)

Spoke to SACs here in CT and Werner told me the following.
Only adding an Intercooler will give you a gain of between 5 to 10 kw - did not ask re: the NM

If you fit an Intercooler only it will set you back R9500 all inclusive.
If you do the full conversion it is only R10500 al inclusive.

They(SACs) apperantly no longer fit EGT because of "some problems and or that they have taken off the market" They use to use the Telltail EGT but he said that there is an alternative on the market - Avionics (spelling?)

[Knersus]

Nou wat het jy besluit om te doen

[Niel]

Nee wat ons los hom standaard. :|

I saw this on the Community Forum
http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/sho ... hp?t=15312

[Gertc]

Thanks for that info Niel.

I phoned MGL AVIONICS (011 455 4203) and got a price on the TC1 and TC2 gauges and a probe.

TC1 = R 850 Vat inc.
TC2 = R 1166 vat inc.
Probe = R 226 vat inc.

So far the best price jet