Intercooler or snorkel on KZTE

[B100]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 2003 KZTE which I run completely on biodiesel. In general I loose about 8-10% power on the biodiesel compared to normal petrodiesel. I have been wondering for some time if I should put in a SAC intercooler to compensate for the power loss or would a normal Safari snorkel do the trick? I would love to hear your ideas.

Another thing, I have had my bakkie in and out the garage for about 5 times without them being able to fix my rear diff lock. When I engage the diff lock it seems as if the system activates (power gets to the diff etc) but the diff does not engage? Any ideas?

Keep well!!

[Mud Dog]

Welcome Dewald.
A snorkel will certainly help a little, but not as much as an intercooler .... and of course you could have a snorkel / intercooler combo which would help even more.
From your post I assume that your difflock is electrically operated. If so it could be anything from a poor connection / faulty solenoid or motor drive to a mechanical engaging problem. Most often it's something small. but stick around and see what the rest of the guys with more experience with difflock problems have to say.

[DOELLOOS]

My best guess is that the diff does not work at all, and that you should remove the entire diff, sell it for about R200, and buy a complete new diff with locker.

As a gesture of goodwill and camaraderie, I will then humbly buy the old diff from you, and dispose of it accordingly.

We guys need to stick together!!!

:wth:

[B100]

Man Ewald you are the best!! I was thinking the same. Tell you what, I will even bring it to PTA for you free of charge! I'm so afraid for this diff thing spontaneously combusting!!!

Andy, thanks for the advice. Excuse my ignorance but will the intercooler inlet at the bottom not be at risk when 4x4ing?

[Mud Dog]

They normally place it low in the front which is a vulnerable position, and it cannot be effective where any hot air from the motor flows over it, so the choices are limited. I've know of guys to tuck them a little further back if there's a suitable gap under the radiator fan cowling, otherwise right up in front of the radiator. The other option is to have a bonnet scoop with it under the hood .... some standard vehicles are done like this. Could be awkward to get right for alignment and space. Do a search on the forum for 'intercooler', .... if I'm not mistaken there was a topic or two on placement .....

[B100]

Thanks Andy, did a bit of reading and it seems as if SAC does mount the intake lower front with enhanced sump guard etc. I don't intent to storm any boulders in H2 5th @120km/h so I think the bit if cleaning is in any case part of my 4x4 regime. Cost etc does not sound too bad!!

[Mud Dog]

Ja, look, .... if you're not into anything extreme and are cognisant of the unit being vulnerable, it'll be fine. A lot of the guys are happy to leave it there, especially as it's more the overlanding enthusiasts that would want to fit an intercooler in the first place. Just do a bit of homework so you don't go in blind.

[Niel]

I am not a SAC fan as far as their placement of the IC are concerned. There are a few threads on this forum that discuss this issue ....

[Marty]

Dewald, where do you get the biodiesel, Do you make it your self?
I have a KZ that does have the SAC stage one on it. But I am thinking of looking out for a good metal worker to build a scoop for me so I can move the intercooler to the top.

Once that is done I’ll get a snorkel. I am very happy with my SAC conversion, the main thing is to keep the intercooler and the radiator clean at all times. The fuel consumption is not bad either. But I have to say in all honesty if I had to do it again, I don’t think I would spend that amount of money on an intercooler system again. One thing you can look into that can give you a bit more performance is to put a sports flow air filter in with a free flow exhaust. That’s a lot cheaper than an intercooler and the ECU and might just give you that little put more that you are looking for.

[Mud Dog]

One thing you can look into that can give you a bit more performance is to put a sports flow air filter in with a free flow exhaust. That’s a lot cheaper .......

I would be wary of these air filters. Reason being that they're less restrictive on airflow because of their lack of filtration efficiency. The Donaldson has a vastly greater surface area but is a little more air flow restrictive because of the filtration efficiency and is therefore the better if not the only option. Especially in dusty off-road conditions, Remeber that for every litre of fuel that you burn, about 15,000 litres of air pass through the motor and even the tiniest particle of dust is abrasive. I have seen cylinder walls that have been scoured to buggery and rings worn right down to the point where they hardly even protrude from the landings on the piston, all because of dust. Simply, it's not worth it. Install the best air filter available, and the oem Donaldson is right up there with the best.

[Marty]

Andy, and on that note I think it's time for me to give mine a good cleaning again. :)

[Joshua]

I have exactly the same year KZ-TE with the whole kaboodle : Intercooler, ECU and exhaust, that gives me 115 kw and 385 Nm. Recently I added a snorkel, but although I can feel it pulling stronger due to the cooler (and cleaner) air intake, I have not yet dyno'ed it again. I plan to do that after the holidays.

One thing that is a frustration though, is the position of the intercooler.
Inevitably you will bump it against something like a rock, or scrape it when you come down from a steep obstacle.
Thats my next mod, moving that intercooler to the top of the enigine like the D4D's or in front of the radiator.
Still need to do some research though......

[B100]

@ Marty - yes I make the biodiesel myself. I use old cooking oil a bit if this and a bit of that and voila! R4 per liter biodiesel! If you are interested go have a look at www.biodieselcommunity.org. I'm self taught from the Internet. Not so difficult to make...the most difficult part is getting enough old vegetable oil to keep your production going!

Later
d

[Marty]

Christo, what color is your KZ-TE. I am thinking of getting a second hood for the bakkie to mount the scoop on 2.
Thinking of getting a good old fashioned metal worker to do it for me. Not sure yet.
I would like to have the scoop build in to the hood something like what the ford mustang. Still have a lot of reading up to do and even the need to get more money for all the stuff I still want to do LOL

Dewald, did you change anything on the motor for the biodiesel? Or just started to use it?
I know with the old diesels you could practically put in peanut butter oil in and started to drive around. Not that I would do that to my KZ.

[Joshua]

Christo, what color is your KZ-TE. I am thinking of getting a second hood for the bakkie to mount the scoop on 2.
Thinking of getting a good old fashioned metal worker to do it for me. Not sure yet.
I would like to have the scoop build in to the hood something like what the ford mustang. Still have a lot of reading up to do and even the need to get more money for all the stuff I still want to do LOL

White.
If you look on the forum, you will find more info from guys that alteady moved there I/C to the top, I know Frik in Boksburg
had already done his about 6 mths ago and he was very happy with the conversion.

[Marty]

Christo, yes I saw the one he did - Looks very nice.
That's where I first got the idea that I wanted to move mine to the top aswell :o)

[B100]

Marty the engine is stock standard. You need not change a thing. As a matter of fact you can even run on peanut oil if you choose. This is what the diesel engine was originally designed for! We are basically being taken for a ride by the oil companies. We are driving around on a dirty by-product of the petroleum industry and we are paying top dollar/rand for this cr@p. The biodiesel is much cleaner, more environmentally friendly, lubricates much better, much cheaper, smells like...Wimpy or Steers or MacDonalds or Spur or the corner fish and chips shop! You can mix with petrodiesel if you want (I normally do in winter) but mostly drive on 100% biodiesel. I can rant and rave on forever about bio-friendly alternatives! Fact of the matter is if each one does not do something to reduce our CO2 footprint then we are doomed. COP15 is a sterling example of the inadequacies of our global decision makers.....ok enough for now!!

later
d

[Marty]

Dewald, I take it you go to the fast food places and get the old oil from them.
I wonder if the fast food places would be able to supply me with enough to drive on home made biodiesel full time.
On a normal work week I use about 70 - 80L of diesel.

[B100]

Marty just get a good supplier. Try the Wimpies and corner fish and chips shops. The rest have contracts with bigger firms. I can easily collect 80l per week and I can make about 500-600l per week with my 150l geyser.
d

[Marty]

Dewald, thats a good idea. I will need to get more info form you when I get back.
But till then. Happy new years guys.. See yea all in a week.