Im new here and like your opinon. Dropping a cummins diesel into lexus 450

[JUSTME2015]

I'm getting a 1997 Lexus lx 450. Has anyone done a Cummins diesel conversion in the lexus 450? What is the approx. cost is it worth the fuel savings? I live in British Colombia and would be looking for a great shop as well.

 

[Luke111]

You need to look in the 80 forum ..this I'd the GX/Prado forum

 

[samiam09]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/diesel-transplanted-80-series-registry.365794/ <-------------------------THIS IS THE INFO YOU WILL NEED

 

[greentruck]

Don't look for fuel savings to pay for this. It just does not compute, even if you did all the labor yourself. It's a project worth pursuing for lots of reasons, but economics isn't one of them.

FWIW, from what little I've picked up...
the 4BT fits easy, but less power
the 6BT is a bit of a shoehorn, but gives greater satisfaction
either can result in a capable vehicle
you will need a lift/oil pan mods/etc due to the interface between lower part of engine and the front axle

Lots of respect here for the Cummins B series, as I used to help keep a group of them running in absolutely brutal spotter truck service (those were all 6BT). They just kept going, and going, and going...There's nothing you could do in a 80 series that would get close to abusing them like that, so a good install is virtually bulletproof.

 

[Dirty Koala]

Since you asked about Cummins swaps, there are a bunch of us doing or have done them, you can find our threads in the 80's Tech section by searching cummins.

As far as cost goes, it depends on a few factors. Are you using a junk yard motor or getting a fresh rebuilt motor, are you going with the stock auto, or converting to manual.

• For the adapters to make everything fit, expect to pay about $5000.
• For a used motor, expect to pay $2000 - $3500
• To have a full rebuild of the motor done, expect to pay $5000 - $7000
• If you need a manual trans, expect to pay $1500 - $2500
• Custom exhaust will be approx $1000
• If not doing the swap yourself, factor in $10,000 - $15,000 for shop labor.

At a minimum you are lookin at $8000-$9500 for a junkyard motor swap in front of the auto doing all the work yourself.

At the high end you are looking at $14,500 - $19,000 for a freshly rebuilt motor and manual drive train, if you do the conversion yourself.

Definitely don't consider the swap if your goal is to save money on fuel...will take a long time to recoup the cost of conversion in fuel savings.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

There is a guy locally in Vancouver that just completed his swap. I would not try and mate it to a factory toyota trans personally if I was doing it. I would use a nv4500 from a Cummins as well as the engine then adapt a split case from a 60 series or get the diesel adapters HF2A to NV4500 adapter.

I could not imagine the cost to do this swap if you need to pay a shop, it's would be much much more than the truck cost you.

Good luck.

 

[maxamillion2345]

Jan. 2015

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Jan. 2015

Better late than never? [emoji6]

 

[maxamillion2345]

Lol