Builds Jroc's 92 HDJ81 Build (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Jul 13, 2019
Threads
23
Messages
402
Location
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Hello all,

In the current day of binge watching I wanted to wait to create this thread until I had more updates to share, but I've realize there is no better place for dumb questions than your own build thread...... and boy do I have some dumb questions.

A little back story. My name is Josh, and I spent my formidable days in South Florida. Then back in '13 the wife and I moved to Oklahoma for work what started as a two year commitment has turned into 6years+. I was always a low and fast kind of guy, but I believe it was a product of my environment, when you have roads as flat, wide and straight as you do in the Palm beach area it only makes you want to do one thing.

Things slowed down once we moved to Tulsa, the roads here are riddled with potholes, we live in the midtown area and the speed limit doesn't really go above 40. So what better than a big slow rig? I've had a dodge, couple infinitis, mutiple bmws but this is my 3rd SUV and first Diesel, its only been 6months but im in love. Easily climbed the list as one of my favorite vehicles ever owned.

Build wise we're going to baseline the vehicle, resto-mod in a sense, it'll do light overlanding but I doubt it will ever see any serious rocks.

Its a late 92 Emerald Green JDM build so its a hodgepodge of 93 and 92 specs, got it with 193k kilometers so about 119k miles back in September.

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Here she is next to her current stall mate(my first new car ever 18 Q50 Red sport(which will prob be gone soon))

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First thing was to remove the window visors, I appreciate how cool they are but with the no roof rack and no side step I wanted a cleaner look

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Then me being the novice that I am and already trigger happy to mod this thing, the thing smelled like diesel, a lot of diesel, so of course I figured the car had an exhaust leak. So right away I collected some vibrant pieces, 3inch dump from AUS ebay and took it to my local exhaust guy to do a 3inch Turbo back

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We ended up not using the middle flow through resonator

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As you can see clearance is t i g h t

Still the slowest thing ive driven and I owned a 91' 318is E30, and turns out the smell wasnt from the exhaust leak
 
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So it turns out the bulk of the diesel smell intoxicating the wife wasnt exhaust fumes but actual diesel because the infamous ACSD was leaking, just an update for anyone needing the pieces to delete it:

Denso Part Number for the blanking plate
#096218-0270
Bosch Equivalent
#1461074312
ORing
2460223001

Then I stumbled on the infamous "kickdown" cable, holy s***. The thing woke up, it was no longer dangerous to get on the highway, no longer troublesome gaining speed from a stop, this thing just became fun, it all made sense now why people love this motor, its truly intoxicating to drive, still slow, but now fun-slow.
 
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So shes at a state now where I can just enjoy driving her, to really figure out where I want to take the build. No longer spewing diesel out of the pump, no longer a hazard to drive, and bonus, she sounds good because of the 3inch turboback

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Pupper Approved:
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We always like what we dont have so I got rid of the clears and added some ambers

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Then I started to collect mods for the next part of the baseline:
Oil Change
Fuel Filter
Catch can to help with the startup smoke(Spoiler it helped a ton)
Belts

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Got the catch can installed, recommend this to all 1hdt owners, cleared up a bunch of smoke.

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I also took it to a diesel specialist to check out the pump and do a compression test on the motor. Not excellent numbers but fine enough to not have to worry about it, I want to start road tripping this thing. We just drove to California but I wasnt quite ready to take this yet.

Also this came from Australia, not sure when I will have time to install it but its coming soon

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Next on the list is:
I have a EGT and Boost gauge on the way from Speedhut
Intercooler install

Have some fatmat that im going to cover the cargo area in, Replaced the window runs but forgot to take pictures.

I think the next thing I want to do is work on suspension, new shocks, new bushings, get the vehicle as comfortable as possible to take on some thousand mile trips.
 
We always like what we dont have so I got rid of the clears and added some ambers

View attachment 2182578

Then I started to collect mods for the next part of the baseline:
Oil Change
Fuel Filter
Catch can to help with the startup smoke(Spoiler it helped a ton)
Belts

View attachment 2182579

Got the catch can installed, recommend this to all 1hdt owners, cleared up a bunch of smoke.

View attachment 2182582

I also took it to a diesel specialist to check out the pump and do a compression test on the motor. Not excellent numbers but fine enough to not have to worry about it, I want to start road tripping this thing. We just drove to California but I wasnt quite ready to take this yet.

Also this came from Australia, not sure when I will have time to install it but its coming soon

View attachment 2182586
Which intercooler is that one? HPD? Can't wait to see more.
 
Which intercooler is that one? HPD? Can't wait to see more.


I am somewhat of a brand loyalist and do believe in R&D, except when it comes to some exhaust systems and intercoolers. I actually think the pricing for HPD and PDI is pretty good just the shipping was so hard to stomach for something like this(Ill bite the shipping bullet when it comes to the Gturbo). So I went with a ebay unit from AUS, I have a shop nearby capable of custom fabricating a kit so I figured if I get us 95% there then they can fill in the holes if needed. But the quality looks good and its a clear rip from PDI/HPD even came with this :rofl:
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Also, oklahoma has one of the worst state plates right now, even the DMV ladies joke that it was just to make people buy custom plates(well it worked). So after about two months this thing came in:

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If you install the egt and boost gauges you will see how much the intercooler helps. Most likely you will have to trim the back of your grille to fit it in. I had to on my ebay kit from a few years back. My cooler has 2.5" in and out. I do recommend the valvebody upgrade from Rodney in Aus unless your tranny is electronic. Good luck with your clean rig.
 
Not much of an update yet, did a quick oil change on it. Glad to not find any shavings and such in the oil, planning on doing a Blackstone analysis after the next change.

Oil is one of the biggest voodoo sciences out there but this stuff is supposed to be pretty great for these old diesels. I have to say im very happy with the smoothest of this motor it blows my mind everytime I drive it

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Im also a fan of easy cleanups, I know some people dont like the fumoto drain valves because of the somewhat extra length it adds but I find it a negligible difference. The part number for the 1hdt is F103S
Amazon product ASIN B07D9FCRWM
I noticed the catch can not "catching" any oil, this is mainly due to vibrants mediocre baffling system, so I did some research and found the best remedy to be Stainless Steel scrubbing pads, dont cheap out on these because 1) they are already cheap and 2) others will break down, these are the ones I bought:
Amazon product ASIN B07JNJZ6X9
This is just to "catch" the substance in the vapors so it will drip to the bottom of the can, with out this the vapors move so quickly that it basically goes in and comes out before any chance of collecting.
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I think now that the engine is running smoothly, and hopefully the sunroof shims will quiet down the main rattle in the car I will focus my time and wallet onto the suspension.

I love the ride height of this thing and not looking for a lift, just something to freshening things up. Im debating between the bp51s/MRAs, Radflos or just getting replacement shocks.

Its feeling a bit floaty at 60+, I dont expect it to feel like a viper but it feels "light". Hoping I can stiffen up the steering and eliminate some body roll while still being comfortable on city streets. Also feeling some vibration while turning, im guessing its time for ujoints.
 
What about some kings!

Also not a bad idea,

I may just take advantage of the weak AUD dollar and go with Superior Engineering adjustable kit
 
@Jroc561 Any heat issues with the exhaust routing? Any additional heat shielding? Rattles or other problems? Planning on routing my exhaust inside the frame as well.

None, I checked every few days for a couple weeks after I got it done to see if it was coming in contact with anything and nada.

Ill snap a few more pics of it soon
 

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