[Jamie91]

hey guy i know this has probably been treaded hundreds of times before, but i am going to do it again.


i have been researching patrols for a little while now, i am so keen to buy one and start modding . Through many articles and forums both here and 4wdaction. I am still unsure on which engine is the best out of the two engines. ZD30 and TD28t.

i am looking for the best turbo diesel engine. I know that the TB42 is by far the best, but fuel consumption is another biggy.

i have read and heard that the ZD30 has a reputation of blowing up prematurely.??

and as i have been going through the nissan rigs pages, i see that the 2.8td is pretty popular. is this because they are the better engine of the two or just cheaper to buy.

Any HELP from someone with a bit of knowledge and experience would be appreciated

 

[Bruza 2]

2.8's are popular because they are cheaper.
Yes many ZD's, of that era, have/will fail before their time.
They are both small engines, trying to do a big engines job (2.5 to 3 tonne vehicle), not to mention many want to tow.
TB42 are good, but very thirsty.
Have you thought of a TD42 with a turbo? Bigger engine doesn't work as hard, lasts a very long time (with correct care). If you don't try and make a race car out of it, will return reasonably good consumption, way better than a lot of late models, low to mid 10's- light duty, low to mid 13's towing.

 

[Youngbloke]

I can only compare mine and a mates ZD30 that I have been in on a number of trips. They both go well, and to be a little bit bias, I reckon my RD28 would be just a nose in front...

Looking after your engine is always going to be the telling tale of longevity. Lots of people like to hang it on the RD28 for being too small and having no go. This is probably warranted, but they are such a great engine to "jazz" up to your own liking / needs /budget. I've got gas injection and exhaust mods and she is a ripper! And I only bought it originally, because it was cheaper and that's what I could afford at the time. Then getting onto this forum, and driving out in the bush with other patrol owners, you soon pick up ideas and tricks to make it just a bit better.

Be prepared to tip a bit of money into every now and again, look after it, and the RD28 is great little motor. My two cents worth!!!

 

[stoffy]

2.8GU - cheaper to buy, heaps of power when chipped and exhaust upgraded.
Keep the servicing up with the 2.8 and it should go for ever and a day.
my 2 cents worth
Cheers

 

[Jamie91]

thanks very much for the info guys.

i would absolutely love to drive a TB42 its a great car and i am sure it would have a great amount of power.

but because i am on a bit of a budget (under 15000) i am looking for an upgrade for my 2004 nissan xtrail to something with more power and torque and offroad capabilities. :iconbana:

So i nissan patrol rd28 sounds like the way to go, witha few mods, it makes for a very capable truck.

thanks again for your assistance guys, if anyone wants to post their two cents worth its greatly appreciated unkrock:

 

[heyhey]

You wont get more power and torque to weight ratio than the Xtrail and especially from the RD28. The things are generally as slow as buggery. The RD28 are prone to head issues just as much if not more than ZD30s blowing up. ZD30 IMO are a good enough engine and the reason so many RD28s were sold is because they were the cheapest turbo diesel in the new shape Patrol (GU). Nissan didn't stick with the RD28 engine as it is a tractor engine and went to the ZD30 which they have had for now over 10 years, thats longer than the RD28 has been in.

Where do you plan on driving? TB45s on gas can be cheap and if you don't mind a smaller km range this would be my option. If not save your pennies and buy a ZD30, I bought my mint condition 2000 ZD30 ST with 20,000km on the new engine for $17,000 two years ago and have now seen them for $15,000 and under.

I do believe that the ZD30s are considerably better on fuel as well, thats from my mate that had both so driving styles are negligible.

 

[Jamie91]

I took a ZD30 auto for a test drive a few weeks ago, and took a rd28t for a test drive yesterday to see the variance in power between them both.
I would have to say for the price of the rd28(14500) and the zd30(24500) i would have to say for a little bit less power i would rather spend 10000 on some mods,
My nissan xtrail just needs to sell so that i can buy this patrol,
Thank you everyone for info, if anyone has any other info it would be greatly appreciated

 

[outbackjack]

Well I think the 2.8 and the ZD30 can be had for the same price. I just brought a 2001 auto ZD30 for 13.5k. Plenty others falling down to that level as well.

I would go the ZD30, however I had nothing to with the 2.8.

 

[shaunjones]

I had the same issue when I was buying. If you have the money to buy a 4.2td then them being a bit thirsty shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I was keen on the ZD30 until my mate, mechanic and my tuner (also tunes 1500hp patrols in dubai) all said don't touch them.

So I went the 2.8 I am fine with the power and the fuel consumption is great.

 

[ZAPPAGU]

My ol 4.2 coilcab 95 ute was absolutely **** on fuel, with not much guts either(na) I bought my dualcab with a zd30 and was immediately impressed with the amount of go once on boost. It obviously lacked the off idle torque that the 4.2 had.
on a recent trip up to Karratha from Esperance, all up we did 6k, my patrol used the least amount of fuel and did the trip easy. The other vehicles were a 6.5 turbo suburban and a 100 series na cruiser. The cruiser was getting 4km/l the suburban got about 5.5km/l while I was getting upwards of 7-8km/l.
I noticed that almost everyone who rec the 2.8 has one! I have never driven or been in one so cannot comment, take a couple for a spin and decide for yourself.
Oh the other thing was that the 2.8 has a smaller gearbox than the rest of the models, and while this may be fine for the power output of the engine something also to think about if you ever want to repower it later down the track, good luck
Zappa

 

[razor2000]

Power issues people spout about the 2.8 are true if it's stock but put a 3in exhaust on,fit it yourself for under a grand,and it goes like the clappers.

 

[scrawni]

I hate when people slate the ZD30, comments like "4 cylinders are not enough" and "little boy doing a mans job"
Its a good engine in a good truck end of.