LS Diesel Engine

[PetesSweets86]

Just had a random thought in my mind or it could be that when I filled up gas this morning with premium being 3.00+ per gallon and Diesel being 2.30-2.50 per gallon I had to think. Couldn't our engines be converted to run on diesel?

I've already done a little research and looks like it would cost just the same amount as purchasing the supercharger kit from LLSC.

Another reason why our car could most likely do so is that a diesel engine NEEDS a high compression ratio because it uses the temperature of the engine to burn the fuel properly. Our engine have a VERY high compression ratio and I dunno if I'm mistaken but I'm sure there was a Jag S-type diesel being sold in europe and since or engine is very similar..there are possibilities.


Anyways throw your thoughts out but the extra 100-200+ lb ft of torque would be fun to play with. We'd double our fuel economy (Though I think the V6s will have it better) even the V6s would be seeing 400lb ft of torque since the mercedes 320 bluetec can get that and our V6s aren't far off.

 

[1LoudLS]

Well let's start with, I haven't ever seen a diesel engine with out a turbo

 

[LS4me]

Chevy did this in ~1980. They converted a gas 350 into a diesel 350. IIRC, the 0-60 time was measured in minutes, not seconds. The reliability was also dismal.

 

[PetesSweets86]

yes plenty of pros and cons plus it might be better just to buy a diesel car just thought I'd throw the idea on the floor since gasoline engines' biggest problem is the high compression needed for diesel

 

[Frogman]

Well let's start with, I haven't ever seen a diesel engine with out a turbo

Lots of non turbo, naturally aspirated diesel engines out there.

Furthermore the old 2 stroke diesels had turbos AND roots type blowers on them... at the same time. How's that for trippy.

Just had a random thought in my mind or it could be that when I filled up gas this morning with premium being 3.00+ per gallon and Diesel being 2.30-2.50 per gallon I had to think. Couldn't our engines be converted to run on diesel?

I've already done a little research and looks like it would cost just the same amount as purchasing the supercharger kit from LLSC.


Another reason why our car could most likely do so is that a diesel engine NEEDS a high compression ratio because it uses the temperature of the engine to burn the fuel properly. Our engine have a VERY high compression ratio and I dunno if I'm mistaken but I'm sure there was a Jag S-type diesel being sold in europe and since or engine is very similar..there are possibilities.

Modern light and medium diesels generally run at around 16:1 Compression ratios at IDLE. Under full boost, you can see as much as 40:1 Compression ratios. As far as temperatures, a diesel operates best right at around 190-200 degrees F. Is the LS block made out of iron, or aluminum? Aluminum is not the best thing you want for a block, since it starts melting at around 1350 degrees... incidentally, about the same temperature diesel exhaust comes out at under medium-hard throttle. Only thing that saves the aluminum pistons in newer diesels is the fact they get cooled off by the fuel injected in the next injection , right after compression... before they heat up again, and get cooled again... you get the idea. I also don't think the LS block, even with forged components would be able to take those compression ratios on a regular basis. Let's not talk headstudes, and heads themselves.

Anyways throw your thoughts out but the extra 100-200+ lb ft of torque would be fun to play with. We'd double our fuel economy (Though I think the V6s will have it better) even the V6s would be seeing 400lb ft of torque since the mercedes 320 bluetec can get that and our V6s aren't far off.

Let's say that you get an LS motor converted to diesel and it runs reliably for a long time... unlikely a proposition that it is. What will you use to put the power to the ground when after a few thousand miles the transmission explodes because of all the extra torque is has to deal with? What about body flex? There is a lot involved in a gas to diesel swap. It's not just the motor. Supporting components have to be changed as well. Fuel lines, fuel tank, fuel pump, high pressure return lines, etc etc.

But hey, if you can make it work, more power to you. But I think you could spend $5/gallon on gasoline for years, and still come out ahead, over converting the LS motor to a diesel... or even swapping a light duty diesel motor in there in place of the LS motor... which opens up a whole new can of worms.

 

[owlman]

I guess you wouldn't have to worry about your coils needing replacement ever again.

 

[SoonerLS]

Is the LS block made out of iron, or aluminum?

The LS's AJ has aluminum heads and block with iron cylinder liners. Not exactly an ideal diesel conversion candidate.

If you want a diesel in a DEW-98, import a diesel S-Type--Jeremy Clarkson managed to get one around the 'Ring in just under 10 minutes on Top Gear. Heck, you might even be able to adapt its powertrain into an LS chassis...

 

[SoonerLS]

Chevy did this in ~1980. They converted a gas 350 into a diesel 350. IIRC, the 0-60 time was measured in minutes, not seconds. The reliability was also dismal.

Yeah, that engine damn near poisoned the well for diesel cars in the US--GM set automotive diesels back at least twenty years with that little debacle.

 

[04lincolnls]

If your gonna convert to diesel you might as well convert to run on used frying grease too. Ive seen a guy with a diesel truck and a tank in the back he puts used grease from mcdonalds in for use as fuel

 

[Frogman]

It's called WVO (Waste Vegetable Oil). The Cummins ISB 5.9 runs great on the stuff. Ideally, you'd want to bump up the compression ratio by a few points, but WVO still burns fine on stock compression. Problem is, you need a complicated kit to make it work properly. You don't want solidified cooking grease in your injectors, so you want a set-up to where right before you shut the motor off, it automatically switches over to diesel to make sure there is diesel in the injectors.

Straight WVO is fine in the hot parts of the country, but in the medium to cold parts, you need a tank heater as well. Then there are the filters... It sounds easy enough to do, but can be a pain in the ass to get it going properly. Once your set-up is in place, it's a breeze.


There's also BioDiesel. A little more complicated, but even better, IMHO.

 

[PetesSweets86]

that would be biodiesel and those are possible but scarce unless I marry a fatty who needs fast food for every meal and I just ask her to get the containers from the back

 

[Frogman]

ANY restaurant will gladly give you their used cooking oil. Wanna know why?

Because the restaurant has to pay to have the oil removed, since it's considered Hazardous Waste.

You go in there and offer to take it off their hands for free, they'll gladly accept.

Furthermore, McDonald's oil is the WORST thing you can put in a diesel.

The best used oil is from Chinese food places, since they generally only cook one meal batch with it then dispose of it.

I've done my fair share of homework on WVO and BD, pete.