Thanks for the info about the flywheel housing.

I briefly looked at some of the Novak items. Seemed like it was good quality as I recall.

I'm not familiar with the electric water pump idea. What are the benefits of this approach?

Pretty sure there was no power steering option with the 3.3 series. It's pretty much a one configuration engine as far as I could tell.

The PTO opens a lot of possibilities for running your AC and other equipment. I briefly looked at doing something like that with my power steering but did not pursue. I would love to see what you come up with for utilizing it!

 

Benifits of the electric water pump are increased availability of engine HP. Less load on the engine. Also more control of vehicle tempurature. BMW went to them recently and now BMW engines have multiple normal operating temps, 3 if I remember off the top of my head. Warm up, Power and economy.

 

Interesting, thanks. How would you go about doing this on an engine already setup with a traditional water pump? BigBluemotors mentions bypassing the existing pump -- I'm curious to see how this would be done.

 

Hmm, that one I dont know. I just know how to work on and diagnosis the BMW with it. It basically controls the temp of the engine. For warm up it doesnt move the water so the engine with heat up quicker, for power mode it cools the engine a bit to help the injection run rich and opposite for economy.

Its controlled in tandem with the fuel injection, which on the latest BMW is pulse width modulated for injection time. Completely computer controlled how long the injectors are open. Doesnt even use O2 sensors anymore. Now its air fuel ratio sensors.

 

That's some wild stuff. Thanks for sharing that tech information.

It was -20F air temp this morning and it's the coldest temps the engine has seen. Stopped and topped off with pump diesel and brought the fuel tank down to B10. The Jeep ran good on the way to work except that the heater can't keep up with all the "fresh air" dumping in through the ill-fitting hard top, doors, etc. These old wranglers REALLY are not designed for comfortable cold weather travel. Also, the clutch pedal was getting pretty stiff after the 20 minute drive. This happens in our VW and Ram as well when it's really cold.

We'll see if the B3.3T can fire up this afternoon after cold soaking all day. I'm expecting a fair bit of white smoke . . .

 

I remember that with my old jeep, and it was only a 94, not all that old. When the outside temp dropped below freezing I couldnt go above 55. Not because the vehicle couldnt go faster, because it was just too cold!! Heater on max and I am fully dressed for outdoors and freezing my butt off! Drop below 55 mph and I could survive.

 

You think your hard top lets in the air, imagine a soft top and doors. I had an 81 CJ5 with a 5.0 EFI from a mustang in it. It was so much fun to drive, I'd wear coveralls, a carhart coat, thick gloves, and a stocking cap just so I could stand the cold driving it into work in the winter...

Someday, I'll build another one with a 4 cyl cummins.

Awesome conversion and post BTW. Not many people go thru the trouble of sharing all their info and pics of their work.

 

Thanks. I enjoyed reading your thread as well.

 

You two are costing me money (because now I'm hunting for a donor for a 3.9BT). Any ideas for cool recipients? I'd love to go 3.3 but that's definitely not readily available.

 

I had to wait at my dealership for the parts man to come back from lunch once. I passed the time by opening the hood of the Dodge nitro on the showroom floor and measuring the engine compartment. I think a 3.9 would look awesome in there...

 

The first time I met someone who was into diesel conversions the initial words out of my mouth were, "My wife is NOT going to like me talking with you."

 

TDIwyse, did you happen to ask or know what an electronic 3.3 cost new?

 

No. I'm affraid if I ask the question next thing I'll know there will be one in my garage . . .

 

Maybe it's better if you don't answer that question for both of us...

 

Make that three....

Common rail in a nitro would just be sweet. I actually like the way they look but couldn't actually see myself driving some mini wanna-be SUV.

Now, I could see my girlfriend driving a diesel common rail powered nitro

You should see how she reacts when I notice a truck on the side of the road for sale with no motor...