What are the options for MORE power?

[dastrix]

Already have the GDE tune.... but i need more pulling power..... I know GDE has a turbo kit but im not so sure I want to get something like that overseas..

Any thoughts? Id love another 30hp

[GMEMUD]

Lower diff ratio's.?? Twin GDE Tunes?????

[glend]

What size tyres are you running? I found, on my recent outback trip with the 255/70R16s Cooper STTs on 16x8 rims, that the KJ struggled even with the GDE Full torque tune. The larger (and heavier) tyres and rims were hitting the gearing pretty hard, not to mention the slight increase in frontal area drag, and the EGT gauge was showing that I was running more fuel (and thus higher temps) to try and achieve the speed to keep up with the others. I try to hold EGT down to 1000F as a peak, and have my gauge alarmed for that, so it was necessary to turn overdrive off often just to keep below that temperature.

Regearing the final drive ratio down to 4.10 would help get out of the torque hole and push the revs up into the meaty part of the band all the time (and thus allow you to run with the 5th ovverdrive on) but you will pay a price in other ways (like fuel economy).

I was getting 14 and 15L/100 with those tyres and with the smaller 245/70s I can get 12's so it's pretty clear to me to leave the big tyres at home when I am towing.

Re the GDE Turbo upgrade, there are a fair number of these running around in the US now, but I don't know of anyone that has done it here. I have thought about it but it makes the vehicle even more exotic in terms of service and maintenance, and potentially hard to sell if you expect to in the future. There is also some welding to do on the cast exhaust manifold to make the new turbo mount fit, so it's not an easy upgrade.

Re-gearing is certainly cheaper. Yukon make a 4.10 set for the 8.25 rear end and the 30A front (I think) but check carefully. Morris 4x4 in the US seems to stock gears sets for both diffs as does JBA. Cmohr is running 4.10s I think, maybe PM him for some advice.

[dastrix]

Originally Posted by glend

What size tyres are you running? I found, on my recent outback trip with the 255/70R16s Cooper STTs on 16x8 rims, that the KJ struggled even with the GDE Full torque tune. The larger (and heavier) tyres and rims were hitting the gearing pretty hard, not to mention the slight increase in frontal area drag, and the EGT gauge was showing that I was running more fuel (and thus higher temps) to try and achieve the speed to keep up with the others. I try to hold EGT down to 1000F as a peak, and have my gauge alarmed for that, so it was necessary to turn overdrive off often just to keep below that temperature.

Regearing the final drive ratio down to 4.10 would help get out of the torque hole and push the revs up into the meaty part of the band all the time (and thus allow you to run with the 5th ovverdrive on) but you will pay a price in other ways (like fuel economy).

I was getting 14 and 15L/100 with those tyres and with the smaller 245/70s I can get 12's so it's pretty clear to me to leave the big tyres at home when I am towing.

Re the GDE Turbo upgrade, there are a fair number of these running around in the US now, but I don't know of anyone that has done it here. I have thought about it but it makes the vehicle even more exotic in terms of service and maintenance, and potentially hard to sell if you expect to in the future. There is also some welding to do on the cast exhaust manifold to make the new turbo mount fit, so it's not an easy upgrade.

Re-gearing is certainly cheaper. Yukon make a 4.10 set for the 8.25 rear end and the 30A front (I think) but check carefully. Morris 4x4 in the US seems to stock gears sets for both diffs as does JBA. Cmohr is running 4.10s I think, maybe PM him for some advice.

Thanks glen, ill check my sizes and get back to you.

Turbo sounds out then, welding on the manifold - ugh no thanks!

I'm fairly sure the tyres are the standard size, car runs ok over 110 when your in the better range of the rev but anything under that when towing is a dog...

My economy is good, at around low 12s.

[glend]

How much does your trailer/van weigh?

[dastrix]

Originally Posted by glend

How much does your trailer/van weigh?

tare 400kg, fully loaded up with trailer it would hit 1000kg total max. Less id say but 1000kg to be conservative

[Pipeliner]

I have a DPChip on my 2.8 manual, run (currently) 245/70R16s, tow a camper trailer at 1000kg Tare (up to 1500kg towed) and have never noticed a significant power problem, even when previously running 245/75s. It must be your auto transmissions which soak up so much!