Is an Engine Swap for a 96 Delica Starwagon from an L300 possible?

[Kiwi_Delica]

Hey everyone,

I’m Alicia from Whangarei, New Zealand.

I need a bit of help!

Myself and partner have a 1996 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon, all original which we’ve had for about 7 years.

The engine is breathing and is about to crap itself.

We love our van so much and don’t want to let it go!

My question is. What are the options for an engine swap? It’s a 2.5 litre turbo diesel auto with a long wheel base.

Any help and advice would be truly appreciated.

We were given a ridiculous quote to restore the engine but I think it’s an absolute rip off. $15k! Bit far fetched for us.

Photo of our all original beauty is attached.


Regards,

Alicia

 

[Growlerbearnz]

Totally doable. The L300 and Delica Star Wagon are the same vehicle, just named different things for different markets. Any L300 2.5 diesel engine should bolt straight in, though if the replacement engine is from a manual you'll have to swap over the flexplate and injection pump linkages.

...though that's a short wheelbase, not long. Doesn't make any difference to the engine swap.

 

[Melkor]

4g63 evo motor, someone should do it

 

[Insel]

Biggest problem with reconditioning the 4d56 in the starwagon is that the cylinder head will warp when released from the block. So may required a new head to complete the recondition. That price of $1500 NZD is probably not unrealistic.. I had the engine of my 1986 Starwagon reconditioned in 2001 and cost $8000 NZD.
I'd eliminate other issues first though such as the waste gate actuator on your turbo as, if your turbo is not spinning up, then the actuator might need a clean to free it up.. Thats the rod which hangs down beside the turbo, connects to a little link arm on the exhaust manifold (Check that they are connected).. The link arm should flip up and down easily with your finger tip.

I'm near Greymouth, West Coast, South Island, NZ

 

[speedyquest]

Sorry to interject but this statement --> "Biggest problem with reconditioning the 4d56 in the starwagon is that the cylinder head will warp when released from the block"

...It's just simply not true.

Allen

 

[Insel]

OK Allen.. There's a chance the the head may not warp. But it is a well known issue within the mechanical / reconditioning community and certainly happened with my engine.

 

[floP]

Biggest problem with reconditioning the 4d56 in the starwagon is that the cylinder head will warp when released from the block. So may required a new head to complete the recondition.

First time for me to hear that. I'm really puzzled because I am interested in those engines since 1999, have had four of them myself (head gasket change included) and follow several forums that are dedicated to cars with the 4d56 on a regular basis. Again: I have never heard of this problem and tend to suspect they might have talked you into high expenses.
Greetings from Munich!

 

[Insel]

Yeah.. that is a possibility.. I did a turbo swap on my current 1998 Starwagon about 12 months ago and then discovered waste gate actuator was jammed so am trying to recall if I had similar symptoms with my 1986 Starwagon which had a rattle (the engine reconditioners said the cylinder sleeves had come loose and then said needed a new head because of warping, as wouldn't machine flat).