Diesel in a Series Continued:Perkins Prima experiences?

[KevinNY]

I know the little perkins prima will rev right up to 5 or 6 thousand RPM for highway wotk but how is it at tickover speeds in LO range? Particulary vs a well running 2.25 petrol.

[MPi-KMS-72]

http://forum.landrovernet.com/showth...=perkins+prima

[onslow]

Originally Posted by KevinNY

I know the little perkins prima will rev right up to 5 or 6 thousand RPM for highway wotk but how is it at tickover speeds in LO range? Particulary vs a well running 2.25 petrol.

Anything made by perkins is usually bombproof and the 2L prima is no exception the key in a series is to keep them cool and use good oil,only real problem is head gaskets which can be a bit of a nightmare to do but this problem isnt that common.

ive had a few of these lumps and I hold them in high regard,
The way to deal with the low down torque issue it to adjust the fuelling so basically it over fuels slightly at low rpm the turbo will come in sooner eliminating the flat spot,there was a web site that told you how to do this but I cant remember which have a look on google.

Also I think the use of an intercooler would be beneficial in a landrover firstly for the slight performance increase (more if fuelling is adjusted to suit) and also this will reduce combustion chamber temperatures too extending the life of the engine,I know TDi intercoolers work well with the old 2.5 TD engine so should work well with the Prima

[KevinNY]

Do you have any links to the tuning of the pump and addition of the intercooler. I want to bump it slightly with the intercooler but not turn it up all the way to try to squeeze everything I can get out of it.

[300bhp/ton]

What injector pump do they use?

I have info tuning the Boche VE unit as found on the Tdi's and some Cummins.

[KevinNY]

I know it is a Bosch, not sure which one yet.

[onslow]

Originally Posted by KevinNY

I know it is a Bosch, not sure which one yet.

if I remember rightly its a bosch but slightly smailler than the tdi one

http://www.integerspin.co.uk/landrover01.htm

This is the definitive guide

http://www.nhua.co.uk/conversion/perkins.htm

[buick215]

Bosch VE.

[Cerberus]

Sorry for the very delayed reply on this but I've been away for a while.

I have driven an 88" with a little Perky Prima in at and be in no doubt, if I had another 88" it would deffinately have a Prima in it!
There is a minimal amount of turbo lag but not enough to cause annoyance. A 200tdi has a similar feel low down. The 88" ended up being slightly faster with the Prima fitted.
I think this is because it has slightly more power, more torque and more revs than a 2.25 petrol.A moderate light foot will see high 30s to the gallon, you get instant starting, and if you keep on top of the servicing, they will do HUGE mileages.
I can speak from experience-I had a Montego car with a Perkins Prima in it which racked up 220,000 miles and she was still running sweet as a nut, would hit 50+ to the gallon and still pulled strongly right up 'till the wrong side of 110 mph(on a private road of course!)
Strap on an intercooler, tweak the pump and wastegate and you're on the top side of 100BHP.
From experience, I can say that a Prima makes good sense.

[KevinNY]

Thanks for the report of your experience. The motor has been procured and will be installed in about a month.

[01001010]

Kevin, please keep us posted as this is something I'd be interested in doing should I end up acquiring a series truck.

[Cerberus]

Is it easy to get parts for the Perkins Prima stateside?

[KevinNY]

I hope so. Perkins diesels power a lot of boats and agricultural/landscaping equipment here. I spoke to someone at the repair center in Syracuse,NY and they said they could service the engine. Mine will be getting the injectors cleaned and checked, a new fuel pump and new timing belt before it is installed.

[Cerberus]

I recommend that you change the cylinder head gasket before you fit the engine. Whilst you have the head off, just check for cracks between valves.

Good luck with the conversion and let us know how goes.

[antichrist]

Be careful who you buy parts from. I ordered a set of main bearings from a Perkins Distributor in MA, theirbook listed the wrong ones (they were rod bearings), and they refused to take them back without a 20% restocking fee. I'll see if I can find their name so you can avoid them.