Dissapointed with 4JJ1-TC

[kb280dtza]

I am disappointed with this fancy engine long before I even drive or see it. Although I know most members of this forum are 2.8 and 3.1 owners I have been fortunate to drive the 2.8 and lately the 3.0. In South Africa we have a strong pick up market especially the double cabs and as such there is so much competition from Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Mazda and Mitsubishi Colt. With the exception of Nissan all the others have introduced common rail engines in 3.0 configurations and all have more power than the Isuzu engine (4JJ1-TC) we still have yet to sample before the end of the year here in South Africa. The power specs according to www.isuzu.co.jp, which I assume is Isuzu official web page are a lousy 107 kW and 280 Nm of torque, which is still similar to the old 3.0. Why would Isuzu build heavy trucks such as the current D-MAX which is heavier than all competitors in the same class and still under power it?

[geeves]

Of your list of other brands do you realy want a diesel made by Ford Maxda or Mitsubishi. None of these have a good track record. Likewise small Toyota diesels have all had a history of overheating esspecialy in hot envoiroments. That leaves a choise of Nissan or Isuzu. A quick google of this engine number didnt come up with any bad reports on the engine but did find one tuning chip that adds 22 horsepower. Similar things probably exist for the nissan but Isuzu has always undertuned there engines giveing exelent ecconomy and very long life. If you need more power theres always tuning kits

[kb280dtza]

Thanks Geeves, its just that every time I compare Isuzu engine power specs they are always lower but I must say that owners of another underpowered engine the 58 kW 4JA1 (2.5) will never take any other engine as they love their reliability and great lugging power. About the tuning kits do they not have negative effects in the long run on the longevity of the engine as I know of a micro chip that pushes the 4 JH1 TC (3.0) from 98 kW to 118 kW. Also worried that the manufacture insists that no such tuning should be done.

[geeves]

The makers of the chips say no effect on life of engine which is likly to be true as long as you use the engine in exactly the same way ie never actualy use the new found horsepower. The engine manufacturers disagree but they dont want to make warrentee payments.
The tuning kit itself wont hurt the engine but still not advisable to fit till the warrentee is over. Thrashing any engine wether modified or not will shorten its life and most people that fit engine kits do so so they can thrash there engines more effectivly. In the quest for more power is the fact that your engine might not last the whole half million kilometers that important.Unless you do something silly its still going to clear 400000km.

[kb280dtza]

Probably I am a power freak and I am no longer dissapointed with the engine. The specs we get here in South Africa put the power at 120 kW and the tourque at 360 Nm, which is better than Toyota at 120 kW and 343 Nm and Ford is at 115 kW and 380 Nm. Local motoring journals have claimed to be a very refined engine that would change the minds of many petrol heads regarding diesels.