Diesel?

[Dewey farms]

Has anybody out there ever put a diesel in one of the roadsters? I think I might want to try?

[Bren]

I don't want to sound sarcastic here, I'm really interested in your reasoning: why would you consider a diesel? What does a diesel engine provide that a gas engine doesn't? I know the difference between gas and diesel engines in general, but I don't see why you would consider a diesel in this application. Educate me!

[ram_g]

What does a diesel engine provide that a gas engine doesn't?

Torque, torque, and torque! Did I say, torque? Oh yes, torque! And before I forget, TORQUE!!!

We have 2 diesels at home - a BMW 335d and a VW Passat TDI. Great cars, great motors. I would happily sub out my crate 302 in my FFR for the 3 liter turbo diesel from the 335d. Of course it would be cost prohibitive to do so, even it were technically possible.

To the OP, I can't recall a diesel roadster build, but IMHO it would be cool. Probably the scarcity of suitable engines is the biggest drawback.

[Gumball]

3 liter??? C'mon, let's think big and keep this baby Ford powered - how about a 7.3 liter turbo Powerstroke?!? Just imagine the black smoke pouring out the sidepipes like a tractor pull event!!!!!!

[chopthebass]

Probably too much torque to keep traction.

[Bren]

Torque, torque, and torque! Did I say, torque? Oh yes, torque! And before I forget, TORQUE!!!

We have 2 diesels at home - a BMW 335d and a VW Passat TDI. Great cars, great motors. I would happily sub out my crate 302 in my FFR for the 3 liter turbo diesel from the 335d. Of course it would be cost prohibitive to do so, even it were technically possible.

To the OP, I can't recall a diesel roadster build, but IMHO it would be cool. Probably the scarcity of suitable engines is the biggest drawback.

Yes, I realize that diesels generally produce more torque at lower rpms, but is that really true when compared to the motors people are putting in their roadsters? I know I personally have plenty of torque throughout all rpms. The question isn't what, in general, do diesels have over gas engines? The question is what does a diesel give you that you don't already get in a gas engine in this application? To me torque isn't the answer because we already have high torque engines. Fuel efficiency? Maybe the OP just really likes diesels.

[Avalanche325]

Black smoke and a 5000 rpm redline. I can't imagine how bad it would sound though the sidepipes. No thanks.

[Bob Cowan]

I'v thought about. The advantage is cheaper fuel, better mileage, more power per cube (especially at altitude), and it would be different.

Diesel engines generally come in two flavors: Wee, and Friggin huge! Nothing in the Not So Wee range that's really usable. The big ones are obviously not a good candidate for a Roadster. The Wee ones are all 4cyl engine, and usually make less that 250 ft/lb's or so. For a 4cyl, they're pretty heavy, too.

You can get a turbocharged V6. But you'll have a tough time getting more than 350'ish ft/lbs out of the 500# engine. It can be done, but won't be cheap.

But, if you want something different, I think it would be interesting.

OTOH, this would be a pretty fun diesel Roadster ;)
http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201004/2010-audi-r15-tdi-diesel-_600x0w.jpg

Or maybe this one from Mazda:
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/mazda-skyactiv-diesel.jpg

If you only think of your neighborhood garbage truck, you're not keeping up with technology. Heck, even Kawasaki is building a diesel powered motorcycle.

[mg2]

I thought about it just to be different but after looking at my son 6.4 I don't think it would fit.

[GThompson]

The VW Touareg V-10 diesel would be lots of fun! One of my buddies bought one a few months ago and loves it, wants to transplant the drivetrain into his Suburban 2500, lots more torque (550-ish vs 370-ish). Go for it!!

[Dewey farms]

I just thought it would be different and really was wanting to know if it's been done! I think it would be sick in a just because kinda reasoning. Plus it would be flat out cool.

[Dewey farms]

I was kind of thinking of fitting a 4.5l cummins it would weigh about 750 lbs. which isn't that much more than a 8 cylinder gas motor especially if you juice it up.

[Bob Cowan]

I was kind of thinking of fitting a 4.5l cummins it would weigh about 750 lbs.

Just about the same weight as a 460 Lima motor. Seen plenty of them in roadsters. The only problems with the 4.5l is the electronics package and low availability. They're around, but they don;t fall out of trees like a Windsor engine does.

If you know your way around a diesel engine and have access, you should do it. I think it would be a cool car. You would definitely want to use the right side for the exhaust, though. ;)