How Easy to Swap Cummins 4bt on F150
4BT vs. R2.8—Which is the Improve Small Deportation Cummins?
For well-nigh 20 years, the Cummins 4BT has been the compact diesel of choice in endless engine swaps, classic repowers and off-route projects. Its 1000000-mile immovability, mechanical simplicity and infrequent fuel efficiency get in a natural choice for anyone looking to build a fuel-sipping vehicle that will last forever. However, for the last two-and-a-half years it's had some contest: the Cummins R2.8 crate engine—an even more than packageable inline 4 cylinder that meets modern day emission standards and weighs nearly 300 pounds less. It's electronically fueled and controlled, only Cummins removes the wiring headache from the equation by furnishing the R2.8 complete with an ECM and engine wiring harness—along with everything else you need to consummate the install.
Still, while Cummins' R2.viii engine represents the about comprehensive diesel crate engine package ever offered, it has had little impact on the 4BT bandy craze. Simply why? Is information technology due to the 4BT's direct ties to the legendary 6BT (i.e. the 12-valve 5.9L Cummins)? Or possibly it's due to the relatively low cost of a used 4BT or its widespread availability? Afterwards all, the 4BT was introduced in 1983, then there is no shortage of usable core blocks, heads and various other parts laying around in junkyards or all the same bolted to abandoned breadstuff vans, gen-sets and skid-steers. Taking all of the above into account, it's time to pit these two engines against each other for the ultimate mini-Cummins face up-off. From oil pan to turbocharger, we'll lay out the facts—the last verdict is upwardly to you.
| Cummins 4BT | Cummins R2.8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Deportation: | 239 ci (iii.9L) | 171 ci (2.8L) |
| Bore: | 4.02-inch | 3.lxx-inch |
| Stroke: | 4.72-inch | iii.94-inch |
| Compression ratio: | 17.5:1 | 16.9:ane |
| Block: | Cast-fe | Bandage-iron w/serviceable liners |
| Cylinder Head: | Cast-iron | Cast-atomic number 26 |
| Valvetrain: | Single cam, overhead valves w/2 valves per cylinder | Chain-driven SOHC west/4 valves per cylinder |
| Fuel: | Direct injection, Bosch mechanical injection (rotary pump so plunger pump) | Direct injection, Bosch high-pressure common-rails injection |
| Aspiration: | Natural, turbocharged and turbocharged and aftercooled (depending on awarding) | Turbocharged and aftercooled |
| Weight: | 782 lbs | 503 lbs |
| Oil capacity: | x quarts | v.74 quarts |
| Horsepower: | 105 hp at ii,300 rpm (almost common early power rating) | 161 hp at three,600 rpm |
| Torque: | 265 lb-ft at i,600 rpm (well-nigh mutual early torque rating) | 310 lb-ft at 1,800 rpm |
| Size: | 30.half dozen" 10 24.half dozen" 10 37.7"(Fifty ten W 10 H) | 25.1" x 25.0" x 28.3"(L 10 West x H) |
Information technology'due south Two-thirds 6BT
Essentially a 6BT Cummins with two cylinders chopped off, much of the beloved shown toward the 4BT engine is based on the 6BT'south ability to handle equally much equally 1,500 hp on manufacturing plant-based components or its capacity to remain in operation for a million miles. The 4BT shares the same bore, stroke, forged-steel connecting rods, pistons, injectors and valvetrain parts with the 6BT, and all of these items can exist interchanged. Calculation to the engine's reliability is the fact that everything is gear-driven (the camshaft, injection pump, accessory drive arrangement etc.) so at that place is no timing chain or belt interval to worry about.
Torque Monsters, Given Their Size
Chronologically, the 4BT hit the streets before the 6BT and was originally released in July of 1983. It is commonly associated with the bread vans that used to roam all over America making deliveries, only the 4BT can also exist found in countless gen-sets, pocket-size backhoe'south and skid-steers. Its bandage-iron cake and head construction makes for a simple yet robust foundation, and cheers to its 4.72-inch stroke better than a 2:ane torque-to-horsepower ratio is available. Like the 6BT, the 4BT is a low-rpm operator, with early versions of the engine rated for 105 hp at 2,300 rpm and 265 lb-ft of torque at ane,600 rpm. Later versions, specifically those equipped with the Bosch P7100 ("P-pump") are capable of supporting nigh 200 hp with a few pump tweaks.
The Path to Big Ability
Whatsoever 4BT has worth in the second-hand market, but finding one with a Bosch P7100 hanging off the side of it (rather than a rotary unit) is definitely the ameliorate discover. The like tweaks and parts available for the vi-cylinder version of this mechanical plunger pump tin be interchanged with this 1, meaning solid performance gains tin be had. Higher rpm governor springs, AFC and star bike adjustments, a modified or discarded fuel plate and unlike rack plugs (to increase rack travel) all utilize hither only like they exercise on the 6BT.
4BT's Are Cheaper…Or Are They?
On the surface and given their depression-tech nature, the 4BT would seem like the more than affordable selection, but you're not going to score 1 of these engines for a few hundred bucks anymore. To be sure, deals can nonetheless be found in some instances, merely the cat is definitely out of the bag on the 4BT Cummins. For most running have-out engines, you're looking at $1,500 to $three,500, and if yous come up to find out the engine needs an overhaul after the sale things can get expensive—fast. Other options include sourcing a make-new crate engine, locating a surplus engine or buying a remanufactured 4BT from a reputable concern.
The Perfect Fit
While many would prefer the 6BT Cummins to power their project(s), its size and weight is merely not feasible in smaller applications (Ford Rangers, Jeep Wranglers and sometime Toyotas to proper noun a few). At xxx.6 inches by 24.half dozen inches past 37.7 inches (L x W 10 H), the 4BT is much more suitable for engine bays with limited existent estate. The fact that there are virtually no electronics to worry about is a deciding gene for many likewise. After all, other than the injection pump the most complicated component you'll find on a 4BT is its alternator. Some other selling betoken is the adaptability the 4BT has with various transmissions. This engine was offered in GM, Ford and full general industrial applications, so in that location are several bell housing options to choose from (besides referred to every bit flywheel housings). The near common blazon of bell housing you'll come across is the SAE #3, although SAE 2, three and 4 were all employed.
The Smallest ISF Cummins Produces: The R2.8
The R2.viii engine is from the ISF family unit of Cummins power plants and is the lightest offering within the group. Manufactured in Mainland china but assembled in America, the R2.eight is available in diverse vehicles throughout Asia and Europe (chassis cabs, small pickups, SUV'due south, vans and industrial equipment), but simply every bit a crate engine in u.s.a.. That said, it was the showtime factory-built diesel crate engine on the market. Given the popularity of the 4BT platform in countless engine swap projects in the United States, it'southward clear that Cummins is looking to capitalize on that craze by offering a new-age, more-refined alternative to the engine it is no longer outright producing.
The "R" is for "Refined"
Pound for pound, the R2.8 outperforms nearly mill spec'd 4BT engines in terms of horsepower and torque despite having a considerably smaller displacement. The unmarried overhead cam, four-valve head pattern certainly helps the engine breathe better and it's more than at dwelling house at higher rpm. But while the R2.viii doesn't provide the off-idle, low-terminate grunt the 4BT does, a fairly well-matched Holset HE200WG turbocharger and common-track injection technology assistance bring things to life in a reasonably quick (and significantly quieter) manner.
Merely Add A Fuel Source, a Battery and Go!
With common-rail injection, an ECM and emissions equipment, the R2.8 is definitely more complicated than the 4BT. Thankfully, Cummins makes information technology like shooting fish in a barrel by offering the same (and pre-calibrated) ECM, engine wiring harness, , accessory drive, power steering pump, cam-driven vacuum pump, 120-amp (internally regulated) alternator, starter, flywheel and even the accelerator pedal assembly to brand your swap as painless as possible. The R2.viii crate package even includes a remote oil filter and fuel filter/water separator arrangement. The but item we tin can call back of that isn't office of the deal is an A/C compressor—but there are provisions to accept 1 at the bottom of the block.
Emissions Equipment That Satisfies Tier 1 Standards
While some potential buyers may be turned off by the R2.8's utilise of an exhaust recirculation organisation (EGR) and diesel fuel oxidation catalyst (Physician), this allows the engine to meet EPA Tier one emission standards. In layman terms, that ways you can install the R2.viii in whatever 1999 model yr or older light-duty truck and be highway-legal. If anyone recalls, Tier 1 NOx standards were far lower than what they are today, which means the R2.8'due south EGR system will probable exist non-problematic.
Cylinder Liners (Pro) & Chain-Driven SOHC (Con)
Ane eye-opening fact about the R2.8 is that its cast-iron block is fitted with sleeves (i.e. liners). This is a big bonus for anyone who ends upward having to service this engine in the field (or more probable, the trail). While the liners certainly add equity to the R2.8, the fact that it has a chain-driven single overhead camshaft steals some of that thunder. Cummins lovers have grown accustomed to all things being gear-driven, so having a wear item that'due south guaranteed to warrant replacement some day is a hard sell for many die-hards.
Cost of Entry
Though the R2.eight has received lots of love from select media outlets, information technology is nonetheless to have the kind of touch on on the engine swap market place many idea it would. In price alone, the R2.viii's toll tag is a drawback…but its MSRP has already come up downwards to $vii,699 (from $viii,999). A completely rebuilt 4BT with a new cake, head, valvetrain and pump can run y'all more than than that…so if you're comparison new to rebuilt it's a toss-up. The existent question is whether or non you want to ability your project with new-age tech (common-runway injection, electronics, make clean emissions) or stick with the tried-and-true mechanical mule that rattles, hums and shakes only rarely ever skips a beat.
You can't purchase it in crate grade, merely Cummins' 3.8L ISF is perhaps fifty-fifty more comparable to the 4BT than the R2.8. Check out the stateside Jeep Wrangler we found with one nether the hood correct hither.
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Source: https://www.drivingline.com/articles/4bt-vs-r28-which-is-the-better-small-displacement-cummins/
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