Waiting on the V3

[davidschaffer]

Hello All,

So I ordered the V3 on April 1st, expecting to get it within two to three weeks. Its now looking like it might not arrive until mid May. If it wasn't held in such high regard on this forum, I would be a little concerned. Because I spend around $100/week on fuel, its starting to feel like an expensive delay. Oh well, I understand that there are some things nobody can control. Since I have this time until the v3 arrives I thought maybe some of you guys could share tips to make the install go smooth. I've got a 96 crew cab, long box, 4x4 and am planning on putting in a oil temp gauge and 203 t-stat when I do the conversion. Any advice/suggestions, are greatly appreciated. Also, I saw on an older post that installing a ball valve so that the system can be isolated, is recommended. Is this something that now comes with the kit, and if not, can I pick one up at a local auto supply store?

Thanks
David

[nctacoma]

I would spray a bit of pb blaster or some sort of liquid wrench on the extra fuel port fittings in the head where the new fuel lines will go. The one behind the turbo was a bit of a pain in the butt to get out on mine.
When I did my install, I did all the mechanical work one day(fuel lines, coolant, mounting manifold, etc) and then took a break and did the electrical the next day.
The first time the green light comes on and you come to a stop light and a hint of your exhaust smell comes through your window you will instantly forget about the wait time.
It will then be worth every penny.
Enjoy

[FENKER]

it takes longer cause the obs kits need alot more stuff. i asked them when i went up there and cause mine took about a month to and they said they dont sell as many obs kits so they usually have to get more parts in. mainly the wiring harness for the mechanical to electric fuel

[optx002]

Originally Posted by davidschaffer

Hello All,

So I ordered the V3 on April 1st, expecting to get it within two to three weeks. Its now looking like it might not arrive until mid May. If it wasn't held in such high regard on this forum, I would be a little concerned. Because I spend around $100/week on fuel, its starting to feel like an expensive delay. Oh well, I understand that there are some things nobody can control. Since I have this time until the v3 arrives I thought maybe some of you guys could share tips to make the install go smooth. I've got a 96 crew cab, long box, 4x4 and am planning on putting in a oil temp gauge and 203 t-stat when I do the conversion. Any advice/suggestions, are greatly appreciated. Also, I saw on an older post that installing a ball valve so that the system can be isolated, is recommended. Is this something that now comes with the kit, and if not, can I pick one up at a local auto supply store?

Thanks
David

Just hang in there man. I bought my V3 during the $5.00/gallon diesel days and i had to wait 5 weeks. But once you get it, you will understand why its worth the wait.

[davidschaffer]

Thanks for the replies. I ordered the turnkey version, I was planing on the simple veggiestroke because on their website it says that it comes with everything you need to complete the job. I called before I placed the order and was told that I would need to buy a bunch more stuff to make it work. Because this will be my first conversion, I bit the bullet and went with the turnkey. Has anybody out there run the V3 in cold (northern Michigan) winters without any mods to the system? I am planning on putting a 203t-stat and a oil temp guage just to be sure I'm getting the temps I want, if I can't get 160 or above I'll add a heat exchanger and maybe coolant pump. Any thoughts?

David

[CharlieC]

I can't imagine you'll get 160+ without a FPHE. Also, I don't know that it really matters on the PSD (anticipate beating from militant forum members here). Read the why HEUI rocks sticky for the explanation.

While I added a FPHE to my conversion (not a v3), sometimes I think it was just for my own piece of mind, not because it really matters.

On a psd, you want to make sure the oil is hot enough to flow and hot enough to filter. Beyond that, let the heads do the work.

[vegginpsd]

Originally Posted by CharlieC

I can't imagine you'll get 160+ without a FPHE. Also, I don't know that it really matters on the PSD (anticipate beating from militant forum members here). Read the why HEUI rocks sticky for the explanation.

While I added a FPHE to my conversion (not a v3), sometimes I think it was just for my own piece of mind, not because it really matters.

On a psd, you want to make sure the oil is hot enough to flow and hot enough to filter. Beyond that, let the heads do the work.

I agree. Where David is going to be running his truck I feel a FPHE is in order. I have installed a V3's without the FPHE and I always put in a gauge. You dont have the heat you think. You NEED when more heat when temps are 0*F. Without adding electric heat to the mix, the system CANNOT provide too much heat. The fault in the V3 is easily over come in very cold climates though.

The filter is under the truck, subject to road salt, sand, ice and a very cold breeze when temps get nasty. The electric heater wrap doesnt cut it IMHO. I prefer to not rely on heat from the heads to achieve a safe temp, when for less than $100 worth of very simple heat exchanger you can be sure. And, If you dont have a gauge, there is no way to know. With a FPHE, and a gauge, you can be sure you will be operating at same temps in any climate.

Thats just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[ridiculously_necessary]

Originally Posted by davidschaffer

Thanks for the replies. I ordered the turnkey version, I was planing on the simple veggiestroke because on their website it says that it comes with everything you need to complete the job. I called before I placed the order and was told that I would need to buy a bunch more stuff to make it work. Because this will be my first conversion, I bit the bullet and went with the turnkey. Has anybody out there run the V3 in cold (northern Michigan) winters without any mods to the system? I am planning on putting a 203t-stat and a oil temp guage just to be sure I'm getting the temps I want, if I can't get 160 or above I'll add a heat exchanger and maybe coolant pump. Any thoughts?

David

vegginpsd lives up north, he has some good time with cold vo. im sure he will post soon...

edit: there he be!

[vegginpsd]

^^^^^^^^^^^

Already threw my $.02 in Matt!

[davidschaffer]

Thanks again fellas,

I am starting to lean toward the addition of a FPHE, If you live in the cold north and run a V3 without one you are more then welcome to tell me different. Considering I have spent over 4 grand on the kit and another $1500 hundred on the centrifuge/filtering equipment, I might as well play it safe with the FPHE. I am planning on running this truck on wvo for at least another 200K, in eight or so years from now I would like to be able to pull the system out of this truck and put it in a shiny new 03'..