'Best' small diesel engine?

[VladtheImpala]

Hello,

I've an idea for a build, and it would require a peppy small diesel engine to achieve what I think it would.

I have zero market knowledge of what's out there in the diesel market, so I'm here to ask.

I want to know if there are any small (1 litre to 1.2, maybe 1.4 if the block itself is small) engines, any manufacturer, with good torque. Don't care about acceleration, just torque.

Thanks

[kambites]

Diesel engines that small are rare in the automotive market. You may be better off looking at non-automotive applications.

In terms of cars, try searching on Autotrader for diesels with a maximum capacity of 1.2 litres. There's not a huge number of different engines out there.

Edited by kambites on Monday 9th January 15:28

[zedx19]

VAG did a 1.2TDI, I know nothing about it other than it exists.

Edited by zedx19 on Monday 9th January 15:29

[G111MDS]

How about the 3 cylinder 1.4 TDi engine from the Audi A2?

[Silenoz]

Hyundai did a 1.1 diesel engine I think.

[Scrump]

Maybe one of little Kubota Diesel engines used in mini dump trucks.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Fiat/GM did a 1250 turbo diesel as fitted to Doblos and Corsas/Astras.

Fairly torquey and should be loads about.

[PistonRings]

If you want really small, smart cars came in a 0.8l turbo diesel variant - pretty paltry power though ~ 75lb.ft

A vag 1.2 tdi might be more what you're after with about 130lb.ft

[sixor8]

The multijet 1.3 engine was successful. It was used by many manufactures for their city cars, by Fiat, Alfa, Vauxhall / Opel and built under licence, by Suzuki. Camchain driven too and there'd be plenty of used choices. It was actually 1248cc but called a 1.3 litre.

I had 2 x fiats and 2 Suzukis with this engine and although I did have an EGR issue with one, and DPF with another, they were very reliable and good on fuel.

Edited by sixor8 on Monday 9th January 15:44

[BoRED S2upid]

zedx19 said:

VAG did a 1.2TDI, I know nothing about it other than it exists.

Edited by zedx19 on Monday 9th January 15:29

They put it in the SEAT Ibiza we have the 1.6 version 1.2 gets crazy high mpg.

[A500leroy]

499cc 2 cylinder diesel was used in the aixam microcars, think it was a kubota engine.

[Krikkit]

G111MDS said:

How about the 3 cylinder 1.4 TDi engine from the Audi A2?

This would definitely be my choice - lots of A2s around which are going to scrap at the moment.

[trevalvole]

Krikkit said:

G111MDS said:

How about the 3 cylinder 1.4 TDi engine from the Audi A2?

This would definitely be my choice - lots of A2s around which are going to scrap at the moment.

The same engine was also found in numerous VAG products: SEAT Arosa and Ibiza, VW Lupo and Polo and probably the Skoda Fabia too...

[stevieturbo]

VladtheImpala said:

Hello,

I've an idea for a build, and it would require a peppy small diesel engine to achieve what I think it would.

I have zero market knowledge of what's out there in the diesel market, so I'm here to ask.

I want to know if there are any small (1 litre to 1.2, maybe 1.4 if the block itself is small) engines, any manufacturer, with good torque. Don't care about acceleration, just torque.

Thanks

engine only ?
Engine and trans ?
application ?
rpm needs ?
actual ability to make the engine run, as most very modern stuff will be very difficult in terms of wiring etc

[blueST]

The off highway small diesels from the Japan are very well built and long lived. But, don’t expect much performance, I have 900cc-ish Yanmar triple in my tractor and it only puts out something like 16bhp. I think the red line less than 3000rpm too.

[littleredrooster]

Many years ago, my Mother had a Daihatsu Charade with a 998cc (?) 3-pot turbo-diesel. It was a cracking engine which seemed to take very little space under the bonnet and was a lovely torquey lump.

Whether there are any left is another matter...

[BoRED S2upid]

Smart do a 800cc diesel which must be tiny to fit into the car.

[trevalvole]

VladtheImpala said:

Don't care about acceleration, just torque.

My recollection is that the three cylinder VAG 1.4TDI had 144 lb ft of torque, whereas Ford/PSA four cylinders had around 125 and FIATs even less.

[VladtheImpala]

stevieturbo said:

engine only ?
Engine and trans ?
application ?
rpm needs ?
actual ability to make the engine run, as most very modern stuff will be very difficult in terms of wiring etc

It'll be going in to a classic Fiat Panda 4x4, in theory. I won't be doing it either.

This thread was for me to get my thinking cap on, once I had some suggestions.

[SturdyHSV]

The ~2005 era Clio had the 1.5DCi, non turbo diesel, 65bhp, all the mpg you could ever want and none of the turbo complication / frailty?

You could probably buy the whole car for a few hundred quid