4D56T Swap - Tranny options

DPDISXR4Ti · Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:27 am

I'm new here - got directed from the Starion forum when I started asked crazy questions.

To begin with, I got interested in the Mitsu Astron platform because of it's use in TD form (4D55T) in the Ford Ranger ('85 - '87). A little research and I realized that the 2.3L 4D55T became the 2.5L 4D56T, which evolved considerably over it's long life. The final version even got Direct Injection.

My long term plan is to put a TD in this project:
http://forum.merkurclub.com/forum/viewt ... &start=165
The 4D56T would seem to fit this requirement very well, giving me some options on transmissions and oil pans and such, given that I might be able to use some ancillary stuff from the Starion and other applications that use the Astron block.

Here's my questions...
Has anyone on here actually done a 4D56T transplant? Any details posted anywhere that I can read?

What is the model name/number of the 5-speed used in the Starion, and did it change at all through the 7 year life of the car? What are the ratios? Generally speaking, how strong is this transmission? i.e. Would I be better off looking at something else?

The other approach I could take is to just use a T5 5-speed that I'm very familiar with, and have a bell adapter made. I saw mention of that in here, but no definitive info on it actually being done. Any details on that?

Appreciate any input...

DPDISXR4Ti · Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 12:05 pm

Okay, so I guess the first question to address is what exactly is the bell pattern of the 4D55 and 4D56 motors. I had been assuming that those two are the same, AND that they both shared the pattern with the 2.6 Starion motor. That would make them all "wideblock" patterns. I'm still inclined to believe that IS the case, but I don't know for sure. I guess the question to ask is whether all Astron blocks do indeed share the same pattern. Anyone know for sure?

DPDISXR4Ti · Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 12:15 pm

Answered some of my questions already here:
http://projectzerog.com/mitsubishi_engines.shtml

Like the Sirius, it looks like the Astron could be either a narrow or wide block, so that's the first thing to verify about the 2.3L (4D55T) and 2.5L (4D56T) versions of this motor. My best guess is that they're both wideblock, but that is just a total guess on my part. Hell, for all I know they might have used an entirely different pattern for the diesel versions, though I doubt that.

Post by **DJpowerHaus** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 2:57 pm

You might need to crawl under some trucks to figure this one out.

DPDISXR4Ti · Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:46 pm

DJpowerHaus wrote:You might need to crawl under some trucks to figure this one out.

FINDING the trucks to crawl under would be the difficult part! I'm pretty sure nothing in the US ever got the 4D56T, right, only the 4D55T? But I'd say it's a really good bet that if the 55 is a wide block, than the 56 is also.

Need to figure out if any of these are rear sump. I'm pretty sure the one in the Ranger is, as all the other motors used in the Ranger are rear sump.

Here's a 56 on eBay - looks like a rear sump....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mitsubis ... dZViewItem

carguyf545 · Post by **carguyf545** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:33 pm

i know a guy who put a diesel in a starion. i looked at the car real quick. it looked like a real mess. i would say to follow normal gas to diesel how to.

it would be cool to have a pumped up diesel 4 banger.

Group_B · Post by **Group_B** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:15 pm

I've wanted to do a 4D55/56 swap for a good long while, but sourcing an engine has kept it from happening. They are wideblocks and share the same transmission and engine mount patterns as the 4G54. I don't believe there is much to wire up aside from the starter, alternator and glow plug thingy. Fuel delivery wise its just a source and return lines between the tank and pump.

Definitly keep us posted on your project!

DPDISXR4Ti · Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:26 pm

Group_B wrote:I've wanted to do a 4D55/56 swap for a good long while, but sourcing an engine has kept it from happening.

Definitly keep us posted on your project!

I'm ahead of myself in planning the drivetrain upgrade, so don't expect anything too soon. I've heard that you can pick up a JDM 4D56T for as little as $550 state-side if you're patient.

carguyf545 · Post by **carguyf545** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:53 pm

you need to look at gear ratios.

if a starion does something like 3000 rpm at 70 in 5th gear, well think about it.

Group_B · Post by **Group_B** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:36 am

DPDISXR4Ti wrote:I'm ahead of myself in planning the drivetrain upgrade, so don't expect anything too soon. I've heard that you can pick up a JDM 4D56T for as little as $550 state-side if you're patient.

Oh hell. I -really- didn't need to know that.

Who is your source if you don't mind my asking?

carguyf545 wrote:you need to look at gear ratios.

if a starion does something like 3000 rpm at 70 in 5th gear, well think about it.

Thats if you stick with the stock final set. We did get a few diesel pickup models so you could hit up a dealer if you couldn't find a set in a yard. I may end up going the dealer route with my L300 if I can't find another set in time.

DPDISXR4Ti · Post by **DPDISXR4Ti** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:06 pm

Group_B wrote:
DPDISXR4Ti wrote:I'm ahead of myself in planning the drivetrain upgrade, so don't expect anything too soon. I've heard that you can pick up a JDM 4D56T for as little as $550 state-side if you're patient.
Oh hell. I -really- didn't need to know that. Who is your source if you don't mind my asking?

Here's the info I was given - I haven't verified it, so take it for what it's worth....

http://www.noyanusa.com/

said they could have one for $550 couple weeks ago. You can find them in canada for less if you dont mind traveling.

agrabau · Post by **agrabau** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:41 am

Good thread.

I was thinking about doing this in a small truck I just bought. Aside from being new to diesels, I wanted to know if the bellhousing was the same as the 2.6 liter 4 cyl Montero motor.

And.. another question. Is the turbo version the same bell pattern as the non turbo. The turbo would be the first choice.

Alex (first post here)

Group_B · Post by **Group_B** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:58 pm

agrabau wrote:Good thread.

I was thinking about doing this in a small truck I just bought. Aside from being new to diesels, I wanted to know if the bellhousing was the same as the 2.6 liter 4 cyl Montero motor.

And.. another question. Is the turbo version the same bell pattern as the non turbo. The turbo would be the first choice.

Alex (first post here)

It is the same as the 2.6l Monty and from what I've been able to find, there is no difference between the turbo and non-turbo blocks.