Hi mate.
How hard is auto to switch into manual?
Need a box plus bellhousing and should bolt up, plus you'll have to track down and remove the extra engine controls for the automatic. Difficulty rating five out of ten.
Engine has arrived with cables galore suspect it is modern and computer accompanied will i need to go whole hog and buy comp as well? or can i run it without.
If it is indeed a TD27Ti with electronic control, it will run like absolute **** if at all without computer, buy computer.
Intercooler wont sit in mine where it is on engine will have to relocate.
Hmm. Where is the intercooler located? The engine bay is the largely the same from D21 to D22, and the Terrano II is built on a D21 chassis, the next Terrano is built on a D22 chassis. Or is the issue that your bonnet doesn't have a hole and scoop to accommodate it?
Any ideas on mods for extra power and highway capability as will be my main transport 4 days a week. What is a decent brand snorkel set up assembly?
Exhaust for power. Besides that all you can really do is up the boost and fuel following a bigger exhaust, it's already TDi so making everything on it bigger is your only option. You will see limited results from a bigger intercooler, you'd only see improved performance when towing etc, high load, wide open accelerator.
For the highway, change your diff ratios and/or fit bigger tyres. Getting a pair of crowns & pinions for these D21s is expensive though, sucks to be a 4x4 owner. What's your present axle code as per the data plate under the bonnet? The other option is to fit alternative overdrive ratio gears from a VL commonwhore or 4x2 Navara or a plethora of JDM cars, but the percentage improvement in cruise RPM is minimal via this method. Consider asking for these ratios if having your transmission rebuilt.
All the snorkles I've seen advertised for it are about $400 RRP and are all the same. They're simple and will work fine as long as they're installed correctly.
Can go up to 33s with a suspension and body lift.
What size pipe for TD27T will be suitable for stopping back pressure and promoting optimum flow?.
Stopping back pressure? You'd need to have no pipe. 3" is overkill, 2.5" is usually enough, but the story is usually the bigger the better. To cut the cost of your exhaust, go with a bigger pipe size but don't bother with mandrel bends on anything below about 70-80 degree bends as they drive the price up. Also,
shorter is better so get into reading those ADRs to work out what is acceptable on your vehicle, fit a side exit in front of the rear wheel if you like.
If you're prepared to cope with a little bit of awesome sounding snorting, go with no resonators or mufflers. The TD27 is not loud by engine standards and with the turbo, the need for a muffler is mostly mitigated. Run the engine without a muffler when the time comes and see how you feel. I've heard they can pass sound requirements without mufflers/resonators.
Is gearbow rebuild a big deal for these units?
Yes. It's a big deal for all vehicles and this one is no exception. Try and get a second hand box from a 4x2 Navara, 4x4 Navara, Pintara, or steal bits from the tranny of a VL commonwhore with the Nissan motor in it. Do not labour the engine to the extent of revs dropping with the accelerator down with the transmission in fifth gear as you WILL f*** the bearings.
Keep us posted and get those photos up, I'm sure we're all very curious to see them. Good luck!