On the Landcruiser V8 turbo diesels, Toyota have placed the intercooler on the top of the engine helped to keep production and assembly costs lower. The objective of power and emissions could be met with this setup for normal usage. It was not chosen as the most effective cooling solution – that can be found on the current model Prado and Hilux, which have front mounted intercoolers.

By placing the intercooler at the front you get best cooling available.  We've never heard of a top mounted radiator and thats because the cold air isn't there.  Testing, performed on a VDJ70 series (tuned to around 150rwkw) showed that (at full load) the factory top mount was able to cool the pressurised inlet air charge from around 180-190degC down to 88degC (60% efficient).  The leading aftermarket top mount intercooler, further brought this temp down to 75degC – (70% efficient and a 15% drop in maximum temperature).  On the same vehicle, our PDI front mount was tested and the temperature reached a maximum of 47degC (87% efficient and a 46% drop in temperature and over 3x more effective than the best aftermarket upgraded top mounted intercooler available. The benefit of a PDI front mount is even greater when power is increased as the boost is higher, more heat is radiated from the engine and the heat required to be removed increases.

Note: for the 2022-2023 VDJ79, fitted with adaptive cruise control, we have a bracket together that will allow the sensor (positioned behind the Toyota emblem) to be mounted further forward to clear the intercooler. This is not required on earlier models and also not required if you select a bullbar that allows the sensor to be relocated into the bullbar. The sensor itself is not very compact so to allow it to fit in front of the intercooler means it will sit 70mm forward of its current location and therefore the Toyota logo will need to be removed from the grill and mounted further forward too.

We have installed a number of the PDI front mount kits with great results. When done on its own, the difference it makes to the performance is immediately detectable as the engine control system is adjusting performance based on inlet air temperature and the performance is more spirited under all conditions.  The cooler the weather the better your turbo engine performs and this is due to cooler intake temperatures.  Customers have reported the PDI intercooler is the best mod they have done for both regular driving and or chasing all out power.

Upgrades are now allowing tuners to push beyond 300kW at the wheels, so we have designed the Mk3 core to be even more effective. It has been made to have the maximum width (700mm) with custom end tanks and 3” outlets that go through next to the headlights into the engine bay. The increased width gives the core better cooling capability as more fresh air is being pushed and drawn through for further improved cooling. The improved position allows the new Mk3 core to be closer to the condenser, which means there will be more effective pull from the engine cooling fan at low speed. Being close, it will be possible to make the seal even better with foam packing to further increase the draw through.

Our PDI kits do not interfere with the airbag sensors at the front so these kits can be installed on current model 70 series. No cutting of the structure needs to be done. Only the grill and lower painted panel will need to cut and ground to make room.

 NOTE: Due to change in single cab chassis following the 2016 update (to get ANCAP rating) we can only supply this kit in single entry design and this needs to run the OEM airbox. This is due to the steering box being relocated, where our pipe routes under the airbox.

The single and dual entry kits use the same intercooler and same hot side piping to the turbo – only the cold side piping is different. The factory setup has two throttle bodies facing left and right which go into the factory top mounted intercooler. The dual entry option connect into both of these, but splits the outlet from the intercooler. The single entry removes the butterflies and the section they bolt to, which also has the feed from the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation emissions system) so the EGR input becomes blocked off with a plate. For all 200 series and post 2013 VDJ79/76/78 the two throttle bodies must be plugged back in to prevent the engine throwing codes and de-rating the power. For early 70 series they can be left off the engine with an ECU reflash to clear the fault from them not being connected. We supply a bracket to mount the throttle bodies and hang either side of the single entry intake adapter.

Reason to go with the single entry kit:

1. Chasing max responsiveness and have high flow turbos. The factory throttles are only fully open when your foot is flat to the floor. The rest of the time they are moving to assist with EGR flow.

2. Looking to have the neatest intercooler piping, with less connections.

Reason to go dual entry:

1. Want to keep the EGR system connected to intake to meet emissions requirements.

2. Want to keep the butterflies (throttle valves) in the system to give smooth shut down, maintain factory setup and for those with auto transmission, maintain the ability to shut down the engine in case it ever starts to run on its own fumes (this is a low probability, but high risk outcome).

3. On a late model (2022) VDJ79 we have heard that the engine will de-rate the power without EGR gas flow, as well as the check engine light if an ECU reflash isn’t performed. This took 80km of driving before the ECU decided to de-rate the power. Fitting the dual entry allows this to remain intact.

Kit includes

- brackets for mounting the intercooler with additional bolts

- intercooler

- stainless 2.5" and 3" pipework

- heavy duty silicon elbows and joiners

- wiring extensions for sensor relocation.

- quality Hi-Torque Breeze liner clamps

- installation guide.

To install you will need 

- normal spanners and sockets

- hammer and large adjustable spanner or bar to adjust support panel.

- metal snips or body saw for trimming lower painted panel.

- power tool to trim down the back of the grill for refitting.

 EGT Gauges

If you plan to install an EGT probe, we recommend doing this into the dump pipe after the turbo. Recently we have decided to stock a budget EGT probe system that uses a Class A probe with 2m long lead and digital display making it easy to read and mount. We have another option in green that has a smaller thread for mounting into intake air temps if you wish to see how you system is performing. These can be purchased HERE

Brake Booster Upgrade

PDI have the only brake booster upgrade on the market for the ABS and non-ABS VDJ79. The factory booster is a small single diaphragm unit which is insufficient in when towing or when wheel size is increased. The PDI upgrade for the 79 is a dual diaphragm unit with larger than standard diameter giving an increase in the mechanical advantage able to be applied to the master cylinder by 50% and has transformed the vehicle for many 79 series owners. Can can be purchased by clicking the links 79 ABS (including traction control models) and 79 non-ABS.

Upgraded Airbox

PDI have their own design airbox that is cast aluminium (for better sealing), works with our intercooler kit,, uses a 200 series panel filter (for increased surface area) and has stainless steel latches to hold the lid down. They can be purchased HERE

3.55 Diff Gears

To drop your engine RPM in all gears and spread the RPM in each gear we stock 3.55 gears and solid spacers. They can be purchased HERE.

Short Shifter for Manual Transmission.

Our short shifter goes into the top of the box and reduces the shifter throw by 60%. These give a much more positive feel on the engagement. Available HERE

Automatic Transmission Upgrade

PDI have a Ford 6 speed auto installed in a high powered turbo diesel Landcruiser and are working to make this available for the VDJ79. If this interests you please contact use to see how this is progressing and maybe asked to be put on a list. Read more about it under our news page HERE.