HPD Diesel Performance Upgrades: An Australian-Made Advantage for 4x4 Enthusiasts

High Performance Diesel (HPD) is one of Australia’s most respected names in diesel performance parts.  Unlike generic aftermarket brands, HPD designs and manufactures its products in-house and tests them in harsh outback conditions.  The result is a comprehensive range of intercoolers, oil catch cans, transmission coolers, turbo upgrade kits and air‑intake systems that are engineered for reliability and efficiency.  According to 4x4 Mods Australia’s brand overview, HPD has dedicated research and development teams that continually perfect products to improve drivability and efficiency .  Buying HPD parts means investing in Australian‑made components manufactured with precision and durability .

HPD Oil Catch Cans: Protecting Your Engine from Oil and Carbon Build‑Up

Modern turbo‑diesel engines use exhaust‑gas recirculation (EGR), which mixes exhaust gasses with intake air.  This process leaves an oily film inside the intake manifold; over time the film traps carbon particles and creates a thick sludge that blocks airflow and contaminates sensors.  HPD’s billet CNC‑machined oil catch cans are designed to intercept this oil before it reaches the manifold .  The company’s catch‑can kits include stainless‑steel bracketry, hose fittings, washable mesh filters and pre‑cut oil‑resistant hoses , making them easy to install on most 4WDs.

Key benefits of HPD oil catch cans :

• Reduces oil in the intake system – prevents oil vapour from coating the intake manifold.
• Allows intercoolers to work efficiently by keeping the charge‑air path clean.
• Eliminates carbon and oil build‑up in the inlet manifold, keeping ports and valves clean.
• Reduces engine wear and exhaust smoke and helps maintain fuel economy.
• Keeps MAP and air‑flow sensors clean so the ECU can accurately meter fuel and boost.

Kit features :

• Billet aluminium catch can with internal stainless‑mesh filters and dipstick.
• Screw‑in hose fittings (19 mm) and a base that unscrews for draining.
• Vehicle‑specific mounting brackets and oil‑resistant hoses.

Example product: the Oil Catch Can for LandCruiser VDJ76/78/79 Series V8 4.5 L uses HPD’s billet separator to prevent oil from entering the intake.  It’s compatible with 2007‑on VDJ LandCruiser models and ships with a bracket that bolts to factory mounting points .  Whether you run a factory turbo or an aftermarket kit, fitting an HPD catch can helps keep the intercooler clean and sustains power delivery over the long term .

Transmission Coolers: Keeping Your Gearbox Alive under Heavy Loads

Automatic transmissions generate a lot of heat when towing or off‑roading.  Excess heat breaks down fluid, increases wear and can trigger limp‑mode.  HPD’s transmission cooler kits use a 50 mm‑thick bar‑and‑plate core and have been designed and tested for tough conditions .  By removing heat from the transmission fluid before it reaches the radiator, the coolers maintain stable temperatures and help prevent overheating .

A typical kit, such as the Transmission Cooler Kit for 2021‑on D‑MAX/MU‑X/BT‑50, is a complete bolt‑on solution.  Common Rail Cowboys, another authorised HPD dealer, lists the following features for this kit :

• Bar‑and‑plate core (300×200×50 mm) for high thermal efficiency and durability.
• Laser‑cut stainless‑steel brackets and CNC‑machined end tanks, ensuring strength and precise fitment .
• Billet CNC adaptor plate with hose tails and 10 mm‑diameter oil hose .
• Includes clamps, insulation, mounting hardware and installation instructions .

Reducing transmission temperatures has real benefits.  Cooler fluid lowers stress on clutch packs and bearings, extends service life and may even improve fuel economy when towing heavy loads .  HPD’s bar‑and‑plate core is thicker than many competing coolers, giving it more surface area and thermal mass to absorb heat during prolonged hill climbs or desert crossings .

Intercooler Kits: Front‑Mount vs Top‑Mount HPD Solutions

An intercooler lowers the temperature of compressed air leaving the turbocharger.  Cooler air is denser, allowing the engine to burn more fuel and make more power.  HPD offers both front‑mount and top‑mount intercooler kits.  Their bar‑and‑plate cores are strong enough to support over 200 kW at the wheels while still maintaining cool intake temperatures in remote environments .

Front‑Mount Intercooler Kit (Colorado RG 2013+)

HPD’s front‑mount kit for the Colorado RG uses a large 600×300×76 mm bar‑and‑plate core, alloy mandrel‑bent piping and laser‑cut mounting brackets .  It comes with quality silicone hoses, a hot‑side pipe diameter of 51 mm and a cold‑side pipe that transitions from 57 mm to 63 mm for smooth airflow .  According to Partsman, the kit is designed to increase performance, reliability and sustainable power and can deliver up to 30 % more power and torque when combined with appropriate tuning and supporting modifications .  The front‑mount location avoids under‑bonnet heat soak and pairs well with HPD’s transmission cooler kits .  You can browse or order this kit from 4x4 Mods Australia at HPD Front Mount Intercooler Kit (Colorado RG 2013+).

Top‑Mount Intercooler Kits

Top‑mount kits suit vehicles where a front‑mount may interfere with bull bars or winches.  HPD top‑mount kits still use bar‑and‑plate cores and typically include a bonnet scoop, thermo fan and laser‑cut mounting brackets.  Although we could not access full product pages, HPD notes that both front‑ and top‑mount kits lower inlet temperatures and enable higher boost pressure .  The choice largely depends on packaging constraints and whether you prioritise maximum core size (front‑mount) or simplicity of installation (top‑mount).

Turbo Kits: Big Gains with Australian Engineering

HPD turbo upgrade kits are purpose‑built for specific four‑wheel‑drive models and deliver substantial increases in power.  The company uses ball‑bearing turbochargers and pairs them with custom manifolds and intercoolers.  According to 4x4 Mods Australia’s description, these kits can increase a vehicle’s power by up to 47 % at the wheels over a standard engine .  Many HPD turbo kits include a bar‑and‑plate intercooler that drops inlet temperatures by up to 90 °C .  This combination improves reliability under sustained boost and towing loads.

For example, HPD offers turbo kits for the Toyota LandCruiser 100/105 series and the Nissan Patrol TD42.  These kits replace the factory turbo and manifold with a ball‑bearing unit and include all necessary pipework, oil lines and mounting hardware.  When combined with an HPD intercooler and catch can, a turbo kit transforms a sluggish diesel into a responsive tourer with more torque for towing and climbing.  Check out the range of HPD turbo kits on the 4x4 Mods Australia HPD brand page.

Air‑Intake Systems: Better Breathing for Turbo‑Diesels

An often‑overlooked upgrade is the air‑intake system.  HPD’s air‑intake systems are designed to increase airflow, throttle response and overall performance .  They use durable components that are less prone to cracking than the factory plastic intakes found on many modern diesels .  HPD also includes a universal boost controller, allowing drivers to fine‑tune boost levels on a wide range of turbocharged vehicles .  Each kit comes with installation hardware and detailed instructions, making them a straightforward DIY upgrade .

Fitting a high‑flow intake complements other HPD upgrades by ensuring the turbocharger can draw in enough cool air.  A free‑breathing intake reduces pressure drop, improves turbo spool‑up and helps the engine maintain power at altitude or in dusty conditions.  When combined with an HPD intercooler and catch can, the intake system contributes to a cleaner, more efficient engine that produces more consistent power.

Why Choose HPD and 4x4 Mods Australia?

HPD specialises in high‑performance diesel products engineered for Australian conditions .  All components are manufactured domestically using quality materials and advanced digital manufacturing techniques .  HPD’s R&D teams refine each product to ensure it improves drivability and reliability .  4x4 Mods Australia stocks the full HPD range because the two companies share a commitment to delivering top‑quality parts for off‑roaders .

For enthusiasts seeking safe, reliable power gains, HPD’s oil catch cans, transmission coolers, intercooler kits, turbo kits and air‑intake systems offer proven performance.  Because these upgrades are designed to work together, equipping your 4WD with HPD products creates a balanced package: clean intake air, stable transmission temperatures, cool and dense charge‑air and efficient turbocharging.  Explore the full HPD catalogue at 4x4 Mods Australia and invest in Australian‑made performance for your next adventure.