Mercedes Diesel Swap

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ThePookieBear

ThePookieBear

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Nov 9, 2006
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Wichita, KS.
sounds like an inline 4 diesel, more clackity than a 5 or 6 cylinder (different engine harmonics)

Have you posted on yotatech?

If your interested in more diesel specific stuff try posting in the diesel section. If your looking for a diesel for yours I have a nice 3B ill sell ya :) It is expensive thopugh but comes with the rest of the cruiser...
 
I'm a Mercedes diesel guy. That's an OM 617 5 cylinder turbo used in MB cars from 79-85. It gets about 24-25mpg in a car. So I'm guessing maybe 17-19 in an 80 series. I've owned an MB 409d with a non-turbo version of the OM617 with a 5 spd. It got about 16-17pmg so the 80 Series could be that low also, although the turbo version is slightly more efficient. My gut feeling is the 80 would be underpowered with that engine but I'd probably be happy with it.
The oil filter housing has been removed from the block and mounted remotely in that 80. The OM 617 is arguably the best diesel MB ever produced. All iron. No aluminum head.
 
luke at 4x4 labs did a mercedes diesel swap in his 80 and I am told he has the adapter for the tranny. that will be the way I think I am gonna go sometime.

matter of fact...here it is! though this is for a GM tranny.

http://www.4x4labs.com/products/diesel-conversions/
 
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Off topic somewhat, but I'm somewhat familiar with the MB 2.7 CDI turbo diesel (I5) used in the Canadian Forces G-Wagon which has since been replaced by MB with a V6 design. It's rated at 156 Hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. That engine coupled with the 5 sp auto was "sufficient" to power the vehicle with a GVWR of 4800 kg (10500 lbs). Acceleration to 80 km/hr (50 mph) I believe was about 13 secs @ GVWR, and top speed was 130 km/ hr (80 mph). Fuel economy was approx 14L/100 km (17 US MPG) at GVWR over mixed terrain, with a range of over 700 km (440 miles). Interesting enough the wheelbase for both the 80 series Land Cruiser and G-Wagon is 2850 mm (112 in).
 
For some reason I think it would be under rated for it to... (Car Vs. AWD heavy SUV)

There are a few Mini guys doing them and even one 1.6L or something VW Diesel on youtube...

But the Minis are part time 4WD and about a good 1,000lbs or more, less...

I don't think it would be happy in it.

I would go Cummins (B)3.3 or 3.9 if I was going to try and swap in the max MPG Diesel into a Cruiser... And I'd try to keep it AWD... I'd love to see one with a 6AT in it to... (I know I said A)
 
The best would be the new mercedes 5cyl out of the sprinter van. My buddy has a sprinter and that thing has tons o power and gets great mileage.

I am a huge cummins fan, but the 4bt sounds like a tractor, only louder, and vibrates like crazy. not the way to go if you want your ride quiet, you also have issues clearing the oil pan if you do not have enough lift
 
Geared right, these engines should be fine. They are designed to pull some RPMs (I think redline is 5250 RPM) and still maintain efficiency. I have a good car with this engine and the same blown engine in my backyard. Not sure what I'm doing with them yet...
 
I currently have a Mercedes G350DT. This is the 3.5 liter 6 cylinder diesel engine that replaced the 5 cylinder 617 engine. It has more power than the 5 cylinder, mine has an intercooler and is rated at 160hp. It pulls my G Wagen just fine but the problem is that this engine is not very fuel efficient. I switched from my 6.2 converted FZJ80 thinking the Mercedes would get better mileage but my Land Cruiser would get about 18-19 mpg and the Mercedes is only getting about 15.
For this reason alone it really isn't worth swapping from a gas to a diesel if you really aren't going to gain anything as far as power or mileage.
The good thing about these engines though for a conversion was stated above, they like to rev! Mine turns about 3,000 rpm at 70 mph! My old 6.2 diesel needed to run at about 1,800 rpm, which means you need at 35" tires. I was running 33" tires on mine and could drive it around 2,000 rpm if I kept it around 65 mph.
The other good thing about the Mercedes engine is that it is not much louder than a gas engine.
All things considered if I were to do it over again I would still go with the 6.2 in an 80 series, I am however considering the Mercedes in my FJ40 when I get around to it.
Rusty
 
I looked at the MBE4000 :eek: first holy crap dry wt is over 2K

the 900 looks promising
 
i wonder what kind of tranny is used with these engines
 
From what I have heard on the Mercedes forum, the Sprinter engine was available in Europe with a manual IP, no electronics, that would make an easy swap and that is a great engine.
I borrowed a friends Sprinter motor home last summer, it accelerated better than my old Land Cruiser, cruised at 70 all day long and still got over 20 mpg in a motor home! I was amazed.
If anyone has any connections overseas that can get one of the non-electronic engines sign me up.
Rusty
 
yoopercharged said:
Geared right, these engines should be fine. They are designed to pull some RPMs (I think redline is 5250 RPM) and still maintain efficiency. I have a good car with this engine and the same blown engine in my backyard. Not sure what I'm doing with them yet...
Click to expand...

Put one in your 60!!
 
yoopercharged said:
Thinking about it. Might turn it into a pickup too.
Click to expand...

I have been thinking about putting one in a 60 too, mainly because it is one of the few smog legal swaps in CA. I wish there was one for the 80...
 
I did. No reply yet.
 
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