Mercedes diesel 603 engine

[Zorm]

Saw that first Mercedes diesel G-Wag swap fizzile out, any others? Found a 603 engine and a OM617 out of a 81 Mercedes

thoughts?

[joe]

For a FSJ swap I wouldn't bother with the 617. Wonderful little dsl for their intended use but IMHO not enough poop for a 4500 lb car.

[cma]

The OM 617 does have roundabout 88PS and Torc 172 NM at 2400. I have driven the smaler engine, the 240 Diesel, 4 Zylinder with 72 PS. It is no race engine...
I am with Joe, think for a 2 Ton Light Truck it could be a little bit to small...

But: both engine are very well runners....

[BillyBob535]

I got the chance to experience a wrangler with the OM617 in it. It was geared correctly but just did not have adequate power (I am used to a 4cyl auto YJ and the 617 was a slug compared to it). I had originally intended to go that way until I experienced one first hand. When I decided to build a diesel FSJ instead of a YJ I knew the OM617 (or OM603) would not cut it. I did some research and found the OM606. Its a straight six 24v aluminum head DOHC diesel and weighs about the same as a gas V8. Its powerband is up higher like a gas motor so you don't have to run super high (numerically low) gears with it.

I am in the process of collecting parts to put an OM606 in a 4 door 76-83 Cherokee or Wagoneer. I am going to use a 98/99 turbo OM606 from an E300 with a Dieselmeken mechanical injection pump and possibly a different turbo (250-350 HP depending on choices). I am going to buy the mercedes4x4 OM606 to AX-15 adapter (.750 pilot version) when it comes out in a couple weeks, re-drill it for the OM648 rear sump oil pan, and notch it for the CJ hydraulic slave cylinder that bolts to the AMC bellhousing. I bought a CJ T176 bellhousing, the Advance Adapters Dodge NV4500 to AMC bellhousing adapter, and a 98 Dodge 2500 gas V8 NV4500. The long input of the Dodge NV4500 and the 2 adapters will space the tranny back similar to the spacers AMC used with the T177/T178. I will be running the 80+ FSJ NP208AM with the jb-custom cable shifter. I am going to look at a set of 98+ 24v cummins Dodge motor mounts bolted to flat plates which are then bolted to the block. I will just have to have a welder come in and fab some simple mounts on the framerails.

I should end up with a simple, easy to maintain, and relatively fuel efficient powertrain that does not depend on any electronics (beyond glow plugs and starter - I live at the beach and on a hill so both can be bypassed if necessary). If it gets beyond 20MPG I will be very pleased. It is going to be an expensive project ($6000 - $7000 depending on turbo and transfer case decisions) but I won't have a rattletrap cummins 4BT, the weight penalty of a 6BT, or the lack of power of a 6.2/6.5 GM diesel.

Good luck on your swap

[81jseries]

My daily driver is a 98 om606 and it has plenty of power for a relatively large car. I've driven the older 0m617 cars before and they are definitely slugs. I too have been eyeing that new 606/ax15 adapter for a future project and would like to see a build thread BillyBob.

[BillyBob535]

My daily driver is a 98 om606 and it has plenty of power for a relatively large car. I've driven the older 0m617 cars before and they are definitely slugs. I too have been eyeing that new 606/ax15 adapter for a future project and would like to see a build thread BillyBob.

The adapter came in the other day and it is very nice. Last weekend I bought a 95 W124 with the non-turbo OM606 that I was going to use for mock up and to get things running and then swap in a turbo motor when I found one. I stumbled on a 99 W210 with low miles on it the other day. If things work out I will be picking it up this weekend. I will take the PS pump (lower pressure to run a hydroboost), mechanical linkages, and all mechanical injection pump and put it on the turbo motor. Hopefully I will have it all ready for a build by fall when its cooler outside.