Well, I'm not sure what "Limey" is referring too, but unfortunately Mercedes did not offer G-Wagens here back in the day, and for $500 I think the Rover is a great project base.

Let me restate my questions....I'm not looking for information on the actual swap itself as far as fit and alignment goes...I'm fully capable of fabbing the needed brackets, adapter plate, etc with out assistance (though I am paying attention to the multiple threads floating around where people have done this to OTHER vehicles).

Needless to say, I am aware of the Rover Forums and have been looking on them, will probably post a duplicate of this post on a couple of them.

The reason I posted on this forum was specifically for information on the MERCEDES OM617, not the Range Rover (should have made that more clear in my original post). I've seen many folks put them into other vehicles, etc, but that's not me.

I guess overall my question is...what is the weakpoint in these motors that could be the most easily exploited to make them more efficient? I have seen tons of threads on modification this, turbo boost that, ALDA remove there, different intake here.....but I want to know if there is anything on this motor (like porting the head for instance) that would allow for more efficiency and maybe a smidgeon of power without affecting the motors reliability. More free flow on the intake? Better head flow, exhaust (yes I know to pay attention to pressures and EGTs). I have not found any threads that really point this direction...there are bits and pieces, but...

I'll clarify more after more responses..