Anyone want to find a couple of "good" OM617 Turbo diesels, crate & freight to Oz?
 

In Australia, the W123 300D never came out with a turbo. The only OM617 turbo engines I have found are in the Gwagon 4WD vehicles and these are as rare as hens teeth here.
While I am amazed with the "Cast Iron" engine and it's ability to run on almost anything, I feel that it would benefit from a few additional horses under the bonnet.
I would like to import a couple of used OM617 turbo engines, complete (including exhaust downpipe, air cleaner, turbo etc) to install into our 300Ds.
What I need is someone from the Forum who has the time to source the engines, do some checks to verify the engine condition, have the engines crated for transport and arrange shipping to me in Oz.
As I do not have any contacts in the USA, outside this Forum, I would be relying on the Forum member to do their best on my behalf.

Are good, low mileage (<150 000mile), late model (1983 on) OM617 Turbo diesel engines available?

Is anyone able to assist me?
To facilitate payment, I could pay by Paypal, or I could arrange a personal cheque to be sent to the Forum member.

Tony

This wouldn't require us to give you our bank account information, travel overseas to complete the transaction, provide blank letterhead forms, and provide up-front or advance fees for various taxes, attorney fees, transaction fees, etc.. would it? ;)

You would also need:
the whole exhaust, (larger diameter pipe)
radiator and expansion tank
turbo oil coolers
722.3 trannies...
and some engine bay mods for the engine shocks....

Perhaps your best bet would be to contact a shipping Co. to price a container and fill it with a car and parts and ship it from LA, California. There are German MB clubs who do this every so often.....

Honestly, I think I can buy a good 20' shipping container for $1300. I bought a real nice 40 footer for $1800 after taxes and delivery. If you could figure out what to pack it with you could make out on this deal.

Engines are not that difficult to come by but removing, checking and packing them would be a chore.

I heard of someone shipping old MB parts cars to South America like this.

By the time you add up all the costs of purchsing the engine, and all related parts, packing them up for overseas shipment, securing them in a container, and then the cost of shipping, plus the cost of the naturally aspirated vehicle down in Australia, you might be better off having someone sell you a 300DT for about $3K or so and shipping the entire vehicle down there.

I have no idea about the shipping cost, but, let's say it's $2K.

You have a decent 300DT for $5K.

Now, you sell the 300D for $2K (just guessing what it might sell for down there).

Your total cost for the new vehicle is $3K.

I don't think you can purchase all the parts, ship them down there and pay yourself a reasonable amount for your time to do the conversion and stay anywhere near $3K. Additionally, the risk of not having the proper parts, and being unable to get the proper parts, is significant.

This is the most reasonable thing I've heard.

Maybe I can bring a few with me in a month or so (may get down your way to help with the "Fueling our Future" truck and trailer.) Think they'd notice a 300CD in my checked luggage?

They might notice it in your checked luggage, but, just take it as a carry on. If it does not look like a nail file or a sheetrock knife they won't have any problem with you at security.

Now the airline might get a bit huffy because it won't fit in those baggage size limit test devices. :D

Could you import and license a USA spec car down there? I suspect that it would be even more difficult than importing a Euro spec car here. You could probably import the front halves of cars for parts.

What about an aftermarket turbo kit? I know that the engines are different but it seems some benefit could be derived by turbocharging the NA engine without destroying it, especially at altitude.

If I were you, I would find some 617's from pre '81 cars. No EGR, otherwise identical, and the trannys do not have the vacuum modulator to deal with. I wish I had a couple weeks off; I would give you a hand with the project….

You could turbocharge one of the NA engines that are available to you, but at the risk of significantly reduced engine life. Intercooling will help, but you will still be lacking the under-piston oil squirters.

Shipping a car to Australia and then trying to get it through your customs and department of motor vehicles will probably be a huge headache if Australia's restrictions are anything like those in the US. :rolleyes: What a nightmare. Check into your local restrictions before ruling out this option though... it's the least expensive option.

Fill a shipping crate with parts and accessories that you will be able to sell in Australia to offset the enormous cost of shipping an entire container.

Good luck with your quest for turbodom! :cool:

Is it possible to put a turbo 617 into a RHD 123? I think the steering components will be in the way.

why bu a container??
 

the cost to move one from inland point usa to port aus has got to be about 2 grand or less. let me ask my ex tomorrow. she moves frt for a living.

the only time i ever bought containers was to send them to russia and the fsu. we never expected to see them again.

Storage, where would you put a container load of parts, etc? I admit that I am no expert on intermodal shipping. There may be better options, it will be interesting to hear what your wife has to say.

might be cheaper to shoot for getting Turbo style performance by installing LP injection into your NA. hmmmmmm...

ps. I read this thread AFTER I responded to your message.

I hope not, I don't want to get tied up in all that BS.
I am just looking for an easy (read cheap) way of importing an OM617 Turbo engine and front pipe.

83-240D,
Thanks for the offer, I will watch for the information from your other half, please express my thanks to her for the information.

Palangi,
I don't know, only one way to find out I suppose :p

Benzcrusher,
I can buy a large diameter exhaust here in Oz. All 300Ds here have the oil cooler. Radiator and expansion tank - not necessary, aftermarket radiator expansion tanks are available here in Oz and I have retrofitted to our 300Ds

722.3 trannies... Is there a problem using the non-turbo trannie with the turbo engine?

Brian Carlton,
That is an innovative idea. It possibly could be licensed in Oz as a LHD vehicle as are some Mustangs etc - If they are >15 year old, IIRC.

Thanks to all who have posted, I am investigating the propane options as well, I will keep you all informed.
Tony