best mercedes engine recommendation - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dioreo · #1 01-30-2008, 03:31 AM

hi guys & girls , im new to the forum ,been reading a lot , wonderful people here btw, i got some questions for you mercedes guys , i have a project underway, i want to convert my gmc canyon to diesel , i have made other swaps in the past but only with big diesel engines like cummins & isuzu , my question is what engine you guys think is the best candidate for the truck , its a single cab 4x4 will be using the gm 4l60e with standalone tcm .

the original 2.8 gasser engine according to epa makes 20 mpg city , 27 mpg hwy , Power: 130 kW , 175 HP SAE @ 5,600 rpm; 185 ft lb , 251 Nm @ 2,800 rpm

the engine im looking for has to be turbo ,reliable , inline cylinders , same or better mpg than the gasser and equivalent or more power and a good candidate for a svo system.

particularly im looking for a mercedes engine becouse i have good sources for them . any input will be greatly apreciated , currently i have the truck ,the drivetrain ,the tools to make the adapter , just need to know a good engine to look for and what years & series vehicles have the "good engines" , thanks .

dioreo · #2 01-30-2008, 05:44 AM

what series engine would this be? 1987 300d

#3 01-30-2008, 05:52 AM

Om603. Completely mechanical except the idle RPM is computer controlled.

t walgamuth · #4 01-30-2008, 07:00 AM

The biggest problem with a benz motor into us made trucks is the low sump on the oil pan. It is all the way to the front, is impossible to relocate for any reasonable price and usually interferes with the cross member or the fwd diff.

It is a good concept though.

Tom W

oldnavy · #5 01-30-2008, 07:35 AM

Doesn't the Sprinter have a oil pan set further back or something? I have seen them sitting on the floor and seem to remember something different about the I5 3L engine oil pan that was used in those trucks. However not sure you could go back far enough in US for a non CPU controlled engine anyway.

#6 01-30-2008, 07:41 AM

The Sprinter OM612 and OM647 both have the sump at the very front, same as most all of MB's Diesel engines. All engines past 1996 are ECM controlled.

SW · #7 01-30-2008, 07:53 AM

You might contact the owner of this sight. I know he's on this forum, but can't remember his screen name.

http://www.seriestrek.com/

Krautmister · #8 01-30-2008, 07:56 AM

Your canyon is the same truck as Isuzu i380, over seas they sell this truck in turbo diesel... another Isuzu power plant will bolt right in and mount to gm tranny...

babymog · #9 01-30-2008, 10:33 AM

The wrecked '87 would IMO be the best donor, doesn't need any electronics to run or idle, electronic idle control can default to mechanical. It is the OM603 6cyl 3l turbodiesel, reasonable horsepower and torque stock, and can be tweaked quite a bit depending on your budget.

Mounting it is a different issue, will take some custom fabrication. It'd be nice to convert to a dry sump also if possible.

vstech · #10 01-30-2008, 12:08 PM

Hmm relocating the crossmember in a large truck does not sound like fun to me... Ive done it on smaller vehicles, so in theory it can be done... the dry sump sounds interesting, it could be done. that would be a lot of work for a Free engine.....

vstech · #11 01-30-2008, 12:10 PM

Man, look at that car! solid hit to the front, damage to both doors, so the car obviously spun and hit other things after initial impact, and yet notice all the glass is intact! gotta love MB! I really wanna find me one of these for sale locally...

P.E.Haiges · #12 01-30-2008, 01:48 PM

dioreo,

U can take 20% off any EAPA fuel ratings.

What does it get in real life?

P E H

babymog · #13 01-30-2008, 07:42 PM

Here's one I bought, T-boned, the doors still open and latch, no broken glass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Man, look at that car! solid hit to the front, damage to both doors, so the car obviously spun and hit other things after initial impact, and yet notice all the glass is intact! gotta love MB! I really wanna find me one of these for sale locally...

turbobenz · #14 01-30-2008, 09:00 PM

Heres my first mb (and first car), t boned at 45mph by a 94 fullsize gmc pickup. He had no lights on, and I should have looked better. Oh well.

After I realized what the hell just happened, I jumped out of the sunroof, completely unharmed.

Yes, I know I killed a mb. But, the engine is going into a car that would have otherwise been vulterized at pick n pull then crushed, so, yeah, Ill be benz neutral In a few weeks

Car still drive fine, we bungie corded the doors shut and drove her for one last voyage around the block.

RichardLSU · #15 01-30-2008, 09:59 PM

I'd suggest the OM617, turbo inline-5 cylinder. Its bulletproof and probably relatively cheap compared to other MB engines. Ask anybody on the forum about their attributes and you'll be more than pleased. I get about 26-28mpg in my 85 300SD and it cruises down the highway just fine with just enough grunt to get me anywhere.

Specs for the motor are similar to the engine your removing.

You would probably need a custom oil pan fabricated to fit this motor properly for your application. Removal of the ALDA would help with power/acceleration if your not too concerned about smoke and decreased mileage.