617 into a Range Rover Classic...advice please.
 

I've looked around at a few forums and noticed alot (well, not alot, but...) of people doing 617 swaps on the old Series Rovers, but didn't really find anything about folks doing a swap on a Classic or anything newer.

I purchased a 95' County Classic that needs some work for $500 and I've purchased a running (albeit I don't honestly have any experience with these motors first hand so how well it's actually running....?) 617 turbo out of an 81' 300SD that the local Mercedes independent was parting out cause the car had TONS of rust on it (one of those things where the front seat was literally going to be riding on the ground shortly...).

So far I'm elated that the motor appears to be a perfect candidate for a swap because of the factory spacer that already exists...should mean I'll just have to make a new spacer to adapt to the 4HP22 in the Rover (good transmission by the way).

Ok, so here's the questions (sorry for babbling). I'm sure that the thing will get down the road alright, and frankly I'm more concerned with getting the adapter and such made, but what if anything can you guys tell me about concerns with the swap? I've been told that I can easily get a little bit more power out of the motor (not like the Swedish guys, just a few extra horsies), but I've also been told that it will be fine at least for the time being, even though the Rover is somewhere in the 4500 lb range. I've considered a dry sump system to ensure clearance between oil-pan/diff in the front, but I'll decide on that after I get stuff better measured (i.e.: when I take the Rover motor out of there...).

Please no junk about "Why a Range Rover, what a piece".....not much on the vehicle will be stock when I'm done with it, and I mean that to the most obscene level...I'm even considering transplanting German doorhandles and central-locking (probably from an old e23 7 series), so I mean literally everything that is a "problem" on these vehicles will be swapped or modified!!!

Thanks in advance for the advice :).

Steve

I wish people would stop putting German diesels into crap like G.M,ford, chrysler,and Limey crap.

good luck-I for one like the fact that you will be keeping the benz alive....
have you checked out seriestrek.com?

he is user mercedesrover here, I believe, and may already have the adapter or be able to mill one for you.

another issue is the oil filter- that can by removed and a remote filter set up added, but dont forget to add(keep) an oil cooler.

You'll probably get some encouragement here:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=24

I, for one, love the '95 Range Rover - the last year with the best interior. For searching though, you need to be on a Rover site - I know it's been done many times, but I don't know what the job entails.

87 Ranggie owner.....
 

I was also looking to do this swap but NO ONE would come with useful information. So, I have put my project on hold. I have scoured many a rover sites but accept for the Aussies, there was little or no information available.

My 87 is in great shap but planning for the pending fuel crisis, I wanted a useful, parts accessible and reliable diesel!

I'm in for the conversation, advice, and challenge. Please keep in contact!

see also the OM617 sub-forum at http://4btswaps.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=26

I really wanted to put a 603t or 606t in my '99, but couldn't find any sources of adapter plates etc. A lot heavier than the aluminum V8 also.

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..

P.S....Thanks for all the replies so far. I did send an e-mail to Seriestrek, so I'll see what he says, but I'd already seen his site before and seems like he's more interested in Series Rovers...hence the site name, and has only modified for fit, not power/efficiency.

Also, just for note, I'm eventually planning on a snorkel, but I will probably try to maintain the lower section of the Mercedes filter housing as I appreciate the design and would prefer not to enhance the noise of the turbo. I chose this motor partially because I've heard them pull away from stoplights and they are almost silent compared to other diesels when tuned right...my sister has a 2006 Jetta TDI (which honestly doesn't drive bad at all), but it is louder than some 617/603 motors which I've heard.

Speaking of the 603. I do have one more question. Does anyone know the weight difference between the 617 and the 603. I was seriously considering the 603 even with the head issues...may still consider one in the future.

Thanks again,
Steve

I'm with you on this one, the late model classics were fantastic to look at. There was a very rare interior option that i've always searched for but could never find on any for sale Rangies. http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/3906/...nteriorgd5.jpg

If I could get that interior on this Brooklands TWR with a 617.....*druel*

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___1995-RANGE-ROVER-COUNTY-LWB-BROOKLANDS-Edition_W0QQitemZ170300240065QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?ha sh=item170300240065&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A-2%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2013/1001268dc5.jpg

Last post for now...

So I looked up Limey in the Urban dictionary...Thank you OldSinner for your sentiment, and if you're fully willing and able to provide me with an old G-wagen for $500 (or even $5000 for that matter) then I will agree with you. I would admittedly much rather have a G, but it's impractical at the moment for my budget as the lowest I have found one is aroung $15,000...and after the price of the swap, etc. that would be $25,000 most likely (I'm not just changing over the motor, will be installing a WVO system as well as a few other gadgets). I just can't afford a $25K project car sitting around for the time being.

Am I the only one to think that putting a 617 in a Range Rover is going to leave you somewhat underpowered?
Toyota Brazil put the OM 364's in their Landcruisers. Those engines are probably not as readily available but perhaps might be a better choice?? I know some people consider putting the 617 in a LandCruiser but I've heard people claim it won't provide enough power. Some people put Cummins 4BT's in LandCruisers. Maybe that would be a good choice for the Rover.
You need to read about the Finnish 617's for info on increased power.

Steve, you might want to post on pointedthree's G-wagen discussion board, if you haven't tried that. I haven't been over there lately but I know there are some Rover-knowledgeable folks there.

If you're mostly looking for a challenging fabrication project and a resulting one-off rig, that's cool, but this would be much too ambitious a project for me. Admittedly there aren't a lot of OM617 300GD's in circulation but with a little patience, you can find one. Sure would be a lot easier. You might spend the $15K up front (although I doubt it right now) for a good one, but then you're done - no swapping necessary. Just the gadgets you want to add. So I think your $25K number is high. Also, you may be starting with a $500 truck right now, but how much will you have in it by the time you have modified the snot out of it? Probably more than you anticipate right now. And how much is your time worth?

Anyway, good luck with the project! Bruce

Aren't most of those non-turbo'd?