Sorry, should have mentioned the 601. Personally I feel that the 602t was the replacement for the 617, same number of cylinders, roughly the same horsepower & torque, just a newer design. It too had the early head issues in '87, and the early vacuum-pump bearing, corrected later in production.

I should also correct myself in the 606 being electronic, the IP was mechanical, with electonic control, kind of like KE-Jetronic / CIS-E. I don't know if the 604/605/606 was ever offered in other countries without the electronic controlled IP.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I agree.
The 602 family ran through into the 2000's and was replaced by the 612/647 which is still pretty much the same engine with modifications to the intake, injection, head, and electronics. All three are just as durable and strong as the engine they replaced, including the venerable 617.
Although a fresh slate was used in the 602's design (and the subsequent 612/647's based on it), in reality the 617 was simply modified to adhere to the stricter emissions and efficiency standards and was only discontinued in North America in 2006. Up to that point it powered Jeep products as well as the T1N. Outside of North America these engines powered the E and C among others.
I run a 2004 T1N for work and the only thing that ever failed over 200k was the $60 turbo resonator.

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I don't know the same things that you don't know.

Shayne

85 W126 SD OM617.951
87 409D 650S OM617.913
93 E34 Touring M50B25TU
02 E46 Sport M54B30TU