Engine swap
 

I own a mostly rust-colored 1979 Gelaendwagen with the 300D engine and manual 4 speed. The vehicle is mostly incredible, but also incredibly slow. Does anyone have any ideas on swapping out the 300D for a mid-80's 3 liter turbodiesel. Would really like the extra oomph at altitude.

Two questions...
 

Dont turbo motors loose performance at higher altitudes?

also...anybody put a diesel engine in a gas car? I would love to have a early 70's 280se (or similar...I dont know chasis numbers yet :) ) w/ a motor I could actually afford to drive.

Obviously its way over my head at this point, but I was wondering if anybody had done it out there.

Might want to post this over in the ML, G-Wagen & Unimog forum. I know a couple guys have done some engine swapping in G-wagons over there. I don't see why it couldn't be done. But may not be a real simple bolt-in swap.

A2,

NO ! Turbo engines (not motors) do not lose power at higher altitudes. Well I have to quantify that. The have less power at engine speeds less that 2500 RPM the same as non turbo engines, but once the turbo spools up, the power is about the same as at sea level.

I was near Vail CO and was passing everything on the uphill roads at about 10,000 feet with my 300SD. Even the other cars that had gasoline V8s, couldn't keep up with me. What a joy it was.

That's why they put superchargers on piston airplane engines.
to keep the manifold pressure the same or higher than at sea level and keeping the engine from losing power at high altidues.

swap
 

I post over their once in a while. To my knowledge noone over there has done the diesel/turbodiesel swap yet.

More power
 

btrepstra,

If your 300D engine is okay, why don't you do yourself a favor and just propane inject the existing engine? For about $600.00 you can get a kit that will increase power by 50 HP. There are kits that will give you more HP ,up to 150HP, but that also might damage your engine.

This way, you can have more power at the flip of a switch and the propane actually lowers the combuston temperature in the engine, allowing the engine to run cooler. I'm certain that you've read on this website about overheating problems with the turbo engined cars.

plus, it's something you could easily do on a weekend.

Ben

Ben Ridge trying to talk someone OUT of an engine swap ? What has this world come to ? Blasphemy !!!

Intercooled
 

One way of keeping the engine temps down in turbocharged engines is by intercooling the compressed air going into the engine. A good intercooler will reduce the intake charge temp by 125 degrees or more. Not to mention the greater density leading to more horsepower. But then again there's the cost involved. Also, has anyone out there turbocharged a non-turbo engine? I have a '76 300D. Hmmmmm....

propane
 

Thought about that. Just hate to have to go fuel up twice! Looking for a more long term solution for general driveability. For short bursts of power the propane would probably work OK, but for general around town driving in hilly country and mountains, the turbo would be more convenient

Check this out!

http://siconat.com/300gd/

Vanderveer motors is actually local to me! and I've heard that he's got quite a good reputation.

perfect!
 

Wrong coast (Seattle here), but the right idea. Thanks for the lead. Will certainly be contacting them soon.

Thanks again.

no problem!

you should also contact the owner of the 300GD. His email is on that link.

http://www.mbautowerks.com/performance/00008/00008.html

check this out ;) a 3.2L gas engine for the 230GE. I'd say the turbo OM617 would be perfect though.