om617 into a half ton truck? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ash-diesel · #1 04-20-2017, 04:47 PM

I've seen a few guys install an om617 in half ton trucks, for fuel efficiency. Been thinking about trying it myself, but the universal opinion is that it would be underpowered. Any information would be helpful.

If not a 617, what about a 603, or even a 606? I'm not apposed to ether of those, it's just that 617 can be had for so crazy cheap.

Best regards.

ash-diesel · #2 04-20-2017, 11:04 PM

In my hasty typing, I forgot to really state my question. What do you think about the om617 in a 5000lb truck?

Could be to much weight to haul around well?

Fuel economy might suffer?

I'm in the dark for pretty much everything about this motor.

Diseasel300 · #3 04-21-2017, 12:23 AM

I don't have a good answer for you because I simply don't know. However, 125HP (from a turbo 617), or 146HP (from an early turbo 603) in a 5000 pound truck will be slooooooooooooooooow. Even the W126 300SD's were around 3500 pounds and have a much better drag coefficient than your truck. They are NOT rocketships.

With the weight and drag, I'd be impressed if you got above the low 20s on the highway. You'd be lugging the engine pretty hard. With all that weight, forget about towing.

That said, there have been swaps into Ford Rangers and Toyota pickups, although they're far lighter than what you're talking about, smaller in proportion with better aerodynamics, and had similar power outputs from their original engines so they're more of a straight-forward swap.

Simpler=Better · #4 05-19-2017, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

I don't have a good answer for you because I simply don't know. However, 125HP (from a turbo 617), or 146HP (from an early turbo 603) in a 5000 pound truck will be slooooooooooooooooow. Even the W126 300SD's were around 3500 pounds and have a much better drag coefficient than your truck. They are NOT rocketships.

With the weight and drag, I'd be impressed if you got above the low 20s on the highway. You'd be lugging the engine pretty hard. With all that weight, forget about towing.

That said, there have been swaps into Ford Rangers and Toyota pickups, although they're far lighter than what you're talking about, smaller in proportion with better aerodynamics, and had similar power outputs from their original engines so they're more of a straight-forward swap.

Yup. Stick one in a mini truck with a round nose, and you're golden.

t walgamuth · #5 05-20-2017, 03:39 PM

A week or so back I went to the Studebaker international meet in South Bend. I took my 39 Studebaker coupe express pickup with a stock 200K mile 617 turbo with the five speed mb manual overdrive transmission.

When there a fellow rolled in in a 61 Champ pickup (studebaker). I noticed it clattering and went over and chatted with him. It has a 617 turbo with a mb automatic transmission. its also a 3/4 ton. He has been driving it some time. He pulled a flat trailer with another studebaker on it......all the way from Pennsylvania.

So the 617 is pretty adequate with the proper gearing and so forth. I imagine he has a big tranny cooler on it too.