I have been looking for a diesel to put in my jeep and I believe I am going to use a 617. I understand there is a difference between possibility and reality. I have read on other pages it is possible to easily take one of these engines to 250 hp. Reality appears to be not likely. My goals are 175 hp safe and reliable with maybe 250 torque (if possible). I am planning on running WVO. I would like to find an engine and tear it completely down and start from scratch. That being said, any suggestions on a cam to help with torque and hp. Is there a year that is best? Are there performance injectors. Is there any advantage to lowering the compression and upping the boost a little on this engine? I am hoping to use a 700r4 tranny. This is a really good 4 speed auto GM tranny.

What torque are people getting with this engine. I have had diesel trucks in the past and do enjoy the rattle. A Cummins in a jeep is a little to much, it would shake the fillings out of my mouth.

Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have been weeding through many web pages and threads.

Not true, it's better to say these engines *can* put out 250HP. You will top out the injection pump around 180-190Hp. Any higher than that and you will be getting into changing the pump elements to get more fuel injected (Sending the heavy chunk of iron to finland, spending $2000. Not fun). The stock T3 is also only good to about 140hp and 15psi boost.

You best route for power is a Cummins 4BT. They start around 130hp and can get into the 250-400HP range for MUCH cheaper and less work than you can get these to do the same. Not only that, but the extra 0.9L and a longer piston stroke makes them a torque MONSTER.

If you still want an OM617, I'd look for a Federal 83-85. Late 82 had some minor factory changes like longer exhaust valve duration on the cam lobes. Avoid Kalifornia model engines from the late 84-85, the emissions stuff on the engines stresses the engine more and will just mean more work for you.

Does a Cummins 4BT fit into a W126? (Just wondering......)

__________________
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A 4bt pushed that high for hp has and almost unbearble rattle. They also weigh 700 lbs with nothing on them. I have heard a jeep with one of these. You have to remember a jeep has little to no insulation for sound and you cannot hear the person sitting next to you. I am not looking to pull down a house. A small camper maybe. Elk hunting in the winter up in the mountains. Just want a nice reliable diesel with decent power.

Jeep YJ with a Volvo TD
1977 Chevrolet Corvette 6.5L Diesel

It's DIESEL, you need the rattle to let you know it's still running!

I drove a 6.5 TD for 10 years, it was a good engine until it was totaled. Where is federal heights, I am in Parker.

There is a little rattle and then there is just plan over the top rattle.

Federal heights is about 3sq blocks in size in the northern part of Denver around 84th and pecos (near Water World).

2.9L OM??? in a Jeep Scrambler.
http://www.cookbros.com/mbz.html
http://www.cookbros.com/mbz2.html

Take a look at the oil pan on a 617. It may be hard to work around. There are other threads here on this topic. Look at pirate4x4.com also.

it has been done, theres a guy who has dropped in to this forum before who had a 617 in a cj7.

I asked him for pics but never got them.

IMHO your REAL problem is gonna be mating the engine to the tranny, nothing is gonna bolt up and if you are gonna cast your own bellhousing them please make me one too.

__________________
Cheers,
Robert

ditto

Just make yourself an adapter plate!



Your trouble is going to be the front-drop oil pan. Take a look under one of these engines and you'll see what I mean.

jim

Jim,

Nice plates.

Are some of those holes threaded or are all those bolts backed up with nuts on the other end?

Where did you get your stock? Pricey stuff!

Ted

__________________
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1983 240D manual, Biscayne Blue, sold at 341K

Thanks!

Almost all the holes are threaded but four are thru-holes and take a cap screw. It's pretty hard stuff so it holds well. The prototype has been in my truck for 6 years with no trouble at all.

And yes, pricey stuff! It's 6061 that starts out 1" thick x 18" x 18". It pays to shop around!

jim

4x4 labs is making an adapter kit to use the 617 with any GM tranny. The 700r4 is a 4 speed OD auto which should work well. The same tranny I had behind a 6.5 TD. Will have to shift the engine over 1.5 inches so the front shaft will clear the tranny oil pan.

I emailed 4x4labs yesterday. Evidently the conversion kits are not ready yet. Here's the response I got from them.

we are thinking about a grand for the kit but
we're not finished with it yet so it's hard to
say. I'll let you know,
thanks,
-luke@4x4labs