Mercedes 5cyd diesel?

54066 Views 39 Replies 23 Participants Last post by ArmyRover, Apr 24, 2010

LANDY96

Discussion Starter · Feb 15, 2005

Has anyone out there heard or tried to put the 5cyd turbo diesel in a discovery, Defender, RRC.? I have a 83 300d, the more I look at her, the more the engine seduces me,

. I know people have put the 300tdi, 200tdi, 2.8 powerstroke, and sometimes the nissan diesel in. Give me your thoughts. I have a 96 Discovery 5-speed. With a little(lot) of hard work it can be done, I assume. The mercedes diesel is one Heck of a workhorse, easy maintanence too. I just don't know about the bellhousings.

21 - 40 of 40 Posts

pavel

· #21 · May 22, 2006

Landy96: I am also interested in using the 5 cylinder Mercedes diesel but have to wonder about emissions testing in Texas and my area, B.C. (Canada). What will happen if I turn up at the testing facility with an old sooty diesel powerplant and their computer shows I should have a 4 liter V8 in the vehicle. I almost afraid to ask them....
At the moment, I have an old Willys wagon as well that needs the Mercedes engine far more than my 96 Disco 5spd!

daway

· #22 · May 24, 2006

pavel said:
Landy96: I am also interested in using the 5 cylinder Mercedes diesel but have to wonder about emissions testing in Texas and my area, B.C. (Canada). What will happen if I turn up at the testing facility with an old sooty diesel powerplant and their computer shows I should have a 4 liter V8 in the vehicle. I almost afraid to ask them....
At the moment, I have an old Willys wagon as well that needs the Mercedes engine far more than my 96 Disco 5spd!

what would the gas miles be like on a disco or RRC (mercedes diesel rebuilt):confused

appstatedisco

· #23 · May 24, 2006

I'm guessing high 20's, possibly low 30's?

LANDY96

Discussion Starter · #24 · May 24, 2006

OK EVERYONE! I have researched this possibility, and have come to the conclusion, that it would be EXTREMELY difficult, if not near impossible to install a 617a into a Discovery. Just looking at the over-all height and length of the engine, major modifications would have to be made. Starting with the oil pan sump. It sits WAY to low, and the pan does not clear the axle! The engine fan would have to be taken out, and other means of cooling the engine would have to be addressed. If you wanted to keep the A/C, there would be NO way left to cool the engine! The weight of the engine is also another concern. The 617A(turbo diesel 5cyl) Fully dressed weighs near 1000lbs

That is about 300lbs more than the rover V8. Now you are looking at MUCH stronger springs! Don't get me wrong, there are ways to do almost anything!! But I don't have the money or the time to try it. If anyone wants to try it, let me know! I also looked at the amout of time, and money i would sink into this project. I can just buy a Turbo-Diesel G-Wagen for the same price. ....AND get it all!!!

See less See more

onslow

· #25 · May 25, 2006

LANDY96 said:
OK EVERYONE! I have researched this possibility, and have come to the conclusion, that it would be EXTREMELY difficult, if not near impossible to install a 617a into a Discovery. Just looking at the over-all height and length of the engine, major modifications would have to be made. Starting with the oil pan sump. It sits WAY to low, and the pan does not clear the axle! The engine fan would have to be taken out, and other means of cooling the engine would have to be addressed. If you wanted to keep the A/C, there would be NO way left to cool the engine! The weight of the engine is also another concern. The 617A(turbo diesel 5cyl) Fully dressed weighs near 1000lbs That is about 300lbs more than the rover V8. Now you are looking at MUCH stronger springs! Don't get me wrong, there are ways to do almost anything!! But I don't have the money or the time to try it. If anyone wants to try it, let me know! I also looked at the amout of time, and money i would sink into this project. I can just buy a Turbo-Diesel G-Wagen for the same price. ....AND get it all!!!

I disagree there is a swedish firm that does conversion kits for the merc 5cyl TD into the range rover if it will fit a RR it will fit a Disco

gregolma

· #26 · May 25, 2006

How do we get in touch with this Swedish firm. I can get a 5 cyl merc for almost nothing...

LANDY96

Discussion Starter · #27 · May 25, 2006

onslow said:
I disagree there is a swedish firm that does conversion kits for the merc 5cyl TD into the range rover if it will fit a RR it will fit a Disco

GIVE GIVE....... I NEED, I NEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

onslow

· #28 · May 27, 2006

LANDY96 said:
GIVE GIVE....... I NEED, I NEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ill check my old publications for the details

pavel

· #29 · Jun 2, 2006

onslow - I'm also interested in the 5cyl diesel conversion (into a 6 cyl Willys) so I hope you can find the name of the Swedish company involved with 617A conversions.. Thanks!

carlosz

· #30 · Jun 7, 2006

Ok ladies and germs, here is some of the low down on engine swaps.
I am a virginia state cerified emmisions and safety inspector (big f'ng deal).
in class they said the following,
A) it is illegal (who cares) to install an older engine into a newer vehicle, however it is completely legal to install a newer engine in to an older vehicle
according to EPA and DEQ.
B) the new motor must comply and have installed all emmisions related components as the engine being removed (in order to be legal)
C)if the swap includes or is to be a fuel type (gas to diesel or vice versa)
the vehicle can be presented to the local offices of DEQ so they can veryfy
and give the proper cerification and or exempt for that vehicle.
same goes for hybrid conversions.

there are a few other rules, such as in virginia diesels donot get currently tested for emmissions, some states however do watch for excess smoke and will pull you over or cite you to be tested.
-Va has remote sensing devices wich take your tag and measure emmisions then send you notice to get re testd if you have failed.
-newer diesels with obd II thru OBD v, (cars to medium duty trucks and suv's)
will be tested soon in virginia ( when? we donot know).
hang loose be good and check your local laws.

carlos out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:beer: :dunno:

See less See more

LANDY96

Discussion Starter · #31 · Jun 12, 2006

carlosz said:
Ok ladies and germs, here is some of the low down on engine swaps.
I am a virginia state cerified emmisions and safety inspector (big f'ng deal).
in class they said the following,
A) it is illegal (who cares) to install an older engine into a newer vehicle, however it is completely legal to install a newer engine in to an older vehicle
according to EPA and DEQ.
B) the new motor must comply and have installed all emmisions related components as the engine being removed (in order to be legal)
C)if the swap includes or is to be a fuel type (gas to diesel or vice versa)
the vehicle can be presented to the local offices of DEQ so they can veryfy
and give the proper cerification and or exempt for that vehicle.
same goes for hybrid conversions.

there are a few other rules, such as in virginia diesels donot get currently tested for emmissions, some states however do watch for excess smoke and will pull you over or cite you to be tested.
-Va has remote sensing devices wich take your tag and measure emmisions then send you notice to get re testd if you have failed.
-newer diesels with obd II thru OBD v, (cars to medium duty trucks and suv's)
will be tested soon in virginia ( when? we donot know).
hang loose be good and check your local laws.

carlos out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:beer: :dunno:

Thanks!!, luckily, here in SE Texas, no one cares!!:dunno: I can install it, and never get told anything! No emissions testing for any cars. Gas or diesel. That is why I want to do all of this. I can even build a car here, and if it has lights turn-signals, and seat belts....and gets inspected by DOT, I can drive it on the road!

Mercedesrover

· #32 · Jan 8, 2007 (Edited)

I’m going to run off a VERY small batch of my adapters this month. They mount a Mercedes 616/617 diesel engine to a Land Rover manual transmission. If anyone’s interested in one, contact me soon. This will be the last batch of adapters I do for at least a year or two.

The adapter will come with all the studs and bolts you’ll need as well as a new custom pilot shaft bushing. The also come with a block to replace the original oil filter housing as well as a gasket and bolts. The price is $700.00 plus shipping.

If you don’t already know, this conversion requires modifications to the upper and lower oil pan, the oil filter housing and a little to the flywheel. You’ll also have to fabricate your own motor mounts, as well as a hundred other little things when you do an engine conversion.

This is a proven conversion that’s been in my truck for 6 years now, with great success. There are also a number of other trucks on the road now with this conversion as well.

Jim
[email protected]
www.seriestrek.com

See less See more

Roverlady

· #33 · Jan 19, 2007

What about torque?!

I had a 79 300D and an 81 300D....and, although they were not turbo-diesels, they did not seem to be very powerful or torquey. Would that really be enough HP for a Disco or RR? Wouldn't that be less powerful than the 3.9L?

I'm sure it would be a good choice for a Series though!!

TsiArt

· #34 · Jan 29, 2007

One thing.

How would someone retain the functionalyty of the electrical in the Disco when there is no need for the ECU anymore ?

I noticed that when I had my ecu unpluged one day ( trouble shooting a problem with the motor ) , the front windows would not rool down , only the back ones .

And looking into the book i see that there is more stuff connected to the ecu , then just the motor .

TerryS

· #35 · Jan 30, 2007

TsiArt said:
One thing.

How would someone retain the functionalyty of the electrical in the Disco when there is no need for the ECU anymore ?

I noticed that when I had my ecu unpluged one day ( trouble shooting a problem with the motor ) , the front windows would not rool down , only the back ones .

And looking into the book i see that there is more stuff connected to the ecu , then just the motor .

You're correct, the miserable Gems ECU has an immobilizer function too. I do not know off hand how you would get around it, Though remember seeing it on another website. There have been plenty of Disco conversions to diesels (Off hand I don't know of any to MB engines, but 200 & 300Tdi) I rather suspect, a few hrs with a multimeter and you could find a way to rewire the windows.

LANDY96

Discussion Starter · #36 · Aug 28, 2007

I may be insane!

Ok folks!!! I think I may be stupid enough to attempt this conversion. I have acquired a 96 D1 with a 5-speed. It has a bad engine, and I just happen to have a mercedes 5cylinder engine(617a) just lying around the house....

So I have started making contact with people who could kick some ideas around. All I have to find is an adapter plate for the r380, yeah....that will be easy!!!

I will keep you informed and I will also post pictures if this is a go!! Thanks people!!!:buttrock:

Mercedesrover

· #37 · Aug 29, 2007

Sent you an email, Eric. Don't know if you got it. I've got one adapter left if you're interested and it'll probably be the last I make for a while. My adapters have been used with an R380 and although I haven't done it myself, word is you only have to relocate one or two studs and they work just fine.

I'm in the middle of developing another kit that will mate a Mercedes 616/617 diesel to an NP435 or T-18 American 4-speed transmission. (My 109 is getting this engine and an NP435) I hope to have the my engine and transmission together by this time next week.

jim

daway

· #38 · Aug 30, 2007

LANDY96 said:
Ok folks!!! I think I may be stupid enough to attempt this conversion. I have acquired a 96 D1 with a 5-speed. It has a bad engine, and I just happen to have a mercedes 5cylinder engine(617a) just lying around the house.... So I have started making contact with people who could kick some ideas around. All I have to find is an adapter plate for the r380, yeah....that will be easy!!! I will keep you informed and I will also post pictures if this is a go!! Thanks people!!!:buttrock:

eric, good luck and let us know how it goes w/ the benz engine. i remember when u kicked yourself for sale'n your 5 speed disco, glad to see u found another one.

Flyingcatfive

· #39 · Apr 24, 2010

Diesel Conversion

Hi Guys - I hope you're still checking this forum years later... I'm in the middle of planning a diesel conversion for my '83 110 (original 3.5L V8) I'm ready to put in a 300tdi with an R380 but having second thoughts on the little power it has for hauling a 5000lb trailer through the mountains.

I need fuel efficiency and torque so I think the Mercedes 2.7L turbo diesel out of a 1999 sprint or ?(what else) and will this line up to the R380? ANy info will help a lot here - my V8 is DONE!

thanks

ArmyRover

· #40 · Apr 24, 2010

OM617 Diesel swap.. - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

21 - 40 of 40 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.