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Thread: Mercedes OM617 swap?

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    Mercedes OM617 swap?

    Was poking around for a 4D55 or 56 and couldn't find anything. What I did find is a pile of posts about people swapping the OM617 into anything from go-carts (not kidding) to Land Rovers.

    Anyone know much about this engine and whether it might fit into a first gen? It's an in-line 5cyl TD.

    Considering going diesel in a few years and taking my current 2.6l out to drop in a 2wd street truck. IF I decide to go the diesel route, will need to consider buying an engine in the near future so I can slowly get it built.

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    Put a Detroit 4-53 in it. Now that would be a real diesel.



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  3. #3

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    Pfft, the hell with that puny Detroit...put a Cummins N14 in and call it good.

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    5500 RPM on a 3.4L diesel is screaming. I always wanted one. There cool.
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    4bt cummins would be great too - if ford can put them in f150s in mexico and south america, we can do it with a d-50. BTW the EPA outlawed the 4bt for new vehicles in the US.
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    Quote Originally Posted by pennyman1 View Post
    4bt cummins would be great too - if ford can put them in f150s in mexico and south america, we can do it with a d-50. BTW the EPA outlawed the 4bt for new vehicles in the US.
    Dropped that engine into Google, all I can say is WOW! Be a crazy swap, but I don't see why it wouldn't work (probably no more or less modification than Fordubishi). If they can stuff it in a Toyota 4-Runner or a Bronco...don't see why it couldn't get done in a D50/MM. Bit pricey, though....more than a bit, actually.

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    They used them in frito lay trucks for years - still not cheap because it can be put in just about anything.
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  8. #8

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    Poking around trying to find a commercial wrecking yard and gonna ask a couple of the more knowledgeable guys over at Penske next time I fuel daytime. Hopefully can find a cheap-ish rebuild-able virgin core.

    $3-8000 is a bit steep, but for the right engine, I might. Read some other swap threads, seems I'd pretty much HAVE to do a body lift to fit it. Rather a tall engine.

  9. #9


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    also dont forget jeep liberty 05-06 2.8l CRD i think 06 was only model model avaible with 6 speed. The motor is actually itailian.

    Maybe some of our friends on here that live north of our border could find like say a 4d56 3rd gen, 4m40 or a 4m41 TDI from a Pajero or L200.
    Last edited by mopar_ja; 04-11-2012 at 04:10 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Acuta73 View Post
    Was poking around for a 4D55 or 56 and couldn't find anything. What I did find is a pile of posts about people swapping the OM617 into anything from go-carts (not kidding) to Land Rovers.

    Anyone know much about this engine and whether it might fit into a first gen? It's an in-line 5cyl TD.

    Considering going diesel in a few years and taking my current 2.6l out to drop in a 2wd street truck. IF I decide to go the diesel route, will need to consider buying an engine in the near future so I can slowly get it built.
    absolutely.. one of the most reliable motors ever built. I own 2 OM617's and both are '84 turbo Benz's...one has 140K and the other almost 400K miles on it! by far its da best diesel motor ever built and they literally last forever! plus they're german, need i say more?

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by camoit View Post
    Put a Detroit 4-53 in it. Now that would be a real diesel.
    aren't those da notorious "runaway" detroits?

    like this one.. lol


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    There used to be a member on here that had a merc diesel in a d-50 - don't know which diesel it was. I also have a friend with a 2009 Dodge quad cab with an insane cummins in it - it ran 11.7 in the 1/4 mile. He has the tranny out because he shattered the flexplate and fried the tranny overrevving it - no rev limiters on it and 1000+ hp and 1600 ft - lbs tq.
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  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by pennyman1 View Post
    There used to be a member on here that had a merc diesel in a d-50 - don't know which diesel it was.
    i've heard of ppl swapping out the Garrett T3 w/ the huge Scania turbo from the euro v8 big rigs...along w/ bigger injectors and some adjustments to fuel inj. pump and intake system. u get a very decent increase in hp

    Quote Originally Posted by pennyman1 View Post
    I also have a friend with a 2009 Dodge quad cab with an insane cummins in it - it ran 11.7 in the 1/4 mile. He has the tranny out because he shattered the flexplate and fried the tranny overrevving it - no rev limiters on it and 1000+ hp and 1600 ft - lbs tq.
    thats insane for a turbo diesel. i would imagine he'd have more torque than that on a 1000+ hp motor. hella savage nonetheless! lol

  14. #14

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    I am currently into another project putting an OM617 turbodiesel into a 1967 landrover 109. It's a MUCH bigger engine than the 4D55T (I happen to have one of each sitting on the floor of the shop). Much heavier, and larger. I'm not sure it would be very easy to fit in the D50 engine compartment without some modification.... It's got a great reputation as a really good engine, as long as you don't run it out of oil (duh). I have the older non turbo mercedes engine in a mercedes car as well, and it's hard to start in the cold (series glow plugs instead of parallel like the newer ones), but runs pretty nice otherwise. There's also the issue of the transmission -- the OM617 only came with an automatic in the US, though you can get the 4 speed manual that came on the 4 cylinder mercedes. I got an adaptor plate to bolt mine to a 4 speed 3/4 ton (SM465) chevy truck transmission for the landrover project, though you can also get them for toyota truck trannies.

    If I ever upgrade the engine on my D50, I'll probably go for the 4D56T option (or the 2.8 liter... can't remember what designation that is). I see used JDM ones on ebay quite often for the 4D56T.

  15. #15

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    What about the 02-06 era jetta 1.9L TDI? I know that jetta isnt much heavier than our trucks and they get up and go. Those are swapped in jeeps and I know those aren't light.

    Dont forget the 4m40 ad 4m41 mitsu engines
    Last edited by recian; 06-06-2013 at 07:30 AM.

  16. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by recian View Post
    What about the 02-06 era jetta 1.9L TDI? I know that jetta isnt much heavier than our trucks and they get up and go. Those are swapped in jeeps and I know those aren't light.

    Dont forget the 4m40 ad 4m41 mitsu engines
    VWs are wack but those diesels are really good motors and pretty reliable. i had a 1.9L 3rd gen ('95) for a while.. 5 spd. TDI and very good MPGs i avg. about 38-40mpg city and I have a pretty heavy foot. lol

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