Modern TDI engine and transmission to replace GMC / chevy 6

[CR500Dom]

I`m potentially looking to replace my Van with something a bit more depreciation proof, so thinking of a Big 50`s Yank commercial.

I would want to replace the std 6 Cylinder Gasoline engine with something better suited.

Modern TDi and relatively easy to get running would be a bonus ?

I`d also prefer no to be delving into Transmission ECU issues and modern CAN bus wiring systems if I can help It ?

Current favourites are the 535D BMW motor or the TDi V6 Landrover/Jaguar lump.

This is going to be a daily, so I want it nice and dependable and no crazy V8 Running costs (Which would be the normal route obviously)

So any suggestions gratefully received
Cheers
Dom

[dodgerover]

Iveco?
Is it going to need an autobox?
What about tuning the existing 6 and fitting LPG?

[sowen]

I would say Mercedes OM606, 3ltr 6 pot, smooth and refined, but that would need some work to make fully mechanical and bring the power back up

[Frankenhealey]

Cummins BT6! Bullet-proof but not so smooth and refined.

[CR500Dom]

I`d rather go Diesel, I cant see the price of fuel ever decreasing, and the Tax on LPG is only going to increase too, I also don't want to compromise the interior space with Tanks etc.

Ideally, I want something that is mounts and maybe standalone ECU !!
I don't want or need another project !!

If it was going to be a Project, I`d look at a Phaeton / Cayenne / Tuareg V10 TDi

[dodgerover]

As its a commercial what about the Transit Di? The most powerful Turbo variant (the marinised version) was about 130hp, pretty much bulletproof and with the bosch pump you've got the ability to run on alternative fuels. Loads of information about tuning them on the net as well.

[kevfromwales]

curse word the Di off - for the reason that it sounds awful!

I went for iveco, exactly the right width for the stock crossmember to drop on a std f250 (60's albeit) chassis, bombproof, and good on juice, veg friendly too

the beemer tds lump is grand too (I've got a 325 as the daily) - but it does require more in the way of wiring up - beware of the tds auto, as there's alsorts of complications with the auto and loom / ecu

iveco (or tranny di) - good, cheap, tough, unrefined

tds - good, cheap, slightly more fragile (doesn't stand up to abuse / kfw oil change scheduling as well), slightly more complex to get in

I say go for it!!

[Battles]

What sort of power/torques do you expect the stock engine to make?
So we know the target performance.

Jan 13, 2014 15:36:08 GMT sowen said:

I would say Mercedes OM606, 3ltr 6 pot, smooth and refined, but that would need some work to make fully mechanical and bring the power back up

If you do decide to go OM606, this thread might help with the conversion away from drive by wire.
www.benzworld.org/forums/w124-e-ce-d-td-class/1428828-99-e300d-engine-swap-into-s124.html
It's a stalled build thread because he ran out of cash but the stumbling points are putting it into a smaller engine bay, I take it your Yank tank will have a bigger space.
The bloke doing the conversion was looking for big power so there are loads of mods that might not be necessary for your application.

[rallye]

How about the Merc 5 pot 2.7 cdi found in the sprinter? 160bhp std and they do an auto box as well. My sprinter is a 04 model and doesn't have canbus wiring.

[CR500Dom]

Jan 13, 2014 15:36:08 GMT sowen said:

I would say Mercedes OM606, 3ltr 6 pot, smooth and refined, but that would need some work to make fully mechanical and bring the power back up

What was that fitted to then ?
Is that the Sprinter motor ?

[welshpug]

unless you have a big budget forget about standalone management, it needs to be mechanical or something that you cfan extract the engine wiring from the donor and make it run without the rest of the car, i.e nothing canbus or multiplex.

[reida1994]

Either the 3.0 dci out of a Renault master or a 3.0 v6 HDI, both are very torquey and can easily be mapped. As far as the ECU goes you can get the immobilisers removed and run the ECU without the other ECU's.

[sowen]

Jan 13, 2014 18:02:15 GMT CR500Dom said:

Jan 13, 2014 15:36:08 GMT sowen said:

I would say Mercedes OM606, 3ltr 6 pot, smooth and refined, but that would need some work to make fully mechanical and bring the power back up

What was that fitted to then ?
Is that the Sprinter motor ?

OM606 was in the Mercedes E300D, 1993 to 2001 wiki article

I think they are all EDC control, but swapping the earlier OM603 pump from a late 80's variant will make it completely mechanical. Problem is the OM603 pump won't flow as much fuel and turning the pump up is mostly shrouded in mystery, and they seem to be getting rare now.

Sprinter vans use the 5 cylinder OM602 and even the Ssangyong Musso uses a variant of the 5 cylinder, the OM662, manufactured under license.

I've dropped an OM606 with a modified OM603 mechanical pump into my series Land Rover, not on the road yet but makes an awesome noise just rumbling round the driveway

[mdh]

Jan 13, 2014 15:36:08 GMT sowen said:

I would say Mercedes OM606, 3ltr 6 pot, smooth and refined, but that would need some work to make fully mechanical and bring the power back up

^ this.

Forget the Landy TDV6, it needs an aftermarket ecu to run and that's £3500

[rodney]

i have a 325 tds engine and box with pedal and ecu/engine loom if your interested?,.

[bigfella2]

What about the 200/300 Landrover TDI motor, lots of knowledge out there, should imagine a landy and van would be similar weight wise. Another option.

[CR500Dom]

Landy is a bit "Agricultural" Id rather have a modern 6cyl with some degree of refinement.
Cheers for all the suggestions folks, its a 1950 Chevy panel van, so as for power and torque requirements I really don't know ?
It currently has a 235ci straight 6
So I`m thinking a 3.0L TDI should provide ample torque and power..... it`ll be a cruiser rather than a racer, certainly to begin with.
But I need it to be "Fit and forget" reliable ideally.

[CR500Dom]

Jan 13, 2014 19:32:54 GMT sowen said:

Jan 13, 2014 18:02:15 GMT CR500Dom said:

What was that fitted to then ?
Is that the Sprinter motor ?

OM606 was in the Mercedes E300D, 1993 to 2001 wiki article

I think they are all EDC control, but swapping the earlier OM603 pump from a late 80's variant will make it completely mechanical. Problem is the OM603 pump won't flow as much fuel and turning the pump up is mostly shrouded in mystery, and they seem to be getting rare now.

Sprinter vans use the 5 cylinder OM602 and even the Ssangyong Musso uses a variant of the 5 cylinder, the OM662, manufactured under license.

I've dropped an OM606 with a modified OM603 mechanical pump into my series Land Rover, not on the road yet but makes an awesome noise just rumbling round the driveway

So is there a way of running the OM606 on its original management ?

[sowen]

Jan 15, 2014 9:22:13 GMT CR500Dom said:

Jan 13, 2014 19:32:54 GMT sowen said:

OM606 was in the Mercedes E300D, 1993 to 2001 wiki article

I think they are all EDC control, but swapping the earlier OM603 pump from a late 80's variant will make it completely mechanical. Problem is the OM603 pump won't flow as much fuel and turning the pump up is mostly shrouded in mystery, and they seem to be getting rare now.

Sprinter vans use the 5 cylinder OM602 and even the Ssangyong Musso uses a variant of the 5 cylinder, the OM662, manufactured under license.

I've dropped an OM606 with a modified OM603 mechanical pump into my series Land Rover, not on the road yet but makes an awesome noise just rumbling round the driveway

So is there a way of running the OM606 on its original management ?

If you can pick out ALL the wiring loom out of the donor car then yes, in theory should be do-able. Alternatively some people reckon it's possible to make an ecu to control it and tune the engine.

I've not looked into that as I just want power/noise/smoke/refinement and the mechanical pump looks to offer this. It's an indirect lump, and is actually very quiet for a diesel. I've had them running on the floor with no strapping, apart from torque roll they don't move

[welshpug]

2.5 I5 vw lump is plentiful too, maybe more suitable as its a van engine mainly.