FTE Felt I should start a New Thread. That is if anyone out there is interested? It will be a slow build.

I picked up a couple of Kubota V2203DI's about a week ago and yesterday I finally had a chance to mess with one. With the help of FTE I got it hooked up on the pallet and it started. And by the way it took me by great surprise when it did start so darn fast . Then after taking off a few items and cleaning up the area a bit I picked it up with a cherry picker and commenced to spraying it with some Super Clean and power washing it. But I should have used some Oven Cleaner and still may. But got it pretty clean and drained the Black Goo (Oil) that was in it and threw it on an engine stand.

Let me back up a second . I could not hook fuel up to it due to the fact that they use a Banjo style of fitting. But the Banjo Bolt was still on one so I was in good shape. Took a piece of flat aluminum and drilled a hole in it the size of the Banjo bolt and then drilled a hole in the side for an NPT fuel Fitting so then we had Fuel. Yeeeeeeee Hawwwwwww. In the first picture you will be able to see it.

 

i look forward to your build. I plan on starting my Kubota build shortly. I need to put the finishing touches on my Mercedes jeep first. I am sure I will have to play with my Kubota as well before the actual swap starts.
I am particularly interested what you end up with for a bell housing adapter, and your clutch.
Good luck and remember to have fun with it

 

As for the Transmission I am still kinda up in the air. I need to make some calls but I thought someone made an inch pattern adapter for the Big three. If so then the cost of the adapter might be worth it and run a Ford T-5 trans.

So right now I am just batting options as there is not a whole bunch of feed back on this or any other forum really for our nutty conversions with the V2203DI series of engines.

I am also looking into rear end options as well since they do not make a Ring N Pinion anywhere near the 2.73 or 3.O8 needed to run the diesel for the Mazda. So I have been kicking around the Ford Mustang with the V6 Rear end as I think it is a 7.7 of which is the same ring and pinion as the ford ranger thus gears are available. Or a bunch of work with a GM rear end from a Tahoe or equivalent.

As you can tell I have no idea .

Did send an e mail to Garret to see what they have to say about a suitable Turbo for the engine without water cooling. Then I may design my own exhaust manifold for the Turbo install to bring it down along the side of the block instead of everything above the valve cover.

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While I am thinking about it where would be the best place to get gaskets for these little Gems?

 

another rear end option could be the jeep Cherokee, I think the xj is just a tiny bit less track than the ranger. Jeep has lots of ratios available pretty cheaply

 

Glad to see you have a runner! You got a smokin deal on those motors, great start to a low buck conversion. You could also just make a 90 deg adapter for the turbo to get it low and on the side. I think I heard of someone else adapted a turbo manifold off of a Neon srt, so that may be another option.

 

Is this all that is needed to use the V2203DI out of a reefer unit as a truck repower;
- custom turned crankshaft adaptor to mount your flywheel of choice or turn down the Kabota flywheel to fit inside your tranny bellhousing and find a clutch that will fit it?
- engine block to transmission adaptor (thickness of steel dependant upon tranny selected)
- different IP spring
- oil pan from a bobcat then modified to fit particular truck
- turbo from ?
- exhaust manifold from ? to mount turbo
- custom exhaust
- custom motor mounts
- custom engine accessory mounts (alt, ps pump, a/c compressor)

I've read where FTE prefers the V2203DI to the OM617's performance, but it would appear the performance improvements would have to be significant to offset the extra challenges and expense of using the V2203DI over the OM617 but maybe I'm missing something? Limited following of the V2203DI vs the vast internet help available when working on an OM617 scares me also.

 

I found it easyer to swap in the V2203 v/s the OM617, you have the same flywheel/ bell adapter issue, the same motor mount issue etc. Yes the performance is way better, the only advantage I see the benz has is the high rpm factor (that you need because it's such a slug).

 

Your one of the few who have done both so your opinion carries weight.

Without the benefit of your experience, the advantage I see of the OM617 is;
- mercedes 4x4 has an affordable off the shelf 617 flywheel / bell adapter to several Jeep trannys
- 617 already has the turbo so no custom manifold work.
- 617 already has the motor accessory mounts
- easier to obtain a 617 vs 2203 in my area of the country
- larger DIY support community with the 617
- 617 has a long proven track record of outstanding durability

If I read your posts correctly, your 2203 gets 30% better fuel economy vs your 617 along with having more low end torque? Huge advantages to me for sure!

It would be interesting to have more of the 617 comparisons to increase the sample size to see if the performance comparision is close to the same.

Will also be interesting to follow the long term results of adding a turbo to a motor that came from factory without one.

 

It has been awhile since I have been able to start to work on this project. So I thought I would update a bit. I will have a trans adapter coming very soon but I will have to purchase a Transmission for the adapter as well. But I thought I would add a couple of pictures to show that using the 91 Mazda B-2200 Ext might make things a bit easier in the engine compartment even though it is not as deep or as long as a Ranger. But the only cross member that is there is easy to cut and weld back up and lower. I found a couple of pictures to show what I mean and what I am starting with.

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Kubota V2203DI starting out.

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A New Item for the Install and a To Be Item.

Adapter from Gaines here on the forum I hope to receive soon. I also pulled the Flywheel today and hope to get some good measurements to machine the flywheel to if possible or have it done.



And a Mitsubishi evolution Inter Cooler. FTE Informed me of this one. This is a company photo. Not mine but the same.



I did pick up a Ford M5OD 5 Speed for the build.

In the next couple of days I hope to pick up a Ford Ranger 8.8 31 Spline rear differential assembly and a drive shaft to convert over. And I will install either a 2.73 gear set or 3.08 Not sure as of yet? It depends on what a friend of mine has laying around.

I also hope to win a KO3 Turbo. Keeping my fingers crossed on that one. And also hope it is a good one.

And moved the Kubota V2203 DI Into my Buddies little shop of Horrors .



This might be slow but if anyone out there wishes I will keep this thread updated on what goes on?