AMC Eagle SX4/Mercedes OM617 Conversion
 

Hello everyone! This can act as my intro also I guess.

My name is David, I live in Eastern PA, go to college in Western PA. Love everything cars and have had a hankering to get a turbo diesel at some point. I have an 08 V6 6 speed Accord Coupe as my daily driver. Enough about me..

So for my swap I am planning on taking the 4.2L inline 6 gas engine out of my 1981 AMC Eagle SX4 and put in an OM617. When it rolled out of the factory, the inline 6 was supposed to make somewhere around 110 HP and maybe 210 FT/lbs, it's a jeep engine. That combined with the fact that I'm in the process of swapping out the automatic transmission for an AX15 5 speed, makes the Mercedes engine about a perfect swap. It's close to the same weight, slightly shorter (1 less cylinder, more room for turbo/intercooler), and a better engine stock with much more room to improve at a low cost. My other option was to swap in a newer gas engine, however I didn't want to deal with the headache of wiring an engine.

So here is my car.
Attachment 62732

Old engine in.
Attachment 62733

Old engine out.
Attachment 62734

Empty bay.
Attachment 62735

Right now I'm in the process of selling my old engine, sourcing an adapter plate, and searching for an OM617 engine or a parts car with the engine in it.

If anyone wants an AMC 4.2 let me know! :tu:

As far as the adapter plate goes, I know a few people on here have done the OM617 to AX15 set up as well as at least one person who has made their own adapter. If anyone knows how to make one of where to buy one other than here I'd be glad to know.

Mercedes Diesel 4x4.com OM617 Jeep Conversion Kits

I have access to a CNC mill, CNC lathe, and manual counter parts of those and am more than capable of making my own adapter if I could find the dimensions and proper placement of the mounting holes. If anyone knows feel free to share.

I'm also looking for an engine, which if anyone has one for sale or leads on any in the PA area please let me know that as well.

Edit:
At this point the only thing to stop me from doing this swap is a lack of space in my engine bay. I don't have any exact measurements for the OM617 yet, but I'm afraid it may be too tall. It also turns out it about the same length as my current engine. It hadn't occurred to me that the engine would be the same size considering its a considerably smaller volume and less one cylinder.

That's a great rig! I have been thinking of doing one of those if I could find a clean one. I would look into the Kubota V2203 that is a take out from a semi reefer. I have one in a Ranger and it is sweet. You seem to have all the needed tools to do your own adapter (it's not that hard) and it will fit better than the Benz (and run better too).

I'm looking to be able to get up to around 150-175 HP at some point with this set up, would I be able to push the little 2.2 that far without changing internals or lots of cash in parts?

Well we aren't getting that much power, but Rangemar has one in a Ranger and just dyno'd it and put down 98 hp and 278 tq at the wheel. That figures @ 120 hp and 330 tq flywheel and we don't have the fuel turned up all the way so I guess there is room for a little more. Not sure what your rig weighs, but it should be less than our rigs.

Around 3000, probably close to 3500 once it's caged. Not sure how much the engine is going to add though.

Looks like a great project. I cant wait to see more. Im by lancster on the turnpike. Love the mb diesels.

sweet little car it would be great as a diesel benz or Kubota but like fte the Kubota is my choice

I'd love to use the Kubota as it is a good bit smaller, but I'm just afraid there isn't enough room to improve and considering the cost of the original engine I just can't justify it. I can find full MBs for $1000, then I still get $200 back for scrap; I haven't seen a Kubota engine by itself for that little yet even.

check around you for trucking companys for take outs or wrecked trailers sometime they are cheaper but whatever way you go best of luck and keep us posted

Honestly I would prefer to go with a smaller engine so I have more room to work, but if I can't get close to the numbers I want I just can't justify it. Not only that, but I think the merc leaves a lot more meat on the bones when it comes to further upgrading in the future, considering more than one person has taken the stock internals past 400 hp and around 800 ft/lbs.

The merc engine is also arguably one of the most reliable engines ever put in a production automobile.

I'm not too familiar with the Kubota engine, how reliable are these engines and what kind of power can I honestly expect to get from the stock internals? Also, the merc can spin to 4500 rpm, is the Kubota able to spin that fast?