1981 300GD automatic change to OM606A with automatic
Hello,
I'm driving a Mercedes G W460 with the lazy OM617 diesel engine (88HP) with an automatic transmission.
I would like to convert my engine to an OM603A with an automatic transmission.
Idea is to buy a W124 E300TD so I can use that engine and eventually the transmission (automatic).
My questions are the following:
Is it possible to keep the old automatic transmission 720.1 transmission as seen in the link here:
http://www.g-class.ru/getfile.asp?mode=original&id=238
Or do you need the newer 722.xxx transmission:
http://www.g-class.ru/getfile.asp?mode=original&id=239
Or is a special tranny needed that isn't the old 720.xx transmission and that isn't the W124 transmission?
I would be great when I can use as well the Tranny and the Engine out of the old W124 donior, the other parts I can try to sell or re-use.
What else do you need to change? Stuff like the radiator, cardan shaft, ...
Is a revision of the OM603A needed or are these engines as strong as the OM617?
Greetings,
I'd suggest - don't bother with the 603 -the 606 is a much better bet.
If you search here there are a lot of threads on the subject of 606 conversions. Not quick or cheap to do properly, but great performance if you do.
606 is cheap and available - completed E300TD for < £1000 in UK is not uncommon.
606 and 603 conversion will present the same problems and costs even before you get toe the transmissions. To do it properly DIY, count on £5K in parts + many days labour.
5sp manual was availabel AFAIK, but less common.
Quite right...plenty of 606's about ,99% ecu controlled 5 spd [o/drive] AUTO..
All transplants are better built with 5 or 6 spd manual ,also plenty about ,this gives 0.8 o/drive and is essential for any 80 km + road work.
Only 4 speed autos are 100% mechanical control but you run out of revs
To make 5 spd auto work you may spend 100's of hours [and $$] and fail.....
So It will costs a lot of money...
that's quite sure after reading this.
I would like to keep it automatic and to keep it mechanical. much better when driving offroad isn't it.
So a W124 is the only option. I'm just doubting about the motor. An OM603A or A OM606A. 147HP would be enough for me. 177HP would be better. But I assume the OM603A can be tuned a bit for more HP?
When I buy a W124 E300TD with the OM603A motor inside and the good automatic tranny what alse do I need than?
I have the engine then, the diesel pump, the tranny, ...
I know the shaft between the tranny and the transfer case.
Radiator for better cooling?
Oil pan?
Others?
More power from a diesel basically just means more fuel. That means bigger turbo.
603 is not the route to go for this - OM606 with OM603 manual IP is.
For 177HP > Buy a OM606A complete. Buy either a 603A pump (someone here has one for sale I think - thay are faily uncommon, pay around £4-500), or do what most do and buy a603 NA pump and swap the elements from the 606A pump (you need to find a diesl specialist who is able to do this - its technically very challenging and requires special equiptment)
You will then need to change engine mounting points (cut, re-weld lower) and either buy a corect OM606.964 sump, oil pump and everything to go with it complete (around £2K) or cut and re-weld the saloon sump to clear the diff.
There is some debate about internal baffling of the saloon sump though and a question of whether oil starvation is a possibility in off-road situations.
Brake booster will need to be changed (doesn't clear manifolds) as will all hard lines.
Radiator can stay, powersteering hard lines need to be re-fabricated depending on where the engine ends up sitting (changng the mounts is required to get the engine to sit lower in the engine bay).
*HOWEVER*
Hello,
OM606 is no longer an option. It will be at maximum an OM63A with the mechanical automatic transmissions.
Otherwise there will be to much problems with the "technical control" in Belgium.
I will look for a decent W124TD with the OM603A engine and tranny.
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Hello,
I read also on Belgium fora something about a conversion to an OM605 or OM606 but then there are a lot of things that needs to be changed. so the costs are a lot higher and the OM606 engines are hard to find, not?
But those engines come with 5-speed electronic transmissions isn't it?
So than you need to convert to a 5speed automatic or manual transmission also.
Are there many things that need to be changed?