STD Tuning Engine OM617 or OM602? (or OM605/606)

OM617 or OM602? (or OM605/606)

OM617 or OM602? (or OM605/606)

 
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Poll: what engine would you use in my situation?
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OM617 iron head
0%
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OM602 5cyl SOHC alum head
0%
Votes 0
OM605 5cyl DOHC alum head
0%
Votes 0
OM606 6cyl DOHC alum head despite cost/avail
0%
Votes 0
 
Total 0 vote(s) 0%
futureswap
Naturally-aspirated

13
12-30-2022, 04:58 PM #1
I think i'm settled on either an OM617 5cyl or OM602 SOHC 5cyl - the rest of the vehicle isn't 100% verified but probably a 90's bubble chevy caprice with a TH700 automatic since I already have it or would seek another in a similar chassis to this like the station wagon.  Goal being the usability of a midsize pickup incl 4x8 sheet goods but with better aerodynamics.  Please offer feedback.

Both have a reputation of extreme reliability (more interested in that than max power), i've seen other 5cyls swapped in place of small block v8's that looked from pictures like they fitted nicely (and wondered if the 6cyl might be a bit long or crammed in), and availability of 5cyls is higher than for 6cyls in the USA by the sound of it.  It also sounds like SOHC and iron-headed ones are in lower demand/cost than the fancy OM606 DOHC which is alot harder to find as well.

How smooth are the 5cyl mercedes?  I've heard the 4cyls are rough, i'm sure the 6cyl would be smooth, i've no clue about a 5cyl.  Is the SOHC much smoother or better driveability than the iron headed OM617?  What about the OM605 DOHC?

I'd prefer mechanical injection for ease of swapping/no electronic sensors to mess with and such...  the DOHC OM605 seemed to be electronic - unless swapping an OM602 injection pump was a doable and not too difficult thing..?

I definatley would like to add a turbocharger if it doesnt have one but it sounds like turbos are pretty common in the OM602 at least.  How important is an intercooler/worth plumbing one in or not really?  Does having water-meth injection (seemingly a really easy power adder and charge cooler) change how desirable an intercooler is?  I'm looking for maybe 180-200hp and 300ft-lbs torque (intended to replace a 5.0L small block chevy v8) but want to be able to run it harder at load if it will stand up/expecting to be used towing.  Since these are used in 5 ton GVWR rated Sprinter vans I assume it should hold up to my use though!

Which brings to mind that the Sprinter version being 2.9L, if I wanted the larger displacement and mechanical indirect injection, does it make more sense to convert a Sprinter engine to indirect injection or to swap a 2.9L crank into another OM602?  It's not a must have but a larger heavier vehicle I could use the extra displacement obviously.  It was not clear to me if all Sprinter 5cyls were direct injection.  I guess the question to me becomes adding a turbo to a om617, swapping a 2.9 crank into an om602 car, or swapping indirect injection onto an om602 sprinter diesel wondering what the easiest route to a turbo 5cyl 2.9L IDI is.  : )  Or be happy with a car sourced W201 190D 2.5 turbo as option 4...

Any suggestion on if the Sprinter engines are stronger in other ways than the car 5cyl?  Does anybody know?
This post was last modified: 12-30-2022, 05:17 PM by futureswap.
futureswap
12-30-2022, 04:58 PM #1

I think i'm settled on either an OM617 5cyl or OM602 SOHC 5cyl - the rest of the vehicle isn't 100% verified but probably a 90's bubble chevy caprice with a TH700 automatic since I already have it or would seek another in a similar chassis to this like the station wagon.  Goal being the usability of a midsize pickup incl 4x8 sheet goods but with better aerodynamics.  Please offer feedback.

Both have a reputation of extreme reliability (more interested in that than max power), i've seen other 5cyls swapped in place of small block v8's that looked from pictures like they fitted nicely (and wondered if the 6cyl might be a bit long or crammed in), and availability of 5cyls is higher than for 6cyls in the USA by the sound of it.  It also sounds like SOHC and iron-headed ones are in lower demand/cost than the fancy OM606 DOHC which is alot harder to find as well.

How smooth are the 5cyl mercedes?  I've heard the 4cyls are rough, i'm sure the 6cyl would be smooth, i've no clue about a 5cyl.  Is the SOHC much smoother or better driveability than the iron headed OM617?  What about the OM605 DOHC?

I'd prefer mechanical injection for ease of swapping/no electronic sensors to mess with and such...  the DOHC OM605 seemed to be electronic - unless swapping an OM602 injection pump was a doable and not too difficult thing..?

I definatley would like to add a turbocharger if it doesnt have one but it sounds like turbos are pretty common in the OM602 at least.  How important is an intercooler/worth plumbing one in or not really?  Does having water-meth injection (seemingly a really easy power adder and charge cooler) change how desirable an intercooler is?  I'm looking for maybe 180-200hp and 300ft-lbs torque (intended to replace a 5.0L small block chevy v8) but want to be able to run it harder at load if it will stand up/expecting to be used towing.  Since these are used in 5 ton GVWR rated Sprinter vans I assume it should hold up to my use though!

Which brings to mind that the Sprinter version being 2.9L, if I wanted the larger displacement and mechanical indirect injection, does it make more sense to convert a Sprinter engine to indirect injection or to swap a 2.9L crank into another OM602?  It's not a must have but a larger heavier vehicle I could use the extra displacement obviously.  It was not clear to me if all Sprinter 5cyls were direct injection.  I guess the question to me becomes adding a turbo to a om617, swapping a 2.9 crank into an om602 car, or swapping indirect injection onto an om602 sprinter diesel wondering what the easiest route to a turbo 5cyl 2.9L IDI is.  : )  Or be happy with a car sourced W201 190D 2.5 turbo as option 4...

Any suggestion on if the Sprinter engines are stronger in other ways than the car 5cyl?  Does anybody know?

NZScott
HX30W 73/44mm

398
01-03-2023, 12:43 AM #2
Keep it simple. Get what you can locally, cheaply
I have a shed full of engines as unfinished projects....just my 2c haha


1978 300D, 373,000km... OM617.912 with a Holset HX30W, 7.5mm IP, 711.113 5 speed (project car, 7 years off the road and counting ;/)
1977 250 270,000km (parts car)
1977 300D (ex 280) 500,000km

1981 240D 498,000
1975 HJ45 ???,000
2001 2.8TD Rodeo 4x2 - 456,000 - DD




NZScott
01-03-2023, 12:43 AM #2

Keep it simple. Get what you can locally, cheaply
I have a shed full of engines as unfinished projects....just my 2c haha



1978 300D, 373,000km... OM617.912 with a Holset HX30W, 7.5mm IP, 711.113 5 speed (project car, 7 years off the road and counting ;/)
1977 250 270,000km (parts car)
1977 300D (ex 280) 500,000km

1981 240D 498,000
1975 HJ45 ???,000
2001 2.8TD Rodeo 4x2 - 456,000 - DD




 
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