G-Wagen: To modify or not to modify

[Alan]

I see this is a popular topic and maybe we can share our experiences here.

Personally I have done two engine transplants and looking back I have mixed feelings.

1) I converted a 230GE with a 280SE motor and auto gearbox. Yes obviously I had more power especially when fitted with a roofrack, but all in all I did not gain much. Top speed was marginally higher with the definite noticeable higher fuel consumption. Would I do that conversion again? No.

2) It felt as if my 290GD had lost its power and I got a 290Turbodiesel SsangYong motor through Andrew (thanks) It was the same motor with mechanical diesel injection hence it was a basic swap except for obvious things like sump, oil pump, mountings and intake and exhaus manifolds. When the motor was initially fitted it felt like chalk and cheese, but after a while I think one gets used to the power and wants more. Well in my case for reasons I will not get into here I decided to go all back to standard and this happened last week. My G is again as it was when it came out the factory with its original 290GD motor. I still had the 235/85 tyres on and thought I would need to tow it to get moving. But I was astonished how well it drives with the old motor. I did not feel that mch of a difference as I did when I did the conversion in the first place. So would I do this again like I did? No

However there are I think exceptions:
I now have two 300GD's with the 6 cyl motor. I have not had any major repairs so don't know how expensive they will be to repair but have heard from various sources parts are pricey. So I will leave them as they are, but if they should fail to an extent where I have to overhaul them I will then rather go the route of an OM 606.


What I am saying is that one should try keep to the original while it is going strong and not do changes unnecessarily.

[Leonard Hugo]

If you are converting (Lexus conversion guys!) These old merc bits are useless, has no value whatsoever and you should sell it all to me.

Trying to convert back to original without the original parts is a nightmare if you have a day job..

Leonard

[Alan]

If you are converting (Lexus conversion guys!) These old merc bits are useless, has no value whatsoever and you should sell it all to me.

Trying to convert back to original without the original parts is a nightmare if you have a day job..

Leonard

Jip, that's why I have always kept all original parts until the vehicle was sold and the new owner expressed no interest in convertng back.

[munga]

I see this is a popular topic and maybe we can share our experiences here.
I
However there are I think exceptions:
I now have two 300GD's with the 6 cyl motor. I have not had any major repairs so don't know how expensive they will be to repair but have heard from various sources parts are pricey. So I will leave them as they are, but if they should fail to an extent where I have to overhaul them I will then rather go the route of an OM 606.


What I am saying is that one should try keep to the original while it is going strong and not do changes unnecessarily.

Where will you get an OM606 from? There aren't too many of those about in SA. They came with and without turbo.

Also what gearbox would you use? As far as I know the VG150 TC can take 1500Nm so with an auto you might exceed this in 1st and the 330Nm from the OM606A. It would require some limiting with some electronics?

Also there would need to be some ECU to control the OM606 and say a 722.6 'box. Maybe get a blackbox to control the auto and fit the 606 with a modified 603 pump?

[Andrew]

I would agree not to modify and certainly never to modify to where you can't painlessly undo it. I try to stick as close as possible to what a fleet of good engineers decided to do in the first place.

But I could not resist the OM 617A modification which I have done twice and would do again. I cannot understand why this really lekker engine was not a first choice for those same engineers anyway.

IMO it has no disadvantages at all (with the standard 4 speed box or an auto).

[Leonard Hugo]

Just putting this here as I feel it is related discussion that could be included here.

http://www.mb4x4.co.za/forum/showthr...potting/page25

Got any of those 617A's lying around, dont hesitate to PM me!

[Alan]

Where will you get an OM606 from? There aren't too many of those about in SA. They came with and without turbo.

Also what gearbox would you use? As far as I know the VG150 TC can take 1500Nm so with an auto you might exceed this in 1st and the 330Nm from the OM606A. It would require some limiting with some electronics?

Also there would need to be some ECU to control the OM606 and say a 722.6 'box. Maybe get a blackbox to control the auto and fit the 606 with a modified 603 pump?

Darcy, yes there aren't many around but they are there. I know Nels in Standerton is busy with a conversion. Actually he rebuilt a really clapped out 300GD LWB and turned it into a desireable G. He is now busy with the engine. He replaced the diesel pump with one from a OM 603. I'm just waiting to see how successful he is and keep that in mind if I ever need to do that.
I have the Manual 5 speed box and the limiter will be myself. No electronics for me. At least not yet.

[190e]

Eh

This topic always fascinates me! Why why why would you wanna modify?

1. A Gelandewagen (any car for that matter) was designed for certain types of driving & functions!

2. I think the engineers at Steyr-Daimler-Puch put some experience and time
into designing these vehicles!

3. I think modifying is a waste of time & energy - just do preventative maintenance and don't use the vehicle for what it was not designed for!!!

Enjoy & accept the vehicle's limitations or else buy another vehicle that will do what u need!

Oh dear......maybe I am just a purist

[Andrew]

Eh

This topic always fascinates me! Why why why would you wanna modify?


Oh dear......maybe I am just a purist

You are at the right place to talk like that. The best resale value you get even today is a G that is as close to how it was built originally. And I think most of us here think like you do.

But 30 years on, the base model G has 140 odd Kw and those who have only 49 or 65 will consider a little foolishness. But I think the golden rule is that you dare not cut and weld.

[munga]

You are at the right place to talk like that. The best resale value you get even today is a G that is as close to how it was built originally. And I think most of us here think like you do.

But 30 years on, the base model G has 140 odd Kw and those who have only 49 or 65 will consider a little foolishness. But I think the golden rule is that you dare not cut and weld.

x2