Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 09:38:42 -0600
Reply-To: Harmon Seaver <hseaver@CYBERSHAMANIX.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Harmon Seaver <hseaver@CYBERSHAMANIX.COM>
Subject: Re: Mercedes 5cyl 300TD in vanagon?
In-Reply-To: <f05100308ba1c85316131@[203.167.170.109]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
On Wed, Dec 11, 2002 at 09:18:58PM +1300, Andrew Grebneff wrote:
> > Well, do you have a better suggestion for a significantly bigger turbo
> >diesel for my diesel westy? The 1.9TD is very difficult to find in the US,
> >and quite expensive, the 1.9TDI even more expensive (out of my reach
> >entirely at the moment), although in plentiful supply. The MB 300TD however
> >is plentiful and cheap, I can get all I want for around $800 in good
> >running
> >shape. And a 3L turbo diesel would power the westy quite well. Some people
> >are buying VW 2.5TDI engines from Germany and/or SA, but those again are
> >quite expensive, plus a lot for shipping, while I can get the MB in local
> >junkyards.
>
> Do Hiluxes there come with TDi 3.0s? They do here, and from what I
> hear these are great engines. Hiace vans come with this engine too
> (the 1KZ-T) and are supposed to really fly. Unfortunately I have not
> had the opportunity to drive a 3.0.
>
Nope, the only Toyota diesel imported to the US at all was the 2L and 2LT
and they are quite rare and very expensive. Canada got the 3B and I find them at
a reasonable ($850-1000) price, but people who know say they are too tall and
too heavy for my Toy4x4 pickup, although they might work if I add a 2"-3" body
lift and much heavier springs. Completely hopeless for a vanagon transplant.
> > I got turned on to this idea because someone is making an adaptor for
> >putting them in Toyota Land Cruisers and soon will have a kit for putting
> >them in Toy4x4 trucks, which I want to do soonest with my mine.
> > Don't know yet about the feasibility of mating the 300TD with the VW
> >tranny tho.
>
> You'd need to fit a raised engine lid for clearance or lay the engine
> over...
Yes, the stock VW diesel in my '82 westy is tipped 50 degrees.
> the only factory flat-4 diesel I know is the 2.0 turbo 3C-T
> in the Estima (Previa), and this isn't available in USA, but it would
> be a natural for the VW. These engines perform well. The 3C-T in
> other Toyotas (Liteace vans) are upright.
>
> Any decent turbodiesel will trash the VW trans in short order, with
> their great torque. A 1KZ-T would probably need a G50 Porsche turbo
> trans...
Well people don't seem to be having that problem with the 1.9TDI and 2.5TDI
engines. Not to mention that people have been sticking V8's on vW trannys for
years.
>
> > Why do you say it will cost "an arm and a leg" if it needs work?
> > They've
> >certainly been around long enough and widely used for car, truck, and boat
> >engines, there's a plentitude of after-market parts suppliers.
>
> Mercedes engines are VERY expensive to repair and not as reliable as
> some would like to believe. Old Mercedes are not a wise choice of
> daily driver.
> --
The parts for the 300TD aren't anymore expensive than any other engine as
far as I can see. And most of them are still running strong at 300,000 miles, as
are most VW diesels. Old Mercedes are quite popular in the US as daily drivers,
especially the diesels.
--
Harmon Seaver
CyberShamanix
http://www.cybershamanix.com
