Topic: trying to decide on what to do next

[Jeffy]

take it from a chrysler tech.  the sprinter motor is not the most reliable engine to be using.  the injectors have a habit of going bad frequently and they cost most of what the cummins motor does complete.  also the initial cost of the mercedes motor is very high.  remeber the world motors thaqt are making jeep look bad now.  aka 3.7/2.4 are mecedes motors also. the cummins motor can produce tons of power.  cummins motors are factory set to their power levels.  the 4bt with larger injectors and turbo with the fuel timing turned up will produce more than enough power and torque for anything you need. 

Yeah, BUT the 4BT also weights in at half a ton.  Really it's overkill unless you're making a 1T buggy with tires over 39".  I still like the idea of a 1.9L VW turbo diesel.  Plentiful and not too expensive.  Lots of tuners out there as well.  Otherwise, I'd just go with a 5.7L L05 Chevy or maybe a Ford 5.0L.

[aw12345]

Don't get me wrong the 4bt and 6bt are very reliable engines other than that they leak about as much oil as a Detroit. Still feel that they are to heavy for a Jeep, for wheeling with big ledges and what not a Jeep is on the heavy side to begin with. An aluminum V8 or V6 is better suited for what I want. The place I work for has a bunch of sprinters and even though they are not as reliable as a Cummins they do pretty well more than a few are rocking between 100.000 to 200.000 miles on them.
Now a 6bt in an older pickup is a mighty sweet setup as long as the roll pins do not rattle out of the timing cover 

[sharpxmen]

anyone looked into a Subaru turbodiesel? seemed a nice small engine with reasonable amounts of torque.

[Jeffy]

anyone looked into a Subaru turbodiesel? seemed a nice small engine with reasonable amounts of torque.

I doubt there's anyone doing anything with them since they're pretty rare.  Which means you'll probably be fabricating everything.

[sharpxmen]

I doubt there's anyone doing anything with them since they're pretty rare.  Which means you'll probably be fabricating everything.

i just saw some low miles take-outs in an ad and got me thinking - should be about 4 times lighter than the 4bt

[Jeffy]

i just saw some low miles take-outs in an ad and got me thinking - should be about 4 times lighter than the 4bt

Since you're in Canada, you could probably get a front half from Japan and make it a legal swap.  Not a Subaru, but a Mitsubishi or Toyota truck engine.  Actually this would be true for most of the US which doesn't do emissions inspections as well.

[sharpxmen]

Since you're in Canada, you could probably get a front half from Japan and make it a legal swap.  Not a Subaru, but a Mitsubishi or Toyota truck engine.  Actually this would be true for most of the US which doesn't do emissions inspections as well.

i thought you can do that in California as well - is that not correct (something with a newer year vehicle for the donor - it's been mentioned here by you if i recall correctly). In my case I would have to go thru an inspection and get a new VIN (issued by the equivalent of the DMV here in BC) and a road-worthiness certificate in order to re-register it as a diesel -  otherwise it would fail emissions testing since it would have to comply with the gasoline powered vehicles for a 1995 year of manufacturing.

[Jeffy]

i thought you can do that in California as well - is that not correct (something with a newer year vehicle for the donor - it's been mentioned here by you if i recall correctly). In my case I would have to go thru an inspection and get a new VIN (issued by the equivalent of the DMV here in BC) and a road-worthiness certificate in order to re-register it as a diesel -  otherwise it would fail emissions testing since it would have to comply with the gasoline powered vehicles for a 1995 year of manufacturing.

You can buy a front cut in CA but you might have issues getting it switched over from Gas to Diesel at DMV.  It's up to the inspector at DMV if they want to send you to the DOT Inspection.  If they OK it then there's no need.  Otherwise, you have to go to the DOT and they will really go over it with a fine toothed comb.  Engines need to be EPA certified for the US to be legal.

[sharpxmen]

Engines need to be EPA certified for the US to be legal.

i see

[Jeffy]

i see

There is an exception for importing cars older then IIRC 1986 though.  But then you run into the problem of the engine being no older then the chassis.