Topic: 4.3TBI or Om617(3.0L merc TD)

[bestos]

Been reading about both conversions, anyone have some ideas conversion is better - 4.3 TBI from early 90s blazer/jimmy or 82-85 3.0 merc Turbo desiel

which is cheaper?  for merc, I am going to need to get ax15 bell and tranny (already have the 23spline Xfer input in garage) and then get the donor car

which one is easier to complete in a timely fashion?

[bestos]

i have found a 2 local blazers 1994 both with electronic tranny 460 or whatever it is for 1600 and less and 4wd (231c)

so take the whole drivetrain and use the front half of the tcase and the backhalf of mine.  i think the chevy/gmc may be cheaper, dont have to buy another tranny

any thoughts?

[sharpxmen]

imo you should look for something newer if you go thru all the work and trouble

[Tr00b]

These are both good engines, but why? Once you piss with swapping engine, transfer case, and trans, you might as well just spend your money putting a solid axle under a Blazer and using that, it will be the same difference.

The VW TDI swap has a kit and the MPG will be much better than the MZB engine. Those only seem to get 20ish mpg in the cars they were in (granted they were big, heavy cars...). I imagine the VW engines will be much easier and cheaper to source parts for and mods for if something breaks or you want more HP. If you were to sell the Jeep, it would assuredly add considerable value to it.

[Jeffy]

I wouldn't bother with a 4.3L.  The reason being, you can do a 350/5.7L TBI for about the same price.  TBI's easier to deal with then that CFI.  You also want to make sure the 4.3L doesn't use a chip in the key.

VW TDI is nice but it isn't going to be cheap.

[bestos]

was hoping with v6 i can get good power for road and offroad without redoing rear axle because of power associated with v8. 

read the 4.3TBI is not that difficult, but jeffy your saying just go after the 8cyl?  just means more work


merc diesel is just a cool factor with some more torque and the option of making your own fuel (mcdonalds greese, tranny fluid, real biodiesel or just diesel) and a motor that will never break, but that is more of a pipe dream. 

[Jeffy]

was hoping with v6 i can get good power for road and offroad without redoing rear axle because of power associated with v8. 

read the 4.3TBI is not that difficult, but jeffy your saying just go after the 8cyl?  just means more work


merc diesel is just a cool factor with some more torque and the option of making your own fuel (mcdonalds greese, tranny fluid, real biodiesel or just diesel) and a motor that will never break, but that is more of a pipe dream. 

Even with a 4.3L you'll want to swap out the rear axle.  If you're not hard on it you can baby the D35 with either engine.  I think the SBC is the way to go.  Parts are dirt cheap and it's been done to the nth degree.  Keep the engine stock and it will run for a long time.  More power with lots of room to grow.  4.3L, you're limited again.

Diesels are cool but a lot more work and can get expensive.

[bestos]

ok, thanks all

[chardrc]

94 4.3l tbi definitely wont have a chip in the key. that was the last year of the boxy blazers and first year of the rounded pickup which had normal keys (daily drove a 94 s10 pickup with 4.3l tbi for 6 years and just put a 93 4.2l tbi from a blazer in a willys).. tbi may not be supper powerful but its easy to work with and reliable as a rock. Jeffy does have a point about going through all the work on a v6, would probably be better off buying a 4.0l jeep if you gnat a 6 cylinder...

[stan98tj]

VW TDI will set you back 12-15k if you buy a new TDI engine. HPA motorsports has the kit and their engine chip will net you near 300 ft lb tourque and near 200 hp. The MPG they claim is 28-30.
www.hpamotorsport.com

The Merc diesel isn't too shabby, though. Merc diesels have excellent reputation when it comes to longevity and reliability. They made a good deal of them but I doubt they are as popular as the 1.9 TDI.