Anybody have any info on swapping motors in a Dodge or Freightliner (mercedes) Sprinter? I was thinking a 5.9 or 4bt Cummins, but I'm open to suggestions. Thanks

 

I doubt a 5.9 would fit in there, even a 4bt is a maybe. I've never seen the engine bay but I don't imagine the Mercedes takes up much room.

 

It's crammed in there pretty tight, just trying to find a more durable engine that'll move it at a decent pace and allow me maintain the cargo capacity. Probably lose some fuel economy, but that should be offset by less downtime and cheaper components. Kind of like having my cake and eating it too.

Thanks for your input, figured I'd put the question out there see if anyone had tried anything yet.

 

That's the most retarded thing I've ever heard.

It already has the best engine it could get. In fact The 2.7 would be a better choice for allot of the 4bt swaps that people are doing, such as the Jeep JK. Or even a F150

I do think the 4bt would be a good swap in a full size ford van though.

 

Thanks for your input. When the Dodge dealership sends me to Freightliner, and the Freightliner dealership sends me to Dodge, and independent shops don’t want anything to do with it, that doesn't seem like the best option. Maybe I've just had bad luck with shops.

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Now that you mention it, I think I'll see if I can find a big Ford or Chevy cargo van, I hear the Ram vans have smaller cargo doors. Hopefully I can find a cheap gasser and swap in a 4bt. Don’t need a whole lotta power, just want good milage and cheaper maintenance. Try to sell this pos before I snap another crank or blow another turbo.

 

Those vans are unibody are they even strong enough to handle the torque of anything more powerful? Just something to consider

 

Hadn't thought about that, not really looking for more power, just better durability, easier maintainance, and less expensive parts. Saw a thread on putting a refer engine in an S10, that might be a little on the weak side, I'll have to check it out.

 

Well if thats how you feel about the 4bt I can't even imagine what you would have to say about me putting a 6bt in an F150

 

If you want something reliable I know a company that uses gas sprinters and i think they are very happy with them. They switched to gas after having issues with the Durramax chassis cabs they were running. Im not saying Durramax engines are unreliable they had issues cause the guys would never plug them in and they wouldn't start in the -30 temps

 

4BT Cummins Diesel Specs 4bt weighs 750

http://www.cumminsdieselspecs.com/12v.html 6bt weighs 975- 1100 depending on wether its 24 valve or not.

stock ford 5.0 weighs about 500.

anyone could put an engine in something else but the whole point of diesel swaps is for better economy or low speed torque. Its just ridiculous to put an engine that will destroy the drive train and front suspension of the vehicle.

Consider this. the 6bt is used in allot of medium duty trucks and large RV's. And International actually uses a 6 cyl. version of of the powerstroke on there medium duty trucks. So the 6bt, and the v8 powerstrokes, and the Duromax, are actually more engine then is necessary for light duty pickup trucks. They just sell them because the US market wants more power. they only pickup I could see necessary to have the the 6bt, duromax or powerstroke is on there one ton duallys, for towing heavy trailers.