Mraolguy

Looking to do a om617 diesel swap in my 98 xj 4x4 anyone have any good input, things to get before I start ?

andrewmp6

I would pass on it it weights 580lbs and its a 70s diesel.If your heart set on a diesel swap look in to a vw tdi it weights 380lbs and can make good enough power with some mods.Or for the price your going to spend why not run a 5.3 ls?

93_xjcherokee

I always wanted to run a 4bt swap in an xj

andrewmp6

4bt is even heavier its 745 lbs about the same weight as a all iron chevy big block.A ls1 weights 430 lbs a 5.3 iron block is 520lbs

93_xjcherokee

Yeah but diesel power compared to v8 power..... there's not much comparison.

LAF1269

You are correct, there isn't. An LS1 and 5.3 both make more HP and torque than a 4bt. They also weight significantly less, are easier/cheaper to build, and easier to find. For full size truck motors you may have a point, but for a diesel that will fit into an XJ, not so much. Although it's cool because it's different, the XJ diesel swaps to me just seem impractical and more of a novelty than anything else.

93_xjcherokee

Put it this way..... if gas motors made more power and torque than diesel motors, 18 wheelers and trains would be running gas engines

drhoward1988

Power isn't the issue... it's economy..A diesel normally gets the same MPG with no load or full load where as gas fluctuates.

CobraMarty

That engine, OM617 is long and IIRC requires stretching of the front end.

andrewmp6

A 4bt stock makes 105hp and 265 foot pounds of torque.A 5.3 ls stock makes 295hp and 335 foot pounds of torque.

andrewmp6

To do the swap you can get a adapter from http://www.mercedesdiesel4x4.com/category_s/1831.htm and http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/showth...okee-Questions
http://www.dieselbombers.com/diesel-...ld-thread.html

93_xjcherokee

My friend has a 05 duramax and he averages 19mpg with a fully loaded goose neck with hay. I can't get 14mpg with a lot of downhills. If I had a choice I would swap for diesel in a heartbeat

andrewmp6

With a xj a diesel swap is harder,Its unibody has a smaller engine bay and if you off road it weight matters.For the xj the vw diesel is prefect but pricey to do.I wouldn't use a 4bt in anything under a 1/2 ton truck because of the weight of it.

LAF1269

I don't think you're getting the argument. It's not about diesel vs. gas, it's about diesel vs. gas that will swap into an XJ. You do have choices, but are limited by size and weight. Of those choices, the gas options will have more HP and torque, and will be easier to build. Comparing a train or Semi engine to what will fit into an XJ is apples to oranges. It's a completely different application. And try to put a Duramax (@ 835 lbs.) in an XJ, I would love to see it.

Gary Briggs

I've a ton of research with regards to a TDI or Mercedes diesel swap. My vision had noting to do with Hp/torque. I wanted fuel economy and the ability to make my own fuel.

Believe it or not the biggest hurdle for me was getting the DMV to sign off of it, second was the weight and size of most of the economically availible Diesel engines.