Israeli M3 engine conversion?

[SgtKish]

I am rebuilding another M3 and she is about as bad as it gets on condition. Regardless she will be brought  back to new condition again, just going to take a lot more work then I was expecting.

So like everything else that has gone wrong, when I busted open the engine it was catastrophic. The pistons were locked tight and the side cylender walls were actually blown apart. Huge holes in the side walls, couldn't believe it was that bad.

So basically I want to try out what the Israelis did with the Detroit diesel 6v53 I believe it was. Does anyone know exactly what is needed to make this happen? Will this engine attach to the original transmission/transcase? Any tricks on clutch linckage? I also want to put power steering on this one to make her easier to turn sitting still or at low speed. Any ideas on what steering box I can use to contact through the clutch and brake linkage, and will fit the arm for the steering knuckle linckage?

Anything from guys is much appreciated to help me figure this mission out. Also if anyone has a pass side front outer bogie arm. The one that connects the bogie to the casting and presses down on the crab legs please let know? I just realized mine was cut for some reason straight down the middle and welded back together on the outside half. Like it was welded while on the vehicle. I thought it broke but it has a straight line cut.

Thanks guys, Mark

[Monkeypirate]

Putting the Detroit in should be fairly easy. The transmission is a standard size that is still in use.I belive it is a SAE#3. The hardest part will be adapting the clutch. I had toyed with the idea of using a Cummins 5.9 12valve engine as its the same size as the AX160 and can easily be set to the same power output so you are less likely to break anything in the drive line.  Hope you can find some info on this. It will be interesting to see how it goes!

[Outsider]

Trust me a 6v53 doesn't have enough power to brake anything. The Cummins is way more hp and torque than the Detroit.

Steve

[SgtKish]

Does the Detroit 6v53 have a noticeable difference in pickup and power? Will it get up and go so you can actually shift better before slowing down in first to second? Is it worth it at all and can I use the original M3s transmission with it? Will the cummins attach easily to the original trans as well? Any ideas on a power steering unit that will match the steering linckage bar that connects to the knuckle stud and the power steering box? Basically a year, make and model of a truck I can substitute?

I like the AX160 I rebuilt on my last M3. It turned out really nice, and starts up within 2 seconds everytime. It just doesn't have the power I thought it would. Especially when shifting from 1st to 2nd, and then to 3rd. Yes it takes some getting use to to perfect it, but I would rather get up to speed faster off the start. Also any ideas on where to find some rear brake pads, or is it something I need to do myself again?

Thanks for your replies and helping me through this mission.
Mark

[Monkeypirate]

Bothe the Detroit and cummins have similar specs. Around 215HP and 400/460 torque. The AX was around 145HP and 250 torque. Both engines should be available with SAE#3 rear ousing that will bolt to the stock trasmission. Both engines have accessory oil drives to run PS or other items. As for a bolt in setup i have neever seen one though i heard there were conversion kits made at one point. Im not sure about the Detroits but i know rebud kits are readily available for a cummins. I like the cummins just because its of a similar size and layout but the detroit is a 2 stroke and would probably feel more alive when on the lower end. For me it would come down to what is available and esier to repair. Ive never like dealing with the throttle setup on the detroits. A VP44 pump on a old cimmins is a bulletproof setup.

[Outsider]

2 stroke Detroit's only build torque and hp at higher rpm's (2000 rpm and up). They do not have much on the low end. As for fuel system the Detroit's use a cheap (compared to the cummins) fuel pump to deliver a constant low pressure fuel to all of the injectors and then the injectors themselves build the injection pressures. Cummins will torque in the 1400-1600 range.

53 parts are still readily available from Detroit Diesel (I still have one in one of my forklifts). And most Detroit parts are fairly inexpensive compared to cummins parts.

Steve

[Monkeypirate]

You are corect About the power. Thanks for setting me strait! With the fuel system i have only worked on the V8-92's and a couple of the V6s and I hated adjusting the injector linkage rods. Very finicky part. I do love the sound they made when putting out the power though.

[SgtKish]

Great intel thanks guys. I have some decisions to make I suppose.  I like the idea of the Detroit because I know it's already been done many times by the Israelis. So I imagine they didn't have many issues with breaking anything in the axles. I love Cummins but they do get expensive,  and I'm not sure it it will rip anything apart with the higher torque.  This build will be going on for the next 12 months or so. So I'm sure there will be updates and plenty more questions.