The Wombat: Time for a "proper" video introduction

Jeff Glucker

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the wombat

I may have mentioned the machine in a post already, but I wanted to give you another look at our latest project car acquisition. She’s called The Wombat, and we here at Hooniverse HQ have big plans for her. The goal is to transform this lovely 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300TD into a seven-passenger sleeper. How will we accomplish that? By playing with and transplanting new goods under the hood.

The 3.0-liter diesel engine isn’t exactly a heart stopper when it comes to performance. Our initial idea is to rip out those internals and swap them for a HEMI. Everyone I talk to suggests going with something from the LS family instead. Yes, that would be easier, but not as interesting (though still extremely fun). I am also toying with the idea of keeping it a diesel but making it an angry, black-cloud producing hyper turbo diesel.

I want to hear from you on this one. What should we do to the engine bay? Go forth with our HEMI idea, jump ship to the easier LS, or create a wicked diesel monster? Sound off in the comments and watch the introductory video after the break. I put the word “proper” in quotes in the title because I edited the clip myself… hence, it’s not exactly a proper video since I’m still learning how to cobble together footage.

Enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saagKi9lau4[/youtube]

About

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff

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67 responses to “The Wombat: Time for a "proper" video introduction”

  1. Frank Demboski Avatar
    Frank Demboski

    12 valve cummins

    Reply
    1. Maxichamp Avatar
      Maxichamp

      I've got that sort of covered, hopefully. I'm angling for a Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4×4 press vehicle.
      850 pound-feet of torque out of the 6.7 liter Cummins.

      Reply
  2. CherokeeOwner Avatar
    CherokeeOwner

    Go with the Hemi. Diesels that are nothing but smoke and noise are annoying, and LS motor-swaps are a dime a dozen.

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      that is my main thought

      Reply
    2. racer139 Avatar
      racer139

      I know this is a bit late….. diesel dosnt have to smoke to make power. The black smoke usually seem belching from the stacks or tailpipe is a sign of overfueling. There are a bunch of ways to make diesel power without the smoke or the clatter.

      Reply
  3. wisc47 Avatar
    wisc47

    I'm not exactly sure what your budget is, but I'll just leave these here…
    http://erepairables.com/salvage-cars-auction/cars…
    http://erepairables.com/salvage-cars-auction/truc…

    Reply
  4. HSA Avatar
    HSA

    Haven't we seen all the "power smoke" diesel MBs yet? To me it looks like every old MB around here ends up as a 400+ hp soot blower. I've nothing against turbodiesels (I drive one myself), but almost any petrol engine would make it more interesting.
    [youtube -gVUwDJ1QyY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gVUwDJ1QyY youtube]

    Reply
  5. Marc Avatar
    Marc

    Chevy diesel. Those motors can go well over 600hp and stil have stupid high MPG.

    Reply
  6. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    "Maybe some wheels" – oh, no, no, no! A grey MB wagon like this looks just perfect.
    Motor: 300hp Volvo five cylindre. Just to enjoy hundreds of "Why?"-faces whenever the car is presented, until you show the people how it performs and let them listen in. Five cylindres have a great balance of sound, performance, weight and oddity.
    But I guess I'm alone on that one…

    Reply
    1. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
      ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

      Better would be Volvo whiteblock I6 like a B630 or B625. A hood swapped from an 850 would be just a little extra special touch too then. I don't know enough about Audi I5 but it might be silly too.

      Reply
      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        Would the hood fit? When it comes to exterior stuff, I very much cheer on factory looks.

        Reply
        1. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
          ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

          Would it really matter? I just like how on these both the grille was part the hood and could do the 'open wide please.'

          Reply
    2. Manic_King Avatar
      Manic_King

      Or maybe Yamaha V8 from a crashed XC90? Noble, the UK "men in the shed" sportscar co. uses these.

      Reply
      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        I was thinking about this one, too. It's a compact, powerful engine. But I'd just expect them to be very hard to find!? And I really prefer the deep sound of the I5…

        Reply
  7. Kamil_K Avatar
    Kamil_K

    What is you find a rolled-over G63 (should be dime-a-dozen in LA) and put the W123 body on that frame?
    And maybe somehow lower it a bit so it's not too redneck-y looking. I'm thinking AMC Eagle-looking thing…

    Reply
  8. frankthecat Avatar
    frankthecat

    Alfa V6.
    Please.
    Please please.

    Reply
  9. Tim Odell Avatar
    Tim Odell

    What about keeping it in the family and getting a M116 or M117 from a 560 SEC or whatever?
    Looks like they're good for 250-300hp in stock trim. We could drop an aftermarket TBI on top or MPI + megasquirt…
    I kinda like that as there's a decent chance more things will just kinda bolt up and work, as opposed to most swaps where you're guaranteed to do some engineering.

    Reply
    1. jeepjeff Avatar
      jeepjeff

      The M117 (and I would assume the M116 is the same) is an OHC V8, which normally means wide. May or may not be harder to fit (they weren't used in the W123).

      Reply
      1. Tim Odell Avatar
        Tim Odell

        If you google it, it's been done.
        Though I've heard the 123 engine bay is a tight fit for almost anything.

        Reply
        1. jeepjeff Avatar
          jeepjeff

          Awesome. I know nothing about M-B bellhousing patterns. I'm currently in camp HEMI, but if a good transmission bolted up to both the M117 or M116 and to the W123 chassis (so that it bolts to the Wombat), I might switch camps. Because you're right, bolt-up and kinda work would be a big win. Some of the later transmissions that the HEMI bolts to are huge, and might require more than a little tunnel modification (which can be summed up with: ugh).

          Reply
    2. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
      ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

      Wait a minute I just thought of something… This is CA and an '84. How are you going to deal with smog? Is it that since it's a diesel now it never had to be checked and you will keep that pretense going forward?

      Reply
      1. jeepjeff Avatar
        jeepjeff

        IIRC, the engine swap rules around here are if you go newer and use a motor for a similar style of vehicle and keep the new smog equipment, you can do it. There's a bit of theory and IANAL, but I know people who have put much newer drivetrains in older cars and gotten them registered (not without plenty of DMV horror stories).
        There's also SB100, but that is more expensive, and there are only 500/year for the entire state.
        I kinda doubt you can sneak by the smog requirements by starting with a diesel VIN frame and switching to gasoline.

        Reply
        1. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
          ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

          Thanks Jeffy, so diesel to benzybenz is not trouble regarding the similar engine type? Hey can you tell I'm pulling hair out because of some code here late at work?

          Reply
          1. jeepjeff Avatar
            jeepjeff

            http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_barresources/07_autorepa…
            Looks like you can do '84 300TD to anything gasoline and newer. So, HEMI, 6.3L AMG or the like are all legal, just so long as you dot the t's, cross the i's, and install the cats and check engine light. And you like spending a crap ton of time at the DMV. (EDIT: Which is to say: Scoutdude makes an excellent point about 1995 and earlier drive trains, so that late 80s Benz V8 has less complicated emissions systems going for it over the HEMI, which needs a whole raft of Chrysler Electrical Bits™.)
            Good luck with that code. I've got half an eye on a database server that's trying to fill its disk tonight. Oh, technology.

        2. Tim Odell Avatar
          Tim Odell

          Actually…
          It's a fairly common thing for formerly 6.2 or 6.5 GM Detroit Diesel trucks.
          There's another option I know of, but I'm not going to get into it here.

          Reply
          1. jeepjeff Avatar
            jeepjeff

            I think I know what the other option you're thinking of is, and definitely no need to get into it here.

      2. scoudude Avatar
        scoudude

        The basics are that you have to use the same year or newer and same emissions class or better and use all virtually all of the emissions equipment as was used on the donor engine in it's original application. Once that is all done then you need to get a emissions referee to verify and approve the conversion. On approval the referee will attach a tag for future emissions inspections that state what to test the vehicle as. IE if the engine came from a 12 Charger the inspector would look up the required equipment and standards. Because of the need for all the emissions equipment to be present you really want a 95 or older donor to avoid the stricter OBD2 standards and equipment. IE no need for evap monitoring after cat O2 sensors ect.

        Reply
  10. jeepjeff Avatar
    jeepjeff

    The HEMI and LSx are pretty comparable platforms, IMHO, and as noted above by CherokeeOwner*, the LS swaps are a dime a dozen. Go with the HEMI, you have at least as many good options for transmissions (the HEMI has the same bolt pattern as the LA V8s, which means just about any Chrysler transmission from the 1960s on has a version that will just bolt up, even the Viper and Magnum V10 transmissions).
    (* What a coincidence, the Jeep guys think the HEMI is the right choice.)

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      very very interesting about the trans…

      Reply
      1. jeepjeff Avatar
        jeepjeff

        The only bit of fine print is that transmissions that primarily mated to carbureted engines won't have a hole in the bellhousing for the crank position sensor, but that's a relatively easier modification than making an adapter plate (or whole bell housing). For example: the A833 four speed bell housing needs this modification; that's the 4 speed in the eMax Challenger. Chrysler also put the starter on either side of the HEMI, so that can be an issue as well. You'll need to do your homework, but there's a lot of options.
        (EDIT: do your homework probably means have some careful discussions with the mechanic doing the transplant before you hit ebay 😉

        Reply
        1. Tim Odell Avatar
          Tim Odell

          I think you're volunteering.
          Got a spare garage space…?

          Reply
          1. jeepjeff Avatar
            jeepjeff

            My garage space is terrible, I'm in the Bay Area, not LA (so the Wombat would have to move up here), and I'm somewhere north of Mr. Glucker and well south of you in terms of experience (plenty of aptitude, 100% armchair mechanic for engine swaps, kind of a crappy welder, can fake it with machine tools on a good day).
            Were garage space available up here, I would be totally down with throwing my spare time at this. (EDIT: to be clear, if I had half a garage space, I would be volunteering.)

  11. sport_wagon Avatar
    sport_wagon

    BUILD IT NOW!! NOW!!!

    Reply
  12. sport_wagon Avatar
    sport_wagon

    My buddy had a white one of these. The transmission went out and he just GAVE it to the local high school as a tax write-off. WUT. I almost smacked him because I know for certain that there's an old Caprice sitting in the junkyard that would be more than willing to donate its drive train. And a Caprice drive train would've been awesome for the sound alone.

    Reply
  13. smokyburnout Avatar
    smokyburnout

    Keep it in the family, keep it diesel, but this engine with these pipes
    [youtube DKTDYbfpVj4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKTDYbfpVj4 youtube]

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      mother of god

      Reply
  14. salguod Avatar
    salguod

    My first thought was if this were Jalopnik I'd say HEMI, if it were Autoblog I'd say LS. But this is Hooniverse, that means the diesel or something much more obscure interesting.
    How about a VW W8? 😀
    Frankly, the HEMI is likely the practical choice offering something that's not an LS but not so weird as to be project killing. A late model Mustang 5.0 might do too. Back it up with a 6 speed and we're moving back into hoon territory.

    Reply
    1. Tim Odell Avatar
      Tim Odell

      The Coyote 4V motor is GIGANTIC.

      Reply
      1. jeepjeff Avatar
        jeepjeff

        The jump from Windsor to Modular is what makes me think OHC V8s are big. Those things are monstrous, particularly the DOHC 4V versions.

        Reply
  15. buzzboy7 Avatar
    buzzboy7

    4BT swap. About the right size and weight to fit the engine bay, super hot rodable, powerful, efficient. Back it with maybe a ZF6 or an NV5600.

    Reply
    1. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
      FuzzyPlushroom

      I was actually gonna say, 4BT, leave the hood off.

      Reply
  16. Deartháir Avatar
    Deartháir

    I do have a 6.7L PowerStroke sitting unattended right by my parking space.
    There's also a pile of 6.0L PowerStrokes sitting back by the dumpster if you want a challenge.

    Reply
    1. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
      ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

      Is that a power stroke in your pocket or are you just … eww.

      Reply
    2. scoudude Avatar
      scoudude

      Of course the 6.7, 6.4 and 6.0 Power Strokes don't even really fit in the engine compartment of a F250, IE darn near anything more than changing the oil and filters require the cab to come off, so it would be quite a feat to shoehorn it into something remotely resembling this Benz w/o it just being the shell sitting on a custom tube frame. So yeah Stroke it.

      Reply
    3. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      that would be kind of awesome too… though I think too large for our engine bay.

      Reply
      1. SSurfer321 Avatar
        SSurfer321

        But not too large for behind the 2nd row seats…

        Reply
  17. scoudude Avatar
    scoudude

    The HEMI is the choice to sort of keep it in the family but the fact is a something from 95 or older will be much easier, and much cheaper, to get past the emissions referee.

    Reply
    1. Tim Odell Avatar
      Tim Odell

      An efi 5.9 seems like a non-terrible idea.
      Not going to make stonking power, but still a major upgrade over the oil-burner.

      Reply
  18. discontinuuity Avatar
    discontinuuity

    I'll say what I said when Murilee Martin was looking for an engine for his hot rod: the GM Atlas 4200 straight-six. Compact, all-aluminum, cheap, and the later models made 291 hp and 277 lb-ft.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Atlas_engine
    <img src="http://image.chevyhiperformance.com/f/9591141+w750+st0/p159130_image_large.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. jeepjeff Avatar
      jeepjeff

      Ooh, looks like those use the Chevrolet V8 bolt pattern. That puts a lot of transmission options on the table, both manual and automatic. I'm still on Team HEMI as I write this, but hey, MOPAR guy. The Atlas definitely has potential. Inline sixes don't get nearly enough respect.

      Reply
    2. smokyburnout Avatar
      smokyburnout

      A lot of people who swap these into older cars seem to turbo them.
      [youtube qn6Do9gCbRA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn6Do9gCbRA youtube]

      Reply
  19. Manic_King Avatar
    Manic_King

    The more I read about DMV nightmares and think about big, difficult to install other-brand V8 and truck motors, the more I feel that Mad_Science has got it right. How about most powerful gas I-6 MB has ever sold in a passenger car and then some tuning (turbo?) on top? Is it 230 hp version out of, say, first half of nineties' SL or E-series? Has even roots in an era when Wombat was still produced, probably.
    That GM Atlas idea is great, too. Still, I'd stay in MB world, if possible.

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      Yeah, that might be the plan too… apparently the 560 SEL swap is one that's highly plausible.

      Reply
    2. Tim Odell Avatar
      Tim Odell

      The short version is that diesel cars don't get smog checked in CA. There's no system in place for them to ever know that it's been engine-swapped to gas, so it'll continue to not get smog-checked.

      Reply
      1. scoudude Avatar
        scoudude

        That is interesting since we do have exhaust opacity testing for diesels in WA, though when testing was initially implemented they were exempt. That meant the Olds diesel powered G bodies were in demand since you could stick a crazy SBC or BBC in them w/o worry. Of course we still have the 25 year rolling exemption so something this old is free and clear no matter how you look at it.

        Reply
      2. jeepjeff Avatar
        jeepjeff

        Right. For diesels, the cut off MY analogous to 1975 is somewhere in the late 90s, isn't it? So, start with a diesel VIN frame, and CA BAR will never come knocking.

        Reply
  20. MVEilenstein Avatar
    MVEilenstein

    Small-block Chevy, of course.
    What? Someone had to say it.

    Reply
  21. dwegmull Avatar
    dwegmull

    What about a gas turbine, from a helicopter?
    If that fails (why would it?), the backup plan should be a steam engine.
    I will now head back to AT…

    Reply
  22. SSurfer321 Avatar
    SSurfer321

    Jeep 4.0 I6?
    <img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSvpwSs-OuyKpNFWTC4IYsf625teRdAg0Boy-o4WyfM7Gzx6rdTNw&quot;, width=500>

    Reply
  23. bhtooefr Avatar
    bhtooefr

    The VW W8 idea is certainly full of WTF, and that is an amazing sounding engine, but it's a ridiculously wide engine, and it's not a particularly good one.
    Some WTF ideas…
    Detroit Diesel 3-53T. Weight would be a problem, though, as would height. And, it wouldn't be fast at all.
    Mercedes-Benz OM648. You thought I was going to say 606, weren't you? W123 606 builds are played out, though, and they almost all have the belching-smoke-monster problem.
    BMW M57TU2D30.
    The one that would troll everyone, yet actually be decently fast (but it'd take a crapton of engineering to get the battery pack in)… find a wrecked GS 450h (if ~340 hp is enough) or LS 600h (if ~440 hp is required). Swap that drivetrain in.

    Reply
    1. Jobe Avatar
      Jobe

      C124 with a om648.

      Reply
  24. Com126 Avatar
    Com126

    I lost complete interest in this the second he said Hemi. Blopping in V8s into cars and making them a "Sleeper" is boring and over done.

    Reply
    1. dead_elvis Avatar
      dead_elvis

      You've been incredibly helpful, what with your numerous excellent & original suggestions.

      Reply
      1. Com126 Avatar
        Com126

        I just watched the video. Didnt read the article.
        A turbo OM606
        A I4 16v cosworth engine
        A 3.4 AMG M104
        A stock M104

        Reply
        1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
          Jeff Glucker

          There you go, see – all healthy choices.

          Reply
  25. racer139 Avatar
    racer139

    Again sorry about the tardy comment. But what about rams new ecodiesel, 3.0 v-6 stock output is 240 hp and 420 ft/lbs I bet with the emission system upgraded (aftermarket) and a good tune it could probably see 320 hp 600ft/lbs. I think with a bit more indepth build (injectors, injection pump etc) it could get alot better. The only downside would be aquireing one as they are probably gonna be SPENSIVE. I am patiently waiting for the trucks release, I am slowly getting interested in camping, and want to get a 36' travel trailer.

    Reply
  26. Jobe Avatar
    Jobe

    Transmission is going to be your problem, first you'll have to swap out the 4spd cause the starter is on the wrong side for all modern MB engines, and the MB shifter is really far forward compared to an American transmission. Also, om648 is by far the most interesting, but get an ecu for that is deep wizardry, and depending on your stance might require an electronic Benz transmission, or beefing up the 6spd out of a w203 or SLK.

    Reply